Some of you may get cold feet when you try to talk to native English speakers. And does most of what they say go over your head? If you really want to understand a language, you need to know what the idioms in that language mean. Does the word idiom ring a bell? The English language is full of idioms: expressions whose meaning is different from the meanings of the individual words. You've probably heard many idioms used by native speakers. But do you know what they mean or where they come from? Many idioms are related to age-old customs. Here are a few examples that you can use at school: Idiom: Come through with flying colours Meaning: To achieve a difficult objective Example: 'The exam was tough, but I came through with flying colours.' Origin: Ships sailing into harbour used to fly their colours (flags) at masthead to indicate that they had won a battle. Idiom: A feather in one's cap Meaning: An action that you can be proud of Example: 'It's a definite feather in your cap if you pass the HKCEE.' Origin: In many cultures, warriors and hunters used to add a feather to their headgear for each victory or kill. Idiom: Get cold feet Meaning: To become nervous or afraid Example: 'I get cold feet every time I try to talk to her.' Origin: In the old days, poor people who couldn't afford shoes got cold feet. Idiom: Knuckle down Meaning: To begin to work hard at something Example: 'I've got to knuckle down to some serious work.' Origin: When playing marbles, people used to place their knuckle exactly at the spot where their previous marble ended up. Those who didn't follow this rule were not considered serious players. Idiom: Off the cuff Meaning: To say something unrehearsed Example: 'He made his speech off the cuff.' Origin: In Britain, gentlemen used to make quick notes on the detachable cuffs of their shirts before making speeches. Idiom: Put your thinking cap on Meaning: To try to solve a problem by thinking about it Example: 'I need to put my thinking cap on to solve this maths problem.' Origin: At one time judges used to don a black cap before deciding on whether to give someone the death sentence. Idiom: Over one's head Meaning: Beyond one's comprehension Example: 'Her question is over my head.' Origin: This expression has been used in Britain since the 17th century and refers to the head as the seat of intellect, memory and imagination. Idiom: Read between the lines Meaning: To listen to what is implied, not what is stated. Example: 'He never says what he means, so you have to read between the lines.' Origin: At one time, people used special pens to write secret messages between the lines of a letter. The recipient would have to read between the lines to get the real message. Idiom: Rings a bell Meaning: To sound familiar Example: 'I don't remember meeting him, but the name Jimmy Wong rings a bell. Origin: Long ago, church bells were rung to remind people of an event such as a celebration or the beginning of school. Fluency in English may seem like an unattainable goal, but it isn't. If you learn a few idioms, you'll be well on your way to mastering the language. Before you know it, you'll be speaking off the cuff.
