What are Idioms?

Idioms are phrases that state a message different from its literal meaning.

Literal language

The message is expressed exactly how it is intended

Example: “He was very nervous going into the meeting.”

Nonliteral language

The message requires inferencing/interpretation or has been learned

Example: “He had butterflies in his stomach before he went into the meeting.” (idiom)

Idioms are often culturally-specific and have been accepted as common use.

They fall under a larger umbrella called figurative language. For more information about figurative language, check out our post Types of Figurative Language.

FREE Idioms Worksheet

Click to link to our TpT store for your FREE download!

Idioms Worksheet: Ways to Use

If I am being perfectly honest, I have already used this worksheet for a variety of uses with all different clients (remember - we are SLPs, but this is a great resource for the classroom too)! I’ve used it both digitally for some of my telehealth clients and in-person. Tip: if printing, laminate this worksheet for multiple uses across clients/students!

This worksheet can also be used for:

-Informal assessment of figurative/pragmatic language areas

-Pre/posttest of skills

-Easy homework assignment

-Therapy material

-Teaching tool

-Group activity

& more!


Additional Figurative Language & Pragmatic Language Resources

What Is Figurative Language?

How to Write Figurative Language Goals [with goal bank]

Pragmatic Language: What it is and How to Support it

How to Write Pragmatic Language Goals [with goal bank]

For another free worksheet download, check out our receptive language resource about regular and irregular plural nouns!