Bridging the Gap: Learn English Idioms as a Native Chinese Speaker

 Idioms are the heart and soul of any language, and mastering them is essential for bridging the cultural and linguistic gap between Mandarin and English. For native Chinese speakers, learning idioms can make their English sound more natural, help them connect with others, and give their conversations a polished, professional edge. 

However, idioms can be tricky as they don't translate literally.  Understanding their meanings and usage requires practice and cultural insight.  In this video, we'll explore 15 common English idioms, break down their meanings, and show you how to use them confidently in everyday conversations. 

Learning American English idioms and expressions may take some time, but the benefits are worth it. You will sound more confident, especially when conversing with native English speakers. Chinese students often find the th (voice or unvoiced consonants), r, and v consonants challenging, as these are frequently used in English. If you are struggling, remember that practice makes perfect. Try to slow down, isolate each syllable, and spend some additional time learning the placement of the lips and tongue.

Here are some common English idioms and expressions that will enrich your vocabulary. In this lesson, we will review 15 common idioms in 6 minutes. Let’s get started.

Out in the open
Something that is public knowledge and not a secret
“ our financials are out in the open”
Or could be more personal, such as Lucy’s feelings about Brad a guy she was recently dating were out in the open (meaning her feelings were no longer a secret

In the drivers seat
To be in charge or in control of a situation “
“ Being offered the position of managing director, I’ll soon be in the
Drivers seat” which means you will be in charge or a decision maker

To cut corners
To do something badly or cheaply
The contractors really cut corners when they built this bathroom; the shower is leaking and the windows don’t lock

Let the cat out of the bag
To accidentally reveal a secret.
I let the cat out of the bag at work when I announced John was leaving the company for a new job paying him double closer to home.

Ahead of the pack
To be more successful than the competition
“If we want to stay ahead of the pack, we’ll have to increase our
Marketing budget. Or it could be for personal growth, such as If I want that promotion, I’ll sign up for 2 new training courses so I’ll be ahead of the pack.

A lot on my plate
Very busy with lots of responsibilities
“David currently has a lot on his plate as his boss is on vacation

The best of both worlds
this means you can enjoy two different opportunities at the same time.”
Lucy enjoyed working part time 3 days a week, and looking after her kids 4 days a week; she feels she has finally managed to get the best of both worlds.

Drop the ball
Make a mistake
Henry dropped the ball by voting against the merger

Call the shots or calling the shots
make important decisions
Who calls the shots when the boss is out of town

Eleventh hour
The last minute
Eric always waits until the 11th hour to grocery shop for his entire family; the store will soon be closing in 15 minutes. Sara always finishes her christmas shopping at the 11th hour, on Christmas eve.

Get the ball rolling
To begin an activity or process or to start doing something in order to encourage other people to do the same
She tried to get the ball rolling by asking a few questions

Small talk
informal conversation which is light and used when talking to others you don’t know very well. These conversations typically ha happen at networking or social events.
The goal of small talk is to gently establish rapport with someone new and to get to know them better.

The ball is in your court
Its up to you to make the next move
Business - We’ve answered all their questions and now its time for them to make the next move. The ball’s now in your court… you have to decide what you’re going to do.

The big picture
This concept helps people visualize an entire idea rather than concentrating on just the small details, allowing them to get an overview of the entire situation.
John is very busy working his printing business everyday, and never loses sight of the big picture of his retirement goal in 2 years.

To hit the nail on the head
To do or say something that is exactly right. You can use this phrase when someone finds the exact answer of a problem or question. Sharon hit the nail on the head with this grey color selection for the bedroom; it looks the bedroom; it looks better . than expected

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