4ESO - Idioms (Vocabulary) (by Carla)

Hello 4ESO!

Today we are going to have a look at some idioms. By definition, an idiom is "a group of words whose meaning is different from the meanings of the individual words" (Oxford Learner's Dictionary). For example, ‘Let the cat out of the bag’ is an idiom meaning to tell a secret by mistake.

Here is a list of idioms you may not be too familiar with. When you click on each idiom, it will redirect you to a website where the idiom is explained, translated into a Spanish equivalent, and where you'll find an example of how to use it.

To cut to the chase = Ir al grano

To stop beating around the bush = Ir al grano

On second thought = Pensándolo mejor

To be out to lunch = Irse la olla

To second-guess yourself = Dudar de ti mismo

To go back to square one = Volver a la casilla de salida

To be off the table = Fuera de toda discusión

The big picture = La idea general

To keep your eye on the ball = Estar atento

To go to great lengths = Hacer todo lo posible

To hit the books = Hincar los codos

To be cut from the same cloth = Estar cortados por el mismo patrón

To break the news = Anunciar

To get down to business = Ponerse a ello

Like father, like son = De tal palo, tal astilla

To be a chip off the old block = De tal palo, tal astilla

The apple doesn't fall far from the tree = De tal palo, tal astilla

To run in the family = Ser cosa de familia

To drop the bomb = Soltar un bombazo

To get the message = Captar el mensaje

To put two and two together = Dos y dos son cuatro

To be full of yourself = Ser un arrogante

To be in the same boat = Estar en el mismo barco

To get off on the wrong foot = Empezar con mal pie

Not my cup of tea = No es lo mío

To be all ears = Ser todo oídos

These two are YouTube videos of these idioms in TV Series and Films.

To throw in the towel = Tirar la toalla

The cat is out of the bag = Levantar la liebre

This list is just a short compilation of the hundreds of idioms that exist in English. As you can see, there are many ways to say the same thing (e.g. "de tal palo, tal astilla" can be said in 3 ways in English), and sometimes the same expression is used in Spanish. However, you should know that certain idioms are regionally used. For example, in my area of England people say "to be off your trolley" (estar mal de la cabeza) - but my friends from other parts of the English-speaking world had never heard that idiom before!

If you are interested in some light-hearted reading, I recommend you read "From Lost to the River". It is a book written by Spanish authors to make fun of Spanish idioms by translating them into English - a very interesting read!

Hope you are all well.

Best wishes,

Carla