How to Recognize and Interpret Idioms in Different Contexts

What are Idioms?

Idioms are figurative expressions in language that carry meanings beyond the literal interpretation of their words. They often convey a concept, idea, or sentiment concisely and vividly. Idioms are integral to effective communication in English, adding depth, nuance, and color to expressions....

How Important are Idioms on the TOEFL?

While idioms aren’t a primary focus of the TOEFL exam, they still hold significance in your preparation. Even though you might not encounter them frequently during the test, unfamiliar idioms can impede your understanding of passages or questions, potentially affecting your score. Hence, it’s beneficial to allocate some study time to grasp how idioms are utilized in TOEFL contexts and to familiarize yourself with common ones....

How Are Idioms Tested on the TOEFL?

Understanding how idioms are assessed on the TOEFL helps you anticipate what to encounter during the exam. In all TOEFL sections, it’s crucial to note that direct questions about idioms won’t be posed. You won’t find a Reading question asking for the definition of an idiom like “feeling blue” or a Speaking prompt requesting you to describe an experience related to an idiom like “butterflies in your stomach.”...

37 Idioms You Should Know for the TOEFL

Idiom Definition Sample Sentence A short fuse A quick temper. Don’t get the coach mad; he has a very short fuse. Beat around the bush To avoid the main topic/not speak directly. Stop beating around the bush and tell me why you’re here. Be on your toes Be ready/prepared. A fire can happen at any moment, so firemen always need to be on their toes. Breeze though something To do something quickly and easily. Don’t worry about the math homework; I’m sure you’ll breeze through it. Butterflies in your stomach To feel nervous. Tom always got butterflies in his stomach before giving a speech. Costs an arm and a leg Is very expensive. That new purse of hers costs an arm and a leg. Couch potato Someone who is lazy. You need to stop being such a couch potato and start joining me at the gym. Cut corners To do something badly to save time or money. The architect cut corners on the bridge’s construction, which is why it eventually collapsed. Cut someone some slack To go easy on someone. I heard Rachel’s dad is sick, so we should cut her some slack on this group project. Feeling blue Feeling sad or depressed. Erika’s been feeling blue every since her boyfriend broke up with her. Finding a needle in a haystack Virtually impossible to find. These days, finding a job that doesn’t require experience is like trying to find a needle in a haystack. Get some shut eye Sleep. I have a big exam tomorrow, so I need to get some shut eye. Go the extra mile Put in extra effort. Kelsey has the highest grades in our class since she always goes the extra mile with homework assignments. Hang in there Be patient. I know it’s hard waiting for the exam results, but you just need to hang in there. Hard up Lack money. Ellie knew I was hard up, so she paid for my coffee. Have a bone to pick Have something to argue about. I have a bone to pick with the girl who stole my boyfriend from me. Jump on the bandwagon To join something that’s popular. I’ve decided to jump on the bandwagon and listen to that new band everyone is talking about. Let’s get this show on the road! Let’s get started! We have everything packed for the road trip, so let’s get this show on the road! Let the cat out of the bag To tell a secret. The surprise party was ruined when my little brother let the cat out of the bag and told our mom about it. Lose your marbles To be crazy. (Often said as a joke.) Mrs. Thompson wants all this homework finished tomorrow? She must have lost her marbles! Make a long story short To quickly get to the point. To make a long story short, my neighbor found my lost dog near the park. Make your blood run cold Frighten. That new horror movie made my blood run cold. Once in a blue moon Something that happens very rarely. Only once in a blue moon will Mr. Smith let us get out of class early. On the fence To not have made a decision or formed an opinion yet. I’m on the fence as to whether this new law is a good idea. Piece of cake Something easy to do. The math homework has only three questions, so finishing it will be a piece of cake. Pulling one’s leg To joke with someone. You didn’t really believe that, did you? I was just pulling your leg. Put your foot in your mouth Say something you shouldn’t have. The husband put his foot in his mouth when he told his wife her dress was ugly. Raining cats and dogs Raining very hard. You absolutely need an umbrella; it’s raining cats and dogs out there! Read between the lines To detect a meaning that’s implied but not stated outright. Reading between the lines of this poem you wrote her, it seems as though you like Elizabeth. Run into someone Meet someone unexpectedly. I ran into my old kindergarten teacher at the grocery store today. Sweating bullets To be very nervous. Alan was sweating bullets when he asked the girl he liked to the dance. Tag along Accompany. I told my little sister she could tag along when we go to the beach. Take a rain check Postpone a plan. I have the flu, so I’ll need to take a rain check on going to the club. Take it easy Relax. This summer, all I’m going to do is take it easy. Take with a grain of salt Don’t take too seriously. My father doesn’t know anything about cars, so take any advice he gives you about fixing your engine with a grain of salt. Test the waters Try something out. If you’re not sure if you want to join the club, you can test the waters by just going to the first meeting. Way to go! Good job! You got 100% on your chemistry test? Way to go!...

Tips on How to Recognize and Interpret Idioms in Different Contexts

Recognizing and interpreting idioms in different contexts can be challenging, but with practice and some tips, you can improve your skills. Here are some tips to help you:...

How to Study TOEFL Idioms?

To ensure that idiom definitions stick in your memory, there are effective study methods to employ:...

Idioms for TOEFL- FAQs

What are idioms, and why are they important for the TOEFL?...