Webster's New World American Idioms Handbook (Paperback)

~ Gail Brenner (Author)

Editorial Reviews

Product Description

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 Inglés Para Dummies (0-7645-5427-1).

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.

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Product Details

• Paperback: 424 pages
• Publisher: Webster's New World; 1st edition (April 2003)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0764524771
• ISBN-13: 978-0764524776
• Product Dimensions: 9.1 x 7.4 x 1.1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.6 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.8 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (4 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #219,904 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

36 of 40 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)

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.

5 of 6 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)

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

4.0 out of 5 stars Very good book, September 12, 2009

By	Ann Y. Chan "yeungandann" (San Francisco) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

It is a must have for those who wants to learn American idioms. It classifies the idioms into different categories, so that it is very clear for the reader.