How to Learn American English Idioms (Article 14)

If you want to learn the most common English idioms, this post will show you how.

It’s not that hard to learn idioms, but they are some of the hardest things in the English language. They can be tricky to understand even for native speakers. Learning them will open up so many new opportunities in your communication skills.

I would like to show you the seven steps to learn English idioms, and how to use them in your everyday communication.

STEP 1: Know the Meaning of the Idiom

Learn the meaning of the idiomatic phrase. The first step is understanding the idiom and why it is being used. Once you’ve learned the meaning, it’s time to move on to the next step.

STEP 2: Write It Down

Once you know the meaning of the idiom, write it down in your own words. Take a piece of paper and write out the exact meaning of the phrase. You may want to use an online dictionary to help with the process.

STEP 3: Use the Idiom in a Conversation

When you’re out and about, practice using the idiom. Use it in real life situations and get feedback from others. If people don’t understand what you’re saying, make sure you repeat the phrase and clarify the meaning for them.

STEP 4: Write It Down Again

After using the idiom in real life situations, take some time to write it down again. If you’re having trouble understanding the idiom, write it down in your own words. When you’re done writing it down, check to see if it’s correct. If it is, keep going! If it isn’t, go back and try again.

STEP 5: Practice Reading and Writing It Down

This is one of the most important steps. Once you know the meaning of the phrase, read it aloud. You can use an online dictionary to help you with pronunciation. Once you’ve practiced reading the phrase, write it down. Keep practicing this until you’re comfortable with the idiom.

STEP 6: Use the Idiom in a Conversation

Once you’re comfortable with the idiom, practice using it in real life situations. Use it in real conversations. Once you have a good feel for it, start to use it in your writing.

STEP 7: Repeat Steps 1-6 Until You Understand the Idiom

Repeat steps 1-6 as many times as you need to until you fully understand the idiom. If you’re having trouble understanding it, make sure you take a break and come back to it later.