1. CATEGORIZE YOUR IDIOMS

In order to practice idioms effectively one of the first things you can do to improve is to categorize your idioms by different areas. Let's look at some examples:

Category: Fruit

Apples and oranges.

Meaning: Things that cannot be compared, usually from two completely different classes.

Go bananas.

Meaning: To become crazy.

The apple of my eye.

Meaning: Someone you are proud or very fond of.

Category: Weather

Rain on my parade.

Meaning: This is when someone or something spoils or ruins your plans.

Come rain or shine.

Meaning: This means - no matter what.

On cloud nine.

Meaning: To be extremely happy.

2. DO QUIZZES ONLINE OR USING A TEXTBOOK

Another method to practice idioms is to of course do some quizzes online or using textbooks as this will help you to practice while also being able to see and understand mistakes that are made. I also think quizzes help because they help the information to stick. Here are some sites you can check out to help you practice them.

Cambridge Idioms Quiz

English Club Idioms Quiz

Quizizz

3. WATCH TV SHOWS AND YOUTUBE VIDEOS

Watching TV Programs and YouTube videos can help you to practice your idioms in an effective way. You will see how it is used and hear sentences made and how they are formed to help you understand not just the idioms but also the context and the tenses used. Here are some TV shows I suggest which I know have idioms you can practice.

4. SPEAK

Undoubtedly this is the most popular tip I give for everything. The reason for this is that if you do not practice the odds of you improving are very little to non-existent. You need to be speaking even if you just want to record yourself talking, it is a start, so go for it!

5. WRITE

To practice idioms writing is another strategy that can be used, this one really does work because it is said that when you write things down they are more engraved in the mind. So I personally recommend writing a few paragraphs that include the new idioms that you learned, then make sure you use a grammar checker to make sure your sentences are correct.

6. CREATE AN IDIOM DIARY

An idiom diary is great to have, you may be wondering where to start, or what to write, right? Well let's start with the same categories we spoke about, categorize the idioms in your diary, so:

1. Write the idiom.
2. Write the meaning of the idiom.
3. Write the meaning again in your own words.
4. Write 2-3 sentences with these idioms.

7. UNDERSTAND CONTEXT

Understanding context is essential when learning a new language, not just English. With idioms though you have to pay very close attention. Listen to the full sentences and analyze them and based on the structure and the words used, you can figure out what exactly the idiom means without searching for it. I, therefore, challenge you to practice idioms using this strategy. maybe from the same TV program or youtube videos you like.

8. MAKE SENTENCES

Making sentences ties into having that idiom diary. This helps you to practice the idioms and how to use them. After writing these sentences also practice repeating them a few times.

9. USE SOCIAL MEDIA

Now, this I believe is one of the most popular and advanced ways to practice your idioms in today's day and age. There are many many many pages on Instagram, Tik Tok, etc which all provide videos daily there are even some pages that ONLY focus on idioms and these are great for you to practice because you will hear them being used in a proper sentence and you may be able to comment and make your own sentences and if there are errors then someone may be able to correct you.

10. LEARN KEYWORDS AND TENSES

This one is vital and extremely important if you want to practice idioms and become great at using them. You need to learn the keywords and tenses.

For example: Apple of someone's eye.

Apple of his eye.

Apple of her eye.

The keywords here are apple, of, and eye.

Example 2: Cry your eyes out.

Last week he cried his eyes out. (This happened in the past)