25 Best Hobby Idioms to Boost ESL Speaking Skills Today

If you teach English or want to speak better about free time activities, learning hobby idioms is very helpful. Hobby idioms are special phrases that native speakers use when they talk about hobbies and interests. Knowing these idioms will make your students’ English more natural and fun.

This post is the best resource for ESL teachers who want to teach hobby idioms easily. We offer a clear list of 25 common idioms related to hobbies. You can use these idioms to create different class activities like conversations, role-plays, and debates. These activities help students practice speaking and understand real-life English better.

You will also find useful questions to ask your students. These questions encourage them to talk about their own hobbies and experiences. Plus, the vocabulary and common expressions in this post will make your lessons more interesting and effective.

Whether you want to help beginners or advanced learners, this post gives practical tools for teaching hobby idioms. Use these idioms in your ESL class to improve speaking skills and make learning enjoyable for everyone.

Why Hobby Idioms Are Important in ESL Learning

Learning hobby idioms is important because it helps students speak English more naturally. Idioms are phrases that native speakers use every day. When students know these idioms, they understand real conversations better and can join in more easily.

Hobby idioms also make speaking more fun and interesting. Instead of just using simple words, students can use colorful expressions. This helps them sound more confident and fluent when talking about their hobbies or free time.

Teachers can use hobby idioms to create practical lessons. These idioms give students a chance to practice speaking and listening in real situations. When students learn hobby idioms, they improve their communication skills and enjoy learning English more.

1. Take up a hobby

Meaning:
To start doing a new activity for fun or pleasure.

Example Sentences:

1. I decided to take up painting last month.
2. She took up gardening during the summer holidays.
3. My brother wants to take up playing the guitar.

Context Questions:

1. What hobby would you like to take up?
2. Have you ever taken up a new hobby? What was it?
3. Why do people take up hobbies?

2. Have a knack for something

Meaning:
To be naturally good at a hobby or skill without much practice.

Example Sentences:

1. She has a knack for cooking delicious meals.
2. He has a knack for fixing computers quickly.
3. I think I have a knack for drawing animals.

Context Questions:

1. Do you have a knack for any hobby? What is it?
2. Can you learn a knack, or is it natural?
3. Who in your family has a knack for something special?

3. On the ball

Meaning:
To be alert and good at doing something, often a hobby or task.

Example Sentences:

1. You need to be on the ball to win this game.
2. She is really on the ball when it comes to photography.
3. The coach told us to stay on the ball during practice.

Context Questions:

1. When do you need to be on the ball?
2. Are you always on the ball in your hobbies?
3. How can you stay on the ball in a new activity?

4. Hit the books

Meaning:
To study hard, sometimes related to learning a hobby or skill.

Example Sentences:

1. I need to hit the books before my English test.
2. She hits the books every evening for her music exam.
3. Before the competition, he hit the books to learn more.

Context Questions:

1. When was the last time you hit the books?
2. Do you think hitting the books helps with hobbies?
3. How do you feel when you have to hit the books?

5. Burn the midnight oil

Meaning:
To work or practice late at night, often for a hobby or passion.

Example Sentences:

1. He burned the midnight oil to finish his painting.
2. I burned the midnight oil last night learning new songs.
3. She often burns the midnight oil practicing the piano.

Context Questions:

1. Have you ever burned the midnight oil for a hobby?
2. Why do people burn the midnight oil?
3. Is it good or bad to burn the midnight oil?

6. All thumbs

Meaning:
To be clumsy or bad at using your hands, especially in crafts or hobbies.

Example Sentences:

1. I am all thumbs when I try to knit.
2. He is all thumbs and broke the model airplane.
3. Don’t be all thumbs; try to hold the brush carefully.

Context Questions:

1. Are you all thumbs with any hobby?
2. What hobby do you find hard because you feel clumsy?
3. How can someone stop being all thumbs?

7. Get the hang of it

Meaning:
To learn how to do a new hobby or skill well.

Example Sentences:

1. It took me a week to get the hang of riding a bike.
2. She got the hang of knitting after some practice.
3. Don’t worry; you will get the hang of it soon.

Context Questions:

1. What hobby did you get the hang of quickly?
2. How do you feel when you finally get the hang of something?
3. What helps you get the hang of a new skill?

8. Have a green thumb

Meaning:
To be good at gardening or growing plants as a hobby.

Example Sentences:

1. My grandmother has a green thumb; her flowers always grow well.
2. I don’t have a green thumb; my plants often die.
3. If you have a green thumb, gardening is easy for you.

Context Questions:

1. Do you have a green thumb? What plants do you grow?
2. How can you develop a green thumb?
3. Why do some people have a green thumb and others don’t?

9. In the groove

Meaning:
To be performing well or doing something smoothly, often in music, sports, or dance.

Example Sentences:

1. The band was really in the groove last night.
2. She got in the groove after a few minutes of dancing.
3. When you are in the groove, everything feels easy.

Context Questions:

1. When have you been in the groove while doing a hobby?
2. How do you get in the groove when playing music or sports?
3. Why is it important to be in the groove?

10. Jack of all trades

Meaning:
A person who tries many hobbies or skills but is not an expert in one.

Example Sentences:

1. He is a jack of all trades but a master of none.
2. She knows a little about cooking, painting, and sewing. She is a jack of all trades.
3. Being a jack of all trades can be useful for hobbies.

Context Questions:

1. Are you a jack of all trades or focused on one hobby?
2. What are the advantages of being a jack of all trades?
3. Can a jack of all trades become an expert in one hobby?

11. Call the shots

Meaning:
To be in charge or make important decisions, often in a group activity or hobby.

Example Sentences:

1. In our chess club, Sarah calls the shots during games.
2. He likes to call the shots when we plan our hiking trips.
3. When you call the shots, others listen to your ideas.

Context Questions:

1. Have you ever called the shots in a hobby or group?
2. How do you feel when you call the shots?
3. Why is it important to listen to the person who calls the shots?

12. Off the beaten path

Meaning:
Trying a hobby or activity that is unusual or not popular.

Example Sentences:

1. She likes hiking off the beaten path in quiet places.
2. My new hobby is off the beaten path; few people do it.
3. Trying off the beaten path hobbies can be fun and exciting.

Context Questions:

1. Have you ever tried an off the beaten path hobby?
2. Why do some people like hobbies that are not popular?
3. What are some off the beaten path hobbies you want to try?

13. Piece of cake

Meaning:
Something very easy to do, especially a hobby skill you quickly learn.

Example Sentences:

1. Learning to knit was a piece of cake for me.
2. The recipe was a piece of cake; I finished it in 10 minutes.
3. Don’t worry about the dance steps; they are a piece of cake.

Context Questions:

1. What hobby do you find a piece of cake?
2. Why do some people find certain hobbies easy?
3. How do you feel when you complete a piece of cake task?

14. Break the ice

Meaning:
To start a conversation or activity to make people feel comfortable, often in social hobby groups.

Example Sentences:

1. We played a game to break the ice at the art class.
2. Telling a joke can help break the ice with new friends.
3. Breaking the ice helps people enjoy the hobby more.

Context Questions:

1. How do you break the ice when you meet new people?
2. Why is breaking the ice important in hobby groups?
3. What activities help you break the ice?

15. Face the music

Meaning:
To accept the consequences of your actions, sometimes in competitive hobbies.

Example Sentences:

1. He lost the game and had to face the music.
2. If you make mistakes in the competition, you must face the music.
3. She faced the music when her painting was criticized.

Context Questions:

1. Have you ever had to face the music in a hobby or game?
2. How do you feel when you face the music?
3. Why is it important to face the music?

16. Shoot the breeze

Meaning:
To talk casually and relax, often during free time or hobbies.

Example Sentences:

1. We like to shoot the breeze after our soccer practice.
2. They sat outside to shoot the breeze about movies.
3. Shooting the breeze is a good way to make friends in a hobby club.

Context Questions:

1. Who do you like to shoot the breeze with?
2. What do you talk about when you shoot the breeze?
3. Why is shooting the breeze fun during hobbies?

17. Bite off more than you can chew

Meaning:
To take on a hobby or project that is too difficult or big to handle.

Example Sentences:

1. I bit off more than I could chew when I joined three clubs.
2. She bit off more than she could chew with the big painting.
3. Don’t bite off more than you can chew in your new hobby.

Context Questions:

1. Have you ever bitten off more than you could chew?
2. How can you avoid biting off more than you can chew?
3. What happens if you bite off more than you can chew?

18. By the book

Meaning:
Doing something exactly according to rules, often in hobbies that need strict steps.

Example Sentences:

1. In chess, he always plays by the book.
2. She followed the recipe by the book to bake a cake.
3. Doing things by the book can help beginners learn a hobby.

Context Questions:

1. Do you prefer to do hobbies by the book or try new ways?
2. When is it important to do things by the book?
3. Can doing things by the book limit creativity in hobbies?

19. On a roll

Meaning:
Having a streak of success or good performance in a hobby or activity.

Example Sentences:

1. I was on a roll with my drawings last week.
2. The team was on a roll and won five games in a row.
3. When you’re on a roll, keep practicing to stay strong.

Context Questions:

1. When were you last on a roll in a hobby?
2. How do you keep going when you’re on a roll?
3. What stops you from staying on a roll?

20. Out of your league

Meaning:
When a hobby or activity is too hard or advanced for you.

Example Sentences:

1. Playing the violin in that orchestra is out of my league.
2. That difficult puzzle is out of your league right now.
3. Don’t try games that are out of your league when you start.

Context Questions:

1. Have you tried something that was out of your league?
2. How do you feel when a hobby is out of your league?
3. What should you do if something is out of your league?

21. Play it by ear

Meaning:
To do something without a plan, deciding as you go, often in music or drama hobbies.

Example Sentences:

1. We didn’t have a script, so we played it by ear.
2. She plays the guitar and likes to play it by ear.
3. Let’s play it by ear and see what happens in the game.

Context Questions:

1. Do you prefer to plan or play it by ear in hobbies?
2. When was the last time you played it by ear?
3. What are the benefits of playing it by ear?

22. Step up your game

Meaning:
To improve your skills or performance in a hobby or sport.

Example Sentences:

1. You need to step up your game if you want to win.
2. She stepped up her game by practicing every day.
3. The coach told us to step up our game for the competition.

Context Questions:

1. How can you step up your game in your favorite hobby?
2. Have you ever stepped up your game? What did you do?
3. Why is stepping up your game important?

23. The ball is in your court

Meaning:
It is your turn to take action or make a decision in a group activity or hobby.

Example Sentences:

1. I finished my part; now the ball is in your court.
2. The teacher said the ball is in our court to choose the next project.
3. When the ball is in your court, you should decide quickly.

Context Questions:

1. When was the last time the ball was in your court?
2. How do you feel when the ball is in your court?
3. What do you do when you have to take action?

24. Under your belt

Meaning:
A skill or experience you have gained from a hobby or activity.

Example Sentences:

1. After two years of playing guitar, I have a lot under my belt.
2. She has several cooking classes under her belt.
3. Experience under your belt helps you in competitions.

Context Questions:

1. What skills do you have under your belt?
2. How do you gain experience under your belt?
3. Why is it good to have many skills under your belt?

25. Get your feet wet

Meaning:
To try a new hobby or activity for the first time.

Example Sentences:

1. I got my feet wet in painting last summer.
2. She got her feet wet with yoga last month.
3. It’s good to get your feet wet before joining a big club.

Context Questions:

1. When did you get your feet wet with a new hobby?
2. How did you feel when you got your feet wet?
3. What hobby would you like to get your feet wet with next?

Conclusion

Using hobby idioms in your ESL class can make learning English more natural and enjoyable for students. These idioms help learners understand real-life conversations and express their interests in fun ways.

By including hobby idioms in lessons, teachers can create engaging activities that improve speaking and listening skills. Overall, hobby idioms are a useful tool to help students become more confident English speakers.

FAQs about using hobby idioms in ESL class

What are hobby idioms?
Hobby idioms are special phrases people use when talking about hobbies or free time activities.

Why should I teach hobby idioms to my students?
Because they help students speak more naturally and understand native speakers better.

How can I use hobby idioms in class?
You can create conversations, role-plays, and questions that include these idioms for practice.

Are hobby idioms difficult for ESL learners?
Some may be tricky, but with examples and practice, students can learn them easily.

Can hobby idioms improve students’ speaking skills?
Yes, using idioms makes students sound more fluent and confident when speaking.

Should I teach all idioms at once?
It’s better to teach a few idioms at a time and give students time to practice.

Can hobby idioms help with writing skills?
Yes, they can make writing more interesting and expressive.

Do hobby idioms only help advanced learners?
No, learners at different levels can benefit from learning simple idioms.

How do I explain idioms to students?
Use simple meanings, examples, and ask students to practice with questions.

Where can I find more hobby idioms for teaching?
You can use lists like this one and find more online or in ESL teaching books.