Grade 8

Idiomatic Expression

I. Learning Objectives

At the end of the lesson, the students will be able to:

A. Identify the different Idiomatic Expressions in English

B. Use appropriate idiomatic expressions in basic interpersonal communicative situations and various
literary texts EN8V-I-c-10.2
C. Determine the meaning of idiomatic expressions by noting context clues EN8V-Ia-10.2
D. Use different activities in unlocking the meaning of the idiomatic expressions EN8V-Ie-4

II. Learning Content

A. Topic: Idiomatic Expression
B. Reference: Voyages in Communication Grade 8
C. Materials: Power point presentation, pictures and videos, task cards, idiom booklet, cartonila,
marker, envelopes and folders.

III. Learning Procedure

A. Preliminary Activity (5 minutes)

Teacher’s Activity Students’ Activity

A. Prayer
Let us all stand and pray. Dear Lord and Father of all, Thank you for
today. Thank you for ways in which you
provide for us all. For Your protection and love
we thank you. Help us to focus our hearts and
minds now on what we are about to learn.
Inspire us by Your Holy Spirit as we listen and
write. Guide us by your eternal light as we
discover more about the world around us. We
ask all this in the name of Jesus. Amen.

Good morning Ma’am Reyes! Good Morning

B. Greetings classmates! It’s nice to see you again!
Good Morning class!

C. Checking of Attendance
Now let us check the attendance, Row
leaders do we have absentees today? I’m glad to report that everybody is present in
our row Ma’am.
Row 1
I’m glad to report that everybody is present in
our row Ma’am.
Row 2
I’m glad to report that everybody is present in
our row Ma’am.
Row 3
I’m glad to report that everybody is present in
our row Ma’am.
 Row 4

It’s nice to hear that all are present

today.

D. Simple Recall

Before we move on to our new topic for Yes, Ma’am!

today, do you still remember our last lesson?

What was it all about?

About Context Clues Ma’am.
Yes, Maria?

Very good!

What are Context clues?

Context clues are the hints that an author gives
Bobit? to help define a difficult or unusual word within
a book or a context.

Very good!

How about the different forms of a Context

clue? Synonyms or repeat a context clue
Antonyms or contrast context clues
Yes, Sam? Explanation or Definition context clues
Specific Example or Example context clues

Excellent!

B. Developmental Activities
1. Motivation (10 minutes)

So, since you are now very familiar with the

context clues, we will have our new lesson for
today but in this lesson context clues are very
useful.

This lesson is going to be just a piece of cake for

all of you!

But before that, Who’s up for a game?

Okay so now, we will play a game called

CHARADES. Are you familiar with the game
charades? Yes, Ma’am!

Okay, now you will be grouped into two groups,

group 1 will be all of you who are at the right
side and group 2 will be all of you who are at the
left side.

Here is the Mechanics of the game

(flash the mechanics through the powerpoint
presentation)

(The class will be given 10 minutes for the

game)

Did you enjoy the game? Yes Ma’am! It was fun!

Now, let us go through the phrases
that we encountered in the game.

Are these phrases familiar to you? Yes Ma’am.

Since it is familiar to you, can you point out the

phrases that you already encountered and tell
us where or when did you encounter it.

Yes Michelle?
Ma’am “Break a leg” and “Bring home the bacon”, I
encountered it when I joined the singing competition
and my friends told me to break a leg and that I
should bring home the bacon. It’s their way to say
goodluck and to cheer me up to win the competition.

Oh wow, interesting!

Another one? Ma’am the phrase “Apple of my eye”. I hear it a lot

from my grandfather, whenever he tells me that I am
Yes, Shalom? his favorite grandson

Oh wow
very good everyone,

2. Lesson Proper (15 minutes)

so base on what Michelle and Shalom shared us,

they encountered these phrases almost in
their daily lives. I believe most of you have
encountered these phrases already but do you
know what they are called?

Yes Daphnnie? Ma’am They are called Idiomatic Expressions

Perfect!
They are called Idiomatic Expressions

Do you have any idea about what is

an idiomatic expression?
Ma’am Idiomatic Expressions are words or phrases
Yes Maica? that we use which has meaning different from the
literal one

Exactly!
These are expressions we use, usually
in a conversation or informal letters,
articles or even in news that has
figurative meaning.

So for example when you hear the idiom “it’s

raining cats and dogs”. Does it literally mean that
you can see cats and dogs falling from the sky? No Ma’am

Same thing as “When pigs fly”. Can you imagine

seeing a flying pig? No Ma’am

See, these are alternative words or phrases that

we use instead of saying what we really mean to
say.

Now, when do we use Idiomatic Expression?

Will please read, Virg?

Idiomatic Expressions can be used in a
conversation, in media and informal texts.
Thank you Virg.

This is something we should always keep in

mind. It is very important that we know when to
use these phrases. We can’t just include an
idiomatic expression in a formal letters or formal
talks.

Now we wonder what are the importance of

Idiomatic Expressions? Why do we have to learn
them?
Will you please read it for us Lawrence? It makes the Language more interesting

Thank you Lawrence

It makes the language more interesting in a way

for example when you compare a certain idiom
from the English Language to our Language
which is Filipino it makes you wonder why they
used this instead of this.
Let’s say for example the Idiom “A piece of
cake”
Do you know what it means?

Yes Shaira?
Ma’am it means that something is easy to do or
something is simply easy
Yes, very good!

It means easy, here in the Philippines when

something is easy we tend to say “SISIW LANG
YAN” right?
We native Filipino speakers don’t know what’s
behind the idiom a piece of cake, it’s the same as
the native English speakers, they don’t know
why we say SISIW when something is very easy.
It triggers our interest in knowing more of the
English language.

Another example, in Korea. They have this

idiom “Another person’s rice cake is bigger” that
idiom is the equivalent of the English Idiom “the
grass is always greener on the other side of the
fence”

Next, will you please read Camille?

Helps us say many things in just few words

Help us express the exact same idea of what we
Thank you Camille want to say in a more efficient and creative way

Do you agree with that?

Yes Ma’am
Can you give me an example of a certain idioms
that would have a longer way or usual way to
express or say?

Yes, Gesar? Instead of saying time is passing by so fast we can

say “Time flies”

Yes Very good!

Another example?
 Yes Leny? Instead of saying I cried very hard, we say “I cried
my heart out”

Very good, Thank you.

Next we have here, will you please read Jansean?

 They help us think critically
 They enrich our speech and increase our
vocabulary
 They help us increase our language, they are
nicer to listen to and they make the
By inserting an idiomatic phrase into your conversation less monotonous and more
writing, you force the reader to shift from funny
thinking literally to abstractly. This can help
keep the reader stay focused and excited, as
they must activate a more conceptual part of
their brain in order to comprehend the
idiom’s meaning.

Idiomatic expressions can help transform flat

description with the help of a funny turn-of-
phrase. For instance, rather than describing
someone as being not very smart, you could
say that he is “not the sharpest tool in the
shed” or “not the brightest star in the sky.”

And then the next one, will you please read,

Jenny?

Since we are an English Learners, some of us

might thought sounding like a native English  Idioms help us to be more confident with
Speaker Learning to use common idioms and our target language.
expressions will make your English sound more
native, so it's a good idea to master some of these
expressions.

Lastly, will you please Read Merce?

These are just few of the many reasons why we

should also learn Idiomatic Expressions.

 It gives color to written works.

Now let me show you some very common
examples of Idiomatic Expressions before we
proceed to our activities today
(The teacher will show the most common of the
examples of idioms)

3. Small Group Differentiated Work (20

minutes)
- The class will be divided into 4 groups. Each
group will choose their leaders.
 - Each leader of the group will pick 1 “Idiom
Activity Envelope” from the Magic box prepared by
the teacher.

Group 1: IDIOM POEM

Instruction:
1. The students will pick as many “Parts of
the Body Idioms” as they can.
2. They will write a free verse using the
Idioms they have chosen.
3. Each member of the group will recite a
line in the poem one by one with action
and feelings in front of the class.
4. The group will write the idioms that they
have chosen in a ¼ cartolina and they
will explain it by going through the
poem again, they will have to note the
context clues.

Group 2: IDIOM STORY

1. Through “Round Table Robin” write a
short story using the “Number idioms”
that will suit the title “The long-time best
friends.”
 Round table Robin:
a. The first member of the
group will write the first one
or two lines of the story in a
paper
b. As the paper is being passed (The group will do their assigned task)
to the members of the group
each of them will continue
the story by writing another
one or two lines/sentences in
the story.
c. The rest of the group
member will do the same
thing until everyone had the
chance to write their part.
2. To make it even more exciting the
students have to pick as many “Number
idioms” as they can and include them in
the story that they will be writing.
3. Afterwards, the students will share the
story that they have written in front of
the class.
4. In a ¼ cartolina the group will write the
Idioms that they used and they will
explain it by going through the story.
They have to note the context clues in
the story.

Group 3: DRAW AN IDIOM

1. The group will pick at least 4 “Animal
Idioms” on the Idiom booklet.
 2. In a ¼ cartolina an assigned member of
the group will draw the picture that the
idiom portrays and some will write an
example sentence of the Idiom in a paper
3. Afterwards, an assigned members of the
group (It could be the leader and 2 other
members of the group) will explain the
idiomatic expression in front of the class.

Group 4: COMMUNICATE USING IDIOM

1. The group will write and present a short
conversation that that is usually
happening in the school.
2. They will have to use as many Weather
Idioms as they can in the conversation
3. Each member should have a character in
the conversation.
4. After writing the conversation, the group (The group will do their assigned task)
will present it in front of the class.

(The group will do their assigned task)

(The group will do their assigned task)

IV. EVALUATION (10 minutes)

1. The teacher will give a 10-point quiz using the idioms task cards. The answer sheet
will be distributed so as the 8 idiom task cards per students;
2. It contains 7 idioms task cards with 3 choices per card and 1 challenge card.
3. In the challenge card, the students will pick 2 idioms from the task cards that they
have answered and they will construct a sentence using the idioms that they chose.
4. The students will be given 10 minutes for the quiz.

IV. Assignment
 1. Browse the internet about the country “Burmese”
 Culture
 Beliefs
 Etiquettes
 Religion
 Customs
2. Read the excerpt from a post/blog in Burmese entitled “Bones Will Crow” – Arc
publication Blog from your book. (Quarter III, Lesson 2, page 115)
 Note/Write the Idiomatic Expression being used in the blog

Group 1: IDIOM POEM

Instruction:

1. Pick as many “Parts of the Body Idioms” as you can.

2. Write a free verse using the Idioms that your group have chosen.
3. Each member of the group will recite a line in the poem one by one with action and feelings in
front of the class.
4. Write the idioms that you have chosen in a ¼ cartolina and explain it by going through the poem
again, note the context clues present in the poem.

Group 2: IDIOM STORY

1. Through “Round Table Robin” write a short story using the “Number idioms” that will suit the
title “The long-time best friends.”
 Round table Robin:
d. The first member of the group will write the first one or two lines of the story in a
paper
e. As the paper is being passed to the members of the group, each of them will continue
the story by writing another one or two lines/sentences in the story.
f. The rest of the group member will do the same thing until everyone had the chance to
write their part.
2. To make it even more exciting pick as many “Number idioms” as you can and include them in the
story that your group will be writing.
3. Afterwards, share the story that you have written in front of the class.
4. In a ¼ cartolina write the Idioms that you used and explain it by going through the story. note the
context clues in the story.

Group 3: DRAW AN IDIOM

1. Pick at least 4 “Animal Idioms” in the Idiom booklet.

2. In a ¼ cartolina an assigned members of the group will draw the picture that the idiom portrays
and some will write an example sentence of the Idiom in a paper
3. Afterwards, an assigned members of the group (It could be the leader and 2 other members of the
group) will explain the idiomatic expression in front of the class.

Group 4: COMMUNICATE USING IDIOM

 1. Write and present a short conversation that that is usually happening in the school.
2. Use as many Weather Idioms as you can in the conversation
3. Each member should have a character in the conversation.
4. After writing the conversation present it in front of the class.

That was a “Piece of Cake”

Referring to something as a "piece of cake" is often used to describe a

situation that was easy, or required little effort. How did the term cake come
to mean easy?
The idea of cake being “easy” originated in the 1870’s when cakes were
given out as prizes for winning competitions. In particular, there was a
tradition in the US slavery states where slaves would circle around a cake
at a gathering. The most “graceful” pair would win the cake the in middle.
From this the term “cake walk” and “piece of cake” came into being, both
meaning that something was easy to accomplish.

An idiom (also called idiomatic expression) is an expression, word,

or phrase that has a figurative meaning conventionally understood by native
speakers. This meaning is different from the literal meaning of the idiom's individual
elements. In other words, idioms don't mean exactly what the words say.

English idioms, proverbs, and expressions are an important part of everyday English. They come up
all the time in both written and spoken English. Because idioms don't always make sense literally,
you'll need to familiarize yourself with the meaning and usage of each idiom. That may seem like a lot
of work, but learning idioms is fun, especially when you compare English idioms to the idioms in your
own language.

Learning to use common idioms and expressions will make your English sound more native, so it's a
good idea to master some of these expressions. The tables below are organized by how common the
idioms are in American English. You can start by learning the very common English idioms, since
these are the ones you'll encounter regularly watching American movies or TV, or visiting the United
States. When you've mastered those, move on to rest. None of the idioms on this page are unusual or
old fashioned, so you can be confident using any of them with native English speakers from all
English-speaking countries.

Every language has its own unique collection of

sayings and phrases. These expressions often
contain meanings that may not be obvious by simply
looking at the individual words contained therein.
We call these expressions “idioms.”

Every language has its own collection of wise sayings. They offer advice about how to live
and also transmit some underlying ideas, principles and values of a given culture / society.
These sayings are called "idioms" - or proverbs if they are longer. These combinations of
words have (rarely complete sentences) a "figurative" meaning - they basically work with
"pictures".
This list of commonly used idioms and sayings (in everyday conversational English) can help
you to speak English by learning English idiomatic expressions.

Idioms often summarize or reflect a commonly held cultural experience, even if that
experience is now out of date or antiquated. For instance, you might say that someone
should “bite the bullet” when they need to do something undesirable. The phrase’s
origin refers to wounded soldiers literally biting down on a bullet to avoid screaming
during a wartime operation. That common occurrence from the past resulted in a phrase
we still use today.

These phrases are also unique to their language of origin. In other words, English
idioms are different from Spanish or French idioms.

What Is the Purpose of Idioms in Writing?

Idioms are a type of figurative language that can be used to add dynamism and
character to otherwise stale writing. You can also use idioms to:

 Express Complex Ideas in a Simple Way. Oftentimes, idioms can help express
a large or abstract idea in a way that is succinct and easy to understand. For
instance, you could say that two things are impossible to compare to one
another, because they possess different traits or meanings. Or you could simply
say that it’s like “comparing apples to oranges.” In this case, the use of an idiom
helps to express the same idea in a much simpler way.
 Add Humor To Your Writing. Idiomatic expressions can help transform flat
description with the help of a funny turn-of-phrase. For instance, rather than
describing someone as being not very smart, you could say that he is “not the
sharpest tool in the shed” or “not the brightest star in the sky.” In addition to
conveying that the subject in question is not intelligent, the inherent comparison
of a person’s brain to a toolbox or a star is unexpected and humorous.
 Keep Your Reader Stimulated. By inserting an idiomatic phrase into your
writing, you force the reader to shift from thinking literally to abstractly. This
can help keep the reader stay focused and excited, as they must activate a more
conceptual part of their brain in order to comprehend the idiom’s meaning. By
describing someone taking on a larger task than they may have been prepared
for as “biting off more than they can chew,” you encourage the reader to conjure
a visual image in their head, which can help keep them engaged in your writing.
 Establish a Point of View. Since idioms are often used to express commonly
shared or universal ideas, there are often dozens of idioms that apply to the
same concept. However, depending on which idiom you choose, you can convey
an entirely different attitude about the subject about which you are writing. For
example, there many different idioms that express the concept of death. If you
were to write that someone “passed away,” you are using an idiom to describe
death in a graceful, delicate way. Alternatively, you could say that a person
“kicked the bucket,” a much harsher and cruder way of describing the act of
dying. Though both idioms ultimately mean the same thing, they convey
completely different attitudes towards death.
 Evoke a Specific Region. Certain idioms are unique to different areas of the
world. For instance, “that dog won’t hunt” is a common idiom in the Southern
United States that means that something doesn’t work or make sense. On the
other hand, if someone were to refer to a mess or a debacle as a “dog’s dinner,”
they are likely British. In fiction writing, the strategic employment of specific
idioms can often add a regional flavor and authenticity to your characters.
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Another person's rice cake looks bigger The Korean equivalent of "The grass is
always greener on the other side"

Every language has its own collection of wise sayings. They offer advice about how to
live and also transmit some underlying ideas, principles and values of a given culture /
society. These sayings are called "idioms" - or proverbs if they are longer. These
combinations of words have (rarely complete sentences) a "figurative" meaning - they
basically work with "pictures".
This list of commonly used idioms and sayings (in everyday conversational English) can
help you to speak English by learning English idiomatic expressions.

The idea of cake being “easy” originated in the 1870's when cakes were given out as
prizes for winning competitions. In particular, there was a tradition in the US slavery
states where slaves would circle around a cake at a gathering. The most “graceful” pair
would win the cake the in middle.

Superstition against wishing an actor Good Luck! has led to the adoption of this phrase
in its place. Popular etymology derives the phrase from the 1865 assassination of
Abraham Lincoln. John Wilkes Booth, the actor turned assassin, leapt to the stage of
Ford's Theater after the murder, breaking his leg in the process.

“Cats and dogs” may come from the Greek expression cata doxa, which means
“contrary to experience or belief.” If it is raining cats and dogs, it is raining unusually or
unbelievably hard. ... A false theory stated that cats and dogs used to cuddle into thatch
roofs during storms and then be washed out during heavy rains.

The origin of the idiom 'barking up the wrong tree' dates back to early 1800s America,
when hunting with packs of dogs was very popular. The term was used literally at first,
when wily prey animals such as raccoons would trick dogs into believing they were up a
certain tree when in fact they had escaped.

money talks. Wealth has great influence, as in Big contributors to campaigns are
generally rewarded with important posts—in politics money talks. The idea behind this
idiom was stated by Euripides in the fifth century b.c., and some 2,000 years later
Erasmus spoke of “the talking power of money” (Adagia, 1532).