Lumiere English Academy; A Basic Grammar - Lesson 17.1 Set Expressions - Idioms A to D

Lumiere English academy

A Basic Grammar
Lesson 17.1

Set Expressions
Idioms A to D

Students, everyone and each,

Strive for idiomatic speech

Speaking idiomatically, that is to use set expressions which are familiar to the English ear, will enhance your spoken speech beyond measure.

There are thousands of set expressions in the language, and it would be interesting for you to make up your own list,  jotting the expressions down as you hear them, to memorise them and make them your own.

Meanwhile, here is a list of some commonly known expressions, ranging from idioms to simple expressions which will help you keep up with the speedy talk of English-born speakers.

One thing is important, however.

If you are going to use idioms, make sure you use them in the correct context and that you use them correctly.

If you are going to say: "On this stage" instead of "at this stage" you are going to draw attention to your shortcomings instead of impressing your audience with your eloquence.

When you say "if need be", don't say: "If needs be."

Why is English so unpredictable?

Who can really say"

The best way to begin to understand the language is by keeping up with its expression.

So memorise the list and make another one of your own as you come across further ones in your reading.

Idioms A to D

A
Above criticism	The person’s behaviour cannot be faulted
Absence makes the heart grow fonder	When one is away, others long for one
A credit to his parents	He behaves in a way that would make his parents proud
A fair crack of the whip	A just deal
Adjacent to	Near to, bordering
Alive and kicking	Alive and healthy
As fast as you can say Jack Robinson	Very quickly
A penny saved is a penny earned	When you save you benefit
At the height of his fame	When he was most famous
At this stage	At the point which has been reached
At loggerheads	quarrelling
B
The bare bones	The outline
A baker’s dozen	thirteen
A bolt from the blue	An unexpected blow
A bone of contention	A cause for quarrelling
Be committed to	Feel responsible for
Beggars can’t be choosers	Those who live on gifts should not criticise them
Better late than never	Better come late than stay away
Beyond measure	More than you know
Beyond reproach	Said of someone of outstanding character
Beyond the shadow of a doubt	definitely
Blood is thicker than water	You always favour blood relations
Breaking the ice	Putting people at ease
Buying a pig in a poke	Buying a worthless item
By dint of	Through the medium of
By hook or by crook	Whatever it takes
By trial and error	By means of experimentation
C
Carrying coals to Newcastle	Giving people things of which they have plenty
Caught red-handed	Caught in the act of a crime
A chip of the old block	Resembling his or her parents or ancestors
Closing the stable door after the horse has bolted	Fixing the problem after it has occurred
A cut above the average	Superior
Cut and dried	All completed and prepared
Cutting classes	Being absent from classes without a valid excuse
D
Don’t look a gift horse in the mouth	Don’t be critical of presents people give you
Don’t rub it in	Don’t pursue your advantage in conversation
Down in the dumps	Depressed
Drawing the line	Refusing to accept any further pleadings
Drawn to	Attracted to
Driving a hard bargain	Being excessively competitive when negotiating

Dr Luky Whittle