Phrasal verbs and Idoms

 

Students frequently ask me if they need to learn phrasal verbs and idioms. They find them difficult to learn and don’t understand why they need to learn them. Then they ask if they can put off learning them until my English is better and what methods I recommend for learning phrasal verbs and idioms.

Phrasal verbs and idioms are an essential part of English, and it’s important to start learning them as early as possible. They’re everywhere—conversations, books, TV shows, movies—and without them, you’ll find it hard to understand or express yourself naturally. The longer you delay, the harder it becomes to get used to them, so it’s better to treat them like any other part of learning English.

Native speakers rely on these expressions constantly. Phrasal verbs like “put off” or “give up” and idioms like “spill the beans” or “a piece of cake” are a natural part of how people communicate. Learning them improves your comprehension because you’ll understand phrases that might otherwise confuse you. Using them yourself will make your speech more fluent and natural, helping you connect with others. Idioms, in particular, often reflect cultural ideas and humour, so they’re also a great way to understand the mindset of English-speaking communities.

The good news is that you don’t have to memorize endless lists to learn them. The best way is to pick them up in context. For example, when watching a TV show or reading a story, pay attention to how phrasal verbs and idioms are used. Instead of trying to memorize “turn on,” notice it in a sentence like, “Can you turn on the light?” and you’ll understand it better.

It also helps to group them by themes. For instance, learn phrasal verbs about travel together—“set off,” “check-in,” “get on”—or idioms about work, like “burn the midnight oil” or “hit the ground running.” This way, you’re organizing them in a way that makes sense, rather than trying to tackle them randomly.

Another great strategy is to practice by writing your own sentences. If you’ve just learned “call off,” you might write, “We’ll call off the picnic if it rains.” Using the expressions in your own words makes them stick. Flashcards can also be useful. Write the phrase on one side and its meaning and an example sentence on the other. Apps like Anki or Quizlet are great for this, as they help you review at the right time to make sure you don’t forget.

Of course, practising with real people is ideal. Whether it’s a language partner, tutor, or friend, conversations give you a chance to use what you’ve learned and hear new expressions in return. Listening to English media is also incredibly helpful. Movies, podcasts, and YouTube videos are full of idioms and phrasal verbs. Subtitles can help at first but try to wean yourself off them as you get better.

There are also specialized resources to help you. Dictionaries like “The Oxford Phrasal Verbs Dictionary” or apps like “The Phrasal Verbs Machine” break down meanings and give examples. Even playing language games or taking quizzes focused on idioms and phrasal verbs can make learning more enjoyable.

The key is to approach them gradually. Start with the basics—simple, common expressions you’ll hear every day, like “wake up,” “turn off,” or “piece of cake.” As you progress, move on to more specific phrases, like idioms about emotions or phrasal verbs for work. When you’re advanced, you can dive into more complex or culturally specific idioms.

If you make phrasal verbs and idioms part of your learning routine from the beginning, they’ll become second nature over time. You’ll understand English more easily and speak it more confidently, which is exactly what learning a language is all about.

 

Check out all our courses