Understanding Idioms Through Context

IDIOMATIC EXPRESSIONS

By Neil Alyson Gregorio

Using Context Clues and Collocation for

This is a piece of cake.

This is just easy.

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Let's take a look at this example...

Idiomatic Expressions

This is an expression whose meaning is different from the meanings of the individual words in it.

Idioms occur in all languages. It relies heavily on figurative language because the combination of words are not meant to be taken literally.​

Why do we use it?

• Language experts have found that idioms aren’t just for fun. They’re an important part of how we communicate. Some experts suggest people may have as many idioms as they do words in their common vocabulary.

• ​Idioms are particularly useful because they give you a new, creative way to express yourself. Rather than saying 'You're correct', you could say 'You hit the nail on the head', which is a more complex and interesting expression.

How can we determine the meaning of idiomatic expressions?

CONTEXT CLUES & COLLOCATIONS​

Using Context Clues

Context clues are hints that can be found in the surrounding words​ and sentences and give you additional information on what the author wants to say.

"My annoying brother is a thorn in my side."

Example:

​Notice that the author used the word "annoying" to describe his brother. We can then infer that the author's brother is someone who gives pain emotionally. And therefore conclude that - "Thorn in my side" is something that can constantly irritate.

Using Context Clues

• ​"Thomas had to hold his tongue even if he wanted to tell Chris the secret."

  Using the strategies presented earlier, we can infer that the idiom - hold his tongue means refraining from saying.

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• "The metro is flooded since it has been raining cats and dogs since this morning."

  Using the strategies presented earlier, we can infer that the idiom raining cats and dogs means non-stop strong rains.

Using Collocations

​These are words that usually go together. But, not all words can be combined. ​Collocations and idiomatic expressions are similar in a way that they are composed of two or more words put together. However, when they do differ, the first retains its literal meaning and the second loses it.

Using Collocations

"The coast is clear! Dave, you can come out now, she is gone."

​In the sentence, we have the idiomatic expression 'the coast is clear'. The phrase 'come out' is a collocation which means to stop hiding. 'She's gone' tells us that the person Dave is hiding from has already left. From this, we can now come up with the conclusion that it is now safe for Dave to come out because the person he is hiding from has already left. It can now be assumed that the expression 'the coast is clear' was used as announcement that everything is fine now, that there is no danger of being caught.

SHORT ACTIVITY

Let's test your understanding of the lesson!​

Using context clues and collocations, analyze the following idiomatic expressions and determine its meaning.

Multiple Choice

She was tickled pink by the good news.

• She was very happy

• She was surprised

• She was agitated

• She was embarrassed

Multiple Choice

That sound is driving me up the wall!

• Making me scared

• Making me annoyed

• Making me relaxed

• Making me nauseous

Multiple Choice

Although he broke a serious rule, he was only given a slap on the wrist.

• A mild punishment

• A reward

• A bracelet

• A detention

Multiple Choice

That question is hard. It's Greek to me.

• I know it

• It's easy

• It's impossible

• I don't understand

Multiple Choice

Hold your horses! The program will start in a moment.

• Be considerate

• Be patient

• Be attentive

• Be understanding

Multiple Choice

I will only marry a criminal when pigs fly.

• Never

• Probably

• Yes

• Maybe

Multiple Choice

We're in the same boat because I have financial problems too.

• We are committed

• We're in the same situation

• We are twins

• We are lazy

Multiple Choice

I fainted when I saw the price! That shirt costs an arm and a leg!

• Slightly Expensive

• Extremely expensive

• Affordable

• Moderately Expensive

Multiple Choice

I'm so tired. I could sleep till the cows come home.

• In a day

• For a week

• For a very long time

• For a short time

Multiple Choice

He surprises me everytime because he's a loose cannon.

• Unpredictable

• Extravagant

• Crazy

• Serious