idioms
Idioms & Natural Expressions
Fixed expressions and idiomatic language to sound more natural and precise.
30 minC1c1idiomsreligion-faith-secularismfaithsecularismbelief
Lesson objectives
- Use idiomatic language connected to religion, faith & secularism more naturally.
- Distinguish neutral, formal and contemporary expressions.
- Recognise when an expression improves fluency without sounding forced.
Idioms & expressions — Religion, Faith & Secularism
A leap of faith · neutral
neutralMeaning:To believe in something or take a risk without any evidence that it will succeed.
Significado:Dar un salto de fe / Arriesgarse sin tener certezas.
Example:Starting her own tech startup without any venture capital was a massive leap of faith, but it finally paid off.
To preach to the converted · neutral
neutralMeaning:To try to persuade people who already agree with you.
Significado:Predicar a los conversos / Repetir algo a quien ya está de acuerdo.
Example:The climate activist's speech was moving, but she was essentially preaching to the converted given the audience.
To hold someone's hand through it · neutral
neutralMeaning:To provide constant support and guidance through a difficult process.
Significado:Llevar de la mano / Acompañar paso a paso en un proceso difícil.
Example:The new software is complex, so the support team will hold your hand through the entire implementation phase.
To be a saint · informal
formalMeaning:To be exceptionally patient, kind, or forgiving.
Significado:Ser un santo / Tener una paciencia infinita.
Example:You'd have to be a saint to deal with such demanding clients every single day.
To go to church · neutral
neutralMeaning:Used metaphorically to describe following a strict set of rules or a specific ideology.
Significado:Seguir un dogma o ritual (metafórico).
Example:In the marketing department, we don't go to church, but we do follow the brand guidelines strictly.
To be a true believer · neutral
neutralMeaning:To be someone who is completely devoted to a particular cause or ideology.
Significado:Ser un ferviente creyente / Un seguidor devoto.
Example:He isn't just an employee; he's a true believer in the company's mission to colonise Mars.
To be 'manifesting' success · informal
formalMeaning:To use positive thinking to bring a desired outcome into reality (contemporary digital culture).
Significado:Manifestar el éxito (usar el pensamiento positivo para atraer resultados).
Example:She isn't just working hard; she's manifesting her promotion through daily affirmations.
To be 'virtue-signalling · informal
formalMeaning:To express opinions intended to demonstrate one's good character or moral correctness (contemporary social/digital culture).
Significado:Hacer 'virtue signalling' / Postureo moral.
Example:Critics argued that the celebrity's post was mere virtue-signalling rather than genuine activism.
To enter a 'post-truth' era · formal
formalMeaning:A period where emotional appeal and personal belief are more influential than factual truth (contemporary current affairs).
Significado:Entrar en la era de la posverdad.
Example:Political analysts are debating how the rise of deepfakes has pushed us further into a post-truth era.
To be an evangelist for [something] · neutral
neutralMeaning:To be an enthusiastic supporter and promoter of a specific technology, brand, or idea.
Significado:Ser un evangelista de algo / Promotor ferviente.
Example:As an AI evangelist, she spends most of her time explaining the benefits of automation to CEOs.