1. EQ: How do idioms improve my reading and writing skills?
Idioms vs. Clichés
EQ: How do idioms improve my reading and writing skills?

2. Idioms
*An expression, or group of words, that can be confusing because they say one thing but mean another.
*The meaning of the whole group of words together usually has little or nothing to do with the meanings of the words one by one.
*Idioms are found in every language. In order to understand that language, you must know what the idioms in that language mean.
*Idioms come from all different sources. From the Bible to horse racing, from ancient fables to famous authors.

3. Idiom Examples… Raining cats and dogs Don’t cry over spilled milk
Make a mountain out of a
mole hill
Don’t put all your eggs
in one basket
A penny for your thoughts

4. Other idiom examples… Bark is worse than your bite
Bark up the wrong tree
Walk on eggs
Watched pot never boils
Waiting for the other shoe to drop
Till the cows come home
Snug as a bug in a rug
Salt of the earth

5. Cliché
*If an expression becomes overused, we call it a cliché. We hear and read them all of the time.
*Many idioms are clichés.
*Once they were fresh and original, but today they are stale and corny.
*Avoid using clichés in your writing!

6. Cliché Examples…
Call it a day
Off the top of your head

7. Other cliché examples…
Pull yourself together
Drive you crazy
Let your hair down
Back to square one
Mess with someone
Spitting image
Bite your tongue
Piece of cake