Idiomatic expressions have long played an important
role in the English language. In fact, the use of idioms is so widespread that
an understanding of these expressions is essential to successful communication,
whether in listening, speaking, reading, or writing.
Teachers of English have long recognized that
idiomatic expressions add grace and
exactness to the language. However, learning such expressions is never
an easy task for the student learning English as a second or foreign language.
Attempts to translate literally form the student's native tongue usually lead
to roundabout expression of meaning and, more often, to confusion.
This helps to explain why it is often difficult to
translate an idiom from one language to another without incurring some change
in meaning or usage.
LESSON 1 ELEMENTARY
to get
in/to get on: to enter or to board a vehicle. to get in is used for cars; to
get on is used for all other forms of transportation.
-It's
easiest to get in the car from the driver's
side. The door on the other side doesn't work well.
-I
always get on the bus to work at 34th Street.
to get
out of/to get off: to leave or to descend from a vehicle. To get out of is used for cars; to get off is used for all other forms
of transportation.
-Why
don't we stop and get out of the car for a
while?
-Helen
got off the train at the 42nd Street terminal.
to put on:
to place on oneself (usually said of clothes).
-Mary
put on her coat and left the room.
-Put your hat on before
you leave the house.
to take
off: to remove (usually said of clothes).
-John
took off his jacket as he entered the office.
-Take your sweater off.
The room is very warm.
to call
up: to telephone (also: to give someone a call). To
call can be used instead of to call
up, as in the first example below.
-I
forgot to call up Mr. Jones yesterday. I'd
better call him now.
-Call me up tomorrow,
Jane. We'll arrange a time to have lunch together.
-I
promise to give you a call as soon as I arrive
in New York.
to turn
on: to start or cause to function (also: to switch on).
-Please,
turn on the light; it's too dark in here.
-Do
you know who turned the air conditioning on?
to turn
off: to cause to stop functioning (also: to switch off, to shut off). Turn on and turn off, as well as their related forms, are used for things that
flow, such as electricity, water, gas, etc.
-Please
turn off the light when you leave the room.
-Are
you really listening to the radio, or should I turn
it off?
right
away: very soon, immediately (also: at once).
-Dad
says that dinner will be ready right away, so
we'd better wash our hands and set the table.
-Tell
Will to come to my office right away. I must see
him immediately.
-Stop
playing that loud music at once!
to pick
up: to lift from the floor, table, etc., with one's
fingers
-Harry
picked up the newspaper that was on the front
doorstep.
-Could
you pick your toy up
before someone falls over it?
sooner or
later: eventually, after a period of time.
-If
you study English seriously, sooner or later
you'll become fluent.
-I'm
too tired to do my homework now; I'm sure I'll do it sooner
or later.
to get up:
to arise, to rise from a bed; to make someone arise.
-Carla
gets up at seven o'clock every morning.
-At
what time should we get the children up tomorrow?
at first:
in the beginning, originally
-At first English was difficult for him, but later he
made great progress.
-I
thought at first that it was Sheila calling, but
then I realized that it was Betty.
