Teaching English with authentic content, such as movies and TV shows, is an effective way to increase engagement in your classroom. English language learners can learn new expressions by watching their favorite films, sitcoms, and cartoons online.
Students can easily access free content via YouTube and through paid streaming services like Netflix or Amazon Prime Video.
The Best Video Content for Learning Idioms
It is important to use videos that match skill levels as well as students’ interests. Topics of interest will improve motivation to learn and increase attentiveness. For instance, younger learners may enjoy cartoons more while adults will likely prefer popular sitcoms, TV series, or specific movie genres.
Presenting the dialog in text form, along with the video and audio, will help with students’ language acquisition. Moreover, integrating multiple receptive skills speeds up the learning process.
With this method, learners can (1) use visual cues from the scene, (2) listen to the authentic dialog, and (3) read subtitles of the spoken words.
Common English Idioms with Examples
Below are 10 English idioms with examples from classic movies, films, and cartoons. Each idiom is bolded within the actual dialog that the characters say from each movie scene. After reading the script, you can see the meaning of the expression explained.
face the music
There are two kinds of people in this world… those who stand up and face the music, and those who run for cover. Cover is better.
- Scent of a Woman (1992)
Idiom Meaning: deal with the consequences
X factor
Have you ever met someone, and you knew right away she was gonna be important to you? Not just because of her looks, but you know, that X factor?
- Hitch (2005)
Idiom Meaning: a special talent
rise and shine
Rise and shine, Adam. You’re probably wondering where you are. I’ll tell you where you might be. You might be in the room that you die in.
- Saw (2004)
Idiom Meaning: wake up
water under the bridge
Honey, Frank the Tank is not coming back, okay? That part of me is over. Water under the bridge. I promise.
- Old School (2003)
Idiom Meaning: previous events that are no longer important
tip of the iceberg
Listen to me, kid. If she doesn’t reach over and lift up that button so that you can get in, that means she’s a selfish broad and all you’re seeing is the tip of the iceberg. You dump her and you dump her fast.
- Quote from A Bronx Tale (1993)
Idiom Meaning: a small part of a larger problem
a dime a dozen
You can print money, manufacture diamonds, and people are a dime a dozen, but they’ll always need land. It’s the one thing they’re not making any more of.
- Superman Returns (2006)
Idiom Meaning: very common and with no unique value
an arm and a leg
All the things you’ve done, have put you right here with me. To life… life is The Dream. The only Dream. Cost a lot to be here. Cost you an arm and a leg.
- The Bad Batch (2016)
Idiom Meaning: very expensive
head over heels
I say, fall head over heels. Find someone you can love like crazy and who will love you the same way back.
- Meet Joe Black (1998)
Idiom Meaning: in love
get rid of
Six straight hours of horror movies. Little Lindsey Wallace won’t know what hit her. My dad! Get rid of this! Laurie, stop coughing. What’s the matter with you? Jesus. Just be natural. There he is. Just be natural, Laurie.
- Halloween (1978)
Idiom Meaning: throw away
veg out
Let’s watch old movies all night. We’ll just veg out in front of the TV.
- Pretty Woman (1990)
Idiom Meaning: eat a lot
neck of the woods
Hi there. From my neck of the woods, eh? Sorry if I took a snap at you at one time. Fish gotta swim. Birds gotta eat.
- Finding Nemo (2003)
Idiom Meaning: local neighborhood
Reviewing Idioms and Learning Suggestions
After reviewing each idiom example, there are some effective methods for reinforcing language acquisition.
For example, students can practice creating their own sentences using each expression. They could write an example sentence with each idiomatic expression and share it with a partner. Next, students could take turns reading their partner’s sentences aloud.
Doing pair work and group work in this way helps reinforce the meaning of each idiom.
ESL Games Book
Do you need more lesson ideas?
Check out ESL Games for Kids and Adults on the ESL Expat website.
The book features 50 fun activities for teaching English as a second language.
Order your copy of the book on Amazon.
ESL Idioms Book
Do your students need extra help with English idioms?
Check out ESL Idioms and Worksheets on the ESL Expat website.
The book features over 400 idioms and several activities for students to practice using the expressions.
Order your copy of the book on Amazon.
More Tips on Learning English Idioms with Examples
For more resources on learning English idioms through authentic content, visit the Movie Idioms website. Also, visit ESL Expat to discover other fun ESL games and English language resources.
Do you have any other tips for learning idiomatic expressions?
Please leave a comment below and join in on the discussion.
