English idioms

break the ice

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Do you know the English idiom “break the ice”?

Look at this example. Can you guess what it means?

 

A: How was your first lesson at English school?

B: It was good.

A: Did you talk to the other students?

B: Well, everyone was shy at first, but our teacher made us play a fun party game to break the ice. After that, we all talked to each other a lot!

 

Does “break the ice” mean

a) smash ice cubes

b) make people relax and feel comfortable with each other when meeting for the first time

c) play a game

d) make people relax and find out about the other person’s hobbies

 

The answer is below! ↓

crack-ice-in-the-lake

 

 

 

Answer: b) make people relax and feel comfortable with each other when meeting for the first time 🙂

 

A little bird told me…

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Do you know the phrase “a little bird told me“?

Look at these examples. Can you guess the meaning?

Example 1:

A: I heard you were looking for a new job.

B: How do you know? Who told you?!

A: A little bird told me. 

Example 2:

A: A little bird told me that it’s your birthday next week.

B: Yes, it is, but I don’t want anyone to know!

 

Does “a little bird told me” mean

a) a bird told me something.

b) someone told me something, but I don’t want to say who told me.

c) there is a rumour

 

Then answer is below. ↓

snowy-egret

 

 

 

Answer: b) someone told me something, but I don’t want to say who told me.

We use “a little bird told me” when we don’t want to say who gave us the secret/private information. 🙂

too big for (one’s) boots

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Do you know the idiom “too big for (one’s) boots“? Can you guess the meaning?

Example.

A: Paula used to be really nice, but she has changed recently.

B: I think so too. Since she became captain of the hockey team, she has been getting too big for her boots.

A: I don’t know why. It’s only a small, local team. She acts like she is captain of the national team!

 

Does “too big for (one’s) boots” mean

a) have big feet

b) behave in an arrogant manner, like one is very important or special

c) behave in a confident and friendly manner

d) be too talkative

The answer is below!　↓

football-boots

 

 

 

Answer: b) behave in an arrogant manner, like one is very important or special 🙂

a spring in (one’s) step

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Do you know the expression “to have a spring in (one’s) step“?

Read the conversation. Can you guess the meaning?

A: Harry seems to have a spring in his step lately.

B: Yes, I noticed that. It’s because he has a new girlfriend.

 

Does “to have a spring in one’s step” mean

a) to walk nervously

b) to be cheerful and energetic

c) to jump up and down

The answer is below! ↓

feet-going-places

 

 

Answer: b) to be cheerful and energetic

 

Cost an arm and a leg

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Do you know the English idiom “to cost an arm and a leg“?

Look at this example conversation. Can you guess the meaning?

A: “Wow! Is this your new car? It looks expensive.”

B: “Expensive? It cost an arm and a leg!”

———-

Does “to cost an arm and a leg” mean:

a) to be very cheap

b) to be very expensive

c) to be on sale

The answer is below! ↓

dogs-leg

 

 

Answer: b)

to cost an arm and a leg = to be very expensive!

 

Warm as toast

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Have you heard the expression “warm as toast“?

My friend used this phrase yesterday. I hadn’t heard it for a long time.

Yesterday, I visited my friend’s house. It was very cold outside. My friend took my coat and said,

“Sit next to the heater. You will soon be as warm as toast!”

 

Can you guess the meaning?

Does it mean

a) You’ll burn next to the heater.

b) You’ll feel comfortable and cosy.

c) You’ll feel too hot.

The answer is below!

toaster-and-slices-of-bread

 

Answer b) to be warm as toast = to be warm, comfortable and cosy! 

 

Cold turkey

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Do you know the phrase “cold turkey“?

Can you guess the meaning?

Example 1:

A: Has Ben stopped smoking yet?

B: Yes, he gave up cold turkey on 1st January.

A: Cold turkey? That’s great!

B: Yes, but he said it was hard. He really wanted to smoke for about a month after!

Example 2:

A: I want to stop drinking alcohol, but it’s hard to quit. My friend said I should give up cold turkey.

B: I don’t think that’s a good idea. I think it’s better to cut down gradually.

A: I think so too. I’m going to try to drink less every week.

 

Question: Cold turkey means:

a) a frozen bird

b) quit something for someone else

c) quit something immediately  (without cutting down gradually)

d) quit something for a short time, then start again soon after

The answer is below! ↓

thanksgiving-turkey-illustration

 

 

 

Answer: c) quit something (usually smoking, drinking etc.) immediately, without cutting down gradually

 

 

Cool as a…

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Can you complete this English expression? (Hint: It means “to be very calm”.)

Cool as a….

a) watermelon

b) cucumber

c) fridge

 

The answer is below! ↓

beach-wallpaper

 

 

 

 

Answer:

b) Cool as a cucumber!

 

Example:

A: How was Dave’s speech?

B: It was really good.

A: Was he nervous?

B: He didn’t look nervous. He was as cool as a cucumber.

Like the cat that got the cream

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Do you know the phrase like the cat that got the cream?

Here is an example:

“When Jane won the race yesterday, she looked like the cat that got the cream.”

 

Does it mean

a) Jane looked very tired because she won the race.

b) Jane looked very pleased with herself because she won the race.

c) Jane won the race because she was fast, like a cat searching for cream.

d) Jane looked very hungry after the race.

 

The answer is below! ↓

cat-1300956926220

 

 

Answer: b) Jane looked very pleased with herself because she won the race.

“To look like the cat that got the cream =  to look very pleased with oneself.

🙂

to run out of steam

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steam-power

 

Do you know the phrase “to run out of steam“?

Look at the examples. Can you guess the meaning?

 

Example 1:

A: How was Peter’s presentation?

B: It started off well, but towards the end he ran out of steam. I think he was tired.

 

Example 2:

A: Are you still studying Russian?

B: Not really. I was very motivated at first, but it got really difficult. I ran out of steam after my second test.

A: Don’t give up! Everything is difficult until you get used to it!

 

Meaning: to lose energy, motivation or interest in something. 🙂