American English Idiomatic Expressions in 52 Weeks :
An Easy Way to Understand English Expressions and Improve Speaking

How can English language learners increase fluency and comprehensibility in their spoken English? The ability to communicate accurately and effectively using English idioms is more important than ever in the globalized economy.

English as a Second Language (ESL) students face difficulties learning English idioms. Non-native speakers often find it very difficult to understand the full meaning of English language conversations because, in many cases, these discussions contain a large number of idioms.

Learning idioms is especially challenging because, compared to standard English vocabulary, understanding these expressions is not found by referring to a dictionary. To assist the 2nd language learner in understanding the meaning of idioms, the American English Idiomatic Expressions in 52 Weeks provides English language learners with a systematic and structured week-by-week method in which to understand and acquire American English idioms.

The classification system created was intended to be intuitive, practical and simple for ESL learners by placing idioms into functional and direct categories.

All Idiom Categories

 

Authority Idioms: Referring to the power to influence, obey or judge
above board at will big cheese
big wigs bigger fish to fry buck stops here
call on call the shots come down hard on
bring someone into line crack down on crack the whip
fall into line firm hand head honcho
head up high handed hold down
hold the purse strings hold the reins in charge
in the charge of in the saddle kangaroo court
keep down lead by the nose lead the way
hand over in line lean on
lord it over  make oneself felt of age
on the loose over one’s head pass the buck
pecking order pick up pull rank
pull strings push (someone) around put the screws to someone
put the smack down rule the roost  run (someone) in
send someone packing send up serve someone right
set the pace shake up shove down one’s throat
show someone the door sign over sign up
split ticket stand up for stand up to someone
step up swear by take a back seat
take a stand on something take over take the Fifth
throw one’s weight around tie down tie up
to heel  to order turn in
turn over twist someone around one’s little finger under one’s thumb
upper hand upper hand walk (all) over
walk all over someone watch it wear the pants in a family