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 发表:2003/1/7 9:17:16 人气:131       
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Let Idioms Come To You!
One of the problems that plague the mind and confidence of beginner English learners is the lack of knowledge of American idioms and slang. Our readers often ask me to introduce more American idioms and slang into the newsletter. So I did some research through books and television to get a better understanding of idioms and slang. My findings are the following, based on the recommendations from various books on communication skills and personal observations.
While it is important to be able to understand common idioms, it is generally not recommended for good speakers to frequently use them. Often, foreign and native speakers alike misuse and over-use certain idioms, and apply idioms to over-generalize the true complexities of situations.
When preparing formal writing and presentation, idioms and slang should generally be avoided. I carefully watch the Nightly News in both local and national channels, and found the use of idioms to be extremely rare. While I myself understood a sufficient amount of idioms, I rarely use them, but rather prefer simpler and plainer ways of communication.
Not being able to speak the right idiom or slang at the right moment is not a significant impediment to your English learning. In many ways, I think it might even make you a BETTER beginner speaker by adding clarity and conciseness to your speech. (I can easily imagine a foreigner speak good Chinese without ever having to use Chinese idioms.) Efforts to study and memorize idioms and slang out of contexts are misplaced. You are better off looking up specific instances of use after encountering them in a natural setting (conversation or reading). Meanwhile, your time can be better spent reading, listening, and writing. Lastly, do not go out of your way to try to use idioms and slang. If it feels right and natural, do it; else, find simpler and plainer ways to communicate your ideas. To put it more simply, “Do not go look for idioms; let idioms come to you!” J
With that said, I would say that it is important to understand common idioms. I do not recommend doing this by going through an idiom dictionary from A to Z. It is boring, to say the least. So, I will try to act as your “idiom filter” and will introduce you to only the “essential” idioms in American English. In the paragraph above, I used a slang (“better off”) and an idiom “go out of your way”. Let’s start with these two.
Better off …
It usually means, “better than before” or “better than otherwise” …
e.g. Even though she is very sad after the break-up with her boyfriend, she knows she’s better off alone than being stuck in a dysfunctional relationship.
(meaning: She is better alone than she would be if she stayed in a bad relationship)
e.g., Don’t take the bus. You are better off getting a taxi. It’s much faster.
(meaning: It will be better for you if you take the taxi instead of the bus)
e.g., I didn’t get my VISA, so I spent an extra year finishing high school. In hindsight, I am better off.
(meaning: even though it seemed a bad thing that I didn’t get my VISA, but spending an extra year to finish high school turned out to be better in the long run.)
Go out of your way
Literally, it means that you didn’t take the easy and simple road, but took the long way to get to the same spot. This can be used in both positive and negative contexts.
e.g., My teacher went out of her way to make sure that I had mastered my lesson.
(meaning: the teacher did many extra things beyond her duties to help me.)
e.g., It seemed that he went out of his way to hurt her feelings.
(meaning: he did not just hurt her feelings, he planned and calculated and schemed to hurt her feelings.)
e.g., It would be great if you can find that book for me the next time you go to the bookstore, but don’t go out of your way though.
(meaning: if you happen to be going to the bookstore, and it is convenient, look for that book for me. But don’t make a special trip just for me.)
Does this lesson format on idioms work for you? Let me know. In the future articles, we will include one idiom or slang each time.
Your Editor,
Junlei
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It is weak and silly to say that you cannot bear what it is necessary for you to bear...........
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