Michelle Gaines

Michelle Gaines

What is an idiom?

• Idioms are phrases that people use in everyday language which do not make sense literally but we understand what they mean.They are not interpreted logically or literally

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An idiom is an expression that has a meaning apart from the meanings of its individual words.

Examples:

• To stick your neck out is to say or do something that is bold and a bit dangerous. A similar idiom that is used for slightly more dangerous situations is to "go out on a limb." In both idioms, the idea is that you put yourself in a vulnerable position.

• To break the ice is to be the first one to say or do something, with the expectation that others will then follow. Another idiom that means something similar is "get the ball rolling."

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Examples:

• To get long in the tooth means to get old. The expression was originally used when referring to horses. So the longer the teeth a horse has, the older it is said to be.

• To have a chip on one's shoulder is usually an expression to describe a person who acts, as you say, rudely or aggressively, but also in a manner that could be described as "aggressively defensive." The person seems always ready for a fight.

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Food for thoughtThese idioms are all about food. Can you explain what they

really mean?

• Taking two bites of the cherry

• Selling like hot cakes

• Playing gooseberry

• Going bananas

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What does this mean really?

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And what about this one?

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Numbers upLots of idioms are about numbers. See if you can fill in the

missing numbers in these says. What do they mean?

• Dressed up to the ______

• Talking ___ to the dozen

• One in a ______

• Playing ______ fiddle

• In _______ heaven

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Animal Crackers

• It’s raining ____ and dogs!

• I’ve got a ____ in my throat

• Those are just ______tears

• He’s taken the ______ share

• I can smell a ______

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It’s Raining Cats and Dogs!!!!It’s raining cats and dogs

means:

a. Cats and dogs are falling from the sky.

b. It’s raining very hard.

c. It’s not raining much at all.

d. The weather is horrible.

a.

c.

d.

b.

HINT: I can’t go outside because it’s raining cats and dogs and I

would get soaked!

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SORRY, Try Again!

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CORRECT!

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SORRY, Try Again!

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SORRY, Try Again

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Skeletons in Your ClosetSkeletons in your closet

means:

a. Your closet is full of skeletons.

b. You are hiding something in your closet.

c. You have secrets or something that you don’t want anyone to know.

d. You are not afraid of anything.

a.

b.

c.

d.

Hint: Why shouldn’t you be able to answer all of my questions? Don’t tell me you have skeletonsin your closet!

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Sorry, Try Again!

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Sorry, Try Again!

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CORRECT!

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Sorry, Try Again!

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Shake a leg means:

a. A dance move used in the Shag.

b. Shake your leg to get a bug off of it.

c. Hurry up!

d. You are doing the Hokey Pokey.Hint: We’re going to be late

for the plane if you don’t shake a leg!

a.

b.

d.

c.

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Sorry, Try Again!

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Sorry, Try Again!

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CORRECT!

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Sorry, Try Again!

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•To talk to a brick wall •To talk to an unresponsive person

•Moving the goalposts •To change the aims or decisions

•Hold your horses •Be patient; wait a minute

•Over the hill •Old or too old to do something

•On cloud nine •Very happy or excited

•Pulling your leg •Teasing you

Common Idioms and their meanings: