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Rubrica di Kara Bird

Learn English Idioms

Mar 1, 2023

Learning idioms is one of the most difficult parts of studying English, but also one of the most essential!

Mastering idioms will help you understand conversations in English and speak naturally with English speakers.

Today I would like to introduce to you five common colour idioms:

1. out of the blue: surprisingly, without warning
This morning, I got a phone call from my high school friend out of the blue. We haven't spoken in more than thirty years!

2. green with envy: jealous

I was green with envy when I saw my brother got a new Playstation for his birthday.

3. once in a blue moon: rarely; not very often
I hate going to the gym, so I only go once in a blue moon - maybe once a year.

4. to see red: to become very angry suddenly
When I saw my husband had broken my favourite vase, I saw red and began yelling at him.

5. to be tickled pink: to be very pleased about something
My parents were tickled pink when I told them I had passed the test.

Now, it's your turn!

Has anything happened to you out of the blue recently?
What, or who, makes you green with envy?
What do you only do once in a blue moon?
What kind of thing makes you see red?
When was the last time you were tickled pink?

Here are some tips for learning idioms:
1. Write down idioms that you see in books or hear in movies. Even better, write the whole sentence - this will help you understand the context in which native speakers use the idiom.
2. Find out the meaning by talking to a native speaker or looking in a dictionary. Some dictionaries also have example sentences to help you use the words correctly.
3. Practice using the idiom in conversation and/or writing.
4. Review regularly.

Would you like to learn the meaning of new idioms and practice using them in conversation? If so, I recommend my lesson Level Up Your English with Phrasal Verbs .
Students can access a coupon using this link.

This column was published by the author in their personal capacity.
The opinions expressed in this column are the author's own and do not reflect the view of Cafetalk.

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