Idioms are expressions that have a figurative meaning, separate from the literal meanings of the words used.
They can be a lot of fun to use and can also help to add color and depth to our language.
However, idioms can also be confusing for kids, as they often don’t make sense literally.
That’s why it’s important to teach kids about idioms and help them to understand their meanings.
In this blog post, we’ll be looking at 30 idioms that are suitable for kids, along with explanations of what they mean.
We’ll also provide some examples of how they can be used in sentences.
By the end of this post, your child will have a better understanding of idioms and will be able to use them in their own writing and conversations.
Idioms for Kids
- “Break a leg” – used to wish someone luck, especially in a performance
- “Cost an arm and a leg” – used to describe something that is very expensive
- “Get cold feet” – to feel nervous or uncertain about something
- “A blessing in disguise” – something good that initially seemed bad
- “Bite off more than you can chew” – to take on more than you can handle
- “In the heat of the moment” – when you do something without thinking because you’re caught up in the excitement or emotion of the moment
- “Burn the midnight oil” – to work late into the night
- “Piece of cake” – something that is very easy to do
- “See eye to eye” – to agree with someone
- “It’s not rocket science” – something that is easy to understand or do
- “On cloud nine” – to be very happy
- “Under the weather” – to be sick
- “Raining cats and dogs” – raining very heavily
- “Hold your horses” – wait a minute
- “Spill the beans” – to reveal a secret
- “Bend over backwards” – to try very hard to please or help someone
- “Butter someone up” – to flatter someone in order to get them to do something for you
- “Cut corners” – to do something in a cheaper or easier way, often by sacrificing quality
- “Get the ball rolling” – to start something happening
- “Hit the nail on the head” – to do or say something exactly right
- “In the same boat” – to be in the same situation as someone else
- “Jump on the bandwagon” – to start doing something that many other people are already doing
- “Keep an eye on” – to watch or pay attention to something or someone
- “Let the cat out of the bag” – to reveal a secret that was supposed to be kept hidden
- “On the same page” – to be in agreement with someone
- “Pull someone’s leg” – to tease or trick someone in a playful way
- “Put your foot in your mouth” – to say something embarrassing or inappropriate
- “Take with a grain of salt” – to not take something completely seriously or literally
- “Throw in the towel” – to give up on something
- “Turn over a new leaf” – to start behaving in a better way and make positive changes
Other Words and Phrases for Kids
It’s also with exploring my other articles on words and phrases for kids, including this article on metaphors for kids and this article on similes for kids.
Conclusion
In conclusion, idioms are an important part of any language and can add interest and variety to our communication.
Teaching kids about idioms can help to expand their vocabulary and understanding of language.
The 15 idioms we discussed in this blog post are just a small sample of the many idioms that exist in the English language.
Encourage your child to continue learning about idioms and to try using them in their own conversations and writing.
As with any new vocabulary, it’s important to provide explanations and examples to help kids understand the meanings of idioms.
With practice and exposure, your child will become more comfortable using idioms and will be able to incorporate them into their language in a natural way.