Lecture Notes: 20 Beautiful Idioms in the English Language

Introduction

• Topic: 20 beautiful idioms in English.
• Selected for their meanings, sounds, and references to positive themes.
• Suggestion to improve pronunciation and listening by combining reading with audiobooks.

Effective Method for Improving English

• Method: Read a book while listening to its audiobook.
• Purpose: Helps with pronunciation and understanding of words.
• Tip: Get a 30-day free trial on Audible to try this method.

List of Beautiful Idioms

1. It Takes Two to Tango

   • Meaning: Both parties in a situation are equally responsible.
   • Example: "We need to come to a compromise here; it takes two to tango."

2. Every Cloud Has a Silver Lining

   • Meaning: Every difficult situation has a hopeful aspect.
   • Example: "I was upset about failing the interview, but every cloud has a silver lining."

3. To Burn the Midnight Oil

   • Meaning: To work or study late into the night.
   • Example: "I've been burning the midnight oil to finish my course."

4. To Burn the Candle at Both Ends

   • Meaning: To work from early morning to late at night, getting little rest.
   • Example: "He was burning the candle at both ends during harvest."

5. Water Under the Bridge

   • Meaning: Past problems or disagreements that no longer matter.
   • Example: "Yes, we had disagreements, but that's water under the bridge."

6. To Wear Your Heart on Your Sleeve

   • Meaning: To openly share emotions.
   • Example: "I wear my heart on my sleeve; I tell people how I feel."

7. Lovely Weather for Ducks

   • Meaning: Humorous phrase for very rainy weather.
   • Example: "It's going to be lovely weather for ducks today."

8. To Burn Your Bridges

   • Meaning: To permanently end a relationship unpleasantly.
   • Example: "I'm glad I didn't burn my bridges with my old boss."

9. Variety is the Spice of Life

   • Meaning: New experiences make life interesting.
   • Example: "I never visit the same restaurant twice; variety is the spice of life."

10. To Lend an Ear

    • Meaning: To listen with sympathy.
    • Example: "I’m always here to lend an ear if you need one."

11. A Change of Heart

    • Meaning: A change in opinion or attitude.
    • Example: "The troll had a change of heart about supporting anti-bullying."

12. To Touch Someone's Heart

    • Meaning: To invoke strong feelings or emotion.
    • Example: "The handmade card really touched my heart."

13. To Take One's Breath Away

    • Meaning: To be extremely beautiful or amazing.
    • Example: "The piano performance took my breath away."

14. The Calm Before the Storm

    • Meaning: A peaceful period before chaos.
    • Example: "I enjoy the calm before the storm each morning with my coffee."

15. To Spread One's Wings

    • Meaning: To become independent and try new things.
    • Example: "Moving abroad helped me spread my wings."

16. Those Three Little Words

    • Meaning: Referring to "I love you".
    • Example: "Has he said those three little words to you yet?"

17. What Goes Around Comes Around

    • Meaning: Negative actions may come back to haunt you.
    • Example: "She bullied me in school, and now her boss bullies her."

18. Hook, Line, and Sinker

    • Meaning: To believe something completely, often untrue.
    • Example: "You got me hook, line, and sinker with that story."

19. To Have a Soft Spot for Someone

    • Meaning: To have a lot of affection for someone or something.
    • Example: "I have a soft spot for ginger cats."

20. To Only Have Eyes for Someone

    • Meaning: To be interested in only one person.
    • Example: "I only have eyes for William."

Conclusion

• Encouragement to share other beautiful idioms in the comments.
• Reminder to check out Audible for audiobooks and to connect on social media.