10 Expressions Related to Habits

10 Expressions Related to Habits

Hello English learners. In today’s lesson, we will discuss expressions related to habits. Let’s define the word habit first. What is a habit? It is a pattern of behaviour that you do on a regular basis, such as taking a walk in the evening, eating your soup cold, or exercising. We all have habits. Let’s learn how to talk about them. Here are 10 essential expressions related to habits that will make your English much more interesting and smart.

Annoying/irritating habit

The meaning of this collocation is clear. It’s about an annoying or irritating habit someone might have.

For example:

• She has an annoying habit of talking about people behind their backs.
• It is such an irritating habit of his to leave a toothpaste tube open.

A good/bad habit

Examples:

• It’s important to develop a good study habit when you’re young.
• You’re always so tense. It’s because of your bad habit of questioning everything.

Make a habit of something/Make something a habit

Meaning: start doing something regularly without giving it much thought.

For example:

• My daughter made a habit of kissing me whenever she saw me.
• I’m trying to make healthy eating a habit.

Be/get in a habit

Meaning: It is about developing a habit. Look at the example sentences and you’ll understand.

• Susana is in the habit of drinking a glass of wine after dinner.
• My grandma got in the habit of calling me every Sunday morning.

Fall into a habit

Meaning: If you fall into a habit of doing something, then you develop a bad habit.

For example:

• I’ve fallen into my old habit of biting nails.
• Peter fell into a bad habit of taking drugs while he was at college.

Old habits die hard

Meaning: People often struggle to break free from their habits, especially those that are deeply ingrained.

For example:

• She can’t get used to reading books on the Kindle book reader. Old habits die hard.
• If Helen didn’t spend so much time online, she wouldn’t gain weight. Unfortunately, old habits die hard.

Kick/break the habit

Meaning: get rid of a bad habit.

For example:

• Nicotine chewing gums can help you kick the habit of smoking.
• Wearing a smartwatch can help you break the habit of sitting for too long.

Creature of habit

Meaning: doing the same things as usual, rather than doing them differently.

For example:

• He’s a creature of habit. He has never missed a single episode of ‘EastEnders’.
• Anna always sleeps on her back. She’s a creature of habit.

By force of habit

Meaning: a habit developed by constant repetition.

For example:

• By force of habit, John always checks his Facebook newsfeed while on public transport.
• As she’s been running 30 minutes every day for six months, she’s got to do it today by force of habit.

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