An idiom is a saying whose meaning is different from the words in it. Nobody is really “over the moon”, and it never truly rains cats and dogs. At Idiom Inn, Year 3 readers learn the most common idioms and when to use them.
What your child will learn
- Know that an idiom does not mean exactly what its words say
- Explain the meaning of common idioms
- Use the rest of the sentence to work out an idiom you haven’t met before
- Choose a fitting idiom for a situation
Picture it, then translate it
Idioms paint a funny picture. “Hold your horses” makes us imagine someone pulling on the reins — and that picture is the clue: it means slow down and wait.
When you meet a new idiom, read the whole sentence. “I can’t come out, I’m a bit under the weather” makes sense only if it means feeling poorly.
Every language has them
Idioms are different in every language, which is why they can’t be translated word for word. Children who speak more than one language often enjoy comparing them.
Example questions
Here are a few questions like the ones in the first quest. Can you solve them?
1. What does “break a leg” mean?
- Good luck
- Stop now
- Get hurt
- Run fast
Show answer
Answer: Good luck. People say “break a leg” to wish performers good luck.
2. True or false? An idiom means exactly what its words say.
Show answer
Answer: False. An idiom has a special meaning that is different from its words.
3. What does “cost an arm and a leg” mean?
- Be very heavy
- Hurt a lot
- Be very cheap
- Be very expensive
Show answer
Answer: Be very expensive. Something that costs an arm and a leg costs a lot of money.
Tips for grown-ups
- Draw an idiom exactly as the words say, then write what it really means underneath.
- Collect idioms you hear at home or on TV in a little notebook.
- Share an idiom from another language your family speaks and compare the pictures.