Teaching English Idioms and Phrasal Verbs: Techniques and Tools
“Have you ever felt like you’re barking up the wrong tree when teaching English?”
That’s an idiom right there, and if you’re scratching your head wondering what it means, don’t worry—you’re not alone!
Teaching English idioms and phrasal verbs can feel like a mountain to climb for both teachers and learners.
These quirky phrases often don’t make sense when you break them down word by word, yet they’re everywhere in everyday English.
So, how do we make them fun, simple, and easy to learn?
I’ve been in your shoes, and I’m excited to share some practical techniques and tools that have worked wonders for my students and me. Let’s dive in!
Why Idioms and Phrasal Verbs Matter
Before we get into the how-to, let’s talk about why these phrases are such a big deal.
Idioms—like “kick the bucket” (meaning to die) or “spill the beans” (to reveal a secret)—add color and personality to English. Phrasal verbs, like “pick up” (to lift or learn) or “run out” (to use up), are the backbone of casual conversation. Without them, your English sounds stiff, like a robot wrote it.
I’ve seen students nail grammar and vocabulary but still struggle to sound natural because they didn’t know these expressions. They’re the secret sauce to fluency, and that’s why teaching them is so rewarding.
The tricky part? They’re tough to figure out! “Kick the bucket” doesn’t involve feet or pails, and “pick up” changes meaning depending on the sentence. But don’t worry—I’ve got your back with simple ways to teach them that stick.
Technique 1: Start with Stories
Stories are magic. They grab attention and make abstract ideas feel real. When I teach idioms or phrasal verbs, I love starting with a short, silly tale. For example, to teach “spill the beans,” I might say: “Imagine a kid hiding a secret about a surprise party. He trips, drops a bag of beans, and everyone sees them—oops, the secret’s out!” Students laugh, picture it in their heads, and suddenly, the phrase clicks.
Try this: Pick five idioms or phrasal verbs—like “let the cat out of the bag,” “give up,” “turn down,” “hit the nail on the head,” and “run into.” Write a quick story where they all fit. Keep it light and relatable. Maybe it’s about a clumsy spy who keeps messing up his missions. Read it aloud in class, act it out if you’re feeling brave, and watch your students connect the dots. Stories turn dry phrases into something they’ll remember long after the bell rings.
Technique 2: Break It Down with Visuals
Sometimes words alone don’t cut it—especially with idioms that sound bonkers out of context. That’s where visuals save the day. I’ve found that drawing (even badly!) or showing pictures helps students “see” the meaning. For “raining cats and dogs,” I sketch a goofy scene of pets falling from the sky. It’s ridiculous, and that’s why it works—they don’t forget it.
You don’t need to be an artist. Grab some markers and a whiteboard, or use free tools like Canva to whip up simple images. For phrasal verbs like “pick up,” draw a hand lifting a book, then a brain with a lightbulb for “pick up a skill.” Pair the picture with a sentence: “She picked up the book” or “He picked up Spanish fast.” Visuals tie the phrase to something concrete, and students love the creativity.
If you’ve got tech in the classroom, search online for cartoon clips or memes with the idiom or verb. A quick Google or YouTube hunt can turn up gold—students stay engaged, and it feels less like “work.”
Technique 3: Play Games (Yes, Really!)
Who says learning can’t be a blast? Games are my go-to for making idioms and phrasal verbs stick. One favorite is “Idiom Charades.” Write idioms on slips of paper—like “bite the bullet” or “under the weather”—and have students act them out without talking. Their teammates guess, and the room fills with laughter. It’s active, it’s fun, and they’re practicing without even realizing it.
For phrasal verbs, try “Phrasal Verb Bingo.” Make bingo cards with verbs like “give up,” “look after,” “take off,” and so on. Call out definitions or sentences with a blank—“She ___ her little brother” (look after)—and they mark the right one. First to a full row wins a candy or a high-five. It’s low prep, and they’ll beg to play again.
Another hit is “Fill-in-the-Blank Relay.” Split the class into teams, give each a sentence with a missing idiom or phrasal verb, and have them race to the board to write it. Something like: “He ___ of time to finish his homework” (ran out). They cheer each other on, and the energy keeps them hooked.
Technique 4: Use Real-Life Examples
Textbooks are fine, but real life is better. I love showing students how idioms and phrasal verbs pop up in songs, movies, or even chats with friends. Play a pop song—say, Taylor Swift’s “Shake It Off”—and pause at “shake it off.” Ask: “What does this mean here?” (To let go of worries.) Or pull a clip from a movie like The Lion King where Simba “runs away” from home. It’s familiar stuff they already enjoy, so the phrases feel less foreign.
You can also weave in what’s happening around them. If it’s pouring outside, say, “Wow, it’s raining cats and dogs!” and see their eyes light up as they get it. Point out phrasal verbs in your instructions: “Pick up your pencils” or “Turn off the lights.” They’ll start noticing these phrases everywhere, and that’s when the real learning happens.
Technique 5: Practice with Role-Plays
Role-plays are like mini adventures in class. Give students a scenario—like planning a party, solving a mystery, or arguing about a lost phone—and sprinkle in idioms and phrasal verbs they need to use. For example: “You spilled the beans about the surprise! Now we’ve run out of ideas—don’t give up yet!” They act it out in pairs or groups, stumbling at first but gaining confidence fast.
I once had students pretend to be detectives cracking a case. They had to “figure out” clues, “let the cat out of the bag,” and “put two and two together.” They got so into it, they forgot they were learning! Keep it loose—no scripts, just a list of phrases to sneak in. It builds fluency and makes them feel like English pros.
Tools to Make It Easier
Now, let’s talk tools—little helpers that take your teaching up a notch. First, flashcards are your best friend. Write the idiom or phrasal verb on one side, the meaning (and maybe a picture) on the other. Apps like Quizlet let you make digital ones students can quiz themselves with at home. They’re simple to create and a hit with all ages.
Next, dictionaries designed for learners—like the Oxford Learner’s Dictionary—break down idioms and phrasal verbs with examples. Show students how to look up “take off” and see its many meanings (to leave, to remove, to succeed). It’s empowering for them to dig in themselves.
Online, websites like BBC Learning English or FluentU have videos and quizzes on these topics. They’re free or cheap and packed with native speaker examples. If you’ve got a projector, pull up a short video—five minutes of watching beats an hour of lecturing.
Finally, don’t sleep on good old worksheets. Make your own with fill-in-the-blanks, matching, or “fix the mistake” exercises. Hand them out for practice or homework—keep it short and sweet so they don’t groan.
Keep It Fun and Flexible
Here’s the secret sauce: don’t stress about perfection. Some students will mix up “kick the bucket” and “spill the beans” at first—it’s okay! Laugh with them, correct gently, and move on. The goal isn’t to memorize 100 phrases in a week; it’s to build a habit of noticing and using them. Start small—maybe five a lesson—and build from there.
Mix up these techniques so no two classes feel the same. One day it’s a story, the next it’s bingo, then a role-play. Keep them guessing, and they’ll stay curious. And hey, ask them to share idioms from their own languages—suddenly, they’re teaching you, and the room buzzes with excitement.
Wrapping It Up
Teaching idioms and phrasal verbs doesn’t have to be a headache. With stories, visuals, games, real-life hooks, and role-plays, you can turn these tricky phrases into something your students look forward to. Toss in tools like flashcards, apps, and videos, and you’ve got a recipe for success. I’ve watched shy beginners blossom into chatty English users just by mastering a handful of these expressions—it’s like giving them the keys to a new world.
So, next time you’re in class, don’t throw in the towel. Try one of these ideas, tweak it to fit your style, and watch your students light up. They’ll be “on cloud nine” (super happy!) before you know it, and you’ll feel like you’ve “hit the jackpot” (found something great). What’s your favorite way to teach these phrases? I’d love to hear—after all, we’re all in this together!
