1. Idioms Figurative Language In Lesson 36 you will:
Understand what is ‘idiom’.
Know the purpose of idioms.
You can misunderstand the text you are reading because of words you encounter. Individual words can prevent you from understanding if you don’t have an effective strategy to help you. What can you do when this happens. To become an independent and confident reader you need to use the strategy called, Context Clues.

2. What are idioms? Figurative Language
Idioms are expressions found in every
language, but the English language has thousands of them. Idioms are groups of words or phrases that mean something very different from what each individual word means in that phrase. They usually started somewhere in history, but took on a life of their own.
Maybe you can pronounce all the words on your page, but you don’t know what they mean. That is a problem. You will not be to understand what you are reading. Your mental picture of what you are reading will break down.
Stop reading and do Context Clues to support your reading comprehension.

3. Where do you find idioms?
Figurative Language
Where do you find idioms?
Idioms, like other forms of figurative language, are everywhere. People use them in conversation, as well.
Why use idioms?
It allows us to express feelings and emotions in a creative way. Let’s look at a few together to help you understand.
Maybe you can pronounce all the words on your page, but you don’t know what they mean. That is a problem. You will not be to understand what you are reading. Your mental picture of what you are reading will break down.
Stop reading and do Context Clues to support your reading comprehension.

4. let the cat out of the bag… to reveal a secret… behind the eight ball…
Figurative Language
Examples:
let the cat out of the bag…
to reveal a secret…
behind the eight ball…
in a bad situation…
Maybe you can pronounce all the words on your page, but you don’t know what they mean. That is a problem. You will not be to understand what you are reading. Your mental picture of what you are reading will break down.
Stop reading and do Context Clues to support your reading comprehension.
You cannot figure out the meaning of an idiom literally, word by word. If you try you will be very confused!

5. Idioms ace up your sleeve Achilles’ heel added fuel to the fire
More examples you may encounter in your reading or conversations:
ace up your sleeve
Achilles’ heel
added fuel to the fire
apple of my eye
ants in your pants
as the crow flies

6. Idioms
What does this mean?
Ace up your sleeve
Meaning: a surprise or secret advantage.
Origin: Back in the 1500’s people kept things up their sleeves because they did not have pockets. Later on, magicians hid things up their sleeves when they

7. Idioms
performed their tricks for people. In the 1800’s, dishonest card players would hide cards, often an ace, up their sleeves to win the game.
This is how idioms came to be common expressions you encounter in the English language!
Maybe you can pronounce all the words on your page, but you don’t know what they mean. That is a problem. You will not be to understand what you are reading. Your mental picture of what you are reading will break down.
Stop reading and do Context Clues to support your reading comprehension.

8. Idioms What do they mean? 2. My Achilles’ heel
Meaning: a weakness in someone’s character where they are especially vulnerable
Origin: In the Illiad, a Greek story, Achilles was the great hero and warrior. He had one weak spot, his heel. He was killed by an arrow in the heel in the Trojan War.
Maybe you can pronounce all the words on your page, but you don’t know what they mean. That is a problem. You will not be to understand what you are reading. Your mental picture of what you are reading will break down.
Stop reading and do Context Clues to support your reading comprehension.

9. Meaning: making a bad situation worse; causing more trouble
Idioms
What does this mean?
3. Added fuel to the fire
Meaning: making a bad situation worse; causing more trouble
Origin: Thousands of years ago a Roman historian used this expression. If you pour water on fire it will go out, but if you put fuel on it, it will burn hotter and brighter.
Maybe you can pronounce all the words on your page, but you don’t know what they mean. That is a problem. You will not be to understand what you are reading. Your mental picture of what you are reading will break down.
Stop reading and do Context Clues to support your reading comprehension.

10. Meaning: a person greatly loved and treasured
Idioms
What does it mean?
4. Apple of my eye…
Meaning: a person greatly loved and treasured
Origin: Ancient people thought the pupil of the eye to be the shape of an apple. The pupil is important to see, so it is precious and protected.
Maybe you can pronounce all the words on your page, but you don’t know what they mean. That is a problem. You will not be to understand what you are reading. Your mental picture of what you are reading will break down.
Stop reading and do Context Clues to support your reading comprehension.

11. Meaning: extreme restlessness; can’t stop squirming around
Idioms
What does it mean?
5. Ants in your pants…
Meaning: extreme restlessness; can’t stop squirming around
Origin: This one is easy to understand! If you had ants in your pants you would wiggle a lot!
Maybe you can pronounce all the words on your page, but you don’t know what they mean. That is a problem. You will not be to understand what you are reading. Your mental picture of what you are reading will break down.
Stop reading and do Context Clues to support your reading comprehension.

12. Idioms What does it mean? 6. As the crow flies…
Meaning: the shortest and most direct route; measured in a straight line
Origin: Most birds, including crows, fly to their destination in a straight direct line without zigzagging, or taking detours.
Maybe you can pronounce all the words on your page, but you don’t know what they mean. That is a problem. You will not be to understand what you are reading. Your mental picture of what you are reading will break down.
Stop reading and do Context Clues to support your reading comprehension.

13. Are there idioms in the bible?
Figurative Language
Are there idioms in the bible?
Yes, there are! We already shared one, “…apple of my eye”. Sometimes we use idioms to soften blows or be kind about another's feelings. Let’s see how
the Bible uses them.

14. "eat the forbidden fruit."
Figurative Language
Hebrew idioms have found their way into the everyday talk of millions of people.
Example:
“go the second mile”
"kill the fatted calf"
"eat the forbidden fruit."
Maybe you can pronounce all the words on your page, but you don’t know what they mean. That is a problem. You will not be to understand what you are reading. Your mental picture of what you are reading will break down.
Stop reading and do Context Clues to support your reading comprehension.

15. “go the second mile”: willing to do much more to help someone out
Figurative Language
What they mean:
“go the second mile”: willing to do much more to help someone out
"kill the fatted calf”: celebration that is extravagant
"eat the forbidden fruit”: disobedient and sinful
Maybe you can pronounce all the words on your page, but you don’t know what they mean. That is a problem. You will not be to understand what you are reading. Your mental picture of what you are reading will break down.
Stop reading and do Context Clues to support your reading comprehension.

16. Where did these come from? Idiom: “go the second mile” (Matthew 5:41)
Figurative Language
Where did these come from?
Idiom: “go the second mile”
(Matthew 5:41)
Meaning: When someone asks you to go 1 mile be willing to go 2 miles. Do more than is required.
Maybe you can pronounce all the words on your page, but you don’t know what they mean. That is a problem. You will not be to understand what you are reading. Your mental picture of what you are reading will break down.
Stop reading and do Context Clues to support your reading comprehension.

17. Where did this come from? Idiom:"kill the fatted calf”(Luke 15:23)
Figurative Language
Where did this come from?
Idiom:"kill the fatted calf”(Luke 15:23)
Meaning: A rebellious son had come home after being away a long time away. He was reconciled to his family and they celebrated as though he came back from the dead! They killed a calf to eat to celebrate.

18. Where did this come from? Idiom: "eat the forbidden fruit” (Gen.2:16)
Figurative Language
Where did this come from?
Idiom: "eat the forbidden fruit”
(Gen.2:16)
Meaning: Based on the story in Genesis where Adam and Eve sinned in the garden by eating the fruit that God specifically told them not to eat. This refers to doing what you know is wrong.
Maybe you can pronounce all the words on your page, but you don’t know what they mean. That is a problem. You will not be to understand what you are reading. Your mental picture of what you are reading will break down.
Stop reading and do Context Clues to support your reading comprehension.

19. Let’s look at some examples of idioms used in the Bible:
Figurative Language
Let’s look at some examples of idioms used in the Bible:
Example:
Idiom: following the "straight and narrow”
(Matthew 7:14)
Meaning: The way of proper conduct and moral integrity.
Maybe you can pronounce all the words on your page, but you don’t know what they mean. That is a problem. You will not be to understand what you are reading. Your mental picture of what you are reading will break down.
Stop reading and do Context Clues to support your reading comprehension.

20. Another example of an idiom in the Bible:
Figurative Language
Another example of an idiom in the Bible:
Example:
Idiom: "handwriting on the wall” Daniel 5:5
Meaning: It means something is so obvious only a fool would not see it coming.

21. Reading is Thinking Practice
Read the following passage: Genesis 37:1-36, The Message
Respond in your journal on the following:
What is the main idea of this passage? (Make sure you support your opinion by using the text.)

22. 2. What connections did you make with this chapter
2. What connections did you make with this chapter? What questions do you have?
(Think about how you would feel if you were Joseph’s brother? What advice would you give him?)

23. Share your connections and questions in the Discussion Forum with others taking this course!
Here are some questions I want you to reflect on in your journal:
Why is jealousy a dangerous emotion? Explain.
Do you think Joseph could have handled himself differently even though he had these dreams?

24. C. Do you think we can learn from this?
Explain your thinking.
Look for examples of idioms in your reading this week. Record them in your journal. Remember to write the date and title: Examples of idioms.
You can also look up idioms on the internet. Look up common idioms in English. What do they mean?

25. Good-Bye, until next time!
Writing
We will review figurative language in our next lesson. We will review metaphors, similes, personification, and idioms. Keep up your reading! Use the CROPQV to show reading is thinking!
Good-Bye, until next time!