Mastering English Idioms and Phrasal Verbs

If you ask an ESL (English as a Second Language) learner about idioms and phrasal verbs, many times they will respond with exasperation or confusion. Why is something good “the best thing since sliced bread”? Why does “turn up” mean to arrive somewhere, but “turn down” means to reject an invitation? Who are the Joneses and why do people want to keep up with them? Admittedly, this is a problem that all learners of second languages face. All languages include phrases that when translated literally make no sense, and which seem tailor-made to confuse students. However, learning them is incredibly important if you want to sound like a English first language (or home) speaker, which is the goal of the vast majority of learners. 

Defining Idioms and Phrasal Verbs

What are idioms and phrasal verbs, exactly? Let’s begin with the former: an idiom is a group of words that, when put in a particular order, have a meaning that is different from the meanings of each individual word. “Cold turkey” does not refer to the frozen birds seen in supermarkets, but rather to stopping a bad habit without delay. The context of how the idioms arose is vital to understanding how they are used as well. “Break a leg”, while seemingly a terrible thing to wish upon someone, is actually a colorful way of wishing someone good luck, coming from the superstitious world of theatre. It is thus very important to emphasize to ESL students that idioms should never be translated literally – they must be analyzed as a complete phrase.

Phrasal verbs, meanwhile, are a combination of a verb with one or two other elements, usually an adverb or a preposition. These additional words change the meaning of the verb, so much so that the meaning of the phrasal verb can have nothing to do with the original verb. For example, if you “get over” an illness, you are not getting anything, nor are you located over anything. Instead, you are becoming well again after a period of sickness. 

There are even some phrasal verbs with multiple meanings – “take off” can mean to remove something, to begin flying, to stop working for a spell, or to quickly increase in popularity. Many ESL students, especially those who are Romance language speakers, may find it more comfortable to use non-phrasal verb equivalents: “resolve” instead of “sort out”, or “remove” instead of “take off”. However, this gives their speech a stilted, formal quality that impedes their ability to sound natural in their English speech.

Reasons to Learn Idioms and Phrasal Verbs

Students may ask: why bother learning idioms and phrasal verbs if they are so tricky? There are a few very good reasons why:

1. Enhanced ability to understand English-language media. Books, movies, TV shows, and news articles written in English are absolutely chock-full of idioms and phrasal verbs. They are an integral part of the language, so if students avoid them at all costs, they will find it very difficult to engage with any materials that are not textbooks.
2. Avoiding misunderstandings. English speakers usually speak in an informal register, which is characterized by the use of many phrasal verbs. An ESL learner who is not well-versed in these terms may get caught up in translating each word individually, thus failing to grasp the meaning of what they are being told. Learners who are able to use idioms and phrasal verbs will find that their speech is more colorful and expressive, and that they take great leaps and bounds towards speaking naturally.
3. Understanding Anglophone culture better. Idioms in English reflect centuries of rich culture, which is key to understanding English speakers’ mindsets and traditions. Each idiom is like a story that both entertains, as well as gives a valuable historical insight into its creation.

Other Things to be Cautious About

While using idioms and phrasal verbs, students must be cautious of other things besides not taking the meanings literally. There are some phrases that are more common in some regions than others, and can even be misunderstood among English first language (or home) speakers. For example, “bless your heart” may sound like a nice thing to say from the point of view of a Londoner or a Chicagoan. However, someone from Atlanta or New Orleans in the southern US will know that the speaker is questioning their intelligence!

Overuse is another pitfall of the world of idioms and phrasal verbs, especially for the former. Sprinkled in here and there, they add interest and zest to speech. But when multiple idioms are packed into one sentence, it comes off as pretentious and overly verbose. Careful attention must be paid to how home speakers use them to see just how much is too much.

Tips for Learners

So how can ESL learners become familiar with idioms and phrasal verbs? There are a few strategies that can make this process much easier:

1. Keep a vocabulary notebook! If a student hears their teacher use a phrasal verb that they haven’t heard before, they can add it to their list to study from later. This way, they are building an excellent resource for the future.
2. Immerse yourself in English. The best way to model what natural use of idioms and phrasal verbs sounds like is to hear it in context. This could look like watching movies and reading books, although this should be balanced out with speaking with home English speakers so as to avoid using overly literary language in casual conversations.
3. Focus on high-frequency words. There are a lot of idioms and phrasal verbs out there, and focusing on obscure ones may be counterproductive. By noticing which phrases are the most common and focusing on mastering those, ESL students are making the most of their valuable time.

Mastering idioms and phrasal verbs is essential for ESL learners aiming for natural speech. While they present unique challenges, the benefits are undeniable: enhanced comprehension, clearer communication, and deeper cultural understanding. By using effective strategies like keeping a vocabulary notebook and immersing yourself in English media, you can integrate these colorful expressions into your vocabulary. Are you ready to take your English to the next level? Schedule a trial lesson with us today and discover how we can help you unlock higher fluency!