Many students have difficulty recognizing and remembering idioms. Here’s a tip for you:
When you are learning a new idiom, say it out loud a few times. Then,
say it in several different sentences – push yourself to keep trying
new ways of using it. The more you say it, the easier it is to remember.
This is how many salespeople and politicians learn people’s names –
don’t say it in your head, say it out loud!Another tip is to try and visualise the idiom in pictures. For example:
Sink or swim
Bread and butter
Some idiomatic pairs are used as nouns and some are used as adjectives, regardless of what kind of words are paired together.
Some pairs that are used like NOUNS:
Odds and EndsPins and Needles
Wear and Tear
Some pairs that are used like ADJECTIVES:
Cut and DriedFree
and EasyTouch and Go
Let’s practice learning “touch and go.” You might notice that although this idiom is used as an adjective, it is formed from two verbs, which makes it particularly tricky. “Touch and go” means precarious, uncertain, maybe even dangerous, and it is used to describe situations in which one must be very careful.
Let’s use it in a few sentences:
It has been touch and go ever since my mother’s operation.
The president announced that the negotiations between the warring factions have been touch and go.
Touch and go situations often arise when approaching an unfamiliar dog.
Look for the meaning of the other idiomatic pairs given and do the same: think of a few sentences for each one. Say them all aloud. It doesn’t take long to learn new idioms in this way, and it ensures that they stick with you.
Here below you will find a fairly good amount of idiomatic pairs for you to learn and practice.
http://www.scribd.com/doc/129495868/binomials-matching
TAKE A LOOK A THIS EXPLANATION
As you have heard on the previous video, Idiomatic pairs are can be an essential part of everyday English. In this way, songs are the right place for them to come up. Watch and listen to Anastasia "SICK AND TIRED".
