Webster's New World American Idioms Handbook [Paperback]

Gail Brenner (Author)

Book Description

ISBN-10: 0764524771 | ISBN-13: 978-0764524776 | Publication Date: April 2003 | Edition: 1st

The most comprehensive reference for understanding and applying American idioms
The largest barrier to fluency in English is the ability to understand and use idiomatic language. Webster's New World American Idioms Handbook walks readers through learning and using American idioms, with complete explanations for over 1,000 idioms. Emphasizing acquisition, application, and understanding, this book offers all the information readers need to know about when, where, why, and how to use them. It includes a wealth of examples to provide users with context-and the thorough explanations help readers identify which idioms are appropriate for which situations. An extensive index allows easy, helpful access to individual idioms so that they can be found quickly.
Gail Brenner (Santa Cruz, CA) is an Intensive English Language Program course developer and instructor at the University of California, Santa Cruz. Brenner has worked in the public schools, specialized language programs, private business, and the university-where she now teaches Advanced Grammar, TOEFL Preparation, and Pronunciation. She is the author of the upcoming Ingl?s Para Dummies (0-7645-5427-1).

Editorial Reviews

From the Back Cover

Packed with sayings and expressions you can use every day!

The real key to mastering any language, beyond having a good grasp of grammar and vocabulary, is knowing how to use idioms and idiomatic expressions. Now you can start speaking American English like a native–with the help of this complete guide to over 3,500 American idioms.

Much more than just a listing of terms and expressions, this practical, user-friendly resource provides clear explanations of each idiom, extensive notes on grammar and usage, and a wealth of examples so that you’ll know when, where, why, and how to use idioms effectively. The idioms are organized by common themes and concepts so that they are easy to find, and an extensive index offers fast access to exactly what you need when you’re at a loss for words.

From slang expressions (How’s it going?) and common sayings (Better safe than sorry) to verb phrases (take up with), nouns (tightwad, baby boomer), adjectives (bummed, above board), and more, the Handbook equips you with idioms for virtually every situation, including:

• Home, school, and work
• Health, eating, and sleeping
• Sports, entertainment, and travel
• Romance, money, and lifestyle
• Thoughts and feelings
• Behavior and personality

So why wait? Get up and running right now by putting a wealth of American idioms at your fingertips–with Webster’s New World American Idioms Handbook.

About the Author

Gail Brenner is an Intensive English Language Program course developer and instructor at the University of California, Santa Cruz. She has worked in the public schools, specialized language programs, private business, and a university–where she now teaches Advanced Grammar, TOEFL Preparation, and Pronunciation. She is the author of Inglés Para Dummies®.

Product Details

• Paperback: 480 pages
• Publisher: Webster's New World; 1st edition (April 2003)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0764524771
• ISBN-13: 978-0764524776
• Product Dimensions: 7.4 x 1.3 x 9.2 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.6 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.8 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (6 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #23,318 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

43 of 47 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Outstanding !, March 15, 2004

By 

Daniel Mendoza (California) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Webster's New World American Idioms Handbook (Paperback)

It is a MUST for foreign people wanting to master the English language. It is very didactic, has a lot of practical examples, and it is organized according to topics (idioms for business, idioms for love, idioms to describe emotions, etc). There can be other books with more number of idioms, but they are not didactic. This one has the most important and common. You will not need more.
There are a lot of idioms in the movies and conversations, and now I can understand them.

7 of 9 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars great and useful, excellent for intermediates, December 28, 2008

By 

A. C. Fernandez (Madrid, Spain) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Webster's New World American Idioms Handbook (Paperback)

Very useful for intermediates that look for an improvement of their English level. Easy to read and a well structured handbook.

2 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Great Idiom Reference Book, December 31, 2009

By 

Todd Hagopian "CEO of the Hagopian Institute ... (Michigan) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)    (REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Webster's New World American Idioms Handbook (Paperback)

Extensive idiom dictionary that is very well-organized. This is a pretty good edition for anyone looking to learn more about idioms in the english language, and the categories make it easy to find everything you are looking for. This is a pretty handy book to have sitting next to you while you are writing speeches. Enjoy!

Todd Hagopian
President/CEO
Hagopian Institute
Author of the popular "Quote Junkie" book sereies and the brand new "Idiom Junkie" series