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English Idioms Arabic Speakers Find Confusing (and How to Use Them)

By Philip Simon ·

You hear 'break the ice' and your brain reaches for an Arabic proverb that describes social awkwardness with a physical image. Arabic uses concrete expressions to explain feelings. English idioms do the same, but they are not literal. You try to match each word to an Arabic phrase. This leads to wrong translations. This guide shows five common English idioms. For each, I show the Arabic phrase you might reach for. I explain why it does not work in English. I give the correct English idiom and how to use it. You will stop translating word by word. You will start using idioms naturally.

break the ice

Your brain hears 'ice' and thinks of freezing. You may reach for the Arabic phrase 'كسر الجمود' (kasr al-jumud), which describes breaking social stiffness. This phrase is used in Arabic to describe awkward moments. In English, 'break the ice' means to start a conversation when people feel shy. Do not say 'I broke the ice' after shattering a glass. Say 'I broke the ice by telling a joke' to show you started the talk.

piece of cake

You hear 'cake' and think of food. You might reach for the Arabic expression 'سهل كالماء' (sahl kamal), meaning 'easy as water', which is sometimes used to describe something simple. This is not a standard proverb but a descriptive phrase. In English, 'piece of cake' means something is very easy. Do not say 'This exam is like water in the sea' to an English teacher. Say 'This exam is a piece of cake' to show it was simple.

under the weather

You hear 'weather' and think of rain or sun. You might reach for the Arabic phrase 'أشعر ببرد في عظامي' (ash'ur bi-burud fi 'izam-i), meaning 'I feel a cold in my bones', which describes physical illness. In English, 'under the weather' means you feel slightly sick or low. Do not say 'I am under the rain' when you are just wet. Say 'I am under the weather today' to explain why you are not going to work.

cost an arm and a leg

You hear 'arm' and 'leg' and think of your body. You might reach for the Arabic proverb 'يُباع ويشتري' (yubaa' wa yashtari), but this phrase means 'bought and sold' and is unrelated to price. Arabic has no equivalent idiom using body parts for high cost. In English, 'cost an arm and a leg' means something is extremely expensive. Do not say 'This car is cheap like buying and selling' to describe a high price. Say 'This car costs an arm and a leg' to show it is too pricey.

hit the nail on the head

You hear 'nail' and 'head' and think of construction. You might reach for the Arabic phrase 'ضرب على الوتر الحساس' (darab 'ala al-watr al-hasas), which means 'hitting the sensitive string' and is used in music. This is not a common Arabic idiom for accuracy. In English, 'hit the nail on the head' means to be exactly correct. Do not say 'I hit the sensitive string' when you want to say you are right. Say 'You hit the nail on the head' to confirm someone's statement is perfect.

break a leg

You hear 'leg' and think of injury. You might reach for the Arabic phrase 'أتمنى لك الصحة' (atamanne lak al-sihha), meaning 'I wish you health', which is a polite wish. In English, 'break a leg' is a superstitious way to wish someone good luck, especially before a performance. Do not say 'I wish you health' to an actor before they go on stage in English. Say 'Break a leg' to show you want them to succeed.

Common questions

Why do Arabic speakers use literal translations for English idioms?

Arabic uses many concrete expressions to describe social situations. Your brain is trained to match words to these expressions. This causes you to translate English words directly instead of learning the new meaning.

Can I use Arabic proverbs in English essays?

No. Arabic proverbs do not translate directly. They will confuse English readers. Use standard English phrases or explain the idea in simple English words.

How do I remember these idioms?

Do not try to translate them. Memorize the whole phrase as one unit. Link the sound to the meaning. Practice saying them in short sentences until they feel automatic.

Is 'break the ice' formal or informal?

It is informal. Use it with friends, classmates, or colleagues. Do not use it in a very formal business contract or a legal document.

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Sources

  1. English Idioms, Cambridge Dictionary.
  2. Learner English: A Corpus-Based Approach, Cambridge University Press.

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