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Language point:
Idioms with 'foot'
BBC Learning English The Flatmates
http://www.bbc.co.uk/worldservice/learningenglish/flatmates/episode134/languagepoint.shtml
Idioms use language metaphorically rather than literally. If you 'put your best foot
forward' you try as hard as you can (the metaphorical meaning), you don't actually
decide that your left foot is better than your right foot and put that one in front when
you walk (the literal meaning).
Idioms are also fixed groups of words so you can't change the wording of an idiom.
For example, you can say She has one foot in the grave' to mean that she is very old
and very ill but you can't say 'She has one arm in the grave'.
Vocabulary:
to babysit
to look after
to jump in
to become involved in a situation very quickly (often without thinking about it first)
at the coal-face
doing the hardest part of a job (rather than overseeing or managing others doing it)
an empire
a large powerful group of companies run by one person
Would you like to try an online quiz about this language point? Go to:
http://www.bbc.co.uk/worldservice/learningenglish/flatmates/episode134/quiz.shtml