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Idioms and phrasal verbs, Taught not just answered. 

A real-time, 1:1 lesson on Idioms and phrasal verbs: an AI teacher explains it out loud while it visualizes every step. Interrupt it, ask why, and it checks you got it, in 26 languages.

The idea

What is Idioms and phrasal verbs?

Idioms and phrasal verbs are two kinds of English expression whose meaning cannot be worked out word by word. An idiom is a fixed phrase with a figurative sense, such as 'spill the beans' for revealing a secret. A phrasal verb is a verb plus a particle such as up, out or off that together make a new meaning: 'give up' means quit, 'look after' means care for. Both are everywhere in spoken and informal English and are learned as whole units.

Where it appears: IELTS and TOEFL vocabulary, Cambridge B2 First and C1 Advanced, CBSE and ICSE English, ESL conversation courses.

Where learners get stuck

Why Idioms and phrasal verbs is hard

A single phrasal verb can have several meanings (take off a coat, a plane takes off), some can be split by their object and some cannot, and idioms rarely translate between languages.

The picture a good explanation starts with: A verb such as 'take' in the centre with particles branching out (off, up, over, in), each branch showing a sentence and a small sketch of its meaning.

A lesson, step by step

How a lesson on Idioms and phrasal verbs goes

  1. 01

    Ask

    Type or say "How do I know when a phrasal verb can be separated?" in your own words, in any of 26 languages.

  2. 02

    Plan

    The tutor plans a storyboard, one picture per idea, starting with a verb such as 'take' in the centre with particles branching out (off, up, over, in), each branch showing a sentence and a small sketch of its meaning.

  3. 03

    Explain

    It explains Idioms and phrasal verbs out loud while the picture builds step by step, pitched to your level (IELTS and TOEFL vocabulary and up).

  4. 04

    Interrupt

    Say "wait, why?" or type a doubt: it stops, answers over the picture, and carries on. Ask for a different explanation any time.

  5. 05

    Check

    A checkpoint question makes sure the idea landed, and Tests keep the practice going.

  6. 06

    Your notes

    Upload a PDF or a photo of your class notes or a past paper and the lesson follows your textbook's terms.

Ask it anything

Questions learners ask about Idioms and phrasal verbs

  • How do I know when a phrasal verb can be separated?
  • Why does 'look up' mean two different things?
  • Which idioms are actually used in everyday English?

Any of these, or your own, typed or spoken. The tutor answers on the picture and adapts to how well you are following.

Questions

Asked, Answered

Can LetMeTeach explain Idioms and phrasal verbs?

Yes. Ask in your own words and the tutor plans a lesson on Idioms and phrasal verbs: it starts with a verb such as 'take' in the centre with particles branching out (off, up, over, in), each branch showing a sentence and a small sketch of its meaning. Then it explains each step out loud as the picture builds, stops when you say "wait, why?", and ends with a checkpoint question.

Where does Idioms and phrasal verbs come up?

IELTS and TOEFL vocabulary, Cambridge B2 First and C1 Advanced, CBSE and ICSE English, ESL conversation courses. The lesson is pitched to your level and the exam or curriculum you follow, and you can upload your own notes or past papers so it uses your textbook's terms.

Can I learn Idioms and phrasal verbs in my own language?

Yes. LetMeTeach teaches in 26 languages and plans the lesson in the language you choose rather than translating an English one, so the terms match what your textbook says. The Free plan includes 7 hours a month with no card.

Last updated

Learn Idioms and phrasal verbs, Starting now.

Ask "How do I know when a phrasal verb can be separated?" and watch the answer drawn. The Free plan needs no card.