Objective

In this lesson, you should be able to understand both context clues and collocations to determine
the meaning of idiomatic expressions.
Collocations
These are words that usually go together. But, not all words can be combined. Native English speakers will
never say 'big traffic' to say that there are lots of cars on the road. Though it is grammatically correct, it just
doesn't sound right. The correct phrase used is heavy traffic.
Idiomatic Expressions
Unlike collocations, these words are put together forming a new meaning. It is informal English or what we
may call slang.
Example:
I know how much you wanted to make it to the finals. I'm sorry to say this; You were close, but no cigar.
Explanation:
The expression, 'close, but no cigar' means that something or someone is very near but did not make it to a
destination or goal. It has nothing to do with a cigar.
Example:
The coast is clear! Dave, you can come out now, she is gone.
Explanation:
In the previous sentence we have the idiomatic expression 'the coast is clear'. Put that aside for a moment
and look at the rest of the sentence. 'Dave, you can come out now, she's gone'. 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.
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.

Questions
What are words that usually go together?
What are words that are put together to form a new meaning?
As a token of appreciation, we have given Jack a set of golf clubs for his years of loyal service.
What do you think 'a token of appreciation' means?
Italyas' pizza is the best. I love eating there. For me, it is second to none.
What do you think 'second to none' means?
Relax, in a few weeks you will find your feet and do your job well.
What does 'find your feet' mean?
I am so sleepy, can't this wait till tomorrow? Let's hit the sack.
What do you think 'hit the sack' means?
Mel has been doing his job for 20 years. He is good at it. This project should be a _ for him.
What do you think is the best set of words to complete the sentence?
Trisha has been studying all night. She will need to _ anytime now so she can have enough sleep.
What do you think is the best set of words to complete the sentence?
The nuns gave her a _ to signify their gratefulness for her generosity.
What do you think is the best set of words to complete the sentence?

Objective
This lesson aims to teach you how to use appropriate strategies in unlocking the meaning of
unfamiliar words and idiomatic expressions.
What do you do when you encounter a difficult word when you read?
What is an idiomatic expression?

 A combination of words that have a figurative meaning

 The combination of words are not meant to be taken literally
 Idioms occur in all languages.
 The meaning cannot be inferred from the words in the expression.
"My annoying brother is a thorn in my side."
The phrase - "Thorn in my side" - is considered as an idiom.
Idioms do not exactly or literally mean what the individual words in them say. This means that the brother in
the sentence does not have any "thorns" (sharp parts of a plant, like those on a rose stem) sticking into the
author/speaker's "side" of the body.
But what does the idiom "thorn in my side" mean? Here are steps to find out:
1. Picture or imagine the idiom in your head no matter how silly or strange it seems. A thorn sticking
out from your side would probably be painful and awkward.
2. Use 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.
3. Read the statement - "My annoying brother is a thorn on my side." again. Notice that the author
used the word "annoying" to describe his brother.
4. 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.
Idiomatic expressions add color in how we communicate. They also make our text or conversations more
interesting. Take a look at the following idioms below:

1. "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.
2. "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.
Tip
Idioms have their own unique meaning that can only be understood by people who speak the same
language.

Questions
Which is not a definition of an idiomatic expression based on the lesson?
Which of these is not a step in determining the meaning of an idiom?
Arrange the steps in finding the meaning of an idiom based on the lesson.
Determine the meaning of the idiom which is italicized in the statement below:
Fresh out of high school, I felt like a fish out of water when I stepped into the university.
Determine the meaning of the idiom which is italicized in the statement below:
Hearing about the victims of the latest typhoon created a lump in my throat.
Determine the meaning of the idiom which is italicized in the statement below:
The plans of the rebels went up in smoke as their tactician fell into the hands of authorities.
Determine the meaning of the idiom which is italicized in the statement below:
Jerome has become hard as nails after he lost everything when his house caught fire.
Determine the meaning of the idiom which is italicized in the statement below:
Ms. Lorenzo hit the hay after a long day of work.
Determine the meaning of the idiom which is italicized in the statement below:
Alvin's assignment was a piece of cake, he even had time to go to the bakery after.
Determine the meaning of the idiom which is italicized in the statement below:
Take her comments with a grain of salt. She didn't mean to hurt you.