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The material explains what an idiom means, highlights that idioms often cannot be understood from individual word meanings, and presents a set of popular idioms with clear definitions, historical origins, and practical example sentences. Readers learn how to apply idioms in conversation, improving fluency and helping them understand native-level expressions more naturally.","10 Common English Idiomsand How to Use Them  \nLearn the meanings and origins of 10 common idioms and  \nhow to use them in sentences  \n| What is an idiom?\u003Cbr>An idiom is a phrase that has a meaning which is different from the meanings of each individual word in it. For example, if someone says to you “I’m pulling your leg”, you might think it is strange because you would definitely be able to feel if someone was holding your leg and pulling it! This idiom actually means that they are teasing you or playing a joke on you.\u003Cbr>Kevin: “I just heard that there’s a problem with the company’s\u003Cbr>computers and we won’t be paid until next week!”\u003Cbr>Steve: “Oh no! I won’t be able to pay my rent on time! What am I going to do?”\u003Cbr>Kevin: “Haha I’m just pulling your leg! The computers are working fine. You’ve been paid already.”\u003Cbr>There are hundreds of common idioms in the English language which we use every day. In fact, most English people do not even realise they are using them! As the meanings are usually completely different to the meanings of the actual words, it can be very difficult to learn them – you need to learn them in the same way you learn new vocabulary. |  |\n| --- | --- |\n| Below you will find 10 popular idioms which English people use very often. You can read their meanings, origins and example sentences which will show you how to use them in the future. Try to use them in sentences when you are speaking English with your friends or in your English language classes – I’m sure you will impress people! |  |\n\n\n| Between a rock and a hard place\u003Cbr>Meaning\u003Cbr>To be in a very difficult situation and to have to make a hard decision between two things that are equally unpleasant.\u003Cbr>Origin\u003Cbr>This phrase originated in America and was first printed in 1921. In Arizona at that time, there was a big problem with the mining companies. The miners went on strike and asked for better pay and working conditions but their demands were refused and instead, most of the miners were sent to other places in America.\u003Cbr>The miners had a very difficult decision to make – they could either stay in Arizona and continue to work in the mines in bad conditions with low pay (the |  |\n| --- | --- |\n| mines they worked in were the ‘rock’) or move to a new city where they would need to find anew home and a new job (this was the ‘hard place’) . So they really were between a rock anda hard place!\u003Cbr>Examples |  |\n| “Someone drove into my car yesterday and now I’m stuck between a rock and a hard place – I can either drive around with a big dent in my car or pay lots of money to have it repaired.”\u003Cbr>“I don’t know what to do – if I go to the party I won’t be able to do my homework and my teacher will be really angry tomorrow but if I stay at home and do my homework I’m going to miss a great party! I hate being between a rock and a hard place!”\u003Cbr>Paul: “Jack I need your help. Susie told me I either have to stop smoking or she’s going to break up with me. I really love smoking but I don’t want to lose Susie – what should I do?”\u003Cbr>Jack: “Wow Paul, I don’t know what to say. You’re really caught between a rock and a hard place!” |  |\n\nA leopard can’t change its spots  \nMeaning  \nA person cannot change who they are (their character), no matter how hard they try.  \nOrigin  \nThis idiom comes from the Old Testament (Jer. 13:23) . The Hebrew prophet Jeremiah  \ntries to persuade an evil shepherdess to become good but when he realises that it is impossible to convince her, he says: “Can the Ethiopian change his skin, or the leopard his spots?”  \nExamples  \n“I don’t think Tom will ever order pasta instead of a pizza. A leopard can’t change its spots you know.”  \nThe waiter tried to be friendly to his customers but a leopard can’t change its spots and he was still very rude.  \nJane: “I’m going to book a table in a Chinese restaurant tonight for me and  \nPeter. He’s never had Chinese before!”  \nSue: “Oh Jane, a leopard can’t change its spots. Peter has never eaten  \nChi","cbCaikTRe5TGaCaQ","https://ap.wps.com/l/cbCaikTRe5TGaCaQ","pdf",498324,2,1,13,"English","en",105,"# What is an idiom?\n# Between a rock and a hard place\n# A leopard can’t change its spots\n# Let the cat out of the bag\n# Get up on the wrong side of the bed","[{\"question\":\"What does the document mean by “idiom” in English?\",\"answer\":\"An idiom is a phrase whose overall meaning is different from the individual words in it. The document uses “pulling your leg” as an example to show how the real meaning comes from the idiom itself.\"},{\"question\":\"Why are idioms difficult to learn?\",\"answer\":\"Because idiom meanings usually do not match the literal meanings of the words. The document explains that learning idioms works better like vocabulary—by memorizing the expression and its intended meaning.\"},{\"question\":\"How does the document teach readers to use idioms?\",\"answer\":\"For each idiom, it provides the meaning, the origin, and example sentences. 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