What is an Idiom?
What is an idiom and do we need to learn it? Well, an idiom is a phrase that has idiomatic meaning which is completely from its literal meaning. Like ” a piece of cake” this has nothing to do with the cake, it means something that is very easy.
Why do we need to learn Idioms?
Why do we need to learn idioms? Well, the major reason to learn as many idioms as possible is to be able to understand the native speakers since they use a lot of idiom in their conversation. Idioms are also used in the movies, books, social media and also workplaces so it super important to understand idioms so we can communicate more effectively. In this lesson, you will be learning 30 commonly idioms with easy meanings and examples.
30 idioms with meanings and examples
1. a piece of cake ស្រួលដូចបកចេក
Meaning: very easy. it is used to describe something that is very easy to do or archive.
Example : I think riding a bike is just a piece of cake it takes me just a few days to learn to ride it.
2. Hit the books ខំរៀន
Meaning : try to study, this idiom means try to study hard
Example : We have to hit the book because our final example is just in a few more days.
3. Break a leg សំណាងល្អ
Meaning : Good luck, this idiom means ” good luck” and it is used to wish someone good luck before a performance of an important event.
Example : Break a leg for your interview tomorrow.
4. Cost an arm and a leg ថ្លថៃខ្លាំង
Meaning : very expensive . it is used to describe something that is very expensive.
Example : My house costs me an arm and a leg so I have to take of it well. I have to sweep the floor, clean the toilet, remove the cobweb, and repaint it regularly.
5. Under the weather ឈឺ
Meaning : feel sick
Example : I didn’t go to school yesterday because I was under the weather.
6. Once in a blue moon កម្រនិងកើតឡើង
Meaning : very rare
Example : Don’t miss this concert because it just happens once in a blue moon.
7. Spill the beans បែកធ្លាយរឿងសម្ងាត់
Meaning : reveal the secret information
Example : Please don’t spill the beans to her because we are planning a surprised party for her.
8. A blessing in disguise គ្រោះខ្លាយជាលាភ
Meaning : It is used to describe something that looks bad at first but later on it turns out good.
Example : Losing my job is a blessing in disguise. First I was very sad, but then I got another one that paid me much better.
9. Pull someone’s leg លេងសើច
Meaning : to make fun or to joke with someone
Example : Hey! Don’t be mad! I just pulled your leg.
10. Over the moon សប្បាយចិត្តខ្លាំង
Meaning : very happy
Example : She was over the moon because she just won 1 million dollars from the lottery.
11. Speak of the devil និយាយដើមភ្លាម មកដល់ភ្លែត
Meaning : When we talk about someone then he or she appears.
Example : Speak of the devil. Here comes ROZA.
12. Be all ears ស្តាប់ដោយយកចិត្តទុកដាក់
Meaning : To listen to someone carefully.
Example : Everyone, be all ears because I am about to explain the key points. Or I’m all ears please say it.
13. Break the ice ធ្វើអ្វីមួយដើម្បីចាប់ផ្តើមការសន្ទនា
Meaning : To do or make something fun to relieve stress or tension or shyness to get the conversation going.
Example 1 : The teacher told a joke when he started the lesson to break the ice.
Example 2 : The people at the workshop shared their personal experiences to break the ice.
14. Hit the sack ទៅគេង
Meaning : go to bed
I worked so hard and was exhausted last so I hit the sack early.
15. Kill two birds at one stone ព្រួយមួយបាញ់បានសត្វ២
Meaning : To achieve two goals at the same time.
Example : I think it kills to birds at one stone if we walk to work because we save money and exercise at the same time.
16. Better late than never យឺតប្រសើរជាងអត់ធ្វើ
Meaning : It is better to start doing something even if is a bit too late than doing nothing.
Example : I want to go back to school but I’m 40 but it is better late than never.
17. Get cold feet ភ័យ (មុនធ្វើអ្វីមួយ)
Meaning : get cold feet mean feeling nervous before doing something important or necessary.
Example : I always get cold feet whenever I do the presentation.
18. In hot water មានបញ្ហា
Meaning : in trouble
Example : They got in hot water because they engaged in scam activities.
19. Bite the bullet ប្រឈមមុខនិងបញ្ហា
Meaning : face the challenge bravely
Example : Life is full of obstacles so we have to bite the bullet.
20. Keep an eye on ផ្តោតលើ
Meaning : the watch something carefully
Before you shoot the arrow, please always keep an eye on the target.
21. Miss the boat បាត់ឪកាស
Meaning : miss an opportunity
He missed the boat because he didn’t apply for that job.
22. Keep your fingers crossed បន្តមានសង្ឃឹម
Meaning : always hope for the success
Example : Keep your finger crossed for your final exam.
23. No pain, No gain គ្មានការឈឺចាប់ គ្មានការរឹងមាំ
Meaning : Nothing is easy. Success requires effort
Example. Never quite to soon, keep moving forward. No pain, no gain.
24. Go extra mile ខិតខំធ្វើការខ្លាំង
Meaning : to work harder to do beyond expectation
Example : Success people do not just work 8 hours a day. They always go extra mile.
25. Hit the nail on its head ឆ្លើយត្រូវចំណុច
Meaning : give the correct answer
Example : You just hit the nail on its head to the question I just asked.
26. Hit the road ចាកចេញ
Meaning : to leave, to start the trip, to leave someone
Example : Oh, we are late now. Let’s hit the road. ( Let’s leave)
Example : Hey! I’m so tired of you. Can you just hit the road. ( Leave me alone)
27. Beat around the bush និយាយពង្វាងដាន
Meaning : to avoid getting straight to the main point
Example : Could you please go straight to the point? Don’t beat around the bush!
28. Cry over spilled milk កុំស្តាយរឿងដែលហួសហើយ
Meaning : To waste time worrying, regretting or being upset over the mistakes or misfortunes that have already happened and cannot be changed.
Example : I know you are now very upset about your broken relationship but there is no need to cry over the spilled milk.
29. Throw the towel សុំចុះចាញ់
Meaning : to quit or to give up
Example : I have tried to fix my broken car for one week but it still doesn’t work. I finally threw the towel.
30. Cut corners ធ្វើដោយធ្វេសប្រហែស
Meaning : to do something carelessly
Example : Please pay full attention in whatever you do. Don’t cut corners.
0 Comments