Illustrated american idioms
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4. A new way to get rich.
5. Camels In the ocean.
6. Scorpions In the desert.
7. Snakes under one's bed.
8. A service station when one's car needs gasoline.
9. A good restaurant when one is hungry.
10. A taxi when one needs to get to the airport.
11. A policeman when one needs help.
12. A thief when one Is carrying a lot of money.
13. Bats when one enters a dark cave.
14. Airplanes when one Is crossing the street.
15. Crocodiles when one is swimming in a swimming pool.
KEEP ONE'S FINGERS CROSSED
(to) KEEP ONE'S FINGERS CROSSED
DEFINITION: To wish for good luck
ILLUSTRATIVE SENTENCES
• Keep your fingers crossed while I take my driving test. (Paraphrase; Wish me good luck
on my driving test.)
• My whole family promised to keep their fingers crossed when I go for my job Interview.
(Paraphrase: They're going to hope that I am fortunate to get the job.)
SYNONYMOUS EXPRESSION
CROSS ONE'S FINGERS = To cross two fingers for good luck or to
excuse an untruth that one Is telling
FUNCTIONAL ACTIVITY: Ask students If they would apply the Idioms to the
following situations and if not, why not.
1. A friend who has just bought a lottery ticket.
2. Your brother who has just accepted an appointment to public office.
3. An uncle who hat completed 40 years on a job and Is now retiring.
4. Your mother who has to cook meals for her family every day.
5. The pilot of an airplane you are on who Is trying to land during a rainstorm.
6. The bus driver who drives the bus you ride to work every day.
7. The woman In your office who Is going to have a baby In a few weeks.
8. The director of a school who wants to change the way In which certain subjects are being
taught
9. Your father who has just received the news that he might be promoted to the
presidency of his company.
10. You when you hear from a friend that a certain movie company Is considering you for a role
in its next film.
KEYED UP
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KEYED UP
DEFINITION: Excited; nervous
ILLUSTRATIVE SENTENCES
• We were all keyed up for the visit of the President.
(Paraphrase: We were very excited looking forward to the President's visit.)
• Malcolm got so keyed up before the exam that he became ill. (Paraphrase: Malcolm's
nervous tension caused him to become sick.)
SYNONYMOUS EXPRESSIONS
UPTIGHT = Very eager or anxious; worried. Irritated
ON PINS AND NEEDLES - Extremely nervous, worried, excited
FUNCTIONAL ACTIVITY: Ask students to give examples of situations that would
cause them to be excited, nervous, anxious, or very eager. Have them begin their
examples by saying:
WHAT GETS ME KEYED UP (UPTIGHT, ON PINS AND NEEDLES).... or I get keyed up
when —
KNOW IF (WHETHER) ONE IS COMING OR
GOING
(to) KNOW IF (WHETHER) ONE IS COMING OR GOING
DEFINITION: To know what to do; feel able to think clearly (Usually used in
the negative or with limiters)
ILLUSTRATIVE SENTENCES
• The phone was ringing; the children were crying; and the doorbell was ringing. Poor Mrs.
Murphy didn't know if she was coming or going.
(Paraphrase: So many things wore happening that she didn't know what to do.)
• After her engagement, Mary was so happy and so much in love that she didn't seem to know
whether she was coming or going.
(Paraphrase: She appeared not to be able to think clearly and often didn't know what she was
doing.)
RELATED EXPRESSIONS
BE IN A HAZE Mentally confused; not sure what is happening BE IN A FOG
BE ALL THERE (Usually In the negative) = To understand well; think clearly; not crazy
FUNCTIONAL ACTIVITY: Ask students to (1) describe actual situations or (2)
make up situations in which the idiom or related expressions would apply.
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LEAD A MERRY CHASE
(to) LEAD A MERRY CHASE
DEFINITION: To escape capture skillfully; to make a pursuer work hard
(Sometimes used with ON)
ILLUSTRATIVE SENTENCES
• Teresa led John a merry chase before she finally consented to marry him. (Paraphrase: She
made John work hard to gain her affection.)
• The bank robber led the police on a merry chase and finally got away. (Paraphrase: The robber
skillfully escaped capture.)
FUNCTIONAL ACTIVITY: Ask students to give examples of how someone can
lead someone else a merry chase.
FUNCTIONAL ACTIVITY: Ask students which of the following are examples of
leading (or having led) someone on a merry chase.
1. A movie actress who refuses for a year to talk to a movie producer who desperately wants
to use her in a film.
2. A fox that escapes after hunters have pursued Mm for three hours.
3. A young woman who keeps changing her mind after agreeing to go on a date with a young
man who Is infatuated with her.
4. A young child who runs down the street as his mother vainly tries to catch him.
5. The boy whose dog follows him while he delivers newspapers from house to house.
LET SLEEPING DOGS LIE
LET SLEEPING DOGS LIE
DEFINITION: Don't cause or make trouble if you don't have to; don't provoke
someone to anger and cause danger or trouble
ILLUSTRATIVE SENTENCES
• Don't tell Mother about your mistake. let sleeping dogs lie.
(Paraphrase: It Is better not to tell Mother about your mistake and make her angry.)
• In politics and religion, I prefer to fat sleeping dogs lie. I don't discuss them! (Paraphrase: To
avoid making someone angry I don't discuss politics or religion.)
RELATED EXPRESSION
LEAVE (LET) WELL
ENOUGH ALONE = To avoid trying to Improve or change something that often
might cause a problem or more trouble
FUNCTIONAL ACTIVITY: Ask students If there are expressions In their own
language similar to the idiom and related expression. Ask them to describe
situations in which the expressions are used and to make comparison with the
usage in English.
FUNCTIONAL ACTIVITY: Ask students to decide in which of the following it would
be wise to let sleeping dogs He or to let well enough alone.
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1. A discussion with a Mend about politics In which each of you strongly disagrees with the
other—and knows It!
2. A car that you have repaired yourself, which runs, but does not give the maximum
performance that you prefer. You have Immediate need of the car.
3. The loss of one of your father's favorite golf clubs which you have replaced with one of
your own. You are deciding If you should tell him.
4. A piece of furniture that you have painted but with the wrong kind of paint. The color Is
satisfactory but the texture is not. You have to decide whether to re-paint the piece of furniture.
5. Some gossip about an old friend which some of your acquaintances are trying to bring up
again in the presence of the friend! You have to decide whether to enter Into the conversation.
6. Your neighbor allows his dog to wander over the neighborhood. The dog digs In your
garden and knocks over your garbage cans. You wonder If you should complain to your
neighbor.
LIKE WATER OFF A DUCK'S BACK
LIKE WATER OFF A DUCK'S BACK
DEFINITION: Having no effect; without changing one's feelings or opinions
ILLUSTRATIVE SENTENCES
• All of their advice to their son was ignored. It was like water off a duck's back. (Paraphrase:
Their advice to their son had no effect.)
• In spite of the fact that people continually expressed their disapproval of his conduct, it was
like water off a duck's back.
(Paraphrase: He paid no attention to people's disapproval of his actions.)
FUNCTIONAL ACTIVITY: Ask students (1) how they react to people who ignore
valuable advice and (2) how often they have treated advice or disapproval from
family or friends like water off a duck's back.
FUNCTIONAL ACTIVITY: Ask students to complete the following sentences.
1. When I told Don that_________________, It was like water off a duck's back. He fust
went ahead and__________________
2. After all that her friends told her about_________________, it was like water off a
duck's back. She simply_________________and as a result-----------------------------
3. All of our efforts to warn Harry regarding_________________were like water off a
duck's back. He_________________and lost everything.
4. If Monica had listened to her friend about_________________, sne would not have
__________________But she treated the advice like water off a duck's back.
5. In spite of the disapproval of friends and relatives, Jason decided to --------------------
_________and suffered for It, All the good counsel was like water off a duck's back.
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LOSE ONE'S TEMPER
(to) LOSE ONE'S TEMPER
DEFINITION: To get angry; lose control of oneself in anger
ILLUSTRATIVE SENTENCES
• I lost my temper when Sarah told me about the broken window. (Paraphrase: News of the
broken window made me very angry.)
• Because her boss criticized her so much, she finally lost her temper and quit her job.
(Paraphrase: Repeated criticism made her so angry that she resigned.)
RELATED EXPRESSIONS To lose one's temper; become very or violently angry
BLOW A FUSE
BLOW A GASKET
BLOW ONE'S STACK
BLOW ONE'S TOP
BLOW UP
FLY OFF THE HANDLE
FLIP ONE'S LID
HIT THE CEILING
LOSE ONE'S COOL
FUNCTIONAL ACTIVITY: Ask students to use the idiom and related expressions to
express the following.
1. DISAPPOINTMENT. Begin the utterance with
(a) I'm sorry that her remark caused you-----
(b) I was most disappointed to see him react childishly and —
(c) What a shame, Oliver... over such a minor thing!
2. SORROW. Begin the utterance with
(a) I'm sorry that I... last night.
(b) Please forgive me for —
(c; You're right, it wasn't Important. I apologize for —
3. DISAGREEMENT. Begin the utterance with
(a) I disagree. Walter had no reason to... like that.
(b) I don't think so. She had no cause to... about what they said.
(c) I think It was wrong for him to... about the accident.
4. SURPRISE. Begin the utterance with
(a) I can't believe it. Calm and cool Carl...!
(b) I was so surprised. Suddenly, the policeman —
(c) You could have fooled me! I never thought sweet, sane Susan would —
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LUCKY DOG
LUCKY DOG
DEFINITION: A very fortunate person
ILLUSTRATIVE SENTENCES
Sam is a lucky dog. He just won $100 on a bet. (Paraphrase: He's extremely lucky.)
Who's the lucky dog that owns that beautiful mansion up on the hill? (Paraphrase: What's the
name of the fortunate person who owns that lovely, big house?)
FUNCTIONAL ACTIVITY: Ask students to complete the sentences below.
1. You lucky dog! How did you manage to___________?
2. Joe certainly Is a lucky dog. He won______.
3. Did you hear about that lucky dog who_________?
4. My friend, Laura, is a lucky dog. She's going to marry ___
5. I just heard that you got a promotion at work. Congratulations, you------------
6. Who's the lucky dog who's going to take a vacation in_______________
7. What lucky dog owns that new__________________in the parking lot?
(to) MISS THE BOAT (BUS)
DEFINITION: To fail because of slowness; to delay doing something until it is too
late; to lose the chance to do something by doing it wrong
ILLUSTRATIVE SENTENCES
• He certainly missed the boat by not Investing in that gold mine. (Paraphrase: He lost the
chance to make a lot of money.)
• Laura really missed the boat by not marrying Ted when he first asked her. (Paraphrase: She
hesitated too long and he married another girl.)
RELATED EXPRESSIONS
MISS OUT = To lose or not take a good chance; miss something good LOSE OUT - To fail to
win; lose to a rival
FUNCTIONAL ACTIVITY: Ask students which of the following missed the boat
(bus), missed out, or lost out. Not all may be applicable.
1. The man who leaves his office early for a dental appointment.
2. The woman who put off speaking to her boss about a promotion which another woman got.
3. The businessman who did not heed the advice of a friend and lost a chance at a good
investment.
4. The young man whose desire to be rich before he got married caused his fiancee to marry
someone else.
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5. The old man whose desire to be important caused him to go around the country making
speeches.
6. The student who took so long sending in his application for a scholarship that arrived at the
university too late to be considered.
7. The married couple who missed a chance for a free trip to Hawaii because they failed to
complete the registration form properly.
8. The doctor whose operation on a patient was unsuccessful because the patient was very
old.
9. The tennis player who didn't get a chance to play In the national tournament because he
forgot to send in his entry fee.
10. The basketball team which won second place In a tournament when it was defeated by
another team.
MONEY TO BURN
MONEY TO BURN
DEFINITION: Very much money; more money than is needed
ILLUSTRATIVE SENTENCES
My uncle is so rich that he has money to burn. (Paraphrase: He is extremely rich.)
My friend buys anything he wants. He acts as if he has money to burn. (Paraphrase: My friend Is a
spendthrift. He acts as if he has a lot of money.)
RELATED EXPRESSION
MADE OF MONEY = Very rich
FUNCTIONAL ACTIVITY: Ask students to describe three things they would do if
they had money to burn or were made of money.
No Monkey Business!
MONKEY BUSINESS
DEFINITION 1: Any activity that is dishonest, illegal, objectionable and
somewhat underhanded or deceitful.
ILLUSTRATIVE SENTENCES
The taxpayers rebelled against all the monkey business going on in the city government and
elected a new city council.
(Paraphrase: They reacted strongly against the dishonesty and cheating among members of the city
government.)
Before you invest your money in that company, you ought to check it out. I hear there's a lot of
monkey business going on.
(Paraphrase: It would be wise for you to investigate any illegal or dishonest activities in that
company before investing your money there.)
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DEFINITION 2: Comical or silly action
ILLUSTRATIVE SENTENCES
There was so much monkey business that the boys didn't get their work done. (Paraphrase:
The boys acted silly and didn't do their work.)
"Stop the monkey business," his father shouted, "and finish your homework!" (Paraphrase:
Stop acting silly and start studying!)
RELATED EXPRESSIONS
FOOLING AROUND
MESSING AROUND
GOOFING OFF
CUTTING UP
Not wanting to work or be serious; wasting time
FUNCTIONAL ACTIVITY: Ask students to use the idiom and related expressions to
express the following.
1. ANGER. Begin the utterance with
(e) If you men don't stop..., I'm —
(b) No wonder you can't get anything done! There's too much —
(c) Jack! If you keep on..., I'm —
2. ANNOYANCE. Begin the utterance with
(a) I can't get over all this —
(b) It bothers my mother that my brother is always —
(c) Tom! Be serious! Why are you always...?
3. DISAPPOINTMENT. Begin the utterance with
(a) It's too bad there's so much-----
(b) The results are disappointing. Obviously, there was a lot of___
(c) I give up! There's no use continuing since there is so much —
4. INQUIRY. Begin the utterance with
(a) Nothing accomplished! How do you explain all this...?
(b) What do you mean,...?
(c) I don't understand. What kind of...?
NAME OF THE GAME
NAME OF THE GAME
DEFINITION: What really happens under the disguise of being something
else; the central Issue
ILLUSTRATIVE SENTENCES
• Getting the state legislature to lower taxes—that's the name of the game, (Paraphrase: The
central issue is to get the state government to lower taxes.)
• Forcing the property owners to pay for public education Is the name of the game today and Is
an unfair burden for them.
(Paraphrase: What is happening is that property owners have to pay for public education and
It's not Just.)
FUNCTIONAL ACTIVITY: Ask students to cite some events, trends, issues in
their own society that could be termed the name of the game.
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FUNCTIONAL ACTIVITY: Ask students to use the following to create original
sentences that illustrate how the ideas cited are the name of the game.
1. Establishment of a law to abolish the tax on cigarettes and movies.
2. Cheaper air fares to the major cities of the world.
3. Ways to conserve energy.
4. Reduction In the number of hours in a workweek plus higher wages.
5. Simplified procedure to enable a person to receive free health and medical care.
6. Lower taxes for persons 55 years of age or older.
7. Greater use of computers in teaching schoolchildren mathematics.
8. Longer paid vacations for workers in industry.
NUMBER ONE
DEFINITION 1: Oneself; one's own interest; one's private or selfish advantage
ILLUSTRATIVE SENTENCES
My father always told me: Look out for number one, son. (Paraphrase: He told me to look out for
my own interests.)
David lost many friends because he was always looking out for number one. (Paraphrase: He
made enemies because he constantly thought only of himself.)
DEFINITION 2: Of first rank or Importance
ILLUSTRATIVE SENTENCES
• They say that he's the number one race car driver In the U.S. (Paraphrase: They say that he's
the principal race car driver.)
• Who's the world's number one tennis player? (Paraphrase: Who's the foremost tennis
player In the world?) DEFINITIONS 3: Best; first quality
ILLUSTRATIVE SENTENCES
That meat is number one beef from Texas. (Paraphrase: It's first quality, Texas beef.)
• The oranges that we bought were excellent—number one quality from California. (Paraphrase:
They were California's best oranges.)
FUNCTIONAL ACTIVITY: Ask students to determine in what way the following are
number one, i.e., selfishly In Importance, or first quality.
1. A person that brags a lot about his accomplishments.
2. The most famous golfer in a state.
3. A businessman who does not consider the feelings of other people in advancing his
business.
4. A basket of apples carefully selected for their color end taste.
5. A fabric woven from only the finest long staple cotton.
6. A boxer who has just won the world's heavyweight title.
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ON THE POINT OF
ON THE POINT OF
DEFINITION: Ready to begin; very near to (Usually used with a verbal noun)
ILLUSTRATIVE SENTENCES
• He's on the point of starting a new life In another country. (Paraphrase: He's ready to begin life
In another country.)
• The committee Is on the point of reaching a decision In the next hour. (Paraphrase: It is very
near to a decision.)
SYNONYMOUS EXPRESSIONS
ABOUT TO = Close to; ready to (used with an Infinitive) AT THE POINT OF = Very near to;
almost at or In
FUNCTIONAL ACTIVITY: Ask students to use the idiom or synonymous
expressions to complete the following.
1. The old man is dying. He's_________die. He's_________death.
2. I wanted to say It. I was_________speak. I was_________speaking.
3. We're almost ready to go. We're_________going.
4. The little girl was almost crying. She was_________cry. She was_________tears.
5. The bus was ready to leave. It was_________leave. It was---------------leaving.
OUT OF CIRCULATION
OUT OF CIRCULATION
DEFINITION: Not out In the company of other people; not active or joining in
the activities
ILLUSTRATIVE SENTENCES
• Mary was ill and out of circulation for about a month. (Paraphrase: She was Inactive because
of Illness.)
• Since Phil got married we don't see him often. He's really out of circulation. (Paraphrase: After
his marriage, he was not frequently seen In the company of others.)
RELATED EXPRESSIONS
OUT OF THE SWIM = Not active in business or social affairs
TIED UP = Prevented from acting or moving
FUNCTIONAL ACTIVITY: Ask students to use the Idiom or related expressions to
describe the following:
1. A woman who withdraws from club activities (She's_________.)
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