I Want To Learn English

Idiomatic expressions are one of the most challenging aspects of learning English. They often have meanings that cannot be deduced from their individual words, and they require an understanding of cultural context. For English learners, mastering idioms can feel like unlocking a secret code to better understanding native speakers. By using pop culture, teachers can bring idioms to life in engaging and relatable ways, turning what might seem like a daunting task into an enjoyable learning experience.

Pop culture—including movies, TV shows, music, and memes—offers rich material for teaching idioms because it reflects how language is actually used in context. Here are three practical ways to teach idiomatic expressions using pop culture, along with examples and tips for implementation.

1. Movies and TV Shows: Idioms in Action

Movies and TV shows are treasure troves of idiomatic expressions. They provide not only the language itself but also the situational and emotional context in which the idioms are used. Teachers can use specific scenes to highlight idioms and help students infer their meanings.

Example: “Break a leg” from the movie High School Musical
In one scene, the characters use “Break a leg” as encouragement before a performance. This expression, which means “good luck,” is often used in theater and performance settings. By showing this clip, teachers can explain the phrase and ask students to think about why it might seem strange to wish someone harm (literally) but mean it as encouragement. Follow-up activities could include:

• Asking students to brainstorm other expressions they know that mean “good luck.”
• Role-playing scenarios where they would use the idiom.
• Discussing how idioms often reflect cultural traditions, such as the superstition behind avoiding literal mentions of luck.

Implementation Tip: Choose short, engaging clips and provide subtitles to support comprehension. After watching, guide students in discussing the idiom’s meaning, tone, and usage.

2. Music: Listening for Idioms in Lyrics

Song lyrics often use idiomatic language to convey emotions, tell stories, or add rhythm and style. Music is particularly effective because it is repetitive, memorable, and emotionally engaging.

Example: “Hanging on by a thread” from Carly Rae Jepsen’s “I Really Like You”
In the song, the singer uses this idiom to describe the slightest move can change the outcome of something (in a negative way). Teachers can play the song and ask students to:

• Identify the idiom and guess its meaning from the context.
• Discuss why someone might “hanging on by a thread” in a real-life situation.
• Write their own short lyric or sentence using the idiom.

To take this further, teachers can create an “idiom playlist” featuring songs that include idiomatic expressions, such as Adele’s “Rolling in the Deep” (meaning “experiencing intense emotions”) or Taylor Swift’s “Shake It Off” (meaning “to let go of negativity”).

Implementation Tip: Provide a lyric handout and highlight the idioms before playing the song. Encourage students to sing along or complete a fill-in-the-blank exercise to reinforce the idioms.

3. Memes and Social Media: Making Idioms Relatable

Memes are a modern and highly visual way to teach idioms. They combine humor with cultural references, making them memorable for students. Many memes use idioms as captions, often in exaggerated or humorous ways that emphasize their meanings.

Example: The “Spill the Tea” Meme
“Spill the tea,” which means “to gossip or share secrets,” is a phrase popularized by internet culture. Teachers can show students memes or GIFs featuring this phrase, such as a clip of Kermit the Frog sipping tea with the caption “But that’s none of my business.”

After introducing the meme, teachers can:

• Explain the idiom’s meaning and its informal tone.
• Discuss how idioms evolve and become part of popular slang through platforms like TikTok or Instagram.
• Create an activity where students design their own memes using idioms they’ve learned.

Implementation Tip: Ensure that the memes or social media references are age-appropriate and culturally sensitive. Use these opportunities to discuss internet etiquette and informal vs. formal language.

Why Pop Culture Works

Using pop culture to teach idioms is effective because it connects language learning to real-world use. According to an article in TESOL Quarterly, “Authentic materials, such as movies and music, not only engage learners but also expose them to the cultural nuances of language.” This exposure helps students understand not just the literal meaning of idioms but also their social and emotional contexts. Pop culture also allows for multi-sensory learning. Students see, hear, and sometimes even act out idioms, which helps reinforce their understanding and retention. Furthermore, using familiar pop culture references creates a sense of relevance and excitement, making students more motivated to participate.

Tips for Teachers

To maximize the effectiveness of teaching idioms through pop culture, consider the following tips:

1. Know Your Audience: Choose references that resonate with your students’ interests and cultural backgrounds. A teenage group might enjoy TikTok trends, while adults might prefer classic movies or songs.
2. Context Is Key: Always provide context for the idioms. Explain not only what they mean but also when and how they are used.
3. Encourage Practice: Create opportunities for students to use the idioms in conversation, writing, or creative projects. For example, have students write a short dialogue using five idioms they’ve learned.
4. Incorporate Humor: Lean into the fun side of pop culture. Humor helps reduce anxiety and makes learning more memorable.

By incorporating pop culture into idiom lessons, teachers can make language learning dynamic and culturally relevant. Not only will students expand their vocabulary, but they will also gain insights into the cultural underpinnings of the English language. So, the next time you’re lesson planning, why not turn to Hollywood, Spotify, or Instagram for inspiration? Your students might just “have a blast” learning idioms in the process.

**Sign up for our email notifications and get updates and information on how to get free materials in 2025.**