Noticing how people use figurative language to express ideas indirectly.
Exploring how tone and context help communicate what an idiom means.
Thinking about how facial expressions can support understanding of an unfamiliar phrase.
Considering that different people may use different expressions to convey the same idea.
Reflecting on how to respond when someone uses a phrase you are not familiar with.
Recognising that there are many valid ways to understand and use language.
A selection of common idioms illustrated with scenes from TV shows and movies. Expressions used include "hit the sack", "break a leg", "spill the beans", and "under the weather". Each idiom is explained, showing how the figurative meaning differs from the literal words. The idioms are shown in context, with characters using them in everyday conversations.
• What did you notice about how the characters used the expressions?
• How did the speaker's tone help show what the idiom meant?
• How did facial expressions support the meaning of what was being said?
• Does the literal meaning of any of the phrases match how it was used?
• Has someone ever used an unfamiliar expression with you?
• What is your preferred way of responding if someone uses a phrase you do not understand?
• How did you work out what they meant?
• What might happen if two people interpret the same expression differently?
• Are there other ways someone might express the same idea without using an idiom?
The questions within this guide are designed to open dialogue and facilitate discussion around the relevant topics. It is up to the user to adapt as needed to best suit the person they are supporting. A neuroaffirming approach was central to the design of these resources and remains essential to their application. This means recognising and respecting the diverse ways people think, communicate, and experience the world, ensuring all conversations are led with curiosity, respect, and without judgement. These resources are a starting point. Trust your knowledge of the person you are supporting to shape the conversation from there.
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