"It is raining cats and dogs." "Break a leg." English is full of idioms, and they can feel impossible. Good news: you do not need many. Learn ten useful ones and use them well.
Start with useful ones
Choose idioms you will really hear.
It is up to you. I am on my way. Never mind. By the way.
These appear every day.
Learn the picture
An idiom carries a picture. See the picture, and you remember the meaning.
Break the ice: the first words that make people feel easy.
Learn the situation
Do not learn an idiom alone. Learn where it lives.
At the start of a meeting: "Let us break the ice."
Do not translate
An idiom in your language will not help. Learn the English picture.
Use it once
Use a new idiom once, in a real conversation. Then it is yours. If you never use it, it stays a list.
Words to remember
- idiom — a phrase with a special meaning
- useful — helpful
- situation — what is happening at that time
- translate — to change into another language
Questions & answers
Q: How many idioms are there?
Hundreds. You need maybe thirty for normal life.
Q: Are idioms formal?
Most are informal. Do not use them in a formal report.
Q: What if I use one wrongly?
People will smile and still understand. Mistakes with idioms are not serious.
Q: Should I learn idioms from films?
Yes, if the film is modern and about daily life. Note them down, then use one.
Q: Which idiom should I learn first?
"By the way" and "never mind". They are easy and very common.