Idioms, Figures of Speech and Word Power: Class 7 Study Guide
Figurative language makes writing vivid, and a strong vocabulary makes it precise.
An idiom is a phrase whose meaning is different from its individual words: to bite the bullet means to face something difficult bravely. Figures of speech such as simile, metaphor, personification, hyperbole and alliteration add colour and meaning to writing.
A rich vocabulary comes from reading widely and learning how words are built from prefixes, suffixes and roots. Knowing that bene means good helps with benefit and benevolent; mal means bad, as in malfunction.
Figures of speech
| Figure | Example | Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| Simile | as busy as a bee | compares using as or like |
| Metaphor | Time is money. | direct comparison |
| Personification | The sun smiled. | human qualities to a thing |
| Hyperbole | I'm so hungry I could eat a horse. | exaggeration |
| Oxymoron | deafening silence | contradictory words together |
Common idioms
A piece of cake (very easy), once in a blue moon (rarely), break the ice (start a conversation), the ball is in your court (it's your decision), spill the beans (reveal a secret), hit the nail on the head (be exactly right). Use idioms sparingly in formal writing, and make sure you know their exact meaning.
It doesn't make literal sense.
What fits the passage?
Confirm.
In a sentence.
Building vocabulary
Synonyms are words with similar meanings (big, large, huge) but different strength or tone. Antonyms are opposites (increase, decrease). Homophones sound the same (whole, hole). Keep a vocabulary notebook with the word, meaning, example sentence and a picture. Use a thesaurus carefully: not every synonym fits every sentence.
Worked example and common mistakes
Example: 'The wind howled through the empty street' uses personification and creates a mood of loneliness. Common mistakes: taking idioms literally, changing the words of an idiom and overusing clichés. Choose fresh images when you write.
Check your understanding: model answers
1. Something very easy. 2. Personification. 3. For example, stingy or mean.
✨ Key Takeaways
- Idioms mean something different from their words.
- Similes use like or as; metaphors do not.
- Learn prefixes, suffixes and roots.
- Use a thesaurus with care.
💬 Questions for Discussion & Reflection
- What does 'a piece of cake' mean?
- Is 'The stars danced' personification or hyperbole?
- Give an antonym of 'generous'.