VOA · Ask a Teacher
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01This week on Ask a Teacher, we consider expressions or idioms and offer some advice for learning them.
02An idiom is an expression formed from two or more words.
03But an idiom's meaning often cannot be understood just by knowing each of the words in it.
04Let's look at the following sentence as an example.
05We want our students to think outside the box.
06Here, the words outside the box form an idiom.
07If you only heard this one sentence, you might not be sure what it means.
08But people use idioms in connection to situations.
09For that reason, they usually say more than one sentence.
10And this can help you understand the idiom.
11For example, We want our students to think outside the box.
12That's why we push them to find creative ways to solve problems.
13By looking at these two sentences together, it can be easier to understand the meaning of outside the box.
14It means to think in new or creative ways.
15In addition to considering the situation to help you understand the meaning of idioms, Here is some other advice.
16Digital translation tools continue to improve, But you should avoid translating the idioms directly, word for word, into your native language.
17When you hear a short group of words that seem very unrelated to a subject under discussion, Those words will often be an idiom.
18Be sure to learn the tone or feeling an idiom carries with it.
19The best way to learn about the tone of idioms is to ask native speakers about them.
20Native speakers might also be able to tell you if an idiom is commonly or rarely used.
21When learning English, it will likely be easier for you to understand idioms than to use them in speaking.
22However, if you can use idioms correctly, that can help deepen your connection to native speakers.
23With thousands of idioms in English, there is a lot to learn.
24But do not throw in the towel.
25In other words, do not give up.
26Instead, knock yourself out.
27Or try hard.
28And do your best to learn them.
29And you will feel proud as a peacock.
30You can learn all about idioms by following our Words and Their Stories program.
31Or you can download In the Loop, a guide to American English idioms.
32For our readers and listeners, do you have a question about American English?
33Send us an email at learningenglish at voanews.com And that's Ask a Teacher.
34I'm Andrew Smith.
// transcribed with Whisper AI — reading it is easy; catching it by ear is the skill
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