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 🙂

Every cloud has a silver lining

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Do you know the proverb “Every cloud has a silver lining“?

Can you guess what it means?

Example:

A: Teresa lost her job at the post office. She was very upset at first, but now she has found a better job at the bank.

B: Well, every cloud has a silver lining!

 

Does it mean

a) bad things happen to good people

b) good things happen to unlucky people

c) something good comes out of a bad situation

d) something bad comes out of a good situation

The answer is below!　↓

clouds-110661299948507xJ3

 

 

Answer: c) something good comes out of a bad situation 🙂

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!

 

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

 

 

You are what you eat

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cornucopia

Do you know the phrase “you are what you eat“? This is quite easy to understand.

Here are some examples.

Eg 1

A: I don’t feel very well.

B: I’m not surprised! You’ve been eating fried food and cakes all day every day! You are what you eat!

A: Yes, you’re right. I really need to start eating healthy food.

Eg 2

A: Tessa is looking really good. Her hair is glossy and her skin is clear and smooth.

B: Yes. She is looking great since she started eating lots of fruit and vegetables.

A: We are what we eat I guess!

Answer:

If you eat healthy food, you will be healthy. If you eat unhealthy food, you will be unhealthy! Easy!

 

to bide (one’s) time

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DSC05404

Do you know the phrase “to bide (one’s) time“?

Look at the examples below. Can you guess the meaning?

E.g. 1:

A: Has Mike found a new job yet?

B: No, he isn’t even looking. He’s biding his time until the new factory opens near his house.

E.g. 2:

A: I heard Nelly said some bad things to you  in the meeting yesterday. What did you do?

B: I didn’t do anything.

A: No? Why not?

B: I’m biding my time.  The CEO is coming to our office next month. Maybe that will be a good chance to get revenge. Heheheh…

A: Ooh, nasty!

—–

Could you guess the meaning?

to bide (one’s) time = to wait patiently for a good chance.

to jazz up

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blurred-colorful-lights

Do you know the phrase “to jazz up“?

It means “to make something more interesting or better looking.”

E.g. 1

A: I don’t know what to wear to the party tonight. I’m thinking of wearing my blue dress, but it’s a little plain.

B: You could jazz it up with a sparkling necklace. 

A: Yeah, that’s a good idea.

E.g. 2

A: This restaurant is a bit boring.

B: Yeah, it is. They need to jazz up the rooms with some pictures and music!

——

Question:

What do you think needs “jazzing up” in your town? 

 

Practice…

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Can you complete this English saying?

Practice…

a) makes you stronger

b) makes perfect

c) makes success

The answer is below! ↓

998-1237012200yt90

 

 

 

Answer: b)

Practice makes perfect!

So, if you want perfect English, you have to practice! 😉