MLVR- October 24, 2008 IDIOMS. MLVR- October 24, 2008 What is an idiom?

MLVR- October 24, 2008

IDIOMS


What is an idiom?


An idiom is a combination of words that has a meaning that is different from the meanings of the individual words themselves


It can have a literal meaning in one situation and a different idiomatic meaning in another situation. It is a phrase which does not always follow the normal rules of meaning and grammar.


Example of an IDIOM To sit on the fence can literally mean that one is

sitting on a fence. I sat on the fence and watched the game.

However, the idiomatic meaning of to sit on the fence is that one is not making a clear choice regarding some issue. The politician sat on the fence and would not give his opinion about the tax issue.


Many idioms are similar to expressions in other languages and can be easy for a learner to understand. Other idioms come from older phrases which have changed over time.

To hold one's horses means to stop and wait patiently for someone or something. It comes from a time when people rode horses and would have to hold their horses while waiting for someone or something."Hold your horses," I said when my friend started to leave the store.


Other idioms come from such things as sports that are common in the United Kingdom or the United States and may require some special cultural knowledge to easily understand them.

To cover all of one's bases means to thoroughly prepare for or deal with a situation.

It comes from the American game of baseball where you must cover or protect the bases.

I tried to cover all of my bases when I went to the job interview.


IDIOM QUIZPlease take out a sheet of paper and your pen.

Let us check your knowledge on IDIOMS.


Idiom Quizzes - Money

My sister's husband is (in good financial condition) after many financial problems last year. (a) cooking the books (b) betting his bottom dollar (c) back on his feet (d) bringing home the bacon


IDIOM QUIZ1. I spent my (last small amount of savings) on

a ticket for a basketball game. (a) bottom dollar

(b) cold hard cash

(c) money to burn

(d) kickback


IDIOM QUIZ2. My father worked hard all of his life (earning

the family living).

(a) passing the buck

(b) paying through the nose

(c) stone broke

(d) bringing home the bacon


IDIOM QUIZ3. I decided to (sell all of my belongings) and

go and work overseas.

(a) strike it rich

(b) cash in my chips

(c) put in my two cents

(d) tighten my belt


IDIOM QUIZ4. The teacher (got no response) from the

students when she asked the question to the class.

(a) took attendance

(b) filled in the blanks

(c) drew a blank

(d) cracked a book


IDIOM QUIZ5. My sister was a (person who loved books)

during most of her childhood. (a) school of thought (b) bookworm (c) teacher's pet (d) copycat


IDIOM QUIZ6. I worked hard all weekend to (write out a

paper quickly) for my history class. (a) crank out a paper (b) meet the requirements (c) pass with flying colors (d) brainstorm


IDIOM QUIZ7. I was supposed to go to school but I decided

(not to go).

(a) to learn by rote

(b) (b) to live in an ivory tower

(c) (c) to have my nose in a book

(d) (d) to play hooky


IDIOM QUIZ8. The junior salesperson was (in charge) during

the meeting.

(a) driving a hard bargain

(b) getting the message

(c) dragging her heels

(d) calling the shots


IDIOM QUIZ9. There is a lot of (anger) between my friend

and myself.

(a) new blood

(b) bad blood

(c) flesh and blood

(d) blood, sweat, and tears


IDIOM QUIZ10. My supervisor (suddenly became angry at

me) when I was late for the meeting.

(a) jumped down my throat

(b) jumped out of her skin

(c) took my breath away

(d) risked her neck


IDIOM QUIZ11. The girl was (very pleased) that she was

chosen to represent her class at the competition.

(a) blacked out

(b) tickled pink

(c) green with envy

(d) out of the blue


IDIOM QUIZ12. Even though Mrs. Jensen is no "spring

chicken," she still enjoys swimming and running every day.A. Mrs. Jensen is not young, but she

enjoys exercising.B. Mrs. Jensen doesn't eat chicken.C. Mrs. Jensen is training for a marathon

race.


Idioms13. The news that he had been accepted by the

University was "music to Mike's ears."A. Mike is going to study music at the

university.B. Mike received some very good news.C. Mike enjoys listening to music.


Idioms14. The way that Cindy was fired from her

job "left a bad taste in her mouth."A. Cindy ate some strange food.

B. Cindy was fired because she said

something rude.C. Cindy had some bad feelings about

being fired.


Idioms15. When Robert met his girlfriend after a

long separation, he told her that she was a "sight for sore eyes."a. Robert told his girlfriend that he was

happy to see her.B. Robert told his girlfriend that his eyes ]

were sore.C. Robert told his girlfriend that she had

pretty eyes.


Idioms16. When Richard said something about his

brother's surprise birthday party, he "let the cat out of the bag."A. Richard gave his brother a cat for his

birthday.B. Richard revealed a secret.C. Richard's brother is celebrating his

birthday.


http://www.idiomconnection.com

For idiom quizzes


IDIOMS IN THE WORKPLACE the green light My supervisor has read

my proposal. Now I have the green light to start the project. (Like a green traffic light, which gives permission to start.)


IDIOMS IN THE WORKPLACE in black and white The boss said we’ll

have a raise next year, but I don’t know whether to believe her or not.

If only it were in black and white!

(Writing is black and white, if you have something in writing it's like a contract.)


IDIOMS IN THE WORKPLACE in the red The company’s in the

red. It’s got a lot of debt and is having difficulty covering its expenses. (Red ink was traditionally used to show negative numbers in accounts.)


IDIOMS IN THE WORKPLACE out of the blue The news of that fast-

food shop closing came out of the blue. No one was expecting it. We all thought it was doing well. (Like something falling from the blue sky.)


IDIOMS IN THE WORKPLACE to cost an arm and a leg I’m not coming with

you to XXX department Store. Everything there costs an arm and a leg. With my kind of salary, I can’t afford to buy anything there. (Costs an arm and a leg means it's very expensive.)


IDIOMS IN THE WORKPLACE a long face You didn’t invite

Cathy to your wedding? No wonder she walked out with such a long face. (A long face means an unhappy expression.)


IDIOMS IN THE WORKPLACE to keep the ball rolling Let’s keep the ball rolling.

We’re off to a good start with a successful bid, but we’ve still got a lot of work to do.

(A football idiom - to get [start] the ball rolling means to start the match.

To keep the ball rolling means to continue working.)


IDIOMS IN THE WORKPLACE on the ball Arlene’s an excellent

supervisor. She really knows how to organize things and get things done. She’s really on the ball.

(Another football idiom. On the ball means to be in control of the situation.)


IDIOMS IN THE WORKPLACE a pain in the neck an annoying or

bothersome person or event

The customer is a pain in the neck and is always complaining about something.


General Idioms wet behind the ears: inexperienced and

naive. "Don't include Chris as part of the bargaining

team.He has just startedworking here and is still too wet behind the ears."


General Idioms until you're blue in the face: forever.

"You can talk until you're blue in the face, but I won't change my mind."

Note: This expression is used in the same way as "until hell freezes over."


Idioms under the weather: ill; sick; unwell.

"Ted was feeling under the weather yesterday, so he decided not to go to work.“


Idioms nuke: heat in a microwave.

"If your coffee's cold, just nuke it for about a minute.“


General Idioms nosh: snack.

"There's plenty in the refrigerator if you want something to nosh on."


Idioms wishy-washy: uncommitted; without an

opinion of one's own. "Don't be so wishy-washy. Tell us how you

really feel."


at the eleventh hour: at the last minute; almost too late.

"Yes, I got the work done in time. I finished it at the eleventh hour, but I wasn't late.


Idioms antsy: restless; impatient and tired of waiting.

"I hope Katy calls soon. Just sitting around and waiting is making me antsy.“


Idioms do a bang-up job: do a very good job; do

very well at something.

"Have you seen Frank's home page? He did a bang-up job with it.“


General Idioms drop someone a line: write to someone.

"I haven't written to my parents for a long time. I'd better drop them a linetoday or tomorrow."


ANSWERS 1. A

2. D

3. B

4. C

5. B

6. A

7. D

8. D

9. B 10. D 11. B 12. A 13. B 14. C 15. A 16. B


Redundant Phrases


Redundant Phrases The (color) yellow. Please (repeat) that again. (actual) experience (advance) planning (advance) reservations (advance) warning all meet (together) (armed) gunman


Redundant Phrases at (12) midnight at (12) noon autobiography (of my life) (awkward) predicament (baby) boy was born (basic) fundamentals


Redundant Phrases cheap (price) (close) proximity cold (temperature) commute (back and forth) consensus (of opinion)


Redundant Phrases (difficult) dilemma each (and every) (empty) space (end) result estimated (roughly) at filled (to capacity) (free) gift (frozen) ice


Redundant Phrases (general) public green (in color) join (together) (natural) instinct never (at any time) (pair of) twins (past) experience


Redundant Phrases (poisonous) venom reason is (because) (regular) routine (small) speck (suddenly) exploded surrounded (on all sides)


Pleonasms

These redundant expressions are called pleonasms.


GROUP ACTIVITY Group Activity – Into Nine ( 9) Groups. Converse with each other using redundant

phrases in the conversation. Pick a representative to present in front. Use

at least 10 redundant phrases


TITLES


Quiz Correct or Not Correct?

My name is Ms Arroyo and I am meeting Mr Fernandez later at 4 PM.


Titles with Proper Names Titles that come immediately before or after

proper names generally take periods.

Examples:

-If you see her, please tell Ms. Ramirez that I called.

-Have you heard from Dr. Montero today?

-Today I have an appointment with Theresa Parrocho, Ph.D.


Correct or Not ?

I have a meeting with Mr. on Monday a.m.


Do not abbreviate such titles when they do not accompany a proper name:

Not: Did you go to see the Dr. yesterday?

Can I help you, Mr.?

But: Did you go to see the doctor

yesterday?

Can I help you, mister?


However, the abbreviations for academic degrees can be used alone when not used as a part of a title:

My brother will receive his Ph.D. in May Will you complete your M.A. this year?


Do not repeat titles or abbreviations at the end of a name if one or the other appeared at the beginning of the name:

Not: I will be taking the course from Professor Cubia, Ph.D.

But: The operation will be completed by Dr. Irvin Yap.

Or: The operation will be completed by Irvin Yap. M.D.


Expressions of time are likewise frequently accompanied by the abbreviations a.m. and p.m.

Examples: The plane will arrive at approximately 7 p.m.

Such abbreviations should not be used without specific date or time designations.


Expressions of Time Not: We have a meeting this p.m. to discuss

your promotion. Not: Let us meet tomorrow a.m.

But: We have a meeting this afternoon.

Let us meet tomorrow morning.


MLVR- October 24, 2008 IDIOMS. MLVR- October 24, 2008 What is an idiom?

Documents

bacon slide

belt slide

book slide

d copycat slide

d kickback slide

paper b

idiom quizzes money

books b