7 Useful 'Life' Idioms and why you should know how to use Idiomatic Expressions?
- Sania Green-Reynolds English Educator
- Jun 16, 2016
- 4 min read
Understanding and knowing how to use idiomatic expressions will make your English learning experience more fun and natural. This is because idiomatic expressions are commonly used in both spoken and written English. So, the more expressions you know and the more you know about each expression, the easier it will be for you to understand native English.
Look at the these newspaper article for example
Photo Credits – Google Images
Do you know what is meant by ‘Minister shoots herself in the foot?’
This is saying that she has done something wrong and it will cause her trouble.
Other ways to say that is, she has set herself up for failure or she sabotaged herself.
Go ahead and tell me what is meant by ‘Doctors urged to step into patients’ shoes.’
Want to know if your answer is correct? Write your answer in the comments section below.
Useful 'Life' Idiomatic Expressions
Now, let us look at 7 useful “Life” idiomatic expressions. You can learn one of these Life idioms over the next 7 days so that you can express yourself more impressively in English.
1. A new lease on life
After reading The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People, I had a new lease on life.
Meaning: A new lease on life means renewed strength, and hope. It also means excitement and optimism for the future.
You can use this expression when someone decides to start over or do something differently. It can also be used to express excitement about the future.
2. Get a life
You’re 37 years old and still living in your parents’ basement! It’s time for you to get a life.
Meaning: Start doing something useful with your life. Start to have appropriate fun, activities and relationships. Because “get a life” suggests that someone is not making use of his/her life, it is somewhat rude and insulting. So be careful how you use that expression and with whom you use it too.
You can use this expression if you are joking with your close friends or family, or if you want to insult someone, especially if that person was rude to you first.
3. Such is life
My boss didn’t think I should get a raise now, but such is life.
Meaning: Things are the way they are and you accept them as is even though it is not what you wanted or hoped for.
You can use this expression when you receive some kind of disappointing news but you want to maintain a neutral position instead of getting too angry.
4. Time of my life
I had the time of my life at the amusement park last month.
Meaning: To have a totally or extremely enjoyable experience.
You can use this expression to show the extent to which you enjoyed something or someone.
5. For the life of me
For the life of me, I can’t seem to understand calculus.
Meaning: To emphasize how incredibly hard it to do something. It expresses a great degree of impossibility (for the person using it).
You can use this expression to state that there is no possibility for you to do or understand something.
6. For dear life
She held on to the tree branch for dear life when she tried to rescue the cat.
Meaning: having as tight a grasp as possible on something. Holding something tightly and not letting go.
To hold on for dear life can be used when there are no actual objects. So if you are caught in a scary situation you can say you hung on for dear life. This will show that you trying very hard to survive even though you are in a bad situation.
You can use this expression to state how troubled you are in a situation, or how scared you are or were.
7. Life in the fast lane
My younger brothers want to live life in the fast lane so they quit college and moved to New York.
Meaning: Having an active or risky life. Not afraid of taking risks.
You can use this expression to explain intense behaviors. It can also be used to express unpopular or bold choices.
Idiomatic expressions are fun to use if you know how and when to use them. If you can use these expressions correctly, you will be able to enjoy the diversity of English. In addition to that, your natural use of idiomatic expressions will help you develop greater confidence in your English skills. This is great for you as you should be able to speak and write more freely and expressively, as well as feel great about your English learning progress.
All the best on your English learning journey.
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Photo Credit - Google Images
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