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The Most Helpful Idioms With Meaning and Examples. Topic – Communication

English idioms are the spice of language, offering a unique flavor to everyday communication. These common idioms serve as gems, each carrying a distinctive meaning beyond their literal interpretation. Let’s explore the fascinating world of idioms with an idiom example. Consider the phrase “burning the midnight oil,” depicting intense effort or working late into the night. In this idiom sample, the image of a lamp burning late symbolizes diligence and commitment. Understanding idioms with meaning is like deciphering a secret code, unlocking a deeper layer of expression. So, whether you’re “walking on eggshells” or “seeing the light at the end of the tunnel,” incorporating these idiomatic expressions into your language repertoire adds flair and nuance, transforming ordinary conversations into rich tapestries of communication.

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Chinese whispers This expression refers to a process by which a message or piece of information (especially gossip, rumours or scandalous news) is passed on from one person to another, and changes along the way, so that the final version is often very different from the original. The information often becomes distorted or exaggerated. Rumours about the company being on the verge of bankruptcy are nothing more than Chinese whispers!
drop someone a line If you drop someone a line, you . I always drop her a line to wish her a Merry Christmas.
get/give the low-down If you get or give the low-down, you get or give complete information or facts about something. I’ll call you after the meeting and give you the low-down.
go viral When something such as a video, picture or story goes viral, it circulates quickly and widely through social media and e-mail. The video of the bridge collapsing has now gone viral with millions of views.
(in) good part Something done or said that is taken in good part is accepted good-naturedly, without taking offence She took her colleagues’ teasing in good part and laughed with them.
hear through the grapevine If you hear of something through the grapevine, you learn about it informally, for example through friends or colleagues. How did you hear that? Oh, through the grapevine as usual!
hit the airwaves When someone hits the airwaves, they go on radio and/or TV to be interviewed or to promote something. The hospital was embarrassed when the patient hit the airways with his side of the story.
hot off the press If a news article, for example, is hot off the press, it has just been published and contains the most recent information on the subject. I just got it hot off the press: another bank has gone bankrupt.
keep someone posted If someone asks you to keep them posted, they want you to keep them informed about a situation. Our agent promised to keep us posted on developments in the negotiations.
megaphone diplomacy One country using international media to issue (threatening) statements, warnings and press releases in order to force the other country to comply with their position is known as megaphone diplomacy. Recent communication between the United States and North Korea is an example of megaphone diplomacy.
out of touch If you are out of touch, you no longer communicate with someone, or you are unaware of recent developments. I’ve been out of touch with Jenny since we left college.
put someone in the picture If you give somebody all the information necessary to enable them to fully understand a situation, you put them in the picture. Some changes were made during your absence. Let me put you in the picture. 
speed networking The term speed networking refers to a relatively new urban trend which consists in making a potential business contact by briefly talking to a series of people at an organised event and exchanging contact details.  
spread like wildfire If something such as news, rumours or gossip spreads like wildfire, it becomes widely known very fast. As soon as the nomination was announced, the news spread like wildfire.
stool pigeon A person who acts as an informer, especially one who gives information to the police or the authorities, is called a stool pigeon. I don’t trust Jack. I think he’s a stool pigeon for the management. 
on the stump Before an election, when  politicians are campaigning for support and votes, they are on the stump. On the stump for months, the candidates attended meeting after meeting.
touch base If you touch base with someone, you make contact or renew communication with them. I’ll try to touch base with you next week in London.
word of mouth Information passed on through conversation is transmitted by word of mouth. No announcement was necessary – the news had already spread by word of mouth.
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  1. What are idioms? Idioms are expressions or phrases that hold a figurative meaning beyond their literal interpretation. They add color and depth to language.

  2. Why are idioms important in English? Idioms help convey complex ideas succinctly and vividly, enhancing communication and offering cultural insights.

  3. Can you provide some examples of idioms? Certainly! Examples include “raining cats and dogs” (heavy rain), “kick the bucket” (pass away), and “bite the bullet” (face a difficult situation).

  4. How do I understand the meaning of idioms? Understanding idioms often requires context and cultural familiarity. Exploring their origins and usage in sentences helps grasp their meanings.

  5. Are all idioms universal or do they vary by region? Idioms can vary across regions and cultures. While some idioms are universal, many are culturally specific.

  6. Are there common idioms used in everyday conversation? Yes, several idioms, like “break a leg” (good luck) or “piece of cake” (easy task), are frequently used in daily conversations.

  7. Do idioms have fixed meanings? Generally, yes. However, some idioms might have slight variations in meaning or usage based on context or region.

  8. How can I incorporate idioms into my writing or speech? Using idioms contextually and accurately can add richness to your language. Start by understanding their meanings and then applying them naturally.

  9. Are idioms only found in English? No, idioms exist in many languages. Each language has its own set of colorful expressions and phrases.

  10. Where can I learn more idioms and their meanings? Online resources, books on idioms, and even language learning platforms offer extensive lists of idioms with explanations of their meanings and origins.

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