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Idioms, Phrasal Verbs and Figures | ICSE Class 8

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English LanguageICSE Class 8 · Vocabulary, Idioms and Figures of Speech

Idioms, Phrasal Verbs, Collocations and Figures of Speech (ICSE Class 8)

Updated 17 October 2026 · Fact-checked

An idiom is a fixed expression whose meaning is not in its words; a phrasal verb pairs a verb with a particle to give a new meaning; a collocation is a natural word partnership; register is the level of formality. Figures of speech compare (simile, metaphor, personification), use sound (alliteration, onomatopoeia), stress or exaggerate (hyperbole, repetition, rhetorical question) or contrast (irony, oxymoron, paradox, antithesis).

Simile uses like or as, metaphor says one thing is another, and personification gives human actions to things.

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Understand Idioms, Phrasal Verbs, Collocations and Figures of Speech

Idioms are fixed, so you cannot change the words ("a piece of cake", not "a slice of cake"). Fit the idiom into your grammar (He spilled the beans) and use it where the context shows the meaning; keep most for informal or narrative writing. Examples: break the ice (start a conversation in an awkward situation); once in a blue moon (very rarely); hit the nail on the head (say exactly the right thing); burn the midnight oil (work late); a blessing in disguise; cry over spilt milk; under the weather (slightly ill); turn a deaf ear; at the eleventh hour; hold one's tongue.

Phrasal verbs. look after (take care of), look up (search), look into (investigate), look forward to (followed by a noun or -ing), give up, give in, put off (postpone), put up with (tolerate), turn down (refuse), turn up (arrive), call off (cancel), carry out (perform). In formal writing prefer postpone, tolerate, cancel, investigate.

Collocations. heavy traffic, strong tea, a high fever, a narrow escape; make a decision, do homework, take a photograph, pay attention, keep a promise; deeply grateful, highly unlikely. Register: formal (I regret to inform you), informal (Sorry, but), technical (photosynthesis). Formulaic expressions in dialogue: "Excuse me, could you...", "Not at all".

Comparison figures. Simile uses like or as. Metaphor says one thing is another. Personification gives human qualities to things. Apostrophe speaks to an absent person or thing. To explain one, name it, identify the two things compared and state the shared quality or effect.

Sound and emphasis. Alliteration repeats initial consonant sounds; onomatopoeia imitates sounds (buzz, sizzle); hyperbole exaggerates; repetition; rhetorical question.

Contrast. Irony (verbal and situational), oxymoron (deafening silence), paradox, antithesis (speech is silver, silence is golden), euphemism (passed away).

Idioms, Phrasal Verbs, Collocations and Figures of Speech: key facts

Comparison figures
Similelike or as
Metaphoris
Personificationhuman qualities
Apostrophespeaks to absent
Name, two things, effect.
Sound and emphasis
  • Alliteration
  • Onomatopoeia
  • Hyperbole
  • Repetition
  • Rhetorical question
Hyperbole exaggerates.
Contrast figures
  • Irony
  • Oxymoron
  • Paradox
  • Antithesis
  • Euphemism
Oxymoron joins two contradictory words.

How to answer Idioms, Phrasal Verbs, Collocations and Figures of Speech questions

Use this for vocabulary questions.

  1. 1For an idiom, give the meaning and use it in a sentence with the correct tense.
  2. 2For a phrasal verb, give the meaning and a formal one-word equivalent.
  3. 3For a collocation, choose the word that naturally goes with the other.
  4. 4For a figure, name it, identify the two things or words involved and state the effect.
  5. 5Check the register suits the reader.

Idioms, Phrasal Verbs, Collocations and Figures of Speech in real life

The idea, met in an everyday situation. Answer the question in your own words, then compare with the model answer. The one-line hook is what to remember.

A hypothetical late-night revision

Suppose a pupil studied until midnight before the test and the exam was cancelled.

Use one idiom for the studying and one for the cancelled exam.

Try it first, then show the solutionSolution
  1. Studying late: burn the midnight oil.
  2. Cancelled exam: a blessing in disguise, or cry over spilt milk for the lost effort.

Answer: Meera burned the midnight oil, but the cancelled test was a blessing in disguise.

Memory hook: Fit the idiom into your own sentence.

Tricks to remember Idioms, Phrasal Verbs, Collocations and Figures of Speech

Short memory aids. Say each one aloud once, then use it on a question the same day.

  • Like or as, simile; is, metaphor

    Comparison with like or as is a simile; without them it is a metaphor.

    Use it when: Simile and metaphor.

  • Silver and golden

    Speech is silver, silence is golden is antithesis.

    Use it when: Antithesis.

Idioms, Phrasal Verbs, Collocations and Figures of Speech: solved examples

Ordered from board level to HOTS. Try each one before you open the solution.

Example 1: Meaning of an idiom · 1 mark · MCQBoard level

"Once in a blue moon" means:
(a) very rarely (b) every night (c) a bright night (d) a sad mood

Try it first, then show the solutionSolution
  1. It describes rare events.

Answer: (a) very rarely.

Example 2: Name the figure · 2 marks · Short answerBoard level

Name the figure of speech: (i) The wind howled. (ii) Her smile was as bright as sunshine. (iii) deafening silence. (2 marks)

Try it first, then show the solutionSolution
  1. (i) personification and (ii) simile (1).
  2. (iii) oxymoron (1).

Answer: (i) personification, (ii) simile, (iii) oxymoron.

Example 3: Use in a sentence · 3 marks · Short answerHarder board level

Use the idiom "break the ice" and the phrasal verb "put off" in sentences of your own. (3 marks)

Try it first, then show the solutionSolution
  1. Correct idiom use (1).
  2. Correct phrasal verb use (1).
  3. Grammar correct (1).

Answer: A quick game helped the new pupils break the ice. The school had to put off the sports day because of rain.

Example 4: Collocations · 4 marks · Long answerHarder board level

Complete with the correct word: (i) She made/did a mistake. (ii) We had heavy/strong rain. (iii) He paid/gave attention. (iv) Name the register suited to a letter to the Principal. (4 marks)

Try it first, then show the solutionSolution
  1. (i) made (1).
  2. (ii) heavy (1).
  3. (iii) paid (1).
  4. Formal register (1).

Answer: (i) made, (ii) heavy, (iii) paid. (iv) Formal register.

Example 5: Explain with effect · 4 marks · Long answerHOTS / competency

Explain the figure of speech and its effect in: "The classroom was a zoo." and "I have told you a thousand times." (4 marks)

Try it first, then show the solutionSolution
  1. First is a metaphor (1).
  2. It suggests noise and disorder (1).
  3. Second is hyperbole (1).
  4. It stresses annoyance by exaggeration (1).

Answer: The first is a metaphor that suggests noise and disorder. The second is hyperbole, an exaggeration that stresses the speaker's annoyance.

Where students lose marks in Idioms, Phrasal Verbs, Collocations and Figures of Speech

The slips examiners see most often, and what to write instead.

  • Mistake: Changing the words of an idiom

    Idioms are fixed.

    Wrong working

    A slice of cake.

    Right working

    A piece of cake.

    Do this: Learn the exact words.

    Usually costs: 1 mark

  • Mistake: Wrong collocation

    Some words do not go together.

    Wrong working

    Strong rain.

    Right working

    Heavy rain.

    Do this: Learn partnerships.

    Usually costs: 1 mark

  • Mistake: Naming a figure without effect

    Explanations earn marks.

    Wrong working

    It is a metaphor.

    Right working

    It is a metaphor that suggests noise.

    Do this: State the effect.

    Usually costs: 1 mark

Exam tips

  • Use an idiom in the correct tense.
  • Use formal verbs in formal letters.
  • Name, identify and explain every figure of speech.
  • Check the register for the reader.

Practice questions on Idioms, Phrasal Verbs, Collocations and Figures of Speech

Write each answer on paper first. Open the hint only if you are stuck, and the answer only when you have finished.

  1. Q1 · 1 mark · MCQBoard level

    "Put up with" is closest in meaning to:
    (a) tolerate (b) cancel (c) postpone (d) investigate

    Hint

    Formal equivalents.

    Answer

    (a) tolerate.

  2. Q2 · 2 marks · Short answerBoard level

    Give the meanings of: burn the midnight oil, under the weather. (2 marks)

    Hint

    Idioms.

    Answer

    Burn the midnight oil: work late into the night. Under the weather: slightly ill.

  3. Q3 · 3 marks · Short answerHarder board level

    Use "turn down" and "call off" correctly in a short passage of two sentences. (3 marks)

    Hint

    Refuse and cancel.

    Answer

    The principal turned down the request for a holiday. The match was called off because of the storm.

  4. Q4 · 4 marks · Long answerHarder board level

    Rewrite informally and then formally: "Sorry, but I can't come to the meeting." Name the two registers. (4 marks)

    Hint

    Formal wording.

    Answer

    Informal: Sorry, but I can't come to the meeting. Formal: I regret that I shall be unable to attend the meeting. The registers are informal and formal.

  5. Q5 · 4 marks · Long answerHOTS / competency

    A pupil writes in a letter to the Principal: "I was under the weather so I could not hit the nail on the head in the test." Comment on the use of idioms in a formal letter and rewrite. (4 marks)

    Hint

    Register.

    Answer

    Idioms are best kept for informal writing, and here they are misused. Rewrite formally: "I was unwell and therefore could not do well in the test."

Test your recall

Answer in your head or on paper first, then open the card. Pulling an answer out of memory makes it stick far better than re-reading.

  1. 1.What is an idiom?Show answer

    A fixed expression whose meaning is not in its words.

  2. 2.Meaning of put off?Show answer

    Postpone.

  3. 3.What is a collocation?Show answer

    Words that naturally go together.

  4. 4.What is hyperbole?Show answer

    Deliberate exaggeration.

  5. 5.What is an oxymoron?Show answer

    Two contradictory words side by side.

  6. 6.What is register?Show answer

    The formality of language.

Idioms, Phrasal Verbs, Collocations and Figures of Speech: frequently asked questions

Can I use idioms in a formal letter?

Mostly avoid them; use plain formal words.

Is "look forward to" followed by a verb?

It takes a noun or an -ing form.

Is "passed away" a euphemism?

Yes.