JapanForum.com - English idioms

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How about this suggestion, rewording the sentence without using idioms.

I lost my wallet on the street yesterday and my luck got worse, it started to rain.

I avoid idioms when possible because they can be ambiguous or overexploited, although some idioms can be a clear and effective way of expression.

thing is: Supperman wants to practice using Idioms because we Do use them a lot in every day life.

someone on here did suggest that Supperman did practice Idioms in order to help his English studies, so I presume that is exactly what Supperman is trying to do.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Supperman (Post 873714)

Thank you, BBB and Kuuzoku, for your detailed explanation of the idioms.

The two country (COUNTRIES) have cut a deal with each other in regard to the elimination of non-agricultural tariff.

They have cut a deal, and the plea-bargain's been accepted at the minor court.

Princess Amidara and the chief of Naboo natives cut a deal in order to face the new enemy, the Emperor Parpatine.

Maybe we can make a deal. First school, and you will be able to do anything you like after graduation.

I'll make you a deal. First, homework, and then you can enjoy TV.

that looks accurate according to MM's explanations.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Supperman (Post 873715)

Hi.

There is a Japanese idiom equivalent to "Add insult to injury";
泣きっ面に蜂　(a bee sting to the crying face. When a child is crying, a bee flies to him and stings into his face.) Surely that is Literal. It actually Happened.I lost my wallet at IN the street yesterday, and to add insult to injury, I got lost. Yes: I think ("To make matters worse" is more appropriate.)I lost my credit-card two weeks ago, and then to add insult to injury,　a lot of expensive demand notes have arrived (FOR)at me, which I don't remember.

I had a severe headache and took a pain killer, and then to add insult to injury, my stomach began to ache.

My English teacher corrected my English essay completely, and BUT to add insult to injury, he denied my personality. (

( I wonder what he meant by that-- How could he deny your personality?

I and my wife divorced, and then to add insult to injury, my daughter's gone with her. ( My wife and I divorced--)Hey! It seems impossible to write something happy, with this idiom!

Good try Supperman.

Quote:

Originally Posted by dogsbody70 (Post 873798)

I see, it is true that studying idioms is a quick way of learning.

Idioms are hard, they dont always make sense to me.

Quote:

Originally Posted by nobora (Post 873832)

Idioms are hard, they dont always make sense to me.

Hi, they don't always make sense because that is of their nature. It is best not to think about the actual words too much and just remember the idiom meaning itself. This is how I approach idioms in other languages.

I lost my wallet at the street. (wrong)
I lost my wallet in the street. (correct)

The two country (wrong)
The two countries (correct)

a lot of expensive demand notes have arrived at me, (wrong)
a lot of expensive demand notes have arrived me, (correct)

I and my wife divorced (wrong)
my wife and I divorced (correct)

Thanks, dogsbody70!

Quote:

Originally Posted by Kuuzoku (Post 873835)

But then whats the point if you dont know what it is saying

I agree that it is better not to use idioms in your own speech when you want to be understood clearly. However, knowing what the most common idioms meant to most people is a way of improving your conversational english. Some idioms are overused and can become a bad habit in your speech, which might be difficult to correct later on.