This lesson contains 27 slides, with interactive quizzes, text slides and 4 videos.
Items in this lesson
What is an Idiom?
Slide 1 - Slide
Stop!
Before we begin, let's take a quick poll.
Who knows what an idiom is or has heard of idioms before?
Use zoom reactions and use the for yes or the for no
Slide 2 - Slide
What is your favorite saying or phrase?
Slide 3 - Open question
Go!
Let's Begin With a Definition
Your textbook defines idioms as "...informal expressions in which the literal meanings of the words do not add up to the actual meaning" (108).
Slide 4 - Slide
What Does This Mean?
Idioms are figures of speech! This means that:
We don't take idioms literally
Their meanings depend on what someone is trying to express
It is informal and relaxed language (conversational)
Slide 5 - Slide
Why Do We Use Idioms?
We use idioms to
emphasize or exaggerate a thought or feeling
show we "fit in" with a certain group of people
have casual and informal conversations
Slide 6 - Slide
What Do Idioms Look Like?
Slide 7 - Slide
How to Identify Idioms
Often, idioms are only familiar if we've heard and used them before. But, we can always use context!
Idiom: "snug as a bug in a rug"
In context: Her blanket was so fluffy that she was as snug as a bug in a rug.
Slide 8 - Slide
Based on the context in the previous sentence, what does "snug as a bug in a rug" mean?
Slide 9 - Open question
Idioms are NOT Universal
Idioms are different for everyone! Idioms we use can be based on
how old we are
what languages we speak
where we live
who we hang out with
Slide 10 - Slide
Idioms Around the World
Slide 11 - Slide
Idioms in Spanish
Slide 12 - Slide
0
Slide 13 - Video
Idioms in Armenian
Slide 14 - Slide
Slide 15 - Video
Idioms in Tagalog
Slide 16 - Slide
Slide 17 - Video
Idioms in Gen Z
Slide 18 - Slide
Slide 19 - Video
Let's Practice
You will be given 4 idioms. Based on the context, pick which definition you think best defines the idiom.
Slide 20 - Slide
It was raining cats and dogs outside, so I wore my rain boots and packed an umbrella. "Raining cats and dogs" means:
A
It was barely raining
B
It was raining heavily
C
Dogs and cats were actually falling from the sky
D
None of the above
Slide 21 - Quiz
I was feeling under the weather when I woke up with a stuffy nose and cough. "Under the weather" mean:
A
I felt good
B
I was sitting under a rain cloud
C
I felt sick
D
None of the above
Slide 22 - Quiz
I was on the fence about whether or not I should adopt a puppy this year. "On the fence" means
A
unconfident in a decision
B
confident in a decision
C
sitting on top of a fence
D
None of the above
Slide 23 - Quiz
Jim and Jane had over 200 guests at their wedding when they tied the knot. "Tied the knot" means:
A
Tied knots with rope
B
Tied their shoes
C
Got married
D
None of the above
Slide 24 - Quiz
Can you think of an idiom to share with the class? Think about idioms in other languages you speak, idioms you use with your friends, or that you hear around the house. Please include what your idiom means with your answer.
Slide 25 - Open question
Check-In (Anonymous)
At this point, how do you feel about idioms compared to the beginning of the lesson? Use the zoom chat to indicate where you are.
Type a 1 if you don't quite get idioms just yet
Type a 2 if you're somewhere in the middle and need a little more practice
Type a 3 if you feel confident that you understand idioms
Slide 26 - Slide
Let's Consider
Think about the question "What does it mean to be American?"
How does language play a role in American voices and culture?
What role might idioms play in assimilation?
Consider these questions as we read the poem "Immigrant Picnic"
Look for idioms, how they are being used, and what they contribute to the meaning of the poem!