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

Error Idioms: Referring to something that differs from the correct or usual process
all wet at fault bet on the wrong horse
blind leading the blind break down bull in a china shop
butter fingers call off call on to the carpet
can of worms cancel out change horses in midstream
close call / shave cross (something) out feed someone a line
a lot of bunk make a mistake out of order
out of place out of the question pad the bill
palm off pass off put one’s foot in one’s mouth
screw up slip up song and dance
take back take for tenterhooks
throw away a chance or opportunity turn over white lie