There are so many phrases in the English language. Many of them may not make sense at first. How can it come to feel natural using them, and easily understanding them?

Consider:

1. The culture

2. Positive and negative connotations

3. Other similar phrases

4. Use a reputable dictionary to look up the history of the word

5. Create a visual

Let’s start with the culture.

Ask yourself questions like: What are common feelings and sentiments in this culture? What do many people find important? What do many people find unimportant? What are common activities? What is the history of the area or region?

Next let’s think about connotations. What do you think each of the following sentences mean?

“He’s a snake!”

“I’m not a rat! I wouldn’t share your secret with others.”

“You are as quiet as a mouse.”

“Ever since he’s started working out he’s become as strong as an ox.”

“Bear hug!”

“Eat like a bird, not like a horse.”

Which ones would you guess have more positive meanings/connotations? Which would you guess have more negative meanings/connotations?

Now let’s move on to comparing phrases with something similar. Here are some examples:

“It’s in the bag.”

“I’d like to get a doggy bag for the rest please.”

“I’m a bag of bones!”

“I have bags under my eyes.”

All of these use the word “bag”. Why? What do they have in common?

Following this, we can use a reputable dictionary to look up the history of a word or phrase. We can also ask native speakers what they understand it to mean, and how they picture it in their minds.

Last but not least, create your own visual. After learning the meaning, and hearing how people see it, imagine it yourself. If you like to take note of new phrases you learn, write it down and put a picture next to it with a comic strip of the scene you’re imagining.

Do you recognize any of the phrases we talked about today?

For more information, keep your eye out for our future posts on social media.

Keep up the good work!

-You Are Learning English Team

A group of experienced and certified ESL and English as a Foreign Language teachers.