The following is a list of idioms in our class languages. Please feel welcome to use the idioms here
or find ones of your choice using the Internet to complete the other side of this page.
Idioms in Spanish
El que madruga, Dios lo ayuda (God helps those who wake up early)
A darle que es mole de olla (Let's get to work)
Estar en las nubes (To be in the clouds)
Idioms in Dari
( به مو رسید ویل پاره نشدSaved at the last moment)
برفش بیشت،( هر که بامش بیشThe higher the roof, the more snow it collects)
( دل به دریا زدنThrowing your heart into the sea)
Idioms in Ukrainian
Дивитися як баран на нові ворота (A sheep looking at a new gate)
Сидіти на двох стільцях (To sit on two chairs)
Вішати локшину на вуха (Hang noodles on someone's ears)
Idioms in Ilokano
Adda kumuyog iti likudan (There is an ant behind the back)
Agsala ti adu a buok iti napanglao nga apuy (Many hairs are dancing over a weak fire)
Naingel ti sursuro iti balatong (Learning takes root in the beans)
Idioms in Russian
Бабушка надвое сказала (The grandmother said two things)
Семь пятниц на неделе (Seven Fridays in a week)
Не всё коту масленица (Not every day is Pancake Week for the cat)
Idioms in Samoan
O le upega e fili i le po (A net is mended at night)
E lele le toloa ae ma’au i le vai (A duck flies but always returns to the water)
Ua malamalama le ao (The cloud has cleared)
Idioms in Chuukese
Ewe pwan ewe anis (The calm sea is good)
Kori non ewe maram (Think with the heart)
Ngang epwe amasa punen ewe nonom (I will clean my house first)
Idioms in Iraqi Arabic
( ما يحتاج توضيح الشمس بـ غربالNo need to cover the sun with a sleeve)
( الجمل ما يشوف عوجة رقبتهThe camel doesn't see the curve of its own neck)
( فص ملح وذابA grain of salt that has dissolved)
Idioms in English
Break the ice
Spill the beans
Piece of cake
Name: Example
For the following activity, please choose an idiom from your home language and an idiom from another
language to compare and contrast the meanings of the two idioms.
1. Choose one idiom in your home language.
Language of idiom: Korean
Chosen idiom: 김칫국부터 마신다 (Drinking kimchi soup first)
Meaning: “Drinking kimchi soup first” means to jump to conclusions or “to count one’s chickens before
they hatch” in English. Kimchi soup from fermented kimchi helps a person digest rice and meat. The
kimchi enzymes act as a digestive to break down heavier carbohydrates and proteins. To drink the
kimchi soup first means to assume a guaranteed feast instead of waiting to drink the broth with the
main meal.
2. Choose another idiom in any other language of your choice.
Language of idiom: Spanish
Idiom: No vendas la piel del oso antes de cazarlo. (Don’t sell the bear’s skin before hunting it.)
Meaning: The “piel del oso” refers to the skin of a bear that is sold (vendas) before it is even hunted
(cazarlo). A hunter who assumes a bear will be killed in their hunt is taking a presumptuous and
dangerous stance about an upcoming hunt. To presume success means disappointment or shame could
result after a failed hunt.
3. Compare the meanings of the two idioms. What is similar about the idioms? Different?
Similar: The two idioms refer to the foolhardy action of predicting success in the future. While
preparation is helpful to ensure success, success is never guaranteed. Humility and patience override
preparation as a virtue.
Different: “Drinking kimchi soup first” is different from “Don’t sell the bear’s skin before hunting it”
regarding the anticipation of eating versus taking quick action to make money. Both seem to hint at
greed and hastiness. The image of drinking kimchi soup hints at someone foolishly and perhaps
laughingly getting ready for a feast while warning a hunter not to make a sale on a bear skin that has not
yet been hunted is a way to prevent someone from jumping three steps ahead before the first step has
been taken.
Name: ________________________________
For the following activity, please choose an idiom from your home language and an idiom from another
language to compare and contrast the meanings of the two idioms.
1. Choose one idiom in your home language.
Language of idiom: ___________________________________
Chosen idiom: _________________________________________________________________________
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Meaning: ______________________________________________________________________
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2. Choose another idiom in any other language of your choice.
Language of idiom: _______________________________________________
Idiom: _______________________________________________________________________________
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Meaning: ______________________________________________________________________
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3. Compare the meanings of the two idioms. What is similar about the idioms? Different?
Similarities: _____________________________________________________________________
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Differences: ____________________________________________________________________
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