Ellison is a freelance writer and was an ESL teacher for seven years. She was born in the USA and has lived in UK and Spain, where she writes blogs for Promova. Her hobbies include surfing, dancing and reading a healthy mix of history books and corny fantasy fiction. Follow her journey on&nbsp;<a href="https://www.instagram.com/ellison__clapton?igsh=eG5xcHBuZm5qanhy&amp;utm_source=qr">Instagram</a>.

Ellison Clapton

It’s incredible how music can affect people’s lives. We listen to our favorite songs when we are happy or sad, celebrating birthdays, or just going to work in the morning. And sometimes, music can be a great teacher for learning a foreign language. In English,&nbsp;musical idioms are very popular among native speakers and learners. These expressions have various meanings, and you can hear them even in nonmusical conversations. And today, we will tell you about the most famous&nbsp;music idioms with examples and valuable tips.<h2>How can learning music idioms help you sound like a native speaker?</h2>If you’re already familiar with the Promova blog, you know that learning English doesn’t have to be boring. Plenty of engaging exercises, life-hacks, and unique tips can make the studying process exciting and absorbing.&nbsp;Idioms about music are in themselves a very intriguing topic, and with some pieces of advice from below, it can take your speaking level to the whole next level.&nbsp;Let’s imagine this – the English language is a bowl of soup. It contains many basic components familiar to both beginners and native speakers. But to make your meal more delicious, you need to add some extra spices to create the perfect flavor. The same thing with English speaking – using popular expressions, different music and&nbsp;song idioms, and other valuable phrases can make you sound more like a native speaker.&nbsp;According to&nbsp;<a href="https://dictionary.cambridge.org/dictionary/english/idiom">Cambridge Dictionary</a>, an idiom is a group of words with a settled meaning. There are many examples of using music idioms in your daily speech. But before we start discussing them, you need to remember some tips that can help you easily learn even the most difficult<a href="/english-grammar/phrases-in-english"> phrases</a>. There are some valuable pieces of advice for learning&nbsp;idiom music expressions:<ul><li>Pay attention to the context.&nbsp;If you want to learn a new idiom, try to remember its meaning and the context in which you can use this phrase. It will help you to understand how to use the chosen term in your daily conversations and memorize it faster.&nbsp;</li><li>Make a diary. It is another excellent exercise for those who want to learn new idioms fast and easily. Even though it may sound very time-consuming, in fact, creating a diary of idioms can become really handy. You can always take it with you and check the meaning of the idiom you are unsure about.&nbsp;</li><li>Don’t try to learn everything at once.&nbsp;There are hundreds and thousands of various idioms in English, and attempting to remember all of them at once is impossible. Instead, you can set a limit – for example, to learn three idiom examples in songs per day.&nbsp;</li><li>Understand the history. If you have enough spare time, you can try to find out the history behind a particular idiom or expression. Most of such phrases have exciting background stories. And if you remember them, you will easily recall the saying itself.&nbsp;</li></ul>Those are the best tips you can use to remember any expressions effortlessly you like. And when you know them, we can proceed to the main subject. Below, we are going to tell you all about music idioms, examples of using them in daily conversations, and the best songs that contain such expressions. So, keep reading if you don’t want to miss all the goods!<h2>Idiomatic in Music: 20 expressions to spice up your conversation</h2>We all know that music can make the world go around. But did you know that this sentence is one of the most popular music-related idioms? It means our favorite melodies and songs can improve everything and lighten up even the darkest days. You can hear these lines in the&nbsp;<a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=x1NZrCPBIDE">Hamilton Brothers’</a> song of the same name. It is only one of many different&nbsp;songs with idioms in them. But before we discuss this subject, let’s look at the most popular music-related expressions you can use daily.&nbsp;<ul><li>Music to my ears.</li></ul>You probably heard this expression before. It is widespread and means something pleasant to hear – usually, it relates to listening to excellent news. Compliments are the other satisfying thing that can be music to someone’s ears. For example:It was like music to my ears when she said she was coming back to town.&nbsp;When he said I’m beautiful, it was music to my ears.&nbsp;Tell me, honestly, are these&nbsp;idioms music to your ears?<ul><li>And all that jazz.</li></ul>This expression is a polite way to say “and all that stuff.” Usually, you can use it when you are talking about something, but you don’t want to describe the whole thing, since it can be tedious. For example:There are many <a href="/english-vocabulary/list-of-fruits">fruits </a>in the market today – apples, oranges, and all that jazz.&nbsp;What are my plans for today? Well, I’m staying at home all day. I probably will wash the dishes, clean up the room, and all that jazz.&nbsp;<ul><li>It takes two to tango.&nbsp;</li></ul>You can hear this&nbsp;idiom in songs of Louis Armstrong, Ray Charles, and Paul Davis. Verbatim, this expression means that two sides are equally responsible for different arguments and difficult situations. For example:She said it was all my fault, but it’s not true. It takes two to tango.&nbsp;I was trying to fix our relationship, but it takes two to tango, so it didn’t work.&nbsp;<ul><li>Like a broken record.</li></ul>This expression means to say something repeatedly, usually annoying others with it. So next time you hear someone saying something over and over again, try to use this idiom. For example:I don’t want to sound like a broken record, but I don’t think you should go on that date.&nbsp;You’ve already said that a minute ago! Stop sounding like a broken record.&nbsp;<ul><li>Change your tune.</li></ul>If you are going to change your opinion depending on different circumstances, especially if it will help you to benefit in the future, you will change your tune. It is the meaning of this famous expression. For example:When Paul understood that he was talking nonsense, he changed his tune.&nbsp;I will change my tune if you prove me wrong.&nbsp;<ul><li>Drum into one’s head.</li></ul>This music idiom means to teach someone something persistently. Usually, it is suitable when someone sounds like a broken record trying to tell you critical information. For example:I drummed into my sister’s head the importance of going to school until she finally understood me.&nbsp;My ex drummed into my head how to dress, how to talk, and all that jazz. Honestly, this is the main reason we broke up.&nbsp;<ul><li>It ain’t over till the fat lady sings.</li></ul>You can use this expression to describe a situation that doesn’t have a clear conclusion and can change in the future depending on different circumstances. The phrase appeared in the last century from a basketball game and has now become a widespread music idiom. For example:We are playing football with Mike, and he is about to win, but I’m not going to give up. It ain’t over till the fat lady sings.The score is 47:35, but the Bulls still have time to recoup. It ain’t over till the fat lady sings.<ul><li>Blow your own trumpet.</li></ul>It is another example of the most popular&nbsp;idioms in songs and daily conversations. This phrase means to brag about your achievements to other people. For example:After I passed the final exams, I blew my own trumpet for a few days.I am going to blow my trumpet when I win this competition.&nbsp;<ul><li>Hit the right note.</li></ul>If you always know what to say to satisfy people, you know how to hit (or strike) the right note. Literally, it means to find the appropriate words and tell someone what they want to hear. For example:I thought there was no right solution to the argument, but Jake just hit the right note, and we found a way to solve this issue.I was in a terrible mood, but my sister hit the right note by asking me for a walk. Now I feel pretty good.<ul><li>Chin music.</li></ul>This idiom helps describe the meaningless conversation. You can say this phrase about someone’s talk that is annoying or distracting you. For example:Please stop it, guys! Your chin music hinders my work.&nbsp;I was trying to fall asleep but couldn’t with her endless chin music.<ul><li>Play the second fiddle.</li></ul>Sadly, this music idiom can relate to some families with two or more kids. It means to feel or be less important than someone else. For example:Mr. Black, I want to ask you to treat us equally. I don’t want to play second fiddle.She left the company because she didn’t want to play second fiddle with her colleague.&nbsp;<ul><li>Dance to someone’s tune.</li></ul>We are certain that this idiom is familiar to many people. In short, it means doing everything other people want and sometimes even forcing you to do it. For example:She asked me to do it many times, but I refused. I am not going to always dance to her tune.James and Lola broke up because she didn’t want to dance to his tune.&nbsp;<ul><li>Jump on the bandwagon.</li></ul>You can use this expression to describe a situation in which someone changes their opinion about something due to the growing popularity of this thing. And if you like music&nbsp;idiom songs, you need to check the Richard Kapp &amp; The Gowns song with the same title. For example:Billie Eilish is one of the most popular young singers, so brands are jumping on the bandwagon and collaborating with her.&nbsp;Since TikTok is gaining popularity, everybody is trying to jump on the bandwagon and become famous.&nbsp;<ul><li>Face the music.&nbsp;</li></ul>Everyone knows that you have to take responsibility for your actions or words. This expression means to face unpleasant consequences or unpleasant truths. For example:I know how long you have been trying to get this job, and I’m also sad that it didn’t work out. But you need to face the music and move on. It’s been a year!&nbsp;His behavior was terrible during the year, so now it’s time for him to face the music. The principal summoned him today.&nbsp;<ul><li>Play by ear.</li></ul>To play by ear means to find the decision or the right answer to the situation later, depending on different factors. For example:I don’t know if I want to do it. I need to play it by ear.&nbsp;She is not sure whether she wants to meet Jackson tomorrow. She said that she would wait and play it by ear.&nbsp;<ul><li>As fit as a fiddle.&nbsp;</li></ul>This idiom can be a perfect choice to<a href="/blog/how-to-describe-a-person-in-english-phrases-for-appearance"> describe a person</a> with perfect health. For example:I can’t believe she’s sixty. She looks much younger and is definitely as fit as a fiddle.Don’t look at my ID. I am still as fit as a fiddle!<ul><li>For a song.</li></ul>It is another excellent music-related idiom that means to buy or sell something for a meager price. For example:I let my phone go for a song since I had no choice.&nbsp;Anne showed me her new dress, and I fell in love. It was so beautiful, and she got it for a song.<ul><li>Ring a bell.</li></ul>Imagine a situation – you see a person, and they look familiar, but you have no idea where you saw them before. Or you hear the song, and it seems like you’ve already heard it before, but you can’t remember it yet. You can describe this feeling using this popular idiom. For example:Her face rings a bell, but I’m uncertain if we’ve met before.I am a hundred percent sure we’ve been here already because this shop rings a bell.<ul><li>Sing for your supper.</li></ul>This phrase is one of the best&nbsp;examples of idioms in song lyrics you can use in daily conversations. You can find it in the title of a famous composition by The Mamas and The Papas. And it simply means doing something for someone to earn money or food. For example:My brother broke his phone, and now he’s doing my laundry for a dollar weekly. I make him sing for his supper.&nbsp;Johnathan is singing for his supper today. He promised to clean the entire house.&nbsp;<ul><li>All singing, all dancing.&nbsp;</li></ul>It is a prevalent phrase you can hear about a person or a thing. And if someone says it to you, you can consider it a compliment. This expression means that a person or a thing can do everything. For example:We are going on a vacation to Egypt. We’ve already booked an all singing, all dancing package, and I’m thrilled!Eddie hosts the best parties ever, all singing, all dancing. I can’t miss it.3<h2>Musical Guide: 5 Popular&nbsp;songs with idioms in them</h2>When you know the most popular music-related expressions, it is time to proceed to our next equally exciting topic. It is time to explore the music charts and find the best and the most well-known&nbsp;songs that have idioms in the lyrics. The greatest singers and writers of all time know how to hide some catchphrases behind the verses and titles. But we found them all and are now ready to show them to you.&nbsp;<h3>Underdog by Alicia Keys</h3>The first idiom song on our list is the Underdog by renowned Alicia Keys. This song quickly rose to the top of the music charts after its release in 2020. Its lyrics contain a very interesting idiom –&nbsp;to break the mold. It means to do something in a unique, incomparable way. And it can also describe a special person. Here’s that part of the lyrics:They said I would never make it, but I was built to break the mold.<h3>Cry me a river by Justin Timberlake</h3>This banger from the 00s is probably one of Justin’s most successful compositions. And the idiom here is hidden in the title.&nbsp;To cry someone a river means to try to gain the sympathy or attention of the person by crying, complaining, or sniveling. Here’s how the singer used it in the lyrics:The bridges were burnedNow it’s your turn to cryCry me a river.<h3>Beat it by Michael Jackson</h3>The King of Pop knew better than anyone how to use famous expressions in his lyrics. Michael Jackson has many&nbsp;songs with idioms, and this is the most popular one. And again, the saying is hidden in the title –&nbsp;to beat it&nbsp;means to leave immediately. This phrase is usually used as an order.&nbsp;You better run, you better do what you canDon’t wanna see no blood, don’t be a macho manYou wanna be tough, better do what you canSo beat it, but you wanna be bad.<h3>Thinking out loud by Ed Sheeran</h3>This romantic song won the hearts of millions of people around the world. And it also contains a popular idiom –&nbsp;to sweep off your feet. This phrase means to fall in love with someone in a concise amount of time, and that’s how Ed uses it in this beautiful song:When your legs don’t work like they used to beforeAnd I can’t sweep you off of your feetWill your mouth still remember the taste of my loveWill your eyes still smile from your cheeks?<h3>Hit the road Jack by Ray Charles</h3>A legendary&nbsp;song with idioms that has been popular for decades now. Ray Charles is famous for his unique music and beautiful lyrics; this song is one of his best compositions. The idiom here is&nbsp;to hit the road – meaning to leave the place or to start a journey. And yes, we know that you know these lines:Hit the road, Jack, and don’t you come backNo more, no more, no more, no moreHit the road, Jack, and don’t you come back no more.&nbsp;<h2>Best ways to learn&nbsp;music idioms with Promova</h2>Learning English idioms has never been easier! If you are looking for the best platform to strengthen your language skills, say no more! We have a perfect solution for you. Promova has something to offer everyone, whether you are looking for <a href="https://promova.com/online-english-tutors">professional tutors</a>, friendly <a href="https://promova.com/group-lessons">group lessons</a>, or <a href="https://promova.com/language-learning-app">the application</a> to study alone.&nbsp;If you want to learn more about music idioms, and other related subjects, you have several options to choose from. For those seeking help from professionals, <a href="https://promova.com/">Promova</a> offers an online platform where you can find a tutor if you intend to study alone or join group lessons if you need company.&nbsp;And suppose you want to practice anywhere and anytime. In that case, you can install a convenient application on your phone or tablet and access hundreds of topics, personal lessons, and other valuable features. Promova is truly an all singing, all dancing platform suitable for English learners of different experience levels.&nbsp;<h2>Conclusion</h2>As we said earlier, it is hard to imagine our lives without music. And listening to our songs can be not only pleasant but also a practical pastime. There are numerous famous idioms and expressions hidden in the legendary lyrics. And after reading this article, you now know a big part of them. We hope it was helpful, and in the future, you will use some of the phrases mentioned above to impress your friends.&nbsp;

It’s incredible how music can affect people’s lives. We listen to our favorite songs when we are happy or sad

20 Useful Music Idioms in English And 5 Songs with Idioms

Have you thought about the way you understand or speak English for once? Be honest with yourself and answer the following question truthfully. Do you have to translate everything you hear or say in your head instead of processing it in English? Stop that immediately! It's not effective for you. That's not the way babies learn to understand speech and speak themselves.&nbsp;Have the thought about starting to think in English ever crossed your mind? Probably, there were a couple of times when you "heard" English thoughts in your head but then went back to your native language. This article will explain why thinking in English is life-changing and give you a step-by-step plan to start thinking in English.&nbsp;<h2>What Is Language Switching, And How It Is Related To Thinking In English</h2>Some people had known two (or even more) languages since birth or when they were kids. We call them bilingual. Such people can understand, speak, write and read in two languages on the same native level. It's cool, right? It sounds like a dream because, unlike you, they didn't need to put any effort into learning those languages. Or did they?According to the studies, bilingual kids start speaking a little later than monolingual kids. The reason is that their brain needs to build different connections and adjust to thinking in both languages that surround them. Usually, it is typical for kids in Canada, where they speak English and French, in the USA, where on top of English, they speak another language of their ancestors` country, and kids whose parents just decided to raise them bilingual, with or without cultural context.&nbsp;Every time a bilingual person wants to speak one of their languages, the language switching happens in their head unconsciously. Then, finally, they recognize the language and start using it. But that still requires a lot of control; otherwise, bilinguals can start mixing languages. For example, saying something like "It's mi casa, not yours!" instead of "It's my house, not yours!" If you want to learn more on this topic, read the article "How do bilinguals switch between languages in different interactional contexts? A comparison between voluntary and mandatory language switching," published online by Cambridge University Press.&nbsp;Now you know <a href="/page/what-language-are-you">what language</a> switching is. But how is it connected with thinking in English? To start thinking in English, you must switch the language in your head. And we are not talking about translating your native language into English in your head here. Instead, pretend that English with limited vocabulary and grammar you know is all you have and start working with that. We will give you recommendations on how to do that in a minute.&nbsp;<h2>How Thinking In English Can Help In Learning The Language</h2>Most likely, at your current level, you tend to translate lots of English speech in your head. Thinking in English leads to more fluency in speaking, writing, and understanding the language. If you want to reach a level of a native speaker of English, you must start thinking in English.&nbsp;Such skills will help you to internalize language and stop worrying about every little piece of grammar. You will finally be able to feel the language and use it as natives do. Ask an average native English speaker about <a href="/english-grammar/english-grammar-rules">grammar rules</a> or pronunciation. It's funny, but they have no idea about many things regarding their native language. The reason is that they internalized it since birth.&nbsp;In addition, thinking in English is an excellent way to practice the language where there is no one to talk to. You always have you.&nbsp;2<h2>How To Think In English In 7 Easy Steps&nbsp;</h2>If you assume that thinking in English will come naturally, we have bad and good news for you. The thing is that after years of learning English, thinking in it will come naturally eventually. Your brain will adapt to the language step-by-step, and you will stop translating everything, but you will probably desperately search for words and grammar in your head. But you can't call such a way of achieving your goal effortless, right?So, it turns out that you have to work hard to start thinking in English either way. So, why won't you do it intentionally? We have some recommendations for you on to think in English. Just follow our easy peasy lemon squeezy steps!<h3>Step 1 – Start With One Word</h3>It is much better to begin thinking in English from the beginning of your learning journey. It might seem like you don't know enough words for that, but that's not true. At first, thinking in English starts from single words.&nbsp;Adults can find memorizing new words in English challenging because they are trying to keep up with translations into their native language. When babies explore the world and hear the language, they don't have anything to rely on except the sense organs. There is no way to translate when you learn your first language ever. Use that principle to start thinking in English. Build an association of everything that surrounds you with English equivalent instead of translating it.The best way to do it is by using flashcards with images instead of translations and learning from real-life surroundings – objects, phenomena, and actions. You can find flashcards in <a href="/blog/best-apps-for-learning-english">English learning apps</a>. But that is only the beginning because you must implement those single words in your everyday routine.&nbsp;First thing in the morning, when you wake up, think that it's "morning." Then go to the bathroom, look at the objects, and name them in your head. It could be something like a toilet paper, a bath, a mirror, a toothbrush, a toothpaste, a cleanser, a serum, etc. You can also leave notes around the house to help build associations and remind you to think in English daily.&nbsp;<h3>Step 2 – Proceed With Easy Sentences</h3>As soon as you succeed with thinking in English in single words, move forward to easy sentences. You can practice with easy sentences wherever you are – at home, at work, on a bus, in a restaurant, or at the beach. Start with simple grammar and tenses. Just don't forget to do it.We suggest you start with confidence-boosting affirmation in front of the mirror. In such a way, you can kill two birds with one stone. First, look at your reflection and think: "I am beautiful. I am gorgeous. I am divine. I am smart. I am capable. I am strong. I am healthy. I am love".Then you can move to notice something about other people. Don't be judgmental; see good things. For example, "Trevor looks good in a black jacket" or "Nancy has a nice garden."&nbsp;<h3>Step 3 – Talk To Yourself&nbsp;</h3>In general, talking to yourself is a normal thing for a human being. Previously you were practicing thinking in English in single words and easy sentences. Now you should try to have monologues with yourself. It will help you to get better at English overall. No one can judge you for your mistakes, long pauses, or lack of words here. Your inner world is a safe place for you to think in English.&nbsp;Let's see some examples of when and where talking in English to yourself can be helpful. For instance, you go grocery shopping and have a list of what you need to buy. Say to yourself/think a short monologue like this: "Okay. I need to buy groceries for the whole week. Let's see what's on my list. Did I forget cash? Oh, I can pay with my phone. I'm fine. So what's on my list today?"<h3>Step 4 – Make Up Imaginary Scenarios In Your Head&nbsp;</h3>We can't tell for everybody, but the author of this article loves to create imaginary scenarios in her head before dates, meeting new people, and important events in general. So it might become a beneficial exercise to start thinking in English.&nbsp;When you create imaginary scenarios in your head, you try to predict what will happen. So, you can be prepared to talk about the same stuff in English. Also, it helps to look for new words, <a href="/english-grammar/phrases-in-english">phrases</a>, and constructions in your thinking which eventually will be displayed in speaking in real life. Isn't it awesome?<h3>Step 5 – Keep A Diary Or A Planner</h3>As a big fan of movies and series, the article's author adores using voice narration in films. It's such a unique reception that shows the character's thoughts when they are not talking to somebody. Usually, filmmakers use voice narration when characters read a letter or write in their diaries or planners. And it is pretty logical.&nbsp;Why won't you try to do the same? Or, if you already keep a diary or a planner, switch it to English. It's much easier to improve the skill of thinking in English by putting your thoughts on paper. So, for example, plan your day with bullet points and end your day by writing how you felt today in a diary in English.&nbsp;<h3>Step 6 – Learn English With English</h3>Perhaps, it's the best rule for every English learner, especially advanced. When you already have a rich vocabulary and basic grammar knowledge, translation is unnecessary. It is more confusing for your brain to memorize new information and learn something in English. So, stick to English to English dictionaries such as Merriam-Webster Learner's Dictionary, and the process will go faster.&nbsp;<h3>Step 7 – Text In English</h3>The rule sounds like that - when you text someone, you think and talk to yourself in your head. It makes texting a perfect step to start thinking in English. Ask one of your friends to text at least one social media, and you'll benefit. Of course, it shouldn't necessarily be long chats. Start by commenting on funny TikToks that you send each other. Also, you can find a pen pal in one of the apps for chatting that we wrote about recently.&nbsp;<h2>Think In English With Promova&nbsp;</h2><a href="https://promova.com/">Promova</a> can help you with several steps to start thinking in English, which we suggested above. First of all, you can begin with our flashcards. They were made with cute and unique memorable images to help you build an association with a word or a phrase. That will help you to start thinking in single words and then easy sentences. Second, Promova offers you to learn English with English. All definitions for words and phrases are written in English, all the grammar in videos is explained in English, and all <a href="https://promova.com/online-english-tutors">our tutors</a> speak exclusively in English. And last but not least, while you are learning, you can talk to yourself with an inner voice in English. The more practice you get, the better, and the sooner results will become noticeable.&nbsp;<h2>Conclusions</h2>Thinking in English might seem difficult at first, but it's a bearable skill for every English student, regardless of experience and age. You need to follow our easy steps and believe in your progress. It may come later than you expect, but it will come. All you need is to think.&nbsp;

Have you thought about the way you understand or speak English for once? Be honest with yourself and answer

How to Think in English: 7 Steps to Perfect Language

Art is eternal. Many paintings created hundreds of years ago still inspire and excite us. But it’s also a great topic for conversation with friends or strangers. So, knowing how to describe a painting in your native language and English is essential. And, of course, we are here to help!In this article, you will learn the best tips for describing a piece of art and understand the importance of such a process. So whether you need it for school or you are going to visit a museum, keep reading! You will find everything you need below.&nbsp;<h2>How to describe a piece of art: General tips</h2>You probably think describing art is effortless. Just say some adjectives, explain the colors and composition, and you’re done. Well, it might be enough for art classes. Yet, in real life, we want you to be more prepared. Here is one of our favorite examples of describing a painting. In the Theory of Everything movie, Eddie Redmayne, a.k.a. Stephen Hawking, says that Turner’s paintings usually look like they’ve been left out in the rain. It is not the description we used to hear, but it is still valid.&nbsp;As you can see, you have genuinely enough ways to describe a painting. But since it might be hard to navigate at first, we created a step-by-step guide to help you understand what details need more attention and what to talk about during your next visit to the gallery. So, how to describe paintings properly?&nbsp;<h3>Describe your impressions</h3>When discussing a particular painting at the gallery, express your feelings about it. Do you like it or not? Does the picture make you happy or sad? And why does it give you such a mood – because of the colors, composition, or maybe its background history?&nbsp;For example, you can say that the picture makes you sentimental because the woman in the foreground reminds you of your granny, whom you haven’t seen for a while. Or, for example, it makes you calm because you enjoy the sea view. You can use many adjectives to describe your feeling regarding any piece of art. Here are some of them:&nbsp;<ul><li>Positive emotions: inspired, joyful, satisfied, interested, happy, serene, nostalgic, sentimental, excited, impressed, powerful, fascinated, etc.</li><li>Negative emotions: disappointed, sad, moody, gloomy, unsatisfied, scared, nervous, angry, depressing, disgusted, etc.&nbsp;</li></ul>Don’t be afraid of telling the truth about your feeling regarding any art. Of course, there is no need to be rude – you don’t have to offend an artist and their work. But you shouldn’t tell untruth as well. If you don’t like something, pay attention to your feelings, and try to explain what exactly makes you feel that way. The excellent hack is to share your first thoughts when you see a particular picture for the first time. And when you are finished with this step, you can proceed to the next one.&nbsp;<h3>Describe the composition&nbsp;</h3>You can now talk more particularly about the chosen work of art after conveying your feeling from the picture. And the best thing to start describing it is to explain the composition. In layperson’s terms, you need to tell what is depicted on the canvas. You can use these common expressions and words to describe art composition:&nbsp;<ul><li>in the foreground/background, in the middle, on the right/left side, next to, in front of;</li><li>asymmetrical, symmetrical, centered;&nbsp;</li><li>urban landscape, suburban landscape, rural landscape;&nbsp;</li><li>a historic site, domestic setting, intact nature;&nbsp;</li><li>horizontal, vertical, circular, triangular.</li></ul>For example, let’s look at the&nbsp;<a href="https://focus.louvre.fr/en/mona-lisa">Mona Lisa</a> (we are confident you’ve seen this one before). What can you see in this famous painting? There is a beautiful woman&nbsp;in the foreground. She has long black hair and wears a black dress.&nbsp;In the background is a natural landscape – a river, mountains, and a road.&nbsp;You can be more general when talking about the painting’s composition. Just describe what you can see in the foreground and background, the main <a href="/english-vocabulary/shapes-english-vocabulary">shapes</a> of the picture, what is in the center and what is in the distance, etc. The best advice for this step is to tell everything you see, even the smallest details.&nbsp;<h3>Describe the colors</h3>Colors are integral when you need to describe a painting. Of course, we are not telling you to go to the gallery and stand in front of pieces of art saying they are red or yellow. It would be a little bizarre. You can try some other things instead. Here are some adjectives you can use to explain the color palette of the painting:<ul><li>bright, vibrant, vivid;</li><li>hot, cold, warm, cool;</li><li>natural, artificial, earthy, rich, intense;&nbsp;</li><li>deep, flat, weak, pale, muted;&nbsp;</li><li>complementary, quiet, contrasting;&nbsp;</li><li>dark, light, monochromatic.</li></ul>Take a look at the painting and try to identify your impression of the colors used. Are they good together? Do they fit the overall idea and composition? Can you identify the primary color palette and what it is? Are there any specific colors you can notice? The more details your eye can catch, the better your description will be. Try to feel the atmosphere the artist created using a specific color and explain it.&nbsp;<h3>Describe the scene</h3>When describing a composition, you explain only the things pictured in the painting. But when discussing the scene, you create your own story based on the painting. Of course, it would be harder to describe the landscape scene because you can only guess the place’s location, city, or country here.&nbsp;But if there are any actions, and you feel a little creative, you can imagine the story behind this picture and add it to your description. Let’s get back to the legendary Mona Lisa. You probably know there are many stories about this masterpiece. So, why don’t we create another one?&nbsp;Take a look at this painting once again, and try to guess a few things. Who do you think this woman is? Maybe she is the wife of the artist. Perhaps she is his mistress. Or possibly, she is just the famous lady of that time, and it’s a custom painting. Where does she live? We know that Da Vinci was born in Italy but spent his last days in France. Hence, maybe it is one of those countries? The number of options is countless. You can choose any picture and make your own vision of it.&nbsp;<h3>Describe the history</h3>Generally, four previous steps would be enough to describe a painting. But if you have a bit more spare time and want to impress whoever you will discuss the art with, you need to do some research.&nbsp;Start with the information about the artist. Find out their date and place of birth, the genres they were working with, and some major events in their life. When you know something about the artist, it will be easier for you to keep the conversation going. Moreover, it will significantly simplify the painting-describing process.&nbsp;After learning some basics about the author, research the information about the painting. Try to learn as much as possible about the events or people pictured on the piece of art. It may be a famous historical event or figure. Maybe, it is the sibling of the artist. The more you find, the better you will understand the painting.&nbsp;Of course, if you’ve decided to do this research, you should skip step four. It won’t be easy to guess and create your versions when you know exactly what the picture is about. But to mention the painting’s history, you need to be sure that you’ve found only relevant information. So pay attention to the smallest details to avoid misunderstandings and confusion.&nbsp;<h2>Why is it important to learn how to describe a piece of art?</h2>You might think that describing a painting can be useful only at the museum or in your art class. But we can show you that it is not entirely true. This simple process can bring you more benefits than you can imagine. Here are only a few of them:&nbsp;<ul><li>Improving your speaking and writing skills.&nbsp;Of course, since we are here to study English, the first benefit is connected to our learning process. When you learn words to describe the painting, you expand your vocabulary, understand how to build sentences, and use them in your speech and writing.&nbsp;</li><li>Learning to understand yourself. Yes, you’ve read it correctly. As we mentioned earlier, one of the best ways to describe art is to start with your feelings. And when you realize what you feel regarding some painting, you will learn how to listen to yourself in other situations.&nbsp;</li><li>Imagination development. You probably remember that in step four of describing a painting, we offered to define a scene using your imagination – guess what is going on, and create your version of events. It will help you develop your fantasy and imagination and become even more creative.&nbsp;</li><li>Increasing knowledge.&nbsp;You already know that to describe a piece of art better, you need to find some information about the artist and the historical background of the painting. It will help you to increase your knowledge of various topics, so you will always be an interesting person to communicate with.&nbsp;</li></ul>Only these four benefits can show you how much profit you have from learning how to describe art. You can use them to discuss paintings, even in your native language. And if you want to master this topic in English, we know precisely how to help you reach this goal.&nbsp;1<h2>Learning the best words to describe a painting with Promova</h2>If you are an avid reader of our blog, you probably know our main motto – studying doesn’t have to be boring. And if you still think that describing art in English is tedious, we are ready to prove you wrong. The Promova English studying platform is the best place to learn all the steps mentioned above, but make it easy and fun. There are a few studying options depending on students’ needs. And we will tell you about each one of them.&nbsp;Let’s start with those who seek help from professional tutors. If it’s you, we have a perfect solution. Promova offers amazing <a href="https://promova.com/online-english-tutors">one-on-one lessons with professional teachers</a>. They will prepare a unique plan according to your experience level, studying goals, and interests. As a result, you will start learning only the information pertinent to you and bypass all the useless details.&nbsp;You can join our friendly and exciting <a href="https://promova.com/group-lessons">group classes</a> if you need company. It is an outstanding opportunity for those who want to practice speaking. Depending on your English proficiency, you can join any group of six students and begin having fun right away. You can talk to people worldwide, discuss interesting topics, and strengthen your language skills.&nbsp;Another great option is suitable for those who don’t want to study general information but want to practice speaking and discuss various topics more. Yes, we are talking about our wonderful <a href="https://promova.com/conversation-club">speaking club</a>. Here, you can discuss art, books, movies, and other amazing topics with students from various countries. And the best thing is that it is free! Go to <a href="https://promova.com/">the Promova website</a>, choose the subject you want to discuss, and book your place. Just as simple as that!Finally, we have something great for those who prefer to study independently. <a href="https://promova.com/language-learning-app">The Promova app</a> is perfect if you want to practice English alone, anywhere, and anytime. Install the application on your phone or laptop, and enjoy hundreds of lessons and exercises on grammar, vocabulary, speaking, pronunciation, listening, etc. The application is also free, so you can enjoy it immediately. Don’t hesitate, and check one of those opportunities to find the one that suits you best.&nbsp;<h2>Conclusion</h2>All in all, discussing a particular piece of art might be more tricky than you thought. But with minimal preparation, you can become a personal guide for your friends on your next visit to the gallery. All you need to do is to remember some basic steps for describing a painting.<ol><li>Find out more about the art and the artist. Scroll through the Internet and visit famous websites like the&nbsp;<a href="https://www.nga.gov/">National Gallery of Art</a> to find information about the chosen painting. Describe the background history of the author and the painting.</li><li>Describe your own feelings about the piece of art – what emotions does it evoke?&nbsp;</li><li>Discuss the composition of the painting – what you can see in the foreground, in the background, etc.&nbsp;</li><li>The next step is to mention the colors of the painting – what are they?&nbsp;</li><li>Finally, you can tell the story of the scene. If you’ve done the research mentioned in the first step, you can skip it since you’ve already discussed it. But if you don’t know what is going on, just turn on your imagination and try to guess.&nbsp;</li></ol>These five steps are the general plan for describing a picture in English. You can use them for discussing art in your mother tongue as well. And if you need some practice, please describe your favorite painting in our comments section. We will be happy to learn more about the art you like.&nbsp;

Art is eternal. Many paintings created hundreds of years ago still inspire and excite us. But it’s also a great topic for

How to Describe a Painting: 10+ Phrases to Talk About Art

Summer is already here, so it’s getting hotter and hotter every day! Do you already know how to describe the weather in English? We are confident you have learned some basic expressions, but what about making your vocabulary more diverse? We’ve prepared a lot of exciting information for our readers, so don’t switch off, and let’s dip into the summer terms. You will find numerous&nbsp;idioms for hot weather on this page.<h2>Your Basic Vocabulary to Describe Weather in Summer</h2>Of course, it’s sometimes enough to say, “It’s hot outside,” and both native speakers and foreigners will understand you. But we are here to improve our English skills, right? So, we have prepared many more exciting expressions that will make your lexicon richer. Take a look at the following phrases:<ol><li>It’s blazing hot outside!</li><li>It’s scorching today!</li><li>It’s boiling outside!</li><li>It’s stifling!</li><li>The weather is hot as heat!</li><li>It’s roasting!</li><li>It’s burning!</li></ol>As you can see, there are multiple synonyms for “hot weather.” All the above words will be useful for English speakers, so remember to learn at least a few. However, it’s not everything we’ve found! Everyone knows Americans love idioms, so it’s not surprising they have a lot of exciting&nbsp;expressions for hot weather.<h2>Helpful Idioms to Use in Summer</h2>Speaking like a native is easy. Just ensure you learn something new all the time! Idioms are the best way to diversify your vocabulary. English speakers often use these funny little phrases. But remember that they don’t always have a direct meaning, and it’s easy to misunderstand your interlocutor and feel embarrassed. We are confident you’ve already learned a lot of&nbsp;<a href="https://promova.com/blog/30-weather-idioms-in-english">idioms about the weather</a>. But grab some more:<ol><li>We’re having a heatwave: it’s really hot these days.</li><li>Dry heat: is used to describe regions where it’s boiling hot and it almost never rains.</li><li>This weather is hot as hell/as an oven: Americans often compare the temperature outside with the hottest places.</li></ol>These expressions’ meanings are evident, so even beginners can understand them. We recommend you memorize as many idioms as possible and use them during summer! Knowing these <a href="/english-grammar/phrases-in-english">phrases</a> is essential: of course, you should, first of all, demonstrate your English skills when communicating with others.However, it is also important to know idioms to avoid misunderstandings when contacting native speakers. Imagine someone telling you it’s scorching – beginners would hardly guess the meaning. But experienced learners will immediately understand it’s about hot weather.<h2>Popular&nbsp;Idioms About Hot Weather</h2>We don’t know anyone who doesn’t like summer! The flowers are blooming, the berries are ripening, and the weather is pleasing. And even despite the hot weather, many wish that summer would never end. But the heat outside sometimes drives you crazy, right? So, catch a few more ideas on&nbsp;how to describe hot weather:&nbsp;<ol><li>It’s the dog days of summer.</li><li>It’s so hot you could fry eggs on the sidewalk.</li><li>It’s hot as Hades outside.</li><li>It’s hotter than six shades of hell.</li></ol>All these expressions are suitable when you want to describe summer weather. Ensure to choose at least several statements and learn them. Communication with native speakers will become smoother and simpler with hot weather idioms. So, we are confident all these phrases will come in handy. Summer weather can be exhausting, but admit, we all love the sun!&nbsp;6<h2>Explaining You Feel Hot</h2>Now you know how to talk about summer weather. So, it’s time to learn how to describe your feelings when it’s boiling outside. Of course, you can always tell you’re hot. But are there any expressions that would be more exciting? Yes! Grab some to develop your vocabulary:<ol><li>I’m roasting!</li><li>I’m melting!</li><li>I’m overheated!</li><li>I’m scorching.</li><li>I’m wilting.&nbsp;</li></ol>The latter expression is initially used to describe a flower that lacks water. However, creative Americans often use it when discussing their condition during summer. All the above phrases have the same meaning and are used to describe the person’s thoughts when the weather is hot. Choose the option you like most and impress everyone with your perfect knowledge.It’s really hot outside, so don’t forget to stay hydrated and turn on your air conditioning. And, of course, use your favorite idioms when speaking English!<h2>Exciting&nbsp;Idioms About Hot Weather from Different Regions</h2>Now you know all the basics. But we are sure you would like to learn even more. There are other idioms that differ according to the region an English speaker resides in. Americans in various states use them, and some are quite unexpected! Take a look at what we’ve found:<ul><li>Hotter than Dutch love: is used in Pennsylvania and New York.</li><li>It’s a barn burner: you can often hear it from Maryland and New Jersey residents.</li><li>Hot enough to scald a lizard: this statement is primarily used in South Carolina.</li><li>Hotter than a stolen tamale: Texas people are fond of this phrase when the weather is hot.</li><li>Hot as a firecracker: is used in Minnesota.</li><li>Hotter than blue blazes: this expression is widespread in Alabama.</li><li>It’s a torcher: is used in Wisconsin to describe extreme heat.</li><li>The bear got him: it’s a statement common in South Carolina (the bear is equal to heatstroke in this case).</li><li>Training grounds for down below: it’s used in Georgia.</li><li>Awful selsery: it’s a popular expression for Illinois residents to describe heat.</li></ul>Do you think you’ve heard all these statements? Admit, at least some of them are new to you. Now you know&nbsp;how to describe a hot day! All these expressions will be helpful when traveling around the US, as different regions have their language peculiarities. Memorize as many idioms as possible, as you never know when it will be time to use them.<h2>Tips To Learn Idioms Quickly and Efficiently</h2>Remembering words and phrases is not easy for everyone, so students often look for practical tips. Of course, first of all, we want to say that you need to practice regularly. Set aside at least a small amount of time every day. Get used to memorizing a few words or phrases daily to train your brain. It really works!We have some more tricks on how to learn&nbsp;idioms for hot weather. Take a look at the following:<ol><li>Find the analogs in your native language to understand the meaning better.</li><li>Understand the context in which the idiom is being used.</li><li>Come up with your own examples of using phrases.</li><li>Learn the idiom’s history and area of usage.</li><li>Find the cases of the statement’s usage (you can watch movies or videos and see&nbsp;plenty of idioms there).</li><li>Use these&nbsp;expressions in your everyday life.</li></ol>Learning idioms is simple if you follow the above rules. Stability and regularity are the primary tools when mastering a language. Do not try to overdo it: there’s no need to remember all the idioms in one day. Choose the amount comfortable for you, and learn English slowly and with pleasure!<h2>Use Promova as Your&nbsp;Heat Idioms Guide</h2>Learning is not always exciting, but&nbsp;<a href="https://promova.com/">Promova</a> will completely change your mind on this&nbsp;matter. Our experienced tutors provide an innovative approach to education, so students will get what they need. It’s never boring in Promova classes: every learner can enjoy a personalized plan according to their requests and preferences.You don’t have to stay in one place during your English lessons. You can download the Promova application on your smartphone and take it everywhere. Tutors on our language learning platform will adapt to your requests and concentrate on what you need. We provide materials for all levels, so don’t hesitate to contact us. Use your free lesson as soon as possible to explore all the Promova benefits!<a href="https://promova.com/skills/english-pronunciation">Pronunciation</a> is also essential, so why not strengthen it? Promova also offers its&nbsp;<a href="https://promova.com/conversation-club">Conversation Club</a>, suitable&nbsp;for students from B1 level and above. Speaking skills are never enough. Instead, let’s improve together – be ready to talk like a native!&nbsp;<h2>Conclusion</h2>Learning is important, so it’s hard to deny the necessity of constantly strengthening your English skills. Idioms will be helpful for those striving to improve their vocabulary and speak like a native. And we will do everything for your comfort and efficiency of learning.

Do you need help when learning English? Contact Promova, and we will become your best assistants.

Oksana is a CELTA certified teacher. We call Sana a Universal English tutor because she specializes in general English, business English, and exam preparation. You want it? She can most certainly do it! She has worked as a teacher for the past 12 years. Conversational abilities are a top priority for her, and she maintains an open mind and purpose in her life.Her online classes are really popular among students who are looking for steady balanced progress in all areas. Whether it's learning grammar, writing or listening - all aspects of language and skills are covered in her lessons. And all of this is accompanied by snippets of film, pieces of music, and even information from the scientific community - she is very open-minded indeed.<figure class="image image-style-align-center image_resized" style="width:30%;"><img src="https://promova.com/content/CELTA_Report_OKSANA_LIASHUK_0adbb9461f.png" alt="CELTA Report OKSANA LIASHUK"></figure>

Sana Liashuk

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It’s Burning: Hot Weather Expressions You Must Know

Articles by Promova tutors and experts about learning languages, education, and cultural experiences in general