Idioms or idiomatic expressions are combinations of words that have figurative meanings, which are natural to native speakers of a language to transfer some underlying ideas, principles and values.
According to Cambridge Dictionary, idiom is: “a group of words in a fixed order that have a particular meaning that is different from the meanings of each word on its own”.
It is possible to establish a relationship between some English idioms and some that we use in Portuguese, e.g.: break someone’s heart; the tip of the iceberg; break the ice; jump to the conclusions.
However, there are idioms related to the American culture. For example, the expression “take a rain check” comes from baseball, meaning that when it rains the match is postponed and the fans earn a rain check that enables them to watch the match the next time.
Look at some idioms bellow:
Couch potato – someone who is not active and spends a lot of time watching TV
According to Cambridge Dictionary, idiom is: “a group of words in a fixed order that have a particular meaning that is different from the meanings of each word on its own”.
It is possible to establish a relationship between some English idioms and some that we use in Portuguese, e.g.: break someone’s heart; the tip of the iceberg; break the ice; jump to the conclusions.
However, there are idioms related to the American culture. For example, the expression “take a rain check” comes from baseball, meaning that when it rains the match is postponed and the fans earn a rain check that enables them to watch the match the next time.
Look at some idioms bellow:
Couch potato – someone who is not active and spends a lot of time watching TV
Catch one’s eye – to get someone’s attention; to make them look.
Be all set – to be ready or prepared; e.g. "If you are all set we can go, said Martin."
A sight for sore eyes – someone or something that you are pleased to see (um colírio para os olhos)
Learn by heart – to study and practice until it is understood and firmly placed in one’s memory. Internalized
Take something for granted – to accept as true without making sure. e.g. I didn’t know Victoria had been born in Holland, I just took it for granted that she was English.
Spill the beans - to reveal a secret by accident.
Ring a bell – to remind one of something; to seem familiar
Roll up one’s sleeves – to get ready to start work or for physical labor. E.g. You’ve been fooling around all day, how about rolling up your sleeves and getting some work done for a change?