10 Quick Tricks to Master Idioms for Everyday Conversations

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Mastering idioms for everyday conversations is one of the most exciting yet challenging parts of learning a new language. 

As an English learner, I’ve realized that simply memorizing idioms isn’t enough. 

You need to learn them quickly and effectively to use them naturally in conversations. 

 I’ll share some tricks that have helped me master idioms faster and use them like a native speaker!

I will use the idiom “burn the midnight oil” as an example.

I chose this expression because, as an ESL student in college in Toronto, I often heard my native English-speaking classmates using it.

At first, I had no idea what it meant and even wondered if they were actually using oil lamps at home! It took me some time to realize that they were simply talking about staying late to study or work.

This experience made me realize the importance of learning idioms to better understand native speakers and feel more confident in conversations.

 Trick 1: Understand the Idiom Clearly🚨

The first step to learning the idiom “burn the midnight oil” is to understand what it means and where it comes from.

Meaning: Burn the midnight oil means staying up late at night to work or study, often to meet a deadline or finish a task.

Origin: This idiom comes from a time when people used oil lamps for light, so staying up late literally meant burning oil in the lamp.

Why This Step is Important:
Understanding the meaning and history gives you a foundation. Without this, you might memorize the phrase but struggle to use it properly in conversation or writing.

Start by visualizing the phrase—imagine a dimly lit room, a lamp flickering, and someone working late into the night. This mental picture will help anchor the idiom in your memory.

Once you’re clear on the meaning, you can move on to practicing and applying it in real life!

💡 Visual Tip: Use a mind map to visually connect the idiom’s meaning and usage to make it easier to grasp.

Trick 2: Create Sentences with the Idiom 📝

Now that you understand what “burn the midnight oil” means, start using it in sentences. The goal is to make the idiom part of your active vocabulary, not just a passive phrase.

Here are some examples to get you started:

• “I had to burn the midnight oil to finish my research paper before the deadline.”
• “She’s been burning the midnight oil preparing for the big presentation.”
• “During my exam week, I burned the midnight oil studying for the final tests.”

Try to create 3-5 of your own sentences using the idiom. The more you practice, the easier it will be to remember and use it naturally.

Trick 3: Use It in Conversations 💬

Put the idiom to use in real conversations.

• “I had to burn the midnight oil to finish that project on time.”
• “I’m burning the midnight oil tonight because I have a big exam tomorrow.”

Don’t worry if you’re a bit unsure at first—just use it and see how people respond. Over time, you'll get more comfortable with it.

Trick 4: Reinforce with Visuals 🎨

A great way to remember an idiom is to connect it with a visual. Draw a picture of someone working at night with a lit oil lamp or a clock showing late hours. You can even search for images or GIFs online that illustrate the idiom.

Pin your drawing or image somewhere you’ll see it often, like on your study desk or as your phone wallpaper. The visual reinforcement will help keep the idiom fresh in your mind.

 Trick 5: Quiz Yourself 🔄

Test your understanding of the idiom by quizzing yourself. Ask:

• What does “burn the midnight oil” mean?
• How can I use it in a real-life situation?
• Can I think of any examples from my own life where I burned the midnight oil?

Review your notes or flashcards regularly to reinforce the meaning and your ability to use it.

Trick 6: Teach Someone Else 💬

Teaching is one of the best ways to truly grasp a concept. Explain “burn the midnight oil” to a friend, family member, or study partner. Use your own examples to help them understand how to use it in context. The more you teach, the better you’ll remember the idiom!

 Trick 7: Keep Practicing 🏅

Like any new language skill, idioms require consistent practice. Keep using “burn the midnight oil” in your conversations, writing, and even when thinking about your own schedule. The more you practice, the faster it will become part of your natural language use.

Trick 8. Draw Connections to Your Native Language💖

If your native language has similar idioms for everyday conversations, I try to draw connections.

For example, in my language, we have the idiom “caught between a rock and a hard place,” which is similar to the English idiom. Understanding these similarities makes learning faster.

💡 Visual Tip: Create a comparison chart that matches idioms in English and your native language.

 Trick 9. Match It to Your Life 🕰️

Think of a time when you stayed up late working or studying. Write about it in a few sentences using the idiom.

For example:
“Last week, I burned the midnight oil completing a big project. It was exhausting but worth it.”

Why it works: Personalizing the idiom ties it to your own experiences, making it memorable.

Trick 10. Review and Reinforce Regularly 📚

I don’t just learn idioms once and forget about them. Instead, I review them regularly. I set aside time once a week to revise idioms, whether by reading, quizzing, or watching videos. Regular review ensures that the idioms stick.

Find more tips in these articles:

Spaced Repetition Learning Technique to Remember Better

Quizzing: A Proven Technique for Long-Term Language Learning

How to Use ChatGPT for Effective Quizzing & Language Retention

💡 Visual Tip: Create a simple weekly review schedule, setting aside 10 minutes to go over your idioms.

Take my course, “The Roadmap to Fluency; Setting up,” and discover how to fit regular practice into your busy day. You'll also learn how mastering idioms can become an enjoyable and consistent part of your studies! 🚀

P.S. Since idioms can be tricky and difficult to master, I’ve explored their use and shared tips that helped me learn them faster and incorporate them into my everyday conversations. I’ve also created more articles you might find helpful—check them out!

Five Expert Tips for Understanding & Usage of English Idioms

Idiom Insights: Practical Hints for Effective Learning and Comprehension

Exploring English Idioms & Mastering Vibrant Colorful Conversations

Idioms: How to transform chats into captivating Verbal Arts

10 Strong English Positive Idioms To Describe a Person

Final Thoughts

Mastering idioms for everyday conversations takes time, but using these quick tricks has certainly made my learning journey smoother.

With consistent practice, quizzes, and using idioms in real-life conversations, I feel more confident incorporating them naturally.

Every little step counts.

Start practicing now—just don’t burn the midnight oil while doing it! 😉

Thanks for reading and until next time!

M.K.

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