language, because it could be one of the ways to give students better conditions to improve
communicative skill in the daily context.
Moreover, the researcher expresses that the common use of idioms in daily speech for
English speakers has brought a necessity in the teaching field to implement the use of this
tool in and outside the classroom in order to help students be competitive, increase their
vocabulary and the informal way to speak in English.
English is a language particularly rich in idioms - those modes of expression peculiar to alanguage (or dialect) which frequently defy logical and grammatical rules. Without idioms
English would lose much of its variety and humor both in speech and writing. The background
and etymological origins of most idioms is at best obscure. This is the reason why
a study of differences between the idioms of American and British English is somewhat difficult.
But it also makes the cases, where background, etymology and history are known, even more
interesting. Some idioms of the "worldwide English" have first been seen in the works of writers
like Shakespeare, Sir Walter Scott, Lewis Carroll or even in the paperbacks of contemporary
novelists. An example of Shakespearian quotation can be found in the following sentence:"As a
social worker, you certainly see the seamy side of life." Biblical references are also the source of
many idioms. Sports terms, technical terms, legal terms, military slang and even nautical expressions
have found their way to the everyday use of English language.
Some examples of Idioms are:
ace: make an "A" on a test, homework assignment, project, etc.
"Somebody said you aced the test, Dave. That's great!"
all right (1): expression of reluctant agreement.
A: "Come to the party with me. Please!"
B: "Oh, all right. I don't want to, but I will."
all right (2): fair; not particularly good.
A: "How's your chemistry class?"
B: "It's all right, I guess, but it's not the best class I've ever had."
all right (3): unharmed; in satisfactory condition.
A: "You don't look normal. Are you all right?"
B: "Yes, but I have a headache."
and then some: and much more besides.
A: "I'd guess your new computer cost about $2,000. "
B: "It cost that much and then some because I also bought extra RAM and VRAM."
antsy: restless; impatient and tired of waiting.
"I hope Katy calls soon. Just sitting around and waiting is making me antsy."
as easy as pie: very easy.
"I thought you said this was a difficult problem. It isn't. In fact, it's as easy as pie."
at the eleventh hour: at the last minute; almost too late.
"Yes, I got the work done in time. I finished it at the eleventh hour, but I wasn't late.
