Are you up the Creek Without a Paddle?

If you didn’t understand this newsletters subject, you just might be. An important part of the TOEFL exam, [info:'toefl-idioms' idioms] (colloquial or slang words and verbal phrases) can see, next to impossible if English is not your native language. Since idioms are never meant to be taken litterally, they can even confuse native English speakers!

When it comes to idioms, there are not cheats; you simply have to try and memorize as many as you can. Make flashcards to quiz yourself, or try to confuse your friends by using as many idioms as possible in your speech (but make sure you tell them what you mean so they’ll still be your friend!). Here’s a few idioms to get you started.

Up the Creek without a Paddle: in a bad or troublesome situations. I can’t find my passport and my plane leaves in 3 hours; I’m up the creek without a paddle!
All Greek to me: unclear or confusing. I don’t think I’ll ever understand those DVR programming instructions – it’s all Greek to me!
When pigs fly: something that will never happen. I’ll audition for American Idol when pigs fly!
Can’t see the forest for the trees: to get lost so lost in the small details you can no longer see the big picture. When Paul gets overwhelmed he’ll argue about each detail of the project, he can’t see the forest for the trees.
Six of one, half dozen of the other: two different options that are actually the same. We can wait 20 mins for the bus, then ride for 10 mins to the hall, or we can walk for 30 minuets to the hall – it’s six of one, half dozen of the other really.

Or, if you think you’re already a master at Idioms, why not put your skills to the [test:'toefl-idioms' test]?

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