The English language is rich in unusual colloquial sayings and expressions.
For example, if someone tells you not to bite off more than you can chew, they are not cautioning you about the size of the morsel of food on your fork. And if something costs you an arm and a leg, it doesn’t mean you have to pay with an actual arm and a leg … thank goodness!
These sayings are called idioms and they’re a piece of cake! (See what I did there? ?)
An idiom is a saying that has a meaning that is different from its literal meaning. Idioms are fun expressions that are commonly used to describe things in a colorful way.
Here are a few more common idioms. Do your kids know what they mean?
Because idioms are common in English speech and literature, it’s important for children to become accustomed to hearing them. Learning and understanding idioms will help develop your child’s reading comprehension and build his vocabulary.
Let’s take a look at how we teach this important literary device in the All About Reading program.
Download an idiom activity and story from All About Reading Level 3.
AAR Level 3 introduces twelve idioms in an activity called “When Pigs Fly.” Many of these idioms are encountered in “Chasing Henry” and subsequent stories.
Download Level 3 Activity: “When Pigs Fly”
Download Level 3 Story: “Chasing Henry”
Download an idiom activity and story from All About Reading Level 4.
Children are exposed to more idioms in a Level 4 activity called “The Early Bird Catches the Worm” and in a short story called “The Elephant in the Room.”
Download Level 4 Activity: “The Early Bird Catches the Worm”
Download Level 4 Story: “The Elephant in the Room”
Many idioms have to do with animals (a little birdie told me), some have to do with color (tickled pink), and still others have to do with food (apple of my eye). Here’s a great collection of common idioms you can share with your children. Hang the list on the fridge or in your classroom, or discuss them over lunch–or even over a piece of cake!
How about you? Do you have a favorite idiom? Please share in the comments below!
Michele
says:I’ve found other idioms in the AAR stories and make sure to ask my kids if they know what it means. They usually don’t, so it makes for a good learning opportunity. 😇
Robin E.
says: Customer ServiceThat is an excellent way to approach idioms, Michele! English is so full of them that they pop up everywhere. Learning them in the context of a story makes the information all the more likely to stick.
Jen Morey
says:Those look like fun activities and stories in Levels 3 & 4! We look forward to exploring idioms with All About Reading.
Lee Ka
says:English is not my first language. I don’t know many idioms but I always find them interesting.
Thanks for the great collection. I am going to read them together with my kids. It’d be fun!
Robin E.
says: Customer ServiceWhat a great attitude to have when learning with your children, Lee Ka! I hope you have lots and lots of fun with these idioms. ?
Cassandra M
says:Thank you for all your articles, they are so helpful, and I really appreciate them!
Justine Rodriguez
says:Thank you so much for sharing, this is so helpful!
Robin E.
says: Customer ServiceYou’re welcome, Justine!
Sabrina Coluccio
says:Love these and so do my kids.
Robin E.
says: Customer ServiceGlad to hear your kids have enjoyed this, Sabrina. Thank you.
Christina
says:I love this! My daughter is always asking me to explain the idioms I use.
Robin E.
says: Customer ServiceGlad you like it, Christina!
KRISTINA KITAOKA
says:I love that AAR teaches idioms!
Kristine Malingowski
says:Thank you for this article. It was fun and interesting to read.
Amanda
says:Idioms are one of the most interesting things about a language!
Robin E.
says: Customer ServiceI agree, Amanda! ?
Sue Sandelier
says:I love teaching idioms–my classes always love them too!
J.Laws
says:This article is great for wrapping you head around idioms. Thanks for the great information.
Merry
says: Customer ServiceYou’re welcome! Idioms are a lot of fun!
Mom of 6
says:What a great download I can wait to use it!!!
Zorah F.
says:I totally agree that learning and understanding idioms will help develop your child’s reading comprehension and build his vocabulary, an excellent foundation too for writing creatively and effectively. :)
Candace
says:I love it!! I think being around my grandparents, I learned idioms very early!!!
Terri
says:Thanks
jenn P
says:My oldest has always struggled with idioms. I will never forget when I told him to “Hold his horses” and he said “What horse, I do not have a horse, WHERE is the horse”. I enjoyed reading your list some of those I had never heard!
Robin E.
says: Customer ServiceOh, how cute, Jenn! ?
Jeannie Miles
says:The best thing since rooster socks
Robin E.
says: Customer ServiceLove it, Jeannie! ?
Mira
says:As ever, really interesting to read!
English is full of funny idioms that make me laugh!
I love the visuals and overview sheet you provide. Many thanks!
Robin E.
says: Customer ServiceYou’re welcome, Mira! And you have the best attitude, enjoying the oddities of English instead of bemoaning them.
Mira
says:Haha! Actually, I’ve always been fascinated with language! Would love our kids to gain that too!
Desirae F
says:Thank you for the 60 idioms and their meanings!! A very helpful resource for my daughter. My favorite idiom is “take the bull by the horns”
Dawn
says:Wish I had known about this for an older child who really struggled with idioms.
Snowanna
says:I had no idea there was a blog filled with support!
Robin E.
says: Customer ServiceI’m glad to hear you found our blog helpful, Snowanna! If you ever need support or have questions, please let us know.
Melody
says:Glad I found this site
Rachel
says:One of my favorites is, “A horse a piece.”
Robin E.
says: Customer ServiceI had to look that one up, Rachel! I’ve always been more inclined to use “same difference” for meaning more or less equal. Thanks for helping me learn a new idiom!
Amanda Gustafson
says:We love using AAS and AAR together!
Danielle
says:Timely post. My autistic son has a lot of trouble with idioms. We will be trying these activities.
Robin E.
says: Customer ServiceI’m glad this was timely for you, Danielle. If he continues to have problems, however, please let us know.
Beth
says:One of my favorites is “Don’t count your chickens before they hatch”! :)
Tessa
says:The link is not working! Thank you
Robin E.
says: Customer ServiceTessa,
I’m so sorry the link isn’t working! Do you mean the link for the 60 Common Idioms download or one of the other links? What kind of device and browser are you using?
Jillian
says:My daughter and I just had a conversation about idioms. This looks like a fun way to teach them
Robin E.
says: Customer ServiceGlad this was timely for you, Jillian!
Kara Yates
says:I am excited to use your curriculum with my daughter who is dyslexic. I have heard so many good things about your program!
Robin E.
says: Customer ServiceDo you have any questions or need help with placement or anything else, Kara? We have a Dyslexia Resources page that I think you may find helpful. Let me know if you need any more information.
J. Davis
says:Thank you. These activities look great and I’m excited to add them to our homeschool.
Arielle
says:These activities are great!