Top 20 English Idioms Used for PSLE Composition on Topic Play: A Comprehensive Guide
Quick Summary for Parents:
- Learning English Idioms can significantly enhance your child’s PSLE composition writing.
- We’ll guide you on how to help your child learn, prepare, and use idioms effectively.
- We’ll provide a list of the top 20 English Idioms often used in the context of “Play” that can enhance your child’s PSLE composition scores.
- The article also explores the reasons why idioms can improve your child’s written expression.
Introduction
Idioms are an integral part of the English language. They not only enrich one’s language but also allow the speaker or writer to express themselves more vividly and creatively. In the context of PSLE Composition, students who can skilfully incorporate idioms into their writing often fare better in scores. So let’s delve deeper into the top 20 English idioms related to the theme of “Play” that can significantly enhance your child’s PSLE composition.
Learning and Improving Idiom Usage
Understanding the Context of Play: Understanding the concept of “Play” in various contexts is the first step towards mastering the use of related idioms. “Play” can refer to literal play, like children at a playground, or it can refer to broader themes such as “role-play”, “playing an instrument”, “play of emotions”, etc.
Idiom Flashcards: Create flashcards with the idiom on one side and its meaning and an example sentence on the other. This method can be an enjoyable way for your child to learn and remember idioms.
Consistent Practice: Encourage your child to use the idioms in their daily conversations and writing tasks. This practice will aid in ingraining the idioms in their vocabulary.
Preparing for the PSLE Composition with Idioms
Reading Widely: Encourage your child to read books, newspapers, and magazines. Many idiomatic expressions are commonly used in such mediums, giving them a real-world context to understand and remember these phrases.
Frequent Writing Practices: Ensure that your child gets plenty of writing practice. Encourage them to use idioms in their essays. Provide feedback and corrections to ensure they understand the correct usage.
The Top 20 English Idioms in the Context of ‘Play’
Here are the top 20 English idioms related to “Play” which can enhance your child’s PSLE composition:
- Child’s play – Something very easy
- Play it by ear – To decide a course of action as you go along, based on your instincts
- All work and no play makes Jack a dull boy – One needs a balance of work and leisure activities
- Play your cards right – To behave in a way that gives you an advantage
- Play the field – To date a variety of people rather than committing to one
- Play second fiddle – To take a subordinate role to someone
- At play – Engaged in a playful or recreational activity
- Play into someone’s hands – To do exactly what an opponent wants
- Play with fire – To engage in a risky activity
- Play for time – To delay or stall for time
- A tough act to follow – An achievement or performance that sets a high standard
- Play the blame game – To point fingers at others instead of accepting responsibility
- Play by the rules – To act according to the guidelines or standards
- Play it safe – To avoid taking unnecessary risks
- Play a part/role – To be involved or influential in a situation
- Play for keeps – To play a game in a serious manner, with the intent of keeping what one wins
- Play the fool – To act in a silly or nonsensical manner
- The ball is in your court – It is up to you to make the next move
- Throw in the towel – To admit defeat
- The show must go on – The performance or activity must continue despite difficulties
Here are examples of usage for the idioms in a table format:
| Idiom | Meaning | Example of Usage |
|---|---|---|
| Child’s play | Something very easy | The maths homework was child’s play for Johnny who is a whiz at numbers. |
| Play it by ear | Decide a course of action as you go along, based on instincts | We didn’t have a plan for our weekend. We decided to play it by ear. |
| All work and no play… | Need a balance of work and leisure activities | After studying all week, Susan decided to take a break. All work and no play… |
| Play your cards right | Behave in a way that gives you an advantage | If you play your cards right, you might get chosen as the class monitor. |
| Play the field | Date a variety of people rather than committing to one | Not wanting to settle down yet, he decided to play the field a bit. |
| Play second fiddle | Take a subordinate role to someone | She didn’t like the idea of playing second fiddle to her more talented sister. |
| At play | Engaged in a playful or recreational activity | The children were at play in the park, their laughter filling the air. |
| Play into someone’s hands | Do exactly what an opponent wants | By reacting angrily, he played right into his rival’s hands. |
| Play with fire | Engage in a risky activity | Cheating on the test was like playing with fire. |
| Play for time | Delay or stall for time | She played for time by asking irrelevant questions. |
| A tough act to follow | An achievement or performance that sets a high standard | The previous class president was a tough act to follow. |
| Play the blame game | Point fingers at others instead of accepting responsibility | Instead of playing the blame game, we should find a solution. |
| Play by the rules | Act according to the guidelines or standards | It’s important to play by the rules during the competition. |
| Play it safe | Avoid taking unnecessary risks | Considering the situation, it’s better to play it safe and stay at home. |
| Play a part/role | Be involved or influential in a situation | My teachers played a big part in my success. |
| Play for keeps | Play a game in a serious manner, with the intent to keep what you win | He’s playing for keeps this time, not just for fun. |
| Play the fool | Act in a silly or nonsensical manner | Stop playing the fool and focus on your studies. |
| The ball is in your court | It’s up to you to make the next move | I’ve done all I can, the ball is in your court now. |
| Throw in the towel | Admit defeat | After multiple failed attempts, he decided to throw in the towel. |
| The show must go on | The performance or activity must continue despite difficulties | Despite the technical difficulties, the director said, “The show must go on!” |
Please note that the table contains simplified and creative usages suitable for PSLE students. For more complex examples, refer to the provided websites.
The Importance of Idioms in PSLE Composition
Using idioms correctly in the PSLE composition can add a touch of creativity and richness to your child’s writing. It shows an understanding and command of the language, which can impress the examiners and potentially lead to better scores. Not only will this benefit them in their PSLE, but it also equips them with a broader vocabulary for their future English language endeavours.
Useful International Websites for Learning English Idioms
Remember, learning idioms should be a fun and enriching experience. Encourage and support your child in this endeavour and witness the improvements in their composition writing.
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