june dostal common english idioms · “if he’s tired of it, why doesn’t he just give it back...

COMMON ENGLISH IDIOMSWALCH PUBLISHING

June Dostal

COMMON ENGLISH IDIOMSWALCH PUBLISHING

June Dostal

Table of Contents

Animal Idioms . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1

Business Idioms. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 21

Body Idioms . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 41

Clothes Idioms . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 61

Color Idioms. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 81

Food Idioms . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 101

Medical Idioms . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 121

Money Idioms . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 141

Number Idioms . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 161

DDaaii llyy WWaarrmm--UUppss:: CCoommmmoonn EEnnggll iisshh IIddiioommss

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Table of Contents

Animal Idioms . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1

Business Idioms. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 21

Body Idioms . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 41

Clothes Idioms . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 61

Color Idioms. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 81

Food Idioms . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 101

Medical Idioms . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 121

Money Idioms . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 141

Number Idioms . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 161

DDaaii llyy WWaarrmm--UUppss:: CCoommmmoonn EEnnggll iisshh IIddiioommss

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11

© 2004 Walch Publishing

AAnniimmaall IIddiioommss

11

ttoo bbaaddggeerr ssoommeeoonnee

Two girls were walking home from school. One asked the other, “Have you tried out the new board game you got for

your birthday?”

“No, not yet,” replied the girl.

“Why not? Your birthday was two months ago!” the other girl exclaimed.

“Well, I lent it to my brother. He was really eager to try it out, so I gave it tohim. He played with it for a while, but now he’s tired of it,” said the girl.

“If he’s tired of it, why doesn’t he just give it back to you?” asked the other girl.

“That’s the way my brother is. He never returns anything he borrows. I have to ask him again and again before I get anything back. If you want to try it out, I will have to badger him for it.”

What do you think the girl meant by saying she will have to badger herbrother for the game? Have you ever had to badger someone? Explain.

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ttoo bbaaddggeerr ssoommeeoonnee

Two girls were walking home from school. One asked the other, “Have you tried out the new board game you got for

your birthday?”

“No, not yet,” replied the girl.

“Why not? Your birthday was two months ago!” the other girl exclaimed.

“Well, I lent it to my brother. He was really eager to try it out, so I gave it tohim. He played with it for a while, but now he’s tired of it,” said the girl.

“If he’s tired of it, why doesn’t he just give it back to you?” asked the other girl.

“That’s the way my brother is. He never returns anything he borrows. I have to ask him again and again before I get anything back. If you want to try it out, I will have to badger him for it.”

What do you think the girl meant by saying she will have to badger herbrother for the game? Have you ever had to badger someone? Explain.


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nnggll iisshh IIddiioommss

ttoo bbaarrkk uupp tthhee wwrroonngg ttrreeee

Mr. Gibbons approached Susan’s desk with a frown on his face.“Look at this report,” he growled. “It has missing pages and coffeestains, and the math is wrong. How can I send this to the board ofdirectors? Who’s responsible for this?” he asked.

“I’m not sure, but I can try to find out for you,” replied Susan in acalm voice.

“Don’t bother,” said Mr. Gibbons angrily. “I know. It’s that part-timeadministrative assistant. This is what happens when you give people jobs they’re

not ready to do.” He stomped into his office and slammed the door.

Susan told a co-worker about the report. When her co-worker asked who really didthe report, Susan explained that Mr. Gibbons’s assistant, Tom, had done the report.Mr. Gibbons was barking up the wrong tree.

22What do you think Susan meant when she said Mr. Gibbons was barking up thewrong tree?

What can you do to avoid making this type of mistake?



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ttoo bbaarrkk uupp tthhee wwrroonngg ttrreeee

Mr. Gibbons approached Susan’s desk with a frown on his face.“Look at this report,” he growled. “It has missing pages and coffeestains, and the math is wrong. How can I send this to the board ofdirectors? Who’s responsible for this?” he asked.

“I’m not sure, but I can try to find out for you,” replied Susan in acalm voice.

“Don’t bother,” said Mr. Gibbons angrily. “I know. It’s that part-timeadministrative assistant. This is what happens when you give people jobs they’re

not ready to do.” He stomped into his office and slammed the door.

Susan told a co-worker about the report. When her co-worker asked who really didthe report, Susan explained that Mr. Gibbons’s assistant, Tom, had done the report.Mr. Gibbons was barking up the wrong tree.

22What do you think Susan meant when she said Mr. Gibbons was barking up thewrong tree?

What can you do to avoid making this type of mistake?

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BBooddyy IIddiioommss

ttoo hhaavvee aa sswweell lleedd hheeaadd

Two girls were having lunch in the cafeteria.

“My sister just got a job after school at the mall,” said one of the girls.

“Good for her. Jobs are hard to get these days,” said the other.

“Yes, and my sister knows it. She keeps reminding me about it every time I talk to her.”

“What do you mean?” asked the second girl.

“Well, she told me that she was one of over fifty applicants to apply for the job. First, she had to do a phone interview. Then she was called in for a face-to-face interview.

Finally, she was called back for a third interview.”

“She must really be good to get the job with that much competition.”

“I guess so, but now my sister has a swelled head.”

What do you think the girl meant by saying her sister has a swelled head?

Do you know anyone with a swelled head? How did it get that way?

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ttoo hhaavvee aa sswweell lleedd hheeaadd

Two girls were having lunch in the cafeteria.

“My sister just got a job after school at the mall,” said one of the girls.

“Good for her. Jobs are hard to get these days,” said the other.

“Yes, and my sister knows it. She keeps reminding me about it every time I talk to her.”

“What do you mean?” asked the second girl.

“Well, she told me that she was one of over fifty applicants to apply for the job. First, she had to do a phone interview. Then she was called in for a face-to-face interview.

Finally, she was called back for a third interview.”

“She must really be good to get the job with that much competition.”

“I guess so, but now my sister has a swelled head.”

What do you think the girl meant by saying her sister has a swelled head?

Do you know anyone with a swelled head? How did it get that way?

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mmss ttoo ccoosstt aann aarrmm aanndd aa lleegg

Mrs. Griffin invited several of her neighbors to her house forcoffee. She wanted to show off the antique table she had just

purchased. She told the story of how she found it at a yard sale andhow she kept bargaining with the owner until she got the price down

to under five hundred dollars.

All the neighbors admired the table and told Mrs. Griffin how lucky shewas to have gotten such a bargain. One of the neighbors, an antiques dealer,

closely examined the table. When Mrs. Griffin left the room to get more coffee, the dealer whispered to her friend, “She didn’t get a bargain at all. This table is not

genuine. She paid an arm and a leg for a fake.”

What do you think the antiques dealer meant by saying Mrs. Griffin paid anarm and a leg?

Has this ever happened to you? Explain.

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mmss ttoo ccoosstt aann aarrmm aanndd aa lleegg

Mrs. Griffin invited several of her neighbors to her house forcoffee. She wanted to show off the antique table she had just

purchased. She told the story of how she found it at a yard sale andhow she kept bargaining with the owner until she got the price down

to under five hundred dollars.

All the neighbors admired the table and told Mrs. Griffin how lucky shewas to have gotten such a bargain. One of the neighbors, an antiques dealer,

closely examined the table. When Mrs. Griffin left the room to get more coffee, the dealer whispered to her friend, “She didn’t get a bargain at all. This table is not

genuine. She paid an arm and a leg for a fake.”

What do you think the antiques dealer meant by saying Mrs. Griffin paid anarm and a leg?

Has this ever happened to you? Explain.

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What does it mean to see the world through rose-colored glasses?

Do you know someone who sees the world through rose-coloredglasses? How does such a person react to difficult situations?

ttoo sseeee tthhee wwoorrlldd tthhrroouugghh rroossee--ccoolloorreedd ggllaasssseess

“Did you hear that the swim team might be cut?” Lori asked her friends at lunch.

“Oh, no! It’s my one sport!” wailed a teammate.

“Why would it be cut?” asked Keesha.

“I guess the school can’t support all the teams, and swim meets don’t draw many spectators here,” Lori replied.

“It’ll never happen,” Keesha said. “The superintendent is a swimmer herself. The money will come from somewhere.”

“You sure do see the world through rose-colored glasses,” Lori responded.


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What does it mean to see the world through rose-colored glasses?

Do you know someone who sees the world through rose-coloredglasses? How does such a person react to difficult situations?

ttoo sseeee tthhee wwoorrlldd tthhrroouugghh rroossee--ccoolloorreedd ggllaasssseess

“Did you hear that the swim team might be cut?” Lori asked her friends at lunch.

“Oh, no! It’s my one sport!” wailed a teammate.

“Why would it be cut?” asked Keesha.

“I guess the school can’t support all the teams, and swim meets don’t draw many spectators here,” Lori replied.

“It’ll never happen,” Keesha said. “The superintendent is a swimmer herself. The money will come from somewhere.”

“You sure do see the world through rose-colored glasses,” Lori responded.


CCoolloorr IIddiioommss

MMeeddiiccaall IIddiioommss

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jjuusstt wwhhaatt tthhee ddooccttoorr oorrddeerreedd

Lindsey’s train had just pulled into the station. Lindsey was very tired. She always found it difficult to sleep on the train. As she got off the train, she noticed her mother waving to her from the train platform. The two of them rushed to greet each other.

“You look very tired, dear,” said Lindsey’s mother.

“Yes, I am,” admitted Lindsey. “It is so hard for me to sleep on the train.”

“Well, you can take a little nap before the party tonight,” said her mother.

“What party?” asked Lindsey. The last thing she wanted to do was go to a party.

“It’s your welcome home party, Lindsey. I just invited a few friends to stop by.”

“Mother, I’m too tired for a party tonight. Couldn’t you make it some other night?” asked Lindsey.

“Now, dear, by tonight you’ll change your mind. A little nap is just what thedoctor ordered. After that you’ll be ready for the party,” replied her mother.

What did Lindsey’s mother mean by saying a nap was just what the doctor ordered?

MMeeddiiccaall IIddiioommss

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jjuusstt wwhhaatt tthhee ddooccttoorr oorrddeerreedd

Lindsey’s train had just pulled into the station. Lindsey was very tired. She always found it difficult to sleep on the train. As she got off the train, she noticed her mother waving to her from the train platform. The two of them rushed to greet each other.

“You look very tired, dear,” said Lindsey’s mother.

“Yes, I am,” admitted Lindsey. “It is so hard for me to sleep on the train.”

“Well, you can take a little nap before the party tonight,” said her mother.

“What party?” asked Lindsey. The last thing she wanted to do was go to a party.

“It’s your welcome home party, Lindsey. I just invited a few friends to stop by.”

“Mother, I’m too tired for a party tonight. Couldn’t you make it some other night?” asked Lindsey.

“Now, dear, by tonight you’ll change your mind. A little nap is just what thedoctor ordered. After that you’ll be ready for the party,” replied her mother.

What did Lindsey’s mother mean by saying a nap was just what the doctor ordered?

NNuummbbeerr IIddiioommss

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What did the counselor mean by her last statement?


ttoo kkii ll ll ttwwoo bbiirrddss wwiitthh oonnee ssttoonnee

Kim decided to visit the school counselor to get help with planning her courses for next year. Her appointment with Mrs. Peyton was for today. Kim knocked on the office door.

“Come in, Kim,” said Mrs. Peyton. “I’ve been expecting you. What can I help you with today?”

“Mrs. Peyton, I need help deciding what courses to take next year. I wrote several choices on my registration sheet, but I’m not sure which ones would be best for me.”

“Okay. Let’s see,” said Mrs. Peyton as she took the sheet and studied it. After checkingKim’s school records, Mrs. Peyton made this suggestion: “I think you should sign

up for keyboarding. You are planning to go to college, and in college you must type all your papers. And this school requires that you take at least one business class before you graduate. If you take keyboarding, you will kill two birds with one stone.”


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What did the counselor mean by her last statement?


ttoo kkii ll ll ttwwoo bbiirrddss wwiitthh oonnee ssttoonnee

Kim decided to visit the school counselor to get help with planning her courses for next year. Her appointment with Mrs. Peyton was for today. Kim knocked on the office door.

“Come in, Kim,” said Mrs. Peyton. “I’ve been expecting you. What can I help you with today?”

“Mrs. Peyton, I need help deciding what courses to take next year. I wrote several choices on my registration sheet, but I’m not sure which ones would be best for me.”

“Okay. Let’s see,” said Mrs. Peyton as she took the sheet and studied it. After checkingKim’s school records, Mrs. Peyton made this suggestion: “I think you should sign

up for keyboarding. You are planning to go to college, and in college you must type all your papers. And this school requires that you take at least one business class before you graduate. If you take keyboarding, you will kill two birds with one stone.”

116677

ttoo llooookk oouutt ffoorr//ttaakkee ccaarree ooff nnuummbbeerr oonnee

Ryan was eager to take his driver’s test. His aunt had promised totake him when he was ready. In return, Ryan had spent several

weekends working around his aunt’s house.

Ryan called his aunt and asked her to take him on Tuesday.

“Ryan, I can’t do it Tuesday. I have to finish wallpapering my kitchen.”

Ryan asked about Wednesday.

“No, I can’t do it on Wednesday because I have an appointment,” replied his aunt.

Ryan asked about Friday.

“No, I can’t do it then. It is supposed to rain, and I do not like to drive in the rain.”

“When do you think you can take me?” asked Ryan.

“I don’t know. Call me next week,” said the aunt.

That evening Ryan told a friend what his aunt had said.

“I think your aunt only takes care of number one,” said his friend.

What did the friend mean by his last statement? © 2004 Walch Publishing



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ttoo llooookk oouutt ffoorr//ttaakkee ccaarree ooff nnuummbbeerr oonnee

Ryan was eager to take his driver’s test. His aunt had promised totake him when he was ready. In return, Ryan had spent several

weekends working around his aunt’s house.

Ryan called his aunt and asked her to take him on Tuesday.

“Ryan, I can’t do it Tuesday. I have to finish wallpapering my kitchen.”

Ryan asked about Wednesday.

“No, I can’t do it on Wednesday because I have an appointment,” replied his aunt.

Ryan asked about Friday.

“No, I can’t do it then. It is supposed to rain, and I do not like to drive in the rain.”

“When do you think you can take me?” asked Ryan.

“I don’t know. Call me next week,” said the aunt.

That evening Ryan told a friend what his aunt had said.

“I think your aunt only takes care of number one,” said his friend.

What did the friend mean by his last statement? © 2004 Walch Publishing



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11 7799

ttwwoo ccaann ppllaayy tthhaatt ggaammee



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What did Clement mean by two could play that game?

Have you ever felt like Clement? Explain.

Carla and her brother Clement rotate chores. Last week, Carla didnot empty the dishes from the dishwasher twice because she said

she had to study. Clement had done her chores for her, but hedecided that two could play that game. This week Clement was

supposed to change the litter box, but he said he was too busy. Carlacomplained, but her father made her do Clement’s job.


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ttwwoo ccaann ppllaayy tthhaatt ggaammee



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What did Clement mean by two could play that game?

Have you ever felt like Clement? Explain.

Carla and her brother Clement rotate chores. Last week, Carla didnot empty the dishes from the dishwasher twice because she said

she had to study. Clement had done her chores for her, but hedecided that two could play that game. This week Clement was

supposed to change the litter box, but he said he was too busy. Carlacomplained, but her father made her do Clement’s job.


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What did Fred mean by his last statement?

ttwwoo’’ss ccoommppaannyy aanndd tthhrreeee’’ss aa ccrroowwdd

Marsha was sitting on the steps of her front porch with her boyfriend, Fred, who had just returned from his first year at the university.

“I can’t wait until next year when I can join you at the university,” said Marsha as Fred put his arm around her.

“When you come to State, we’ll have a great time. We’ll go out every weekend,” said Fred. “There’s always something to do.”

Fred and Marsha continued their cozy conversation until Marsha’s brother threw himself down on the porch swing and started noisily eating an ice-cream cone.

“Doesn’t your brother know that two’s company and three’s a crowd?” Fred asked.


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What did Fred mean by his last statement?

ttwwoo’’ss ccoommppaannyy aanndd tthhrreeee’’ss aa ccrroowwdd

Marsha was sitting on the steps of her front porch with her boyfriend, Fred, who had just returned from his first year at the university.

“I can’t wait until next year when I can join you at the university,” said Marsha as Fred put his arm around her.

“When you come to State, we’ll have a great time. We’ll go out every weekend,” said Fred. “There’s always something to do.”

Fred and Marsha continued their cozy conversation until Marsha’s brother threw himself down on the porch swing and started noisily eating an ice-cream cone.

“Doesn’t your brother know that two’s company and three’s a crowd?” Fred asked.

june dostal common english idioms · “if he’s tired of it, why doesn’t he just give it back...

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