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


Free American English Online Idiom Lessons




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

Relationship category idioms: Referring to a connection between people including romance, friendship or hostility
absence makes the heart grow fonder ace all the world's a stage
along for the ride bad blood better half
birds of a feather flock together blood is thicker than water break up
bring up bury the hatchet call for someone
catch on cheat on (someone) cheek by jowl
chip off the old block cog in the machine count on
cozy up (to someone) a crush on dance with the one who brought you
drop him / her like a hot potato fair-weather friend fall in with
falling out favorite son fix someone up with someone
flesh and blood French kiss get along with someone
get even get off one’s back give someone the cold shoulder
go out with (someone) go steady got a thing going
grow on you hand in hand handle with kid gloves
hands are tied hands off get off on the wrong foot
mend fences have an affair not have anything to do with
have it in for someone have something on someone hit it off with someone
in cahoots with in with item
lay off let alone let on
life of Riley life of Riley like father, like son
make a pass at someone out of circulation make eyes at
make friends make up my boy
name someone after neck and neck on behalf of
on one’s back on the rocks out in the cold
out of one’s element out of one’s hair play footsie
patch up play footsie (non romantic) play-off
play the field split up play up to someone
polish the apple pop the question pot calling the kettle black
pour it on thick rob the cradle roll in the hay
rub off rub someone the wrong way run in the family/blood
shack up with sit on snake in the grass
stand (someone) in good stead sugar daddy sweetie pie
take (someone) under one’s wing take liberties take out
take sides tell apart throw in one’s lot with
tie the knot two faced