An idiom is a sentence or phrase that means something different than what it actually says. The idiom stands for something else, it is just a more creative and sometimes funny way of saying something. Idioms are found in the books we read and in the conversations that we hear. It is important for you child to understand what these idioms mean and how the are used. This will help your child as they become stronger readers because they will start to understand that not everything they read can be taken in a literal way. Sometimes authors want readers to think deeper about the text.
Every week your child will be learning a new idiom. They are expected to know what each one means, as well as try to use these idioms in their writing and their speech. We encourage both you and your child to review these idioms often and have fun with them! You can find these idioms in the back of your child's word study notebook.
1) What it says:
It's raining cats and dogs.
What it really means:
It's raining very hard.
2) What it says:
They're in hot water.
What it really means:
They're in trouble.
3) What it says:
He's all tied up.
What it really means:
He's very busy.
4) What it says:
I'm all ears.
What it really means:
I'm listening very carefully.
5) What it says:
Put your thinking cap on.
What it really means:
Try to solve a problem or try to figure out a tricky problem.
6) What it says:
He has butterflies in his stomach.
What it really means:
He's nervous.
7) What it says:
They're going bananas.
What it really means:
They're acting in a crazy way.
8) What it says:
She's down in the dumps.
What it really means:
She's very sad.
9) What it says:
He's catching some Z's.
What it really means:
He's sleeping.
10) What it says:
He's a couch potato.
What it really means:
He watches too much TV. (he's being lazy)
11) What it says:
Don't let the cat out of the bag.
What it really means:
Don't tell the secret.
Don't ruin the surprise.
12) What it says:
It goes in one ear and out the other.
What it really means:
He doesn't pay attention. He's not listening very well
13) What it says:
What it really means:
14) What it says:
What it really means:
15) What it says:
What it really means:
16) What it says:
What it really means: