Structure: Use of Idiomatic Expressions – Basic 6 English Lesson Note (Second Term)

What are Idiomatic Expressions?

Idiomatic expressions are phrases that don’t mean exactly what the individual words say. They have special meanings that we learn through culture and experience.

Common Nigerian Idiomatic Expressions:

1. “Break a leg”

• Literal meaning: To hurt your leg
• Real meaning: Good luck!
• Example: “Break a leg in your exam tomorrow!”

2. “It’s raining cats and dogs”

• Literal meaning: Animals falling from sky
• Real meaning: It’s raining very heavily
• Example: “We can’t go out because it’s raining cats and dogs.”

3. “Kill two birds with one stone”

• Literal meaning: Use one stone to kill two birds
• Real meaning: Do two things at the same time
• Example: “I killed two birds with one stone by shopping and visiting my friend.”

4. “A piece of cake”

• Literal meaning: A slice of cake
• Real meaning: Something very easy
• Example: “The Mathematics test was a piece of cake.”

5. “Cost an arm and a leg”

• Literal meaning: Price is body parts
• Real meaning: Very expensive
• Example: “The new phone costs an arm and a leg.”

More Common Idioms:

• “Don’t count your chickens before they hatch” – Don’t assume success too early
• “The early bird catches the worm” – Start early to succeed
• “When pigs fly” – Something that will never happen
• “Don’t cry over spilled milk” – Don’t worry about past mistakes

Exercise D – Match Idioms with Meanings

Draw lines to connect each idiom with its meaning:

Exercise E – Complete the Sentences

Choose the correct idiom to complete each sentence:

Idioms: raining cats and dogs, piece of cake, break a leg, kill two birds with one stone

1. “Good luck with your speech! ________________!”
2. “I can’t come out to play because it’s ________________.”
3. “The spelling test was a ________________. I got all answers correct.”
4. “I’m going to ________________ by buying groceries and visiting the bank.”

Exercise F – Create Your Own

Use these idioms in your own sentences:

1. Cost an arm and a leg: _________________________________
2. Don’t count your chickens before they hatch: _________________________________
3. When pigs fly: _________________________________