Illustrated american idioms

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2. Traffic on a highway that does not move forward. (It's_________.)

3. A clothing designer who won't change the style of his clothes. (He's_________.)

4. A young woman who decides to become a nun (She's_________)

5. A political leader retires and moves to an Isolated area. (He's_________)

OUT ON A LIMB

DEFINITION: In a dangerous position that can't be changed; with one's beliefs

and opinions stated openly.

• John went out on a limb when he decided to speak out against waste In county government.

(Paraphrase: He stated his opinion about waste for all to hear.)

• By stating his ideas on foreign policy on TV last night, the President really went out on a limb.

(Paraphrase: He has placed himself in an unchangeable position by expressing his opinions

publicly.)

RELATED EXPRESSIONS

IN A HOLE

IN A SPOT in an embarrassing or difficult position; in some trouble

BEHIND THE EIGHT BALL = in a difficult position; in trouble

FUNCTIONAL ACTIVITY: Ask students to indicate which of the idioms applies

to the situations below. Some may not apply at all.

1. Two men In a balloon that suddenly springs a leak.

2. A young man who takes his girlfriend to dinner and discovers, after they have eaten, that he

has left his money at home.

3. A labor leader promises members of the union that he will not sleep until they get the wage

Increase they have asked for.

4. A family of four stop their car near a park along the highway to eat a picnic lunch.

5. Someone who, during the summer, predicts that the winter will be very cold and have many

snowstorms.

6. A company, with many orders to complete and shipments to make, whose employees

suddenly become III with a strange sickness.

7. A concert pianist about to appear on stage who discovers a large hole In Ms trousers.

8. A politician who declares to the newspapers that he can solve the crime problems of the city

within two months after being elected.

(to) PADDLE ONE'S OWN CANOE

DEFINITION: To work without help; earn one's own living; support oneself

ILLUSTRATIVE SENTENCES

• The widow's son was very talented and soon had le ft home to paddle his own canoe. (Paraphrase:

Her son was able to support himself.)

• / prefer to paddle my own canoe and not depend on receiving any money from my parents.

(Paraphrase: I prefer to earn my own living.)

SYNONYMOUS EXPRESSIONS

MAKE ONE'S WAY = To do many things to earn a living; find one's life's

work

SHIFT FOR ONESELF = To live or act independent of help, guidance, or

protection from others; take care of oneself

FUNCTIONAL ACTIVITY: Ask students to decide in which of the following

situations the idioms or synonymous expressions would need to be applied in

the life of the persons involved.

1. A woman whose husband dies suddenly leaving her with very little money or property. (Will she

have to shift for herself?)

2. A young woman just graduating from the university and In need of a job. (Will she have to make

her own way?)

3. A millionaire who wants to do something worthwhile to help society solve Its problems. (Will he

have to paddle his own canoe?)

4. Three orphans whose dead parents have left them two houses, three cars, a farm, and $100,000

In a trust fund.

(Will they have to shift for themselves?)

5. A young man whose laziness causes his father to ask him to leave home. (Will the young man

have to paddle his own canoe?

PLAY IT BY EAR

(to) PLAY IT BY EAR

DEFINITION: To decide what to do as one goes along to fit the situation

ILLUSTRATIVE SENTENCES

• It was my first experience with computers so / had to play It by ear. (Paraphrase: I had to learn

as the situation developed.)

• Anna did not know what to expect when she went to try out for the TV role, so she played it by ear.

(Paraphrase: She had to go without planning what to do or say.)

RELATED EXPRESSION

CROSS ONE'S BRIDGES BEFORE ONE COMES TO THEM

To worry about future events or possible trouble before they happen (Used In negative sentences,

often as a proverb)

FUNCTIONAL ACTIVITY: Ask students to discuss situations In which the best

way to proceed may be to play it by ear or not to cross one's bridges before

coming to them.

POOPED OUT

POOPED (OUT)

DEFINITION: Exhausted; very tired

ILLUSTRATIVE SENTENCES

• After a day working In the yard, he was pooped (out). (Paraphrase: He was exhausted after the

day's work.)

• We walked all the way home after the movie and arrived pooped out.

(Paraphrase: The long walk made us very tired.)

SYNONYMOUS EXPRESSIONS

DONE IN = Tired; exhausted TIRED OUT = Extremely tired WORN OUT = Weak from

exhaustion

FUNCTIONAL ACTIVITY: Ask students to use the Idiom and synonymous

expressions to describe how the following persons feel.

(a) (group of boys) — after a long hike through the woods

(b) (you) — after swimming across a lake

length

(e) (mother & father) — after watching over a sick child for 72 hours

POP THE QUESTION

(to) POP THE QUESTION

DEFINITION: To ask someone to marry you

ILLUSTRATIVE SENTENCES

Steve went with Marcia only three months before he popped the question. (Paraphrase: He asked her

to marry him after only three months of courtship.)

I'm really uptight because I plan to pop the question tonight.

(Paraphrase: The reason I'm so nervous is that I'm going to ask my girl friend to marry me tonight.)

FUNCTIONAL ACTIVITY: Ask students to discuss the pros and cons of a long

versus a short courtship before popping the question.

FUNCTIONAL ACTIVITY: Ask students to describe the way they popped the

question (if they are married) or how they intend to pop the question (if they are

not married).

PUPPY LOVE

DEFINITION: The first love of very young people

ILLUSTRATIVE SENTENCES

• When Fred and Alice began dating in high school, their parents thought It was just puppy love.

(Paraphrase: Their parents did not think that it was real or lasting love.)

• My first love was puppy love—the girl next door, but she didn't know that I existed.

(Paraphrase: The girl next door was not a lasting love and she didn't pay any attention to me.)

FUNCTIONAL ACTIVITY: Ask students to give instances of the puppy loves in

their lives.

PUT THE SQUEEZE ON

(to) PUT THE SQUEEZE ON

DEFINITION: To exert pressure to obtain some concession or goal

ILLUSTRATIVE SENTENCE

* The bank put the squeeze on Tom and forced him to sell his car to get money to repay the

loan.

(Paraphrase: Tom had to sell his car because of pressure from the bank.)

* The labor leaders put the squeeze on the company officials and finally got an

* Increase In wages for union members.

(Paraphrase: Company officials conceded higher pay for workers because of persistent

pressure from labor leaders.)

FUNCTIONAL ACTIVITY: Ask students to use the idiom to express the

following:

1. FEAR. Begin the utterance with

(a) I'm afraid they're going to ...

(b) It will be bad If ...

2. SUGGESTION. Begin the utterance with

(a) You ought to ...

(b) Don't you think that ...?

3. EXASPERATION. Begin the utterance with

(a) It's about time to ...

(b) Why don't we ...?

4. AGREEMENT. Begin the utterance with

(a) Let's ...

(b) We agree that ...

SAVE FOR A RAINY DAY

(to) SAVE FOR A RAINY DAY

DEFINITION: To save for a time of need, especially a time when one may

really need money

ILLUSTRATIVE SENTENCES

• Squirrels gather nuts In the fall for a rainy day. (Paraphrase: They store nuts for the time when

there will be a lack.)

• Each week my parents saved for a rainy day.

(Paraphrase: They habitually put money In the bank against the time when they might need It)

SYNONYMOUS EXPRESSIONS

LAY UP = To save for future use, collect a supply of something

LAY ASIDE = To save

PUT BY = To save for the future

SAVE UP = To put away for future use

FUNCTIONAL ACTIVITY: Ask students to (1) give reasons why one should

save for a rainy day and (2) give examples of some things they would like to

save up, put by, lay aside, or lay up for.

(to) SAY A MOUTHFUL

DEFINITION: To say something of great Importance or meaning; to say more by

a few words than the words themselves usually mean (Used in the past tense)

ILLUSTRATIVE SENTENCES

When Adrian said that was the best play he had ever seen, he said a mouthful! (Paraphrase:

What Adrian said about the play was really an understatement.)

"That old lady Is the biggest gossip In town." "You said a mouthful!"

(Paraphrase: She is not only a big gossip but one of the worst.)

SYNONYMOUS EXPRESSIONS

YOU SAID IT!

YOU CAN SAY THAT AGAIN!

Used to show strong agreement with what another person has said

FUNCTIONAL ACTIVITY: Ask students to convert the following situations into

dialogues using the idiom and synonymous expressions.

1. You are talking with a Mend about a famous soccer player and you say that he Is the best In

the world. Your friend agrees.

2. You are discussing a movie you have seen recently with your brother. He says that it is one

of the worst films of the past 25 years. You agree with him.

3. You are having lunch with a friend from your office. You begin to discuss the merits of your

boss. You think that he Is one of the kindest and most generous supervisors you have ever had.

Your friend is of the same opinion.

SAY (SPEAK) ONE'S PIECE

(to) SAY (SPEAK) ONE'S PIECE

DEFINITION: To say freely or openly what one thinks; to say, usually in public,

what one is expected to say

ILLUSTRATIVE SENTENCES

"Now that you've said your piece," the mayor said, "you may leave." (Paraphrase: "You have

said what you wanted to say and now you may leave.")

Each of the members of the council rose to his feet, spoke his piece, and sat down.

(Paraphrase: Each one said what he was expected to say.)

SYNONYMOUS EXPRESSION

HAVE ONE'S SAY = To express one's opinions freely

FUNCTIONAL ACTIVITY: Ask students to make up utterances that the following

might say, using the Idiom or synonymous expression.

1. A general to a sergeant requesting a three-day pass.

2. The director of a school to a group of teachers asking for a salary increase.

3. The president of a large company to a group of working people threatening to strike.

4. A father to his teen-age son who thinks he should be able to use the family car.

5. The mayor of a small city to a group of angry taxpayers.

6. A storeowner to a customer complaining about the bad service and high prices.

(to) SKATE ON THIN ICE

DEFINITION: To take a chance; to risk danger, disapproval, or anger

ILLUSTRATIVE SENTENCES

You're skating on thin Ice If you keep on talking like that to your father. (Paraphrase: You're

asking for trouble.)

/ knew I was skating on thin Ice to ask for a raise In salary, but I had to have more money.

(Paraphrase: I knew I was taking a chance on being fired.)

SYNONYMOUS EXPRESSION

PRESS ONE'S LUCK = To depend too much on luck or chance

FUNCTIONAL ACTIVITY: Ask students to use the Idiom and synonymous

expression to express the following:

1. CONCERN. Begin the utterance with

(a) I hope you know that...if...

(b) Be careful not to...

2. AGREEMENT. Begin the utterance with

(a) You're right. Joe Is...

(b) I agree. We're... if...

3. OBSERVATION. Begin the utterance with

(a) I heard that she... because...

(b) With that kind of attitude, John...

SLOW DOWN (UP)

(to) SLOW DOWN (UP)

DEFINITION 1: To go more slowly than usual; work less hard

ILLUSTRATIVE SENTENCES

• Because of the Icy roads, we slowed down. (Paraphrase: We drove more slowly than usual.)

• His doctor told him he was going to have to slow down at work or his health would get worse.

(Paraphrase: The doctor told him to work less hard.)

SYNONYMOUS EXPRESSIONS

LET UP = To do less or go slower or stop; stop working or working hard

EASE UP (OFF) = To work less; make or become less nervous; relax

DEFINITION 2: To become less busy

ILLUSTRATIVE SENTENCES

• Business slowed up last month because of the railroad strike. (Paraphrase: The railroad strike

caused business to decline.)

• Buying slowed up In the stores at the end of the holiday season. (Paraphrase: The stores became

less busy.)

FUNCTIONAL ACTIVITY: Ask students to complete the sentences below with

one of the idioms or synonymous expressions according to the implied

sense.

1. As It approached the town, the train________.

2. The big snowstorm caused the movement of buses, trains, and airplanes to_________

3. "You're acting every nervous. Maybe you should_________for awhile!"

4. He had worked for twelve hours and finally become so exhausted that he had to

FUNCTIONAL ACTIVITY: Ask students to use the following antonyms to

contrast with the idioms and synonymous expressions in the base sentence.

ANTONYMS: SPEED UP = To go faster

PICK UP = To become faster or livelier

BASE SENTENCE: It's time

to____________________not____________________!

SNAKE IN THE GRASS

DEFINITION: A person who cannot be trusted; one who betrays

ILLUSTRATIVE SENTENCES

• Where did you hear that? From Ed? He's a snake in the grass. (Paraphrase: Ed can't be trusted

because he tells another person's secrets.)

• Some snake in the grass told the plans about the party to Evelyn. (Paraphrase: Someone betrayed us

by telling Evelyn our secret plans.)

FUNCTIONAL ACTIVITY: Ask students to give examples when they have felt that

someone that they trusted turned out to be a snake in the grass.

FUNCTIONAL ACTIVITY: How many of the following might be called a snake in the

grass?

1. A friend who tells everyone about your romantic interest In a certain young man/young woman.

2. A brother who tells your sister about the birthday present that you have bought for her and

which you wanted to keep as a surprise.

3. An uncle who telephones your mother to inform her that he will be coming for a short visit.

4. A teacher who promises not to give a test and then does so anyway.

5. A friend who invites you to go out for dinner and then asks you to pay for your own.

6. An employer who gives all of his employees a large bonus without telling them beforehand

that he Is going to do so.

7. A friend who promises to lend you some money without charging interest, but who decides

to charge interest after all.

8. A father who promises to give his daughter a car and, instead of buying her a second-hand vehicle,

gives her a new one.

Something to crow about...

(to) HAVE SOMETHING TO CROW ABOUT

DEFINITION: To have something to be proud of or to have something in which

one takes pleasure or satisfaction.

ILLUSTRATIVE SENTENCES

Mark really has something to crow about. He won the state championship In golf. (Paraphrase:

Mark's achievement gives him reason to be proud.)

We have something to crow about. Our daughter just won a tour-year scholarship to the university.

(Paraphrase: We are proud of our daughter for her academic success.)

SYNONYMOUS EXPRESSION

PRIDE ONESELF ON = To be proud of; to be much

pleased by; to take satisfaction

FUNCTIONAL ACTIVITY: Ask students to describe three situations

that are something to crow about or are something In which one takes pride

STAND ONE'S GROUND

(to) STAND ONE'S GROUND

DEFINITION: To defend a belief or statement; to refuse to weaken when opposed

ILLUSTRATIVE SENTENCES

• Although his friends believed that he was wrong in his beliefs, Stan stood his ground.

(Paraphrase: Stan believed he was right and did not change his mind.)

• In spite of strong verbal attacks from both friends and enemies, the President stood his

ground on the issue.

(Paraphrase: The President refused to alter his opinion about the matter.)

RELATED EXPRESSIONS

STICK TO ONE'S GUNS = To maintain an idea or opinion even though people try to prove one

wrong

Stand by One’s Guns

STAND PAT = to like things the way they are and to be against change

FUNCTIONAL ACTIVITY: Ask students to use the idiom or related expressions to

express the following.

1. ADMIRATION. Begin the utterance with

(a) I really admire Bill. In any argument he always —

(b) Sandra Is amazing. She wins arguments because she....

2. ENCOURAGEMENT. Begin the utterance with

(a) Don't be sad about losing the argument, just... next time.

(b) If you would..., you would not be so indecisive!

3. ANNOYANCE. Begin the utterance with

(a) I get so annoyed with Fred. He's so easy to push around/ He never —

(b) My grandfather knows the issue. That's why it's easy for him to-----

(to) STICK ONE'S NECK OUT

or (to) STICK ONE'S CHIN OUT

DEFINITION: To act boldly despite the risk of danger, or trouble, or criticism

ILLUSTRATIVE SENTENCES

Vera Is the kind of person who Is willing to stick her neck out to help a friend In trouble.

(Paraphrase: She will help a friend In trouble even though It might be risky for her.)

Tom stuck his chin out and supported the unpopular campaign to raise teachers salaries.

(Paraphrase: He risked criticism to support something many people opposed.)

SYNONYMOUS EXPRESSION

GO OUT ON A LIMB

To state one's beliefs and opinions openly;

To be In a dangerous position that can't be changed

FUNCTIONAL ACTIVITY: Ask students to use the idioms and synonymous

expression to express the following:

1. SURPRISE. Begin the utterance with

(a) I'm surprised that...

(b) I was shocked that...

2. DISAPPOINTMENT. Begin the utterance with

(a) I was disappointed to hear that...

(b) I was certainly let down when... (c) /can't get over...

3. JOY. Begin the utterance with

(a) I was overjoyed to hear that...

(b) I was so happy when...

4. SORROW. Begin the utterance with

(a) I was sorry to learn that...

(b) It's too bad that...

STRAIGHT FROM THE HORSE'S MOUTH

DEFINITION: Directly from the person or place where something began; from

a reliable source.

ILLUSTRATIVE SENTENCES

• "Where did you get that information about the contest?" "I got It straight from the horse's mouth."

(Paraphrase: A person who can be trusted told me.)

• He got the news of the visit straight from the horse's mouth—his mother. (Paraphrase: His

mother, who can't be doubted, told him of the visit.)

FUNCTIONAL ACTIVITY: Ask students to cite examples of sources of

Information that they consider to be "the horse's mouth," at the same time

giving the kind of information to be gained.