One of the most challenging aspects of learning English is understanding idiomatic expressions—phrases that cannot be understood from the individual meanings of their elements. Idioms are used constantly in everyday speech by native speakers, often without them even realizing it.
For international students studying English in Canada, learning common idioms is essential for both understanding conversations and integrating into Canadian culture. Here are 20 idioms you're likely to hear in Canada, along with their meanings and examples of how they're used in context.
Weather-Related Idioms (Because Canadians Love Talking About Weather!)
1. "Raining cats and dogs"
Meaning: Raining very heavily
Example: "Don't forget your umbrella today. The forecast says it's going to rain cats and dogs this afternoon."
2. "Under the weather"
Meaning: Feeling sick or unwell
Example: "Sarah won't be in class today. She's feeling a bit under the weather."
3. "Come rain or shine"
Meaning: No matter what happens; regardless of circumstances
Example: "The outdoor festival will go ahead come rain or shine."
4. "Break the ice"
Meaning: To do or say something to reduce tension or make people feel more comfortable in a social situation
Example: "The professor started the first class with a funny story to break the ice."
Uniquely Canadian Expressions
5. "Give'r"
Meaning: To put maximum effort into something; to go for it with enthusiasm
Example: "If you want to improve your English quickly, you've got to give'r!"
6. "Double-double"
Meaning: A coffee with two creams and two sugars (particularly at Tim Hortons)
Example: "I need a double-double to help me wake up for my 8 AM class."
7. "Loonie" and "Toonie"
Meaning: Canadian one-dollar coin (loonie) and two-dollar coin (toonie)
Example: "The vending machine only takes loonies and toonies, not bills."
8. "The Great White North"
Meaning: A nickname for Canada, referring to its northern location and cold, snowy climate
Example: "Welcome to the Great White North! Have you experienced a Canadian winter yet?"
Everyday Conversational Idioms
9. "Hit the books"
Meaning: To study intensely
Example: "I can't go out this weekend. I need to hit the books for my English exam on Monday."
10. "Piece of cake"
Meaning: Something that is very easy to do
Example: "Don't worry about the basic grammar test. It'll be a piece of cake for you."
11. "Cost an arm and a leg"
Meaning: To be very expensive
Example: "Living downtown in Toronto costs an arm and a leg, but it's convenient for getting to school."
12. "Beat around the bush"
Meaning: To avoid talking directly about a subject, often because it is uncomfortable
Example: "Stop beating around the bush and tell me what happened to my laptop."
13. "Get the hang of something"
Meaning: To learn how to do something; to become skilled at something
Example: "It took me a while, but I'm finally getting the hang of using the subjunctive in English."
14. "Hit the hay"
Meaning: To go to bed or go to sleep
Example: "I'm exhausted from studying all day. I think I'll hit the hay early tonight."
Idioms About Success and Challenges
15. "Ace a test"
Meaning: To get an excellent grade on a test
Example: "Congrats on acing your TOEFL test! Your hard work paid off."
16. "Bite off more than you can chew"
Meaning: To take on more responsibility than you can manage
Example: "Taking four advanced courses while working part-time might be biting off more than you can chew."
17. "In the same boat"
Meaning: In the same difficult situation as someone else
Example: "Don't worry about making mistakes when speaking. We're all in the same boat when learning a new language."
18. "Take a rain check"
Meaning: To decline an invitation but suggest you would accept it at a later date
Example: "I'd love to join you for coffee, but I have a class this afternoon. Can I take a rain check?"
19. "A blessing in disguise"
Meaning: Something that seems bad at first but results in something good later
Example: "Missing the deadline for your first-choice university might be a blessing in disguise. The program at your second choice has better internship opportunities."
20. "Break a leg"
Meaning: Good luck (often said to performers before they go on stage)
Example: "Break a leg on your presentation today! I know you'll do great."
Tips for Learning and Using Idioms
Understanding and using idioms correctly can significantly improve your fluency and help you sound more natural when speaking English. Here are some tips for mastering idiomatic expressions:
- Learn idioms in context - It's easier to remember idioms when you see them used in realistic situations.
- Create a personal idiom journal - When you hear a new idiom, write it down along with its meaning and an example sentence.
- Practice using idioms in conversations - Start with a few and gradually incorporate more as you become comfortable.
- Watch Canadian TV shows and movies - Media is full of idiomatic expressions and can help you understand how they're used naturally.
- Be careful with usage - Some idioms are casual and inappropriate for formal situations. Observe when and how native speakers use different expressions.
At MegaCalBag English School, we incorporate idiom learning into our conversation classes and cultural workshops. We believe that understanding the colorful expressions that make up everyday English is just as important as mastering grammar and vocabulary.
Want to learn more idioms and how to use them naturally? Join our Conversational English workshop! Contact us for details.
