English Language · Lesson 5

Idioms you will meet

JAMBWAECNECO

What the syllabus asks

JAMB: Interpretation of idioms and figurative expressions; meanings of words and phrases in context; figures of speech

WAEC: Lexis and structure: idioms, idiomatic expressions and phrasal verbs; figurative and literal meanings; interpretation of figurative expressions in sentences; figures of speech in comprehension and summary passages

NECO: Lexis and structure: idioms, idiomatic expressions and phrasal verbs; figurative and literal meanings; interpretation of figurative expressions in sentences; figures of speech in comprehension and summary passages

What you will learn

Explain the difference between literal and idiomatic meaning.
Interpret common idioms used in WAEC, NECO and JAMB questions.
Use context clues to select the correct interpretation.
Understand and use common phrasal verbs.
Identify the main figures of speech and explain their effect.
Avoid common errors when using idioms in essays.

Key points

An idiom is a fixed expression whose meaning differs from its individual words.
Always use context: read the whole sentence, ignore the literal picture, test options in place.
Beware literal "trap" options that repeat the idiom's words.
Learn idioms in groups: work, character, situations, body parts, animals, food, colour.
Phrasal verbs change meaning with the particle: give up / give in / give out.
Avoid Nigerian errors such as "cope up with", "voice out", "advocate for".
Proverbs give advice and should be quoted exactly.
Simile uses like/as; metaphor states directly; personification gives human qualities.
Hyperbole exaggerates, euphemism softens, irony reverses, oxymoron joins opposites.
In comprehension, name the figure of speech and explain its effect.

Start here: What is an idiom?

Consider the sentence: "After the argument, Tunde and his brother decided to bury the hatchet." No one is digging a hole or burying an axe. The phrase means they made peace and ended their quarrel. That is an idiom.

An idiom is a fixed group of words whose meaning as a whole is different from the meanings of the individual words.

Every language has idioms. In many Nigerian languages, people speak of someone having "a long throat" to mean greed, or say "his eyes have opened" to mean he has become wise to the world. English idioms work the same way: the words paint a picture, but the meaning is something else.

Three key features

Non-literal meaning: you cannot work out the meaning by adding up the words.
Fixed form: you cannot freely change the words. "Bury the axe" or "bury the hatchets" sound wrong to a native user and may lose the meaning.
Shared understanding: they are understood by the community of speakers, often because of history or culture.

Many idioms come from old practices. "Bury the hatchet" comes from a Native American peace custom; "to show someone the ropes" (to teach them how things work) comes from sailing ships, where new sailors had to learn which rope did what.

Worked example 5.1

Choose the option nearest in meaning: "The new teacher soon got the hang of the school's routine."

(A) disliked (B) learnt how to manage (C) changed (D) was bored by

The literal picture (hanging something) does not help, so ignore it.
"Soon" and "routine" suggest he became familiar with it.
Test B in place: "soon learnt how to manage the school's routine" makes sense.

⚠️ Common mistake: picking the option that repeats words from the idiom. Examiners often include a literal "trap" option, such as "hanged something" for "got the hang of".

Try it yourself. What does "show someone the ropes" mean?

Show solution

To teach someone how to do a job or how things work.

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Practice questions

1. Choose the best interpretation: Tunde burnt the midnight oil before his WAEC exams.

He studied late into the night.
He wasted fuel.
He slept early.
He caused a fire.

Show answer

A: He studied late into the night.
Idiom: to work/study late at night.

2. Best interpretation: Don't be a wet blanket at the party.

Don't get wet.
Don't come late.
Don't sleep there.
Don't spoil the fun.

Show answer

D: Don't spoil the fun.
A wet blanket dampens others' enjoyment.

3. Best interpretation: The two rival families finally buried the hatchet.

buried a relative
shared their land
made peace
went to war

Show answer

C: made peace
To bury the hatchet = to end a quarrel.

4. Best interpretation: Ngozi let the cat out of the bag about the surprise party.

brought a pet
revealed the secret
spoiled the food
cancelled the party

Show answer

B: revealed the secret
To reveal a secret by accident.

5. Best interpretation: Take the politician's promises with a pinch of salt.

Do not fully believe them.
Reject them completely.
Accept them gladly.
Write them down.

Show answer

A: Do not fully believe them.
A pinch of salt = some scepticism.

Key words

Idiom: A fixed expression whose meaning differs from the meanings of its separate words.
Literal meaning: The ordinary, dictionary meaning of the words.
Figurative meaning: A meaning that goes beyond the literal, using imagery or comparison.
Phrasal verb: A verb plus a particle (adverb or preposition) with a special meaning, e.g. "give up".
Collocation: Words that naturally go together, e.g. "heavy rain", "make a decision".
Simile: A comparison using "like" or "as".
Metaphor: A direct comparison saying one thing is another.
Personification: Giving human qualities to non-human things.
Hyperbole: Deliberate exaggeration for effect.
Euphemism: A mild expression used in place of a harsh one.
Irony: Saying the opposite of what is meant, or an outcome opposite to what is expected.
Proverb: A short traditional saying that gives advice or states a general truth.

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