Vocabulary Tests: Idioms and expressions

An idiom is a group of words with a meaning that is different from the meaning of each word. For example, "it's raining cats and dogs" means it is raining very hard. You must learn the whole phrase, not single words.

Learn a few at a time and see them in a short story or sentence. Say the sentence aloud and write one of your own. Review them after a few days. Tests help you check which idioms you remember and which you forget.

Use them carefully. Some are fine at work, for example "get the ball rolling" means to start something. But many idioms are informal, so choose them with care in emails and reports, and keep the rest of your language clear and simple.