Idioms & Proverbs
Recognise and interpret common idioms (break the ice, hit the nail on the head), adages (actions speak louder than words), and proverbs (a stitch in time saves nine), understanding their figurative meanings and when to use them
Teaching approaches
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If your child hears a saying like "don't judge a book by its cover" or "the early bird catches the worm," do they know what it really means and when you'd use it?
Recognise and interpret common idioms (break the ice, hit the nail on the head), adages (actions speak louder than words), and proverbs (a stitch in time saves nine), understanding their figurative meanings and when to use them
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Check understanding
- Explain the figurative meaning of common idioms encountered in texts, e.g. 'let the cat out of the bag' means to reveal a secret, not literally releasing a cat
- Interpret the meaning and intended lesson of adages and proverbs, e.g. explain that 'the early bird catches the worm' advises that acting promptly gives an advantage
- Use context clues to determine the meaning of an unfamiliar idiom or proverb encountered during reading and verify using a reference source
“If your child hears a saying like "don't judge a book by its cover" or "the early bird catches the worm," do they know what it really means and when you'd use it?”
Curriculum record
- Type
- Conceptual
- Subject
- English
- Domain
- Vocabulary
- Age range
- Ages 9–11
Standards