Illustrated american idioms
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FUNCTIONAL ACTIVITY: Ask students which of the following situations requires
one to get set.
1. Writing a letter.
2. Catching an object thrown by someone else.
3. Helping someone lift a large piece of furniture.
4. Playing a musical instrument.
5. Driving an automobile In the city.
6. Preparing to begin an automobile race.
7. Beginning a series of body building exercises.
8. Stopping on the way home to buy food.
9. Following a path through the woods.
1O. Working with a team of people to prepare a large banquet.
GET THE MESSAGE
(to) GET THE MESSAGE
DEFINITION: To understand clearly what is meant
ILLUSTRATIVE SENTENCES
• We explained to him that we couldn't help him at all but he didn't get the message.
(Paraphrase: In spite of our explanation, he didn't understand.)
• I hinted to Laura that I wanted to leave early, but she didn't get the message. (Paraphrase: She
didn't understand that I wanted to leave early.)
RELATED EXPRESSIONS
GET THE WORD GET THE PICTURE
To understand clearly
FUNCTIONAL ACTIVITY: Ask students to use the idiom and related expressions to
express the following.
1. DISAPPOINTMENT. Begin the utterance with
(a) What's a shame! I told her about —
(b) I'm so disappointed! I thought I had explained everything clearly, but evidently —
2. ANNOYANCE. Begin the utterance with
(a) I am so annoyed with Jack. He hardly ever___
(b) What more can I say! You simply.. A
(c) It seems perfectly clear to me. Why can't you...?
3. PERSUASION. Begin the utterance with
(a) Let me go over it once more, then I'm sure you —
(b) Please read this one more time and I feel that you —
(c) After Dr. Hawkins explained it to her, she-----
4. ELATION. Begin the utterance with
(a) Great! I finally....
(b) It took a long time, but I...!
(c) That's wonderful! They..., do they?
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GET THROUGH ONE'S HEAD
(to) GET THROUGH ONE'S HEAD
DEFINITION 1: To understand or believe
ILLUSTRATIVE SENTENCES
He couldn't get It through his head that the war was over.
(Paraphrase: He didn't believe that the war had ended.)
She couldn't get it through her head that every order had to be sent to the main office.
(Paraphrase: She had difficulty understanding what to do with the orders.)
SYNONYMOUS EXPRESSION
CATCH ON = To understand
DEFINITION 2: To make someone understand or believe ILLUSTRATIVE
SENTENCES
My brother spent four hours helping me get the concept of electricity through my head.
(Paraphrase: He spent four hours helping me understand electricity.)
The teacher's detailed explanation finally got the theme of the poem through my head.
(Paraphrase: The teacher's explanation made the theme of the poem clear to me.)
SYNONYMOUS EXPRESSION
GET ACROSS = To explain clearly
FUNCTIONAL ACTIVITY: Ask students to use the idiom and synonymous
expressions to express the following:
1. ANGER. Begin the utterance with
(a) Why can't you ...?
(b) You must ...
(c) It Is imperative that ...
2. SURPRISE. Begin the utterance with
(a) Don't tell me that ...
(b) It surprises me that ...
(c) I'm surprised that ...
3. DOUBT. Begin the utterance with
(a) I doubt that ...
(b) I'm afraid that ...
(c) It is improbable that ...
4. FRUSTRATION. Begin the utterance with
(a) I just can't seem to ...
(b) How long will It take me ...?
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GIFT OF GAB
DEFINITION: Skill in talking; ability to make interesting conversation that people
believe
ILLUSTRATIVE SENTENCES
• Ted's gift of gab helped him get a good fob. (Paraphrase: His skill in talking helped him.)
• Most politicians who succeed have a real gift of gab. (Paraphrase: Successful politicians can
talk so that people believe them.)
The gift of the gab is colloquial for power of fluent and effective speech, and to have the gift of the gab is
to have the ability to speak fluently and effectively; to be eloquent.
"You've got ideas." "Other people's." "And the gift of the gab."
He was good company, the type of the agreeable rattle and he had a truly Irish gift of the gab.
You've got the gift of the gab with a pen, Mont... .
FUNCTIONAL ACTIVITY: Ask students to name some professions in which a gift of
gab is essential or very important
GIVE A HARD TIME
(to) GIVE A HARD TIME
DEFINITION: To complain; give trouble by what one says or does; scold
ILLUSTRATIVE SENTENCES
• The customer blamed the clerk for the error and really gave her a hard time. (Paraphrase: The
customer complained vehemently.)
• My boss gave me a hard time last week about some late deliveries but calmed down
after I explained the problem.
(Paraphrase: He gave me a lot of trouble at first but became more reasonable after I explained
matters.)
RELATED EXPRESSIONS
GIVE SOMEONE A PIECE OF ONE'S MIND
To reprimand strongly;
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scold; criticize; attack with words
BAWL OUT
DRESS DOWN
GIVE IT TO
LET HAVE IT (WITH BOTH BARRELS)
LIGHT INTO
TELL OFF
TELL A THING OR TWO
HAUL OVER THE COALS
FUNCTIONAL ACTIVITY: Ask students to use the idiom and related expressions in the
following situations and then complete the expression giving the reason why.
To say what one really thinks to someone; scold vehemently and often angrily
1. I had to ______________________the mailman because he_____________________ (reason)
_____________________
2. We had to _____________________ the service station attendant because he (reason)
3. I had to _____________________ the nurse because she ____(reason).
4. My father had to_____________________the light company because they ___(reason).
5. My boss had to_____________________ the manufacturer because he (reason.)
6. The captain had to___ the soldier because he (reason).
7. My mother had to_____________________my sister because she ___(reason).
8. I had to________ my friend Serena because she (reason.
9. My father had to___________ our neighbor because he ___(reason).
10. My grandmother had to _____________________ my brother because he (reason).
FUNCTIONAL ACTIVITY: Ask students to name someone or something they would
like to apply the Idiom or related expressions to.
""
(to) GIVE A RING
DEFINITION: To call on the telephone
ILLUSTRATIVE SENTENCES
• Give me a ring about six o'clock If you can go to the party. (Paraphrase: Telephone me about
six o'clock.)
• Mrs. Warren promised to give her daughter a ring when she arrived at the airport. (Paraphrase:
She promised to telephone her daughter upon arrival.)
RELATED EXPRESSION
GIVE A BUZZ = To call on the telephone
FUNCTIONAL ACTIVITY: Ask students to compose short dialogues (2-3 lines)
using the idiom and related expression in everyday situations.
FUNCTIONAL ACTIVITY: Ask students to decide in which of the following
situations it would be proper to give a ring or a buzz.
f. To Inform your mother that you'll be late for dinner.
2. To invite the President of the U.S. to visit your city.
3. To inform a close friend of the death of his father.
4. To ask the author of a famous novel to speak to your literary club.
5. To get information from an airline on the departure time of a flight to Chicago.
6. To tell a friend where to meet you for lunch.
7. To Invite your brother or sister to a party.
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GIVE (LEND) AN EAR TO
(to) GIVE (LEND) AN EAR TO
DEFINITION: To listen to
ILLUSTRATIVE SENTENCES
• Give an ear to what I have to sayl (Paraphrase: Listen to met)
• The owner of the factory lent an ear to the complaints of the workers. (Paraphrase: He listened to
his workers.)
RELATED EXPRESSION
PRICK UP ONE'S EARS = To begin to listen closely; try to hear; come to
interested attention
FUNCTIONAL ACTIVITY: Ask students to complete the following with the idiom or
the related expression only if it makes sense; otherwise, leave incomplete.
1. Why don't you ________________ what the speaker Is saying?
2. If you would _________________ their advice, you could avoid problems.
3. It's time to eat_________________ ___and please sit down at the table.
4. ____________ that lovely music!
5. The man________when he heard that prizes were being given.
6. Children ought to________________ the advice of their parents.
7. Clarice fell down and ____________________her left ankle.
8. The king began_____ the complaints of the people and decided to change the law.
9. If you'll ________________ my story, I'm sure you'll find it amusing.
10. ------------ by helping me carry this chair upstairs to the bedroom.
GO AT IT HAMMER AND TONGS
(to) GO AT IT HAMMER AND TONGS
DEFINITION 1: To have a bad argument; to attack or fight with great strength
and energy
ILLUSTRATIVE SENTENCES
That couple has been going at it hammer and tongs for more than two hours! (Paraphrase: They
have been arguing loud and long for two hours.)
Harry kicked Dick in the leg and now they're going at it hammer and tongs. (Paraphrase: They are
fighting as hard as they can.)
RELATED EXPRESSION
GO AT IT TOOTH AND NAIL = To do something as hard as possible; fiercely
DEFINITION 2: To start or do something with much energy, enthusiasm, and strength
ILLUSTRATIVE SENTENCES
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He hurried to get the corn in out of the rain and went at the job hammer and tongs. (Paraphrase:
He did the job very energetically.)
We all began to dig for the treasure and went at it hammer and tongs. (Paraphrase: We dug for
the treasure energetically and enthusiastically.)
RELATED EXPRESSION
IN EARNEST - In a dedicated or determined way; seriously
FUNCTIONAL ACTIVITY: Ask students to decide to which of the following
situations the idiom or related expressions might apply.
1. Workmen trying to rescue someone from a deep hole in the ground.
2. A mother preparing a meal for her children.
3. Two men quarreling about the best soccer team in the country.
4. A married couple discussing the need to remodel the bathroom of their house.
5. An engaged couple talking about the best date for their wedding.
6. A father and son discussing the best way to drive a car.
7. Two students discussing the best way to study for an examination.
8. A weight lifter trying to lift more weight than he ever has before.
9. A research scientist who is close to the discovery of a new medicine to fight cancer. 10. A
boss and an employee discussing the merits of joining a labor union.
GREEN THUMB
DEFINITION: A talent for gardening; ability to make things grow
ILLUSTRATIVE SENTENCES
• My uncle really has a green thumb. He can grow everything! (Paraphrase: He has a real talent
for making things grow.)
• / thought I had a green thumb, but I was wrong. All my tomato plants died this year!
(Paraphrase: I was not as skillful in gardening as I thought I was.)
FUNCTIONAL ACTIVITY: Ask students to describe some gardening activities in
which a green thumb would be important.
FUNCTIONAL ACTIVITY: The word, touch, is often used to mean facility or skill
in certain areas, such as artistic touch, etc. Ask students to think of other areas
to which touch could be applied.
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HANG IN THE BALANCE
(to) HANG IN THE BALANCE
DEFINITION: To have two possible results of equal importance; to be in doubt; to
be uncertain
ILLUSTRATIVE SENTENCES
After the surgery, the woman became very sick and her life hung In the balance for nearly a
week.
(Paraphrase: She was so ill that It was not certain whether she would live or die.)
The outcome of the game hung In the balance until the national team scored two goals.
(Paraphrase: Either team could have won.)
SYNONYMOUS EXPRESSION
HANG BY A THREAD = To be In doubt
FUNCTIONAL ACTIVITY: Ask students to describe six or more situations in
which the outcome is in doubt or is uncertain.
HANG-UP
DEFINITION 1: An inhibition or neurotic, unnatural, or unreasonable
reaction to some life-situation
ILLUSTRATIVE SENTENCES
• Marylyn has a real hang-up about cats and doesn't like to be In the same room with them.
(Paraphrase: She has a neurotic reaction when she is around cats.)
• Joe's hang-up about dating girls and dancing keeps him from having a good time at parties
because he lust stands around.
(Paraphrase: His Inhibition limits his social life.)
DEFINITION 2: A delay in some process service, etc.; problem or
difficulty
Due to a hang-up at the factory, our new furniture didn't arrive at the store for three months.
(Paraphrase: Problems at the factory delayed the delivery of our furniture.)
There seems to be a hang-up at the airport. All flights are arriving at least an hour late.
(Paraphrase: Flights are delayed because of some kind of difficulty at the airport.)
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BE (GET) HUNG-UP
DEFINITION: To suffer from an inhibition—or an unnatural,
unreasonable, or neurotic reaction to a life-situation
ILLUSTRATIVE SENTENCES
• Why is Alice so hung-up about wearing leans to school? She'll only wear dresses. (Paraphrase:
Why Is she Inhibited about wearing jeans?)
• / really get hung-up when I have to work with figures because I make so many mistakes.
(Paraphrase: I react unreasonably to using mathematics because of the many errors I make.)
FUNCTIONAL ACTIVITY: 1) Ask students to describe some of their
own personal hang-ups or those of some of their friends or relatives. 2) Ask
students to decide which of the following situations might be hang-ups.
1. A little boy cries and screams when his mother won't buy him a toy.
2. A woman refuses to travel anywhere In the month of April.
3. An older man does not like the way his daughter cooks potatoes.
4. A teacher refuses to teach In a classroom that doesn't have a blackboard.
5. A tourist refuses to sleep In a hotel that doesn't have at least four elevators.
6. A young woman thinks that the only way to stay healthy Is by sleeping on a bed made of animal
skins.
7. A policeman refuses to fire his gun at an escaping prisoner.
8. A child refuses to enter a dark room and begins to cry.
9. A lawyer always gets a bad headache each time he has to go to court before a certain fudge.
10. A young man spends all of his extra money buying stamps for his stamp collection.
HARD ACT TO FOLLOW
HARD ACT TO FOLLOW
DEFINITION: Excellent performance, one difficult to surpass in quality
ILLUSTRATIVE SENTENCES
• My predecessor at my now lob was excellent. He'll be a hard act to follow. (Paraphrase: It will be
difficult to do a better Job than my predecessor.)
• Rosalie is a hard act to follow. She is an excellent speaker. (Paraphrase: She gives such an
excellent performance that It Is hard to do better.)
FUNCTIONAL ACTIVITY: Ask students to give examples in their experience of
some hard acts they have to follow.
FUNCTIONAL ACTIVITY: Ask students to decide which of the following would be
hard acts to follow, and at the same time give their reasons.
1. The mayor of a city who has started programs to help the poor, improve education, build better
health clinics, and lower taxes.
2. A store manager who has made many enemies among the employees, caused a decline In safes,
and allowed the store to become dirty and run-down.
3. A little girl, eight yean old, who can play the piano and violin, dance, sing, and recite much
poetry from memory.
4. A retired employee who was always on time, never sick, who did excellent work, and who was
liked by everyone.
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5. A teacher who frequently criticized the students, demanded a large amount of homework, never
gave good grades, and who often dressed In sloppy clothes.
6. A speaker at a public gathering who is known for his/her wonderful speaking voice, unique
Ideas, clever humor, and pleasant manner of addressing the audience.
HARD (TOUGH) ROW TO HOE
HARD (TOUGH) ROW TO HOE
DEFINITION: A difficult life to live or difficult job to do
ILLUSTRATIVE SENTENCES
• As a widow with six children to support, Mrs, McWllliams really has a hard row to hoe.
(Paraphrase: She has a difficult life to live.)
• Since he has no one to help him, Ted's job Is certainly a tough row to hoe. (Paraphrase: Having to
work alone, Ted has a difficult job.)
RELATED EXPRESSIONS
HARD (ROUGH, TOUGH) SLEDDING = Difficulty in being successful or making progress
HARD (TOUGH) NUT TO CRACK= Something difficult to do or understand
FUNCTIONAL ACTIVITY: Ask students to decide which of the following have a
hard (tough) row to hoe, have hard (rough, tough) sledding or is a hard (tough)
nut to crack.
1. A millionaire who has to move to one of his winter homes.
2. An orphan boy who sells newspapers and runs errands to earn money for his family.
3. A student who must take a mathematics course for which he has no background.
4. A famous athlete who has lost one of his legs In an automobile accident,
5. A businessman who has just begun a new business with the aid of a large loan from the
bank.
6. A widow whose husband has left her a lot of property and two million dollars.
7. An emigrant who is moving to a country whose language he does not know.
8. A crippled girl who receives a scholarship that pays for four years of college.
9. A student who quits school while still in the ninth grade and decides to get a fob Instead.
10. A baby that inherits 100 thousand dollars from her grandfather and two apartment
buildings from her uncle.
HAVE ONE'S HANDS FULL
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(to) HAVE ONE'S HANDS FULL
DEFINITION: To be very busy; have as much work as one can do
ILLUSTRATIVE SENTENCES
• My mother had her hands full raising six children and operating a farm at the same time.
(Paraphrase: She was very busy being both a mother and a farmer.)
• Three emergency cases came into the hospital at the same time and the doctors really had their
hands full.
(Paraphrase: They were extremely busy taking care of three patients at the same time.)
FUNCTIONAL ACTIVITY: Ask students to decide if the following persons are going
to have their hands full.
7. A plumber with enough work for three months.
2. A young mother who has just given birth to triplets.
3. A teacher who has to take 40 7-year-old children on a trip to the zoo.
4. A lifeguard at a swimming pool who has to watch over two children as they swim.
5. A secretary who has to work for three different bosses.
6. A nursemaid taking care of one small child.
7. A nurse In a hospital suddenly left in charge of SO patients.
8. A famous movie star facing hundreds of screaming fans wanting his autograph.
9. A night watchman guarding a small warehouse.
10. A father left in charge of his home and seven children while his wife takes a vacation.
HAVE THINGS (MATTERS) WELL IN
HAND
(to) HAVE THINGS (MATTERS) WELL IN HAND
DEFINITION: To be in control; manage
ILLUSTRATIVE SENTENCES
• There's nothing to worry about Bob has matters well In hand. (Paraphrase: Bob's in control.)
• When I have things well in hand, I'll call you. (Paraphrase: I'll telephone you as soon as I'm in
control.)
SYNONYMOUS EXPRESSION
(to) BE ON TOP OF = To be In control of; manage very well
FUNCTIONAL ACTIVITY: Ask students to discuss the advantages of having
things (matters) well in hand or being on top of a situation.
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