Idioms: The power of not taking it literally

Sure, you’ve heard about idioms, and perhaps you’ve used some of them in your conversations, but let’s get to know them better. What is an idiom and why is it so important to use them correctly?

An idiom is an expression that does not have an obvious meaning word for word. This can make it a bit difficult to get into them, but there are some tips you can use to understand them better.

First, context is everything. This is the most important rule when you are reading a book or watching a movie, and it applies to idioms too.

As we have said, idioms don’t have a meaning word for word, so you

have to decipher them through the idea the user is trying to communicate. Idioms generally rely on metaphors or analogies, and this would be the second hint. And, lastly, just take it easy. Don’t get angry if you can’t use a lot of idioms in your next chat. Just go step by
step and try to begin with some that have a common verb, that way it’s easier to get familiar with them.

In this post, we are going to begin with idioms based on health.

1.An apple a day keeps the doctor away
You have surely heard this one before. Its meaning is that if you maintain a healthy lifestyle, and you are constant with your care, you can avoid the hospital. It’s based on the belief that apples are one of the healthiest fruits. Makes sense, right?

2. Under the weather
To be under the weather is to not feel at your best. Maybe you didn’t rest well, or you had a long day at work, or maybe you had a few too many beers the night before and don’t want to admit you have a hangover (resaca).

3. Feel on top of the world
This is the opposite of the last one, and this means that you are feeling great. Do you remember the movie “Titanic”, when Leonardo DiCaprio shouted “I am the king of the world”? Well, this could be, more or less, the feeling of being on top of the world. When did you last feel on top of the world?

4.As fit as a fiddle
This means that you are healthy, in good condition. For example, you can use it when you are talking about an old person, who is 80 years old and is “as fit as a fiddle”. A fiddle is another word for a violin.

5. Have a taste of your own medicine
This one does not have a meaning related with health, but we use it when we want to say that someone has received the same bad treatment that they gave to someone else. Similar to Karma, but we use it for negative experiences only. Let’s face it, the taste of medicine is never a nice thing….

And for today, that’s all folks!