1common American Phrases in Everyday Contexts

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ILLUSTRATED
AMERICAN
IDIOMS
Dean Curry
Advanced Level
Functional Activities
for Development of Vocabulary
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PREFACE
Most Americans use idioms, especially when they talk to one another, and, consequently, idioms
form a very important part of American English. They are used to give life and richness to the language by
enabling it to absorb new concepts which need to be expressed linguisti cally in a new way. Idioms take
existing words, combine them in a new sense, and bring forth new expressions.
What really is an idiom? One definition is that an idiom is "the assigning of a new meaning to a group
of words which already have their own meaning." (Makkai) Idioms are informal in nature and although
they appear in literature, they are not necessarily considered to be "literary." They are often colloquial,
often slang, and through overuse can become cliches. Idioms may be adjectival, adverbial, verbal, or
nominal. They also may take the form of traditional sayings or proverbs.
For the foreign student of English, the learning of idioms is an important aspect of the mastery of
American English. And, although learning the idioms by rote may be one Important goal, learning to
use idiomatic expressions correctly is even more important! The more idioms that a nonnatlve speaker
of English can use In the right context In conversation with native Americans, the more easily will he be
able to establish a communicative relationship, thus opening doors to friendly feelings on the part of
both native and nonnative speakers. There is also an added bonus. It is quite likely that the nonnative
speaker of English who has a good command of Idiomatic expressions will be judged by native
Americans to be "fluent," an attainment dear to the heart of every learner of a foreign language!
Illustrated American Idioms is an attempt to provide material In English as a foreign language in
which graphics serve as the supporting visual representation of selected American idioms. Only a small
fraction of the large number of idioms in American English lend themselves to graphic presentation.
This factor in itself serves to limit the scope of the book.
In format the text uses a line drawing—serious or humorous in nature—to act as a mnemonic device for
the base Idiom. In some cases the drawing may be a realistic representation of the idiom or it may be a
symbolic scene or figure. The exercises consist of the base idiom(s), one or two definitions, illustrative
sentences with paraphrases, synonymous expressions, and a functional activity.
The Illustration serves as a kind of jumping-off place for arousing linguistic curiosity, which, in
turn, Is satisfied by the definition(s) and illustrative sentences. The latter, together with the
paraphrases, provide a contextual application of the idiom. The synon ymous expressions add a note of
variety and language enrichment.
To give students an opportunity to use the idioms in context with some degree of realism, the
Functional Activity provides suggestions to this end. However, teachers should not limit application of
the newly learned expressions exclusively to suggestions given in the Functional Activity. No doubt
other pedagogic applications for both the Illustration and the Idioms will occur to many teachers using
the material on a regular basis.
TEACHING HINTS
1. Give definitions and illustrative sentences orally, followed by the paraphrase of the
illustrative sentence. Ask students to repeat the illustrative sentences.
2. Give paraphrase again orally. Ask students to give the illustrative sentence.
3. Give synonymous expressions and their definitions. Substitute the synonymous
expressions In the appropriate illustrative sentence and have students repeat the
new sentences.
4. Give students an opportunity to compose original sentences using the functional
activity for oral practice.
5. Assign selected students to prepare and present in class short dialogues (2-4 lines)
using the idioms and/or synonymous expressions.
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ALL THUMBS
DEFINITION: Awkward, especially with one's hands; clumsy ILLUSTRATIVE

SENTENCES
• Walter tried to fix the broken table but couldn't. He was all thumbs. (Paraphrase: He had
trouble fixing the table because he was awkward with his hands.)
• When it comes to using a hammer and saw, I'm all thumbs. (Paraphrase: I'm quite clumsy with
a hammer and saw.)
FUNCTIONAL ACTIVITY: Ask students to give examples of skills in which they are
all thumbs.
AT LOGGERHEADS
DEFINITION: In a quarrel; in a fight; opposing each other, Strong

Disagreement, At an Impasse
ILLUSTRATIVE SENTENCES
• Marvin and Madge are at loggerheads again. They don't seem to agree on anything.
(Paraphrase: They are opposing each other because of their constant di sagreement on matters.)
• The two politicians have been at loggerheads for 20 yean over the Issue of a highway co nstruction.
(Paraphrase: They have been opposing each other for 20 years on a political question.)
RELATED EXPRESSION
AT ODDS - In conflict or di sagreem ent, opposed
FUNCTIONAL ACTIVITY: Ask students to decide whether or not the following
situations describe people at loggerheads or at odds.
1. A newly married couple di sagreeing about religion.
2. Neighbors opposed to a couple that has a dog that bark s a lot.
3. Three people planning a trip to Hawaii to go water skiing.
4. Governors of neighboring states opposed to one of the President's plans for fighting Infl ation.
5. A husband and a wife who repeatedly cannot agree on the way they should decorate the living
room of their house.
6. A teacher and a pupil di scussing the results of the pupil 's latest examination.
7. Two employees of the same company opposing each other wi th regard to the need for
membership In a labor union.
8. A mother and a daughter in di sagreem ent about whether the girl Is old enough to have dates with
boys,
9. A father and a son opposed to the mother's desire to purchase a new sofa for the living room
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rather than a sailboat.
TO BE ON TARGET
(to) BE ON TARGET
DEFINITION: To achieve a desired goal; to be correct in one's analysis or
assessment of something
• Sam says that he is on target in his law career. (Paraphrase: He believes that he has achieved
his desired goal.)
• Your remark concerning the budget was right on target. (Paraphrase: Your assessment of the
budget was entirely correct.)
RELATED EXPRESSIONS
BE ON THE BEAM = To do well in one's endeavors; to be correct, just right HIT THE BULL'S EYE
- To hit the target; to achieve a desired goal
FUNCTIONAL ACTIVITY: Ask students to decide which of the following is on

target, or on the beam.
1. A student who answers every question on a test correctly.
2. A basketball player who makes only 15 percent of his shots.
3. A man 29 years of age who becomes the president of his own company.
4. A lawyer who wins over 85 percent of her cases in court.
5. A 15-year old girl who wins three gold medals in the Olympics.
6. An overweight woman who begins many diet programs but never finishes them.
7. A professor of astronomy who discovers a new star.
FUNCTIONAL ACTIVITY: Ask students to describe persons that they feel are on
the beam or on target, telling why they think so.
BEAT THE BAND
(to) BEAT THE BAND

DEFINITION: At great speed; with a great deal of noise or commotion; with a
great deal of effort, With a lot of Effort, To the Extreme (Used after TO)
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• The police car was going down the highway to beat the band. (Paraphrase: It was going at full
speed.)
• After the team scored two goals in ten minutes, the spectators cheered, shouted, and clapped th eir
hands to beat the band.
(Paraphrase: The spectators indicated their approval as loud as they could.)
FUNCTIONAL ACTIVITY: Ask students to indicate which of the following situations
might cause a beat the band react/on and express how it might be manifested.
1. A small boy who thinks he sees a ghost in the attic. (What might he do?)
2. An ambulance going to the scene of a train accident. (How might it go?)
3. A friend who has just received the news that he has just won $150,000 in the state lotter y. (How
might he react?)
4. A hunter who has just come face to face with a bear in the woods. (What might the hunter do?)
5. A worker who suddenly discovers that he only has a few minutes to finish a job that the boss
considers very important. (What might the worker do?)
6. A swimmer who is caught in a strong undercurrent and fears he is about to drown. (What might his
reaction be?)
7. A gathering of movie fans when their favorite movie star suddenly appears. (How might they react?)
BEAT TO THE DRAW
(to) BEAT TO THE DRAW

or (to) BEAT TO THE PUNCH
DEFINITION: To do something before another person has a chance to do it
• f had hoped to get that fob In Now Orleans, but Jake beat me to the draw. (Paraphrase: Jake
applied and got the job before I did.)
• Leah wanted to buy that painting by Orsky, but Janice beat her to the punch. (Paraphrase:
Leah couldn't buy the painting because Janice bought It first.)
SYNONYMOUS EXPRESSION
GET THE JUMP ON = To get ahead of; to have an advantage over
FUNCTIONAL ACTIVITY: Ask students to use the Idiom and synonymous

expression to express the following:
1. DEJECTION. Begin the utterance with
(a) I didn't have a chance ...
(b) I can't believe It ...
(c) I'm so depressed ...
2. ELATION. Begin the utterance with
(a) Oh, happy day ...
(b) I've got good news ...!
(c) Did you hear what happened to me ...?
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3. SYMPATHY. Begin the utterance with

(a) I'm sorry to hear that ...
(b) It's too bad that ...
(c) What a shame ...!
4. DETERMINATION. Begin (he utterance with
(a) I've made up my mind that ...
(b) This time I won't ...
(c) Let's not let ...
BIG FROG (FISH) IN A SMALL POND

DEFINITION: Someone who is considered to be important in a small place or
position; a leader In a small group
• In his hometown, he was a big frog in a small pond, but after he moved to a large city, he was
just one person among man y millions.
(Paraphrase: In his hometown he was respecte d and honored, but in the large city no one knew
him.)
• Grant preferred being president of a small company—a big frog In a small pond—rather than
becoming a vice-president of a large corporation at a larger salary.
(Paraphrase: More money couldn't lure him away from the honor and respect of hi s posi tion as head
of a small company.)
RELATED EXPRESSIONS
THE MAN = The boss, the leader, the most Important person In an organization
BIG CHEESE BIG GUN BIG SHOT BIG WIG BIG WHEEL
A person with a great deal of power or Influence; a high official
FUNCTIONAL ACTIVITY: Ask students to name some powerful or
Influential persons In their own country and to characterize each by using the
idiom or related expressions. Students might say something such as:
The (big shot) In my town/city, Is (name of person) because he/she controls/runs the
or
(Name of person) thinks he/she 1$ a (big gun) in my town/city (country, but ho It he It only a big
frog In a small pond.
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(to) BLOW (TOOT) ONE'S OWN HORN

DEFINITION: To praise oneself; to call attention to one's skill, intelligence, or
success; to boast, to brag
• Poor Charlie! He's always tooting hi s own horn about how good he i s at golf. (Paraphrase: He's
always praising hi s own skill at golf.)
• The person who habitually blows hi s own horn soon loses friends. (Paraphrase: One who Is always
boasting alienates friends.)
FUNCTIONAL ACTIVITY: Ask students to discuss when it is permissible (If ever)
to blow or toot one's own horn.
FUNCTIONAL ACTIVITY: Ask students to describe persons that they have known
who habitually blew or tooted their own horn, what they boasted about, and how
people reacted to them.
FUNCTIONAL ACTIVITY: Ask students which of the following
speakers sound as If they are blowing or tooting their own horn.
7. "Boy! I really showed Sam how to play tenni s. I beat him In three straight sets. He didn't have a
chancel"
2. "I doubt that I will do very well on my French test. I haven’t studied for two week s."
3. "I finally got to watch TV last night. There were so many tel ephone Interruptions that I thought
that I would mi ss my favorite program."
4. "It's a good thing you had me there to help you plant your garden. You really needed help. I don't
think you know anything about gardening, do you?"
5. 'That was the best pie I ever made—and I've made a lot of good ones. But, I really had the right
touch on that one. Everything turned out perfectly."
6. "How about that! Have you ever seen a better Job of painting? I'm really getting goo d! Maybe I
should become a professional."
7. "Did you ever see such a bad fob of typing? I simply can't seem to do a neat Job anymore!"
(to) BURN RUBBER

DEFINITION 1: To start up a car or motorcycle from a dead stop so fast that the
rubber of the tires leaves a mark on the road, accelerate quickly, hurry
• Every Saturday they burn a lot of rubber at the motorcycle race s.
(Paraphrase: The motorcycle tires leave a lot of rubber marks on the racetrack or There are
many fast starts at the racetrack on Saturdays.)
• Everytime that he leaves a stop sign, my brother likes to burn rubber. (Paraphrase: He starts
his car fast and leaves a rubber mark on the pavement)
DEFINITION 2: To leave in a hurry (on foot or by vehicle) ILLUSTRATIV E
SENTENCES
9 if we expect to get to the airport on time, we'll have to burn rubber. (Paraphrase: We'll have to leave
in a hurry In order to be on time.)
9 "Let's burn rubber!" the leader shouted as all the drivers ran toward their motorcycles.
(Paraphrase : Let's leave In a hurry!)
FUNCTIONAL ACTIVITY: Ask students to (1) discuss the wisdom of
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burning rubber and (2) cite occasions when they have had to do so.
BURN UP THE ROAD
(to) BURN UP THE ROAD

DEFINITION: To drive a car very fast, to do something quickly
• He was so eager to get to the game that he burned up the road all the way. (Paraphrase: He
drove at high speed because he was Impatient to get to the game.)
• One of the reasons for all the recent car accidents Is the large number of speed demons burning
up the road.
(Paraphrase: Motorists driving too fast are one of the principal causes of accidents.) RELATED
EXPRESSION
DRIVE LIKE A WILD MAN = To drive very fast, carelessly, or recklessly
FUNCTIONAL ACTIVITY: Ask students to decide In which of the following situations
it might be necessary to burn up the road.
1. A husband driving hi s wife to the train station.
2. A family driving to the country to vi sit relatives.
3. A police car chasi ng another car driven by two bank robbers.
4. A truck delivering packages to hom es in a small town.
5. A doctor called to the scene of a serious car accident.
6. An army general going to a dinner party at the home of a politician.
7. A young man on a motorcycle bringing n ews to a city of a broken dam and flood waters.
8. Four young men returning home after a day spent fi shing at a nearby lake.
9. A worried mother taking her very sick child by car to the doctor's office.
(to) BUTT IN
DEFINITION: To interfere in other people's business; join in with what other
people are doing without asking or being asked, to push one’s way between
others (line up)
To butt in (cut in) is colloquial for to interrupt a conversation; to interfere in a conversation.
How would he have liked it if I'd kept butting in when he was talking? I hope I'm not butting in, but you
must let me say how much I admire your business -like capacity.
Excuse me, miss, for buttin' in that way. "Think of the credit for you, " Andrew cut in quickly.
• Mother had Just started to explain to Jane how to fix her sweater when Alice butted In.
(Paraphrase: Alice interfered when Mother started explaining something to Jane.)
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0 Let's go Into the other room so Albert won't butt in. (Paraphrase: Let's go into another room to
avoid Albert's interference.) SYNONYMOUS EXPRESSIONS
HORN IN = To come In without invitation; Interfere STICK ONE'S NOSE INTO = To meddle In
things not one's business;
Interfere (somewhat impolitely)
FUNCTIONAL ACTIVITY: Ask students to describe experiences that they have had
dealing with someone who butted or horned in or stuck his/her nose into other
people's business.
FUNCTIONAL ACTIVITY: Ask students to describe any habitual
"buttinsky" (one who butts in) they have known and how other people reacted to
him or her.
BY WORD OF MOUTH - informal

DEFINITION: From person to person by the spoken word; orally
• I didn't read about it but heard the newt by word of mouth. (Paraphrase: 1 heard the new* as it was
passed from one person to me.)
• He only got the message by word of mouth.
(Paraphrase: He only heard it as It was passed from person to person.)
BY THE GRAPEVINE = informal way (often secret) of transmitting
Information; gossi p, or rumors from person to person (usually orally)
FUNCTIONAL ACTIVITY: Ask students to discuss some of the dangers or
disadvantages of receiving news or Information by word of mouth or by the
grapevine.
FUNCTIONAL ACTIVITY: Ask students to complete the following sentences.
1. I heard about Mary's_________by word of mouth. I hope it's true/
2. I don't know whether to believe that Mark has_________or not. I heard It by the
grapevine.
3. Do you think, really, that Agnes_____. ____? We only heard It by word of mouth.
4. Would you say that It's true what they're saying about the President's_________? We
only heard It by the grapevine.
5. How about that story of the big_________over In Chicago! I heard by word of mouth
that It really happened!
6. Someone claims that_________But, personally, I have my doubts since the news only
came by the grapevine.
7, Several people have told me by word of mouth that the story about___________ i s true because
many peopl e saw it.
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(to) CALL THE SHOTS

DEFINITION: To give orders; to be In charge; to direct; control
• I like a leader who knows how to call the shots. (Paraphrase: I like a leader that takes control.)
• When Jeff began to call the shots, everything got better. (Paraphrase: Matters improved after Jeff
began to give orders.)
SYNONYMOUS EXPRESSIONS
CALL THE TUNE ? RUN THE SHOW To be in control; to give orders or directions
FUNCTIONAL ACTIVITY: Ask students to decide who is calling the shots or the tune
or running the show in the following situations.
1. A group of soldiers in which there Is a major, a general, and a captain.
2. A teacher, students, and the director of the school.
3. The two drivers of automobiles involved In an accident and a motorcycle policem an at the scene.
4. Two doctors, three nurses and a patient in a hospital operating room.
5. A mother, a father, and two teen-aged children on a vacation trip.
6. A department head, a supervi sor, and the president of the company di scussi ng new employment
policies.
7. A policeman, a lawyer and hi s client, and a Judge at a trial In traffic court.
CHICKEN
DEFINITION: Cowardly, easily scared, frightened
• Don't be so chi cken! There's nothing to be afraid of! (Paraphrase: Don't be so cowardly!)
• Avery was too chicken to ride a motorcycle. (Paraphrase: He was afraid to ride a motorcycle.)
RELATED EXPRESSIONS
CHICKEN-LIVERED = ) easily scared, cowardly LILY-LIVERED = } easily scared,
cowardly
YELLOW-BELLIED = cowardly; extremely timid SCAREDY-CAT FRAIDY-CAT
someone who Is easily frightened
(to) CHICKEN OUT
DEFINITION: To stop doing something because of fear; to decide not to do
something after having first made a decision to do it
• Steve used to drive racing cars but he chickened out last year. {Paraphrase: He stopped
driving because he lost his nerve.)
• My sister was going to begin sky-diving lessons this afternoon but she chickened out this
morning,
(Paraphrase: She changed her mind at the last minute because of fear.)
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FUNCTIONAL ACTIVITY: Ask students to use the appropriate Idiom or

synonymous expression In the following situations.
1. DISGUST AT A FRIEND
(a) who won't go water skiing with you
(b) who changes his or her mind about taking flying lessons with you
(c) who won't stand up for his or her rights as a taxpayer
2. DISAPPOINTMENT AT YOUR BROTHER OR SISTER
(a) who doesn't want to explore a cave with you
(b) who refuses to spend the night In a haunted house with you
(c) who decides not to learn to ride horses because of the fear of falling off
3. ANNOYANCE OR ANGER AT YOURS ELF
(a) because you didn't finish a course In deep-sea diving
(b) because you have a fear of water and can't learn to swim
(c) because you changed your mind about becoming a policeman (policewoman)
(to) CLOWN AROUND

DEFINITION: To act or behave like a clown; to act silly; to not pursue a task with
the intention of succeeding
• My roommate Is seldom serious about anything. He's always clowning around.
(Paraphrase: Ha acts silly most of the time.)
• The team began to clown around and soon lost the game. (Paraphrase: They lost because
they didn't take the game seriously.)
RELATED EXPRESSION
MESS AROUND = To engage In Idle or purposeless activity
FUNCTIONAL ACTIVITY: Ask students to think of times when they
preferred to clown around or mess around rather than to be serious or apply
themselves to a task.
FUNCTIONAL ACTIVITY: Ask students to decide which of the following could be
examples of clowning or messing around.
1. Two boys throwing water on each other rather than washing their father's car.
2. A group of young people wandering around the beach of a resort town.
3. Three men playing cards Instead of cleaning the building they are supposed to clean.
4. Four people playing golf together on Sunday afternoon.
5. A farmer planting corn all day long on a very hot day.
6. A group of boys performing a number of physical feats to make a group of girls laugh.
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(to) COME OUT OF ONE'S SHELL

DEFINITION: To stop being shy or bashful, withdrawn
• We finally got Frank to come out of hi s shell and talk to som e people at the party. (Paraphrase: We
finally got him to stop being shy and to enter into conversation.)
• Lorraine was such a shy girl that no one could draw her out of her shell. (Paraphrase: Others could
not get her to talk.)
FUNCTIONAL ACTIVITY: Ask students to discuss ways to draw an extremely
bashful person out of his/her shell.
FUNCTIONAL ACTIVITY: Ask students to decide which of the following needs to
come out of his/her shell.
1. A girl who always avoids looking directly at persons speaking to her.
2. An elderly man who Is afraid to meet other people because he think s that no one likes to talk to
old people.
3. An enthusiastic young man who likes to move around In a crowd of people talking, telling Jokes,
etc.
4. A single man who would like to meet a nice girl and perhaps get married but who Is too shy to
talk to women.
5. A salesman who travel s to many cities, who frequently meets wi th the presidents of large
corporations, and who thoroughly enjoys hi s work.
6. A student who needs help with hi s studi es but who i s extrem ely reluctant to ask teachers for
help.
(to) COOK UP
DEFINITION: To plan and organize; to invent; to make up ILLUSTRATIVE
SENTENCES
• I have to cook up an excuse for being late to work. (Paraphrase: I have to invent an excuse for
my tardiness.)
• All of the members of the staff were cooking up a scheme to get an extra holiday. (Paraphrase:
They were planning and organizing a way to have another holiday.)
FUNCTIONAL ACTIVITY: Ask students to cook up a scheme to deal with the
following.
1. A traffic ticket for speeding that will bring a reprimand from your father.
2. Entrance to a movie theater without paying.
3. A low grade on the last test in English, that may prevent you from passing.
4. Desire for a fob promotion.
5. Failure to attend the celebration of your father and mother's weddi ng anniversary.
6. Need for enough money to take a vacation trip.
7. Refuse/ of a friend to accompany you to a popular restaurant where you have planned a surpri se
party for him/her.
8. Arranging to meet a person of the opposite sex in whom you have a romantic Interest.
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(to) CRY OVER SPILLED MILK

DEFINITION: To cry or complain about something that has already happened;
be unhappy about something that has no remedy, unhappy
• What's done i s done/ The window Is broken and nothing can be done about It. As Mother always
says: "There's no use crying over spilled milk."
(Paraphrase: There is no reason to be unhappy about a broken window since being unhappy won't
repair the window.)
• After he lost hi s billfold, Bill's father told him not to cry over spilled milk. (Paraphrase: He told him
not to be sorry over something that was lost.
RELATED EXPRESSIONS
MAKE ONE'S BED AND LIE IN IT - To accept responsibility for one's own
actions and the accompanying bad results
FACE THE MUSIC = To go through trouble or danger, usually because of one's
own actions; accept one's puni shment
TAKE ONE'S MEDICINE = To accept punishment without complaining
FUNCTIONAL ACTIVITY: Ask students to use the idiom and related expressions to
express the following.
1. ANGER. Begin the utterance with
(a) It's your mi stake not mine! You'll just have to-----
(b) I didn't drop that cake, you did-and you'll have to-----
(c) You've certainly made a mess! When Mother comes, you'll have to —
2. SYMPATHY. Begin the utterance with
(a) I'm sorry you did that, but now you'll-----
(b) I sympathize with your concern, but there's no use —
(c) It's too bad that Sam did what he did because now he'll....
3. PERSUASION. Begin the utterance with
(a) I believe you'll feel better about the matter if you just —
(b) I hope that you finally see your mi stake and are willing to —
(c) I finally persuaded my brother that he —
FUNCTIONAL ACTIVITY: Ask students which of the following situations might cause
one to CRY OVER SPILLED MILK.
1. A misplaced pocketbook or purse.
2. A broken engagement to be married.
3. A promotion and rai se in salary at one's fob.
4. A reprimand from one's boss for failure to do a job correctly.
5. A missed opportuni ty to win a lot of money In a contest.
6. A lost package of chewing gum.
7. A pair of broken eyeglasses.
8. A gift on one's birthday that Is not pleasing.
9. A mislaid book that one i s reading.
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(to) CUT OFF ONE'S NOSE TO SPITE ONE'S FACE

DEFINITION: To make things worse for oneself because of anger or frustration,
usually at someone else.
 When Ed's mother wouldn't let him play hi s new jazz records late at night, he cut off hi s nose
to spite hi s face by breaking them,
(Paraphrase: Ed only hurt him self by breaking his record*.)
 When his father refused to let him take his dog to the beach on the family vacation trip, Steve
got mad, refused to go on the trip, and so cut off hi s nose to spite his face.
(Paraphrase: Steve hurt only himself by missing the vacation trip.)
FUNCTIONAL ACTIVITY: Ask students to describe three situations
In which someone expresses anger or frustration In such a way that his or her
reaction only results In making matters worse.
DEAD TO THE WORLD

DEFINITION: Fast asleep ILLUSTRATIVE SENTENCES
• My brother didn’t 't get to bed until three In the morning and was still dead to the world at noon.
(Paraphrase: He was fast asleep.)
• Harry was lying on the sofa dead to the world and mi ssed seeing the game on televi sion.
(Paraphrase: He was sleeping very soundly.)
SYNONYMOUS EXPRESSIONS: OUT LIKE A LIGHT, ZONKED OUT
Fast asleep; sound asleep
FUNCTIONAL ACTIVITY: Ask students (1) to describe situations In which " It is
permissible or preferable to be out like a tight, dead to the world, or
zonked out and (2) situations In which it is Imperative to be wide
awake.
FUNCTIONAL ACTIVITY: Describe the fast asleep state of the following: using
the idiom or a synonymous expression.
1. Harry too* two steeping pills before going to bed. He's________________________
2. The children were so tired from playing that they climbed up on the bed and were soon
3. "I was worn out," Mary said, "I got In bed at midnight and didn't get up until three o'clock the n ext
afternoon. I was_____________________________for___________________________hours!"
4. Oblivious to everything around him, the soldier lay sleeping, _________while the battle raged on.
5. Dad was --------------------------------------------during all the speeches. He says they put him to sleep.
6. Some of the inexperienced hikers soon tired and we passed three or four ----------------------------------
----------along the trail.
7. I was --------------------------------------------and didn't hear the telephone ring at all.
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DOWN IN THE DUMPS

DEFINITION: Dejected; gloomy; sad or discouraged
• After their team lost the gam e, both the players and the tans were down In the dumps. (Paraphrase:
Everybody was dejected after the loss of the game.)
• The bad news had a negative effect on her and she became more down In the dumps as the day
passed.
(Paraphrase: She became progressively di scouraged after hearing the bad news.)
RELATED EXPRESSION
DOWN IN THE MOUTH = Defected; discouraged
FUNCTIONAL ACTIVITY: Ask students to describe those happenings or
situations that most cause them to be down in the dumps or mouth.
1. Mary was down In the dumps all day because her boy friend
2. "Why is Jim so down in the mouth?"
"He lust heard that hi s car__________________________
3. Alter Jerry had lost_________________, he was really down In the dumps.
4. The more they li stened to________________ the more down In the mouth they became.
5. After the doctor told him_________________, Mark was down in the dumps the re st of the week.
6. "Don't get down In the dumps just because your friend_________________________
7. As soon as we looked at________________________, we were down in the dumps.
8. My boss was down In the mouth all day yesterday because six
employees________________________.
EAGER BEAVER
DEFINITION: A person who is always eager to work or do anything above what is
necessary, sometimes to win the favor of a superior.
• Jack Is such an eager beaver. He a/way* helps the teacher after school. (Paraphrase: Ha likes to do
extra work after school to please hi s teacher.)
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• Rachel will get a promotion next year because she's such an eager beaver. (Paraphrase: She will
get a better Job because she works harder than other employees.)
FUNCTIONAL ACTIVITY: Ask students to describe some eager beavers that they
know or have known.
FUNCTIONAL ACTIVITY: Ask students to decide which of the following might be
called eager beavers.
1. A girl who likes to spend most of her time reading Instead of doing her school homework or
helping her mother with the housework.
2. A young bus/ness executive who spends hi s evenings going to night school to /earn a new
profession, who work s part-time In a local drugstore to earn extra money, and who hopes to form hi s
own company before he Is 30 years old.
3. A middle-aged man who retires from hi s fob and then begins to learn a new trade so that he can
join with Ms brother-in-l aw in forming a corporation specializing In computer equipment
4. A housewife, whose children have all grown up and moved away from home, who decides to
finish her university studies and get her degree. She plans to work par t-time at a local department
store to help earn enough money for university expenses but at the same time care for her house
and husband.
5. A group of si x young people who spend their vacation swimming at the beach, going to parties,
spending money sent by their parents, and, In general, enjoying a lazy life In the sun.
FLAT BROKE
DEFINITION: Having no money ILLUSTRATIVE SENTENCES
• She gambled all of her savings away and It now flat broke. (Paraphrase: She doesn't have any
money left)
• Bill can't lend us any money. He's flat broke. (Paraphrase: He doesn't have any money to lend.)
to be (stone) broke — to be penniless
But we're less broke than we were. I could borrow a dress from May Turner. He sobered up. " Stone broke, "
he said.
DEAD BROKE STONE BROKE
FUNCTIONAL ACTIVITY: Ask students to give examples from experience of
being flat, dead, or stone broke and the reasons why they arrived at that state.
FUNCTIONAL ACTIVITY: Ask students to describe how it feels to be flat, dead, or
stone broke.
1. I can't go to the_________because I'm flat broke.
2. We spent all our savings on _________and now we're dead broke.
3. My father can't_________because he's stone broke.
4. After losing_________, they arri ved home flat broke.
5. Mother explained that she couldn't_________because she was dead broke.
6. He's the kind of gambler who_________because he's always stone broke.
7. "I'm sorry. I'm fl at broke. The_________just took all my cash."
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GET A WORD IN (EDGEWAYS)

(to) GET A WORD IN or (to) GET A WORD IN EDGEWISE
(EDGEWAYS)
DEFINITION: To have an opportunity to speak when other people are talking
• Mrs. Harris talked on and on and Joan couldn't get a word In edgewise. (Paraphrase: Joan
didn't have a chance to talk.)
• Mrs. Harris finally stopped talking and Joan had a chance to get a word In. (Paraphrase:
Joan finally got a chance to say something.)
SYNONYMOUS EXPRESSIONS To say openly what one thinks
HAVE ONE'S SAY
SPEAK ONE'S PIECE
SAY ONE'S PIECE
HAVE ONE'S DAY IN COURT
FUNCTIONAL ACTIVITY: Ask students to use the idiom and synonymous

expressions to express the following:
1. COMPLAINT. End the utterance with
(a) and / didn't even ...
(b) she wouldn't let me ...
(c) I never had a chance to ...
2. EXPECTATION. Begin the utterance with
(a) I hope that ...
(b) / suppose that ...
(c) I expect that ...
3. DETERMINATION. Begin the utterance with
(a) They'd better let me ...
(b) / told him to ...
(c) I've decided to ...
4. CONCESSION. Begin the utterance with
(a) Why don't you let ...?
(b) It's time for ...
(c) Will you allow me ...?
(to) GET HOLD OF

DEFINITION 1: To get possession of ILLUSTRATIVE SENTENCES
• Somehow they got hold of some dynamite and blew up the bridge. (Paraphrase: They got
possession of some dynamite.)
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• Don't let the baby get hold of that medicine! It might make him sick. (Paraphrase: Don't allow
the baby to get his hands on the medicine.)
RELATED EXPRESSION
GET (LAY) ONE'S HANDS ON - To get possession of
DEFINITION 2: To find a person in order to speak to him ILLUSTRATIVE
SENTENCES
• / needed to talk to Dr. Taylor, but I couldn't get hold of him. (Paraphrase: I couldn't find Dr. Taylor
so I could talk to him.)
• Fred spent several hours on the phone trying to get hold of a mechanic to fix hi s car. (Paraphrase:
He had a hard time finding a mechanic.)
RELATED EXPRESSION
GET IN TOUCH WITH = To reach someone to talk with him
FUNCTIONAL ACTIVITY: Ask students to prepare short dialogues of the
following situations, using the idiom or related expressions.
1. You are desperate. Your son has cut hi s hand badly and you have called your doctor's office. Hi s
nurse tell s you that he's at the hospital. You explain to her that you have to talk to him. She gives you
the telephone number at the hospital. When som eone at the hospital answers the phone, you give
the nam e of your doctor and explain how Important it Is for you to speak with him.
2. You are a high school chemi stry teacher. Some sm all children are going to vi sit your class. You
explain to your assi stant (one of your students) how he or she must be careful not to let any of the
children get possessi on of chemical s such as the acids In bottles.
3. You are sitting in your living room. As you look out the window, you see your cat trylng to get a
baby bird in a tree. You tell your son to prevent the cat's doing so.
4. There is a knock on the door. You go and it's your friend, Tom. You are surpri sed and explain to
him that you have been trying to reach him for two days. He replies that he has al so been trying to
reach you for two days!
(to) GET IT ALL TOGETHER

DEFINITION 1: To collect one's composure under pressure, in controll
• After the accident, Pete got it all together and began to Joke about hi s bad luck. (Paraphrase: Pete
regained his composure and self-confidence.)
^ The dancing couple slipped and tell, but quickly got It all together and continued the dance.
(Paraphrase: Even though they had fallen, the couple continued a* If nothing had happened.)
DEFINITION 2: To be in full control of one's thinking; to have a clear
purpose in mind
to pull oneself together — to recover one's normal self-control or balance
No, no, my dear: you must pull yourself together and be sensible. I am in no danger — not the least in the
world.
She cleared her throat, pulled herself toget her and pertly addressed the man-servant. Pennington suddenly
pulled himself together. He was still a wreck of a man, but his fighting spirit had returned in a certain
measure.
Randy i s the kind of guy who knows where he's going and what he wants to do. He's got It all
together.
(Paraphrase: Randy is a cool, level-headed person with a plan of action.) • Susan really has got It all
together. She's never bothered by Insults.
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(Paraphrase: Susan Isn't easily upset.) To stay calm when there is trouble or danger.

1. ENVY. Begin the utterance with
(a) You amaze me ...!
How do you do It .,.?
(c) You're fantastic ...!
2. COMFORTING ADVICE. Begin the utterance with
(a) Don't panic. ...I
(b) No need to worry ...
(c) You had better ...
(a) You have to .. .1
(b) Was that any way to behave ...?
(c) Why didn't you ...?
GET IT IN THE NECK
(to) GET IT IN THE NECK

or (to) CATCH IT IN THE NECK
DEFINITION: To be blamed or punished
ILLUSTRATIVE SENTENCE
Esther got It In the neck because she forgot to turn off the car lights
(Paraphrase: She was punished for the damage to the car battery.)
I really caught It In the neck because I didn't put the fire out.
(Paraphrase: I was scolded for not putting out the fire.)
to get it in the neck - To receive heavy censure or punishment is colloquially speak ing.
Any one that worries you, my dear, will get it in the neck from me, and you can be sure of that.
She hadn't half been wanting to see him get it in the neck from someone without being able to ans wer
back.
You don't know what's going on. You sit here in P aris and send home yards of silk and cases of cognac
while we get it in the neck.
SYNONYMOUS EXPRESSIONS To be scolded or punished

GET IT
CATCH
GET WHAT'S COMING TO ONE = To receive the good or bad that one deserves
1. WARNING. Begin the utterance with
(a) Be careful ...
(b) You're going to ...
(c) Don't do that or .../
2. INQUIRY. Begin the utterance with
(a) When did ...?
(b) Why did ...?
(c) Do you think that ...?
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INFERENCE. Begin the utterance with

(a) She'll probably ...
(b) I expect that ... „_
(c) If he does that ...
OBS ERV ATION. Begin the utterance with
(a) They're going to ...
(b) She deserves to ...
(c) That's the reason that ...
(to) GET ONE'S GOAT

DEFINITION: To make someone angry, annoyed, or disgusted
• It really got Mr. Robert's goat when he had to wait two hours to get his plane tickets.
(Paraphrase: He was annoyed at the long delay.)
• The clerk's arrogant attitude got my goat. (Paraphrase: I was angry because of the way the
clerk acted.)
to get one's goat — to annoy, to exasperate
"You only say that, Daddy, to get my goat." "And only because your goat is so easy to get."
What's wrong with England is Snobbishness. And if there's anything that gets my goat it's a snob
BUG = To annoy
FUNCTIONAL ACTIVITY: Ask students to name or list five things that frequently
get their goat or bug them.
GET SET
(to) GET SET
DEFINITION: To get ready (to start) ILLUSTRATIVE SENTENCES
• The runners stood still until the official rai sed hi s gun and said: "On your mark. Get set. Go!" And
off they dashed.
(Paraphrase: They were ready to start the race at the signal from the official.)
• We are getting set for a long, cold winter. (Paraphrase: We are preparing for a long winter.)
FUNCTIONAL ACTIVITY: Ask students which of the following situations requires
one to get set.
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1. Writing a letter.
2. Catching an object thrown by someone el se.
3. Helping someone lift a large piece of furniture.
4. Playing a musical instrument.
5. Driving an automobile In the ci ty.
6. Preparing to begin an automobile race.
7. Beginning a series of body building exerci ses.
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
• 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
1. DISAPPOINT MENT. 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
He couldn't get It through hi s 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.)
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.)
GET ACROSS = To explain clearly

(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
• 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
• 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 deliverie s 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
• 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 vi sit your city.
3. To inform a close friend of the death of hi s 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 si ster to a party.
25
GIVE (LEND) AN EAR TO
(to) GIVE (LEND) AN EAR TO

DEFINITION: To listen to
• Give an ear to what I have to sayl (Paraphrase: Li sten to met)
• The owner of the factory lent an ear to the complaints of the workers. (Paraphra se: 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 problem s.
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 thi s 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
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
26
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
• 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.
27
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
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.)
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
• 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 arri ve at the store for three months.
(Paraphrase: Problems at the factory delayed the delivery of our furniture.)
There seem s 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.)
28
BE (GET) HUNG-UP
DEFINITION: To suffer from an inhibition—or an unnatural,
unreasonable, or neurotic reaction to a life-situation
• 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 mi stakes.
(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 scream s when hi s 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 hi s daughter cook s 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 think s that the only way to stay healthy Is by sleeping on a bed made of animal
skins.
7. A policeman refuses to fire hi s gun at an escaping pri soner.
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 hi s stamp collection.
HARD ACT TO FOLLOW

HARD ACT TO FOLLOW
DEFINITION: Excellent performance, one difficult to surpass in quality
• 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 ha s started program s 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 safe s,
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 al ways on time, never sick, who did excellent work, and who was
liked by everyone.
29
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 i s known for hi s/her wonderful speaking voice, unique
Ideas, clever humor, and pleasant manner of addressing the audi ence.
HARD (TOUGH) ROW TO HOE

HARD (TOUGH) ROW TO HOE
DEFINITION: A difficult life to live or difficult job to do
• 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 backgroun d.
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

30
(to) HAVE ONE'S HANDS FULL

DEFINITION: To be very busy; have as much work as one can do
• My mother had her hands full rai sing 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 hi s autograph.
9. A night watchm an guarding a small warehouse.
10. A father left in charge of hi s home and seven children while hi s wife takes a vacation.
HAVE THINGS (MATTERS) WELL IN

HAND
(to) HAVE THINGS (MATTERS) WELL IN HAND
DEFINITION: To be in control; manage
• 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.)
(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.
31
FUNCTIONAL ACTIVITY: Ask students to describe some ways to have the

following well in hand or to be on top of the situation.
1. a difficult university course
2. a constant lack of money
3. a fob one doesn't like
4. a planned trip
5. a dinner for eight guests
6. the purchase of a house or apartment
HEAD AND SHOULDERS

DEFINITION: Very much; by far; by a great deal (Often used with ABOVE)
Lucia is head and shoulders above the rest of the group learning ballet. (Paraphrase: She's a better
dancer than any of the others.)
This coffee i s h ead and shoulders above the brand we had last week. (Paraphrase: It is a superior
brand of coffee.)
FAR AND AWAY
BY FAR By a large difference, very much
FUNCTIONAL ACTIVITY: Ask students to make comparisons of the following using

the idioms or synonymous expressions.
1. Our car________________________their car.
2. My mother's cake_______________________________her mother's cake.
3. My brother as a basketball player_________________________________
4. Our town's orchestra_______________________________
5. Dr. Walton as a biology teacher ______________________________
6. Adam Smith as an economist_______________________________
7. Mozart as a composer________________________________
8. Dufy as a painter_______________________________
9. Kant as a philosopher_______________________________
1O. Disneyland as a place to vi sit_________________________________
HEAD-ON
HEAD-ON
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DEFINITION 1 : With the head or front pointing at; with the front facing; front end
to front end
• Neither driver saw the other and the two cars crashed head -on. (Paraphrase: The front ends of both
cars hit each other.)
• In the dark, we didn't see the curve, ran off the road, and crashed head-on into a tree. (Paraphrase:
The front end of our car hit a tree.)
DEFINITION 2: In a way that Is exactly opposite; against or opposed to in
argument; direct or uncompromising
• Attacking that regulation head-on Is the best way to get it changed. (Paraphrase: Direct
opposition to the regulation is the best way to effect a change.)
• Avoid a head-on di scussion with that teacher. He always wins. (Paraphrase: Don't oppose him
face-to-face.)
FUNCTIONAL ACTIVITY: Ask students to decide which of the following are
"head-on" situations.
1. A truck backs into a lamp post.
2. An angry father confronts hi s di sobedient child.
3. The President presents M s case for a new taw direct to a group of senators.
4. A ship runs Into a group of rock s.
5. A mother leaves the room when her son begins to di sagree with her.
6. A worried patient goes to talk to his doctor about hi s health.
7. An employee makes a strong case with hi s boss about the need for a rai se In salary.
8. A distrusting wife decides not to question her husband about hi s activities.
9. A young woman describes her feelings to her boy friend concerning som e Insulting rem ark s he
has made about her.
10. A fast moving train passes through a tunnel.
:::::! JT ..s;r:;:-:
HEAD OVER HEELS

HEAD OVER HEELS
DEFINITION 1: Head first; upside down; In a somersault
• Mary stumbled and fell head over heels down the stairs. (Paraphrase: She fell head first.)
• The children rolled head over heels down the hillside covered with snow, shouting with joy.
(Paraphrase : The y went down the hillside turning somersaults as the y played In the
snow.) DEFINITION 2: Completely; deeply; totally ILLUSTRATIVE SENTENCES
• Sonja Is head over heels In love with Eric. (Paraphrase: She is deeply in love with him.)
• The Mason s were so unwise In spending their money that now they are head over heels In
debt.
(Paraphrase: They are completely in debt.)
FUNCTIONAL ACTIVITY: Ask students to describe times when they have e ither
(1) fallen head over heels (physically) or (2) fallen head over heels (in debt or
love).
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HIT THE JACKPOT
(to) HIT THE JACKPOT

DEFINITION: To be very lucky or successful
• When he bet on that horse, Jack really hit the jackpot. He won $10,000! (Paraphrase: He was very
lucky and won a lot of money.)
• You certainly hit the Jackpot when you got Mr. Arnold for a teacher. She's the best in the school!
(Paraphrase: You were most fortunate to get such a good teacher.)
FUNCTIONAL ACTIVITY: Ask students to give personal examples when they
have hit the jackpot or barely missed doing so.
FUNCTIONAL ACTIVITY: Ask students If the following persons hit the jackpot
1. Horace Welch when he lost $5,000 on a bad Investment.
2. Loraine Daniel when she got a new job paying her twice the salary of her present job.
3. Dr. Evan Peabody when hi s new Invention became extremely popul ar within a few week s and
began to give him more and more Income.
4. Edwin Tull who found a large d eposi t of coal on his farm only to di scover later that Its quality
was very poor and not worth mining.
5. Mrs. Cecil Wainbridge who got the best tutor In the ci ty for her two children.
6. Melanle Cook who found a new apartment In a desirable area of town for one-half of the rent she
Is now paying.
7. Officer Stanley Osgood who, In hi s search for a wanted bank robber, finds three very dangerous
criminal s In the sam e hotel.
HIT THE NAIL ON THE HEAD

(to) HIT THE NAIL ON THE HEAD
DEFINITION: To get something exactly right; to speak or act In the most
appropriate way
• You sure hit the nail on the head with those remarks about high meat prices. (Paraphrase:
Your comments were exactly correct.)
• Paul's solution to the problem we faced hit the nail right on the head. (Paraphrase: His
solution was exactly right.)
34
BE ON THE BEAM
=
BE ON TARGET To be just right; to be good or correct
FUNCTIONAL ACTIVITY: Ask students to give examples of current or
historical events, decisions, Inventions, etc. that demonstrate the meaning of
the target Idiom and synonymous expressions.
(to) HOP IN
DEFINITION: To enter (a car or truck) ILLUSTRATIVE SENTENCES
• Bob stopped his car and asked me to hop In. (Paraphrase: Bob Invited ma to enter his car.)
• Everybody hopped in the back of the truck and away we went to the lake. (Paraphrase: We all
entered the back of the truck and went to the lake.)
GET IN _ To enter or be allowed to enter JUMP IN (especially vehicles)
FUNCTIONAL ACTIVITY: Ask the students to prepare three short
dialogues in which HOP IN, GET IN, or JUMP IN are used at least once.
HORSE OF ANOTHER COLOR

HORSE OF ANOTHER (A DIFFERENT) COLOR
DEFINITION: Something completely separate and different
 Nearly everyone likes to eat ice cream but to eat a gallon at one time Is a horse of a
different color.
(Paraphrase: To eat Ice cream is one thing but to eat an excessive amount is a different
matter.)
 To steal is one thing but to steal from one's children Is a horse of another color.
(Paraphrase: To steal Is one thing, but to steal from one's children Is completely a different
matter.)
35
 You mean that pretty girl came with her brother, not her fiance? Then, that's a horse of a
different color.
(Paraphrase: That's something different from what I thought.)
FUNCTIONAL ACTIVITY: Ask students to prepare illustrative sentences of the
idiom using the following:
1. to take a long trip by bus — by jet airplane
2. to see a /ton on TV—to meet one face to face
3. to read a book about a movi e star — to meet the star In person
4. to listen to a symphon y on records — to attend a concert
5. to enjoy watching a game of tenni s — to play a game
6. to see pictures of the landing on the moon —to actually land there
7. to sympathize with a sick Mend — to actually be III
8. to play and sing songs for friends —to play and sing In public
9. . to say one Is going to diet— to really do so
10. to promise never to smoke again —to actually do so
HOT UNDER THE COLLAR

DEFINITION: Angry
• My father gets hot under the collar If you tease him about his weight. (Paraphrase: He
becomes angry when someone jokes about his weight)
• Sam really got hot under the collar when he heard that his brother had wrecked the car.
(Paraphrase: He became quite angry at the news of his brother's accident with his car.)
BURNED UP = Angr y; annoyed; Irritated
FUNCTIONAL ACTIVITY: Ask students to give examples of things or situations
that most cause or have caused them to be hot under the collar or burned up.
FUNCTIONAL ACTIVITY: Ask students to decide if any of the following might be
hot under the collar or burned up.
1. A woman who has Just found an extra $20 bill In her purse.
2. A motorist who has been trying to enter a parking area tor fifteen minutes but who is
frustrated by slow traffic.
3. A teacher who has just finished giving an examination only to discover that it is the wrong
examination for the class that has taken it
4. A supervisor who discovers that one of his workers has spent all afternoon watching
television Instead of doing his job.
5. A mother who has just received a lovely birthday gift from one of her children.
6. A policeman who Is Ignored when he tries to stop a pedestrian from crossing the street
Illegally,
7. A store owner who discovers that one of his clerks has been stealing money for over six
weeks.
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IN A BIND (BOX)
DEFINITION: In trouble or difficulty or likely to have trouble or problems
• Walter is going to be In a bind If he doesn't get a loan from the bank. (Paraphrase: He's going
to have financial problems without a loan.)
• When six of her relatives came to visit her during the same week, Ella found herself in a bind
for beds.
(Paraphrase: She didn't have enough beds for six people.)
RELATED EXPRESSIONS
BETWEEN THE DEVIL AND THE DEEP = Between two dangers or (BLUE SEA)
difficulties
ON THE HORNS OF A DILEMM A = In a situation demanding a decision
between two undesirable choices IN A BAD WAY = In trouble or likely to have trouble
HAVE ONE COMING AND GOING - To be left with no apparent way out of a difficulty
FUNCTIONAL ACTIVITY: Ask students to use the idioms to describe the following
situations.
1. A criminal trapped by the police who can either surrender and go to jail for many years or
keep on fighting and be killed.
2. A husband who must endure scolding and anger from both his wife and his mother -in-law.
3. A daughter caught cheating on an exam at school who will be punished by the school
principal and by her parents.
4. A driver whose car stops suddenly on the railroad tracks just as a train Is approaching.
5. A cook who has agreed to prepare a special dish for two different families at the same time
on the same day.
6. A business executive who at midnight discovers that he has come to the wrong city for a
conference that begins at eight o'clock the next morning.
7. A surgeon who must decide whether to remove three or all of the fingers of a man's hand
Injured In an accident.
8. A lawyer who has to inform his client that he will either be sentenced to prison for life or be
executed.
9. A teacher who must decide whether to tell his student that he knows that the student has
been copying from another student.
10. A farmer who faces bankruptcy unless his rich brother lends him some money for a year.
IN A STEW
DEFINITION: Agitated; upset; disturbed
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• Martha is in a stew over her lost keys.
(Paraphrase: She's upset because she lost them and can't find them.)
• John really gets in a stew if the bus doesn't arrive on time. (Paraphrase: He becomes agitated
If the bus arrives late.)
RELATED EXPRESSION
(to) STEW IN ONE'S OWN JUICE
:
To suffer from problem s of one's own making
FUNCTIONAL ACTIVITY: Ask students to decide if the following have reason to be
in a stew.
1. A mother whose children are two hours late getting home from school.
2. A priest whose congregation has given him a new car as a present.
3. A husband whose wife Is expecting the birth of their first baby as he waits for the doctor to
arrive.
4. A business executive in a hurry to get to the airport but caught in a traffic Jam.
5. A young woman whose fiance has just given her a diamond engagem ent ring.
6. A taxi driver trying to get hi s taxicab out of a large snowbank where It Is stuck.
7. A teen-age girl who has a difficult time finding suitable clothes to wear to an Important party.
8. A husband whose wife repeatedly insi sts on serving him food he doesn't like.
9. A novelist whose latest novel has won worldwide acclaim as being hi s/her best. 10. A bride
waiting at the church for the groom who Is fifteen minutes late In arriving.
FUNCTIONAL ACTIVITY: Ask students to decide if the following problems would
cause them to stew in their own Juice.
1. Unpaid personal debts
2. Mislaid house keys
3. Rainy day and no umbrella or raincoat
4. Friend angered by an Insulting rem ark
5. Flat tire caused by defect in tire
6. Loss of job because of a reduction in staff
7. Prolonged Illness from unknown causes
IN A TIGHT SPOT
IN A TIGHT SPOT
DEFINITION: In trouble or difficulty
My uncle lost his fob and is In a tight spot financially.
(Paraphrase: He Is In a difficult financial situation.)
• Sarah is In a tight spot because her car broke down and she needs It to get to work.
(Paraphrase: Sarah faces a difficult situation without a car to get to her job.)
IN THE SOUP
IN HOT WATER } In serious trouble
IN A JAM
FUNCTIONAL ACTIVITY: Ask students to describe six or more difficult situations to
which the idiom and synonymous expressions can be applied.
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IN THE CHIPS
DEFINITION: Rich; having plenty of money
• After he won the lottery, he was In the chips. (Paraphrase: He had plenty of money after winning
the lottery.)
• Sam's Invention has earned so much money that he is really In the chips. (Paraphrase: He has
become quite wealthy from the sale of his Invention.)
RELATED EXPRESSIONS
IN THE MONEY = rich ON EASY STREET = rich
WELL-TO-DO = Prosperous; having plenty of money
IN CLOVER = In rich comfort; rich or successful
IN THE LAP OF LUXURY = Having most things money can buy
FUNCTIONAL ACTIVITY: Ask students to decide on some of the best ways to get
to a point of being in the chips, in the money, in clover, on easy street, or well-to-
do.
FUNCTIONAL ACTIVITY: Ask students to discuss the advantages and
disadvantages of living in the lap of luxury.
FUNCTIONAL ACTIVITY: Using the Idiom or related expressions, describe the
persons In the following situations.
1. A man who has Inherited a large fortune from hi s elderly aunt who has just died.
2. A family that has always had fine homes, cars, yachts, money to travel all over the world, etc.
3. A young woman who has achieved fame and fortune In the movies, has bought a large mansion
In Hollywood, and who is planning to buy a small jet airplane.
4. An elderly couple who have wealth, fine homes, automobiles, airplanes, boats, etc., and who are
friends with many of the royal families of the world.
5. A gambler who suddenly wins over $100, 000 in a poker game in a Las Vegas, Nevada, gambling
casino.
6. A poor farmer who finds a large diamond in one of his fields and who has been offered over one
million dollars for the gem by one of the world's leading jewel merchants.
IN THE DOGHOUSE
DEFINITION: In disgrace or disfavor
• Sam's wife is mad at him because he didn't get home until three In the morning. So he's in the
doghouse today.
(Paraphrase: He's In disfavor with his wife because he came home so late.)
39
• The whole team was In the doghouse because they lost the game. (Paraphrase: They were In
disgrace for having been defeated.)
FUNCTIONAL ACTIVITY: Ask students to name three to five happenings that
might cause a person or persons to be in the doghouse.
FUNCTIONAL ACTIVITY: The expression, DOWN ON, means angry at or having a
grudge against something or someone. (A person can be in the doghouse
because someone else Is down on him, for example.) Ask students to cite
examples of persons or things they are down on and give the reason why.
JUMP (CLIMB, GET) ON THE

BANDWAGON
(to) JUMP (CLIMB, GET) ON THE BANDWAGON
DEFINITION: To support a group or a cause that appears to be gaining in
success or popularity
• As soon as hi s friends decided to vote for Tom Williams, Harry jumped on the bandwagon, too.
(Paraphrase: Harry decided to Join hi s friends in their support of Tom Williams.)
• If her cousin joins the new music society, Helen will climb on the bandwagon, too. (Paraphrase:
Helen will become a member If her cousin does.)
FUNCTIONAL ACTIVITY: Ask students to decide if they would get on the
bandwagon for the following.
1. A political group that denounces excessi ve governm ent spending.
2. A group that wants to aboli sh income faxes.
3. A club that i s limited to persons of proven athl etic ability, and that proclaim s physical fitness as
'the key to success.
4. A group that seek s people who want to Join in an effort to eliminate animal pets In cities.
5. A group whose cause i s to elect a wom an as president of the country.
6. A group of neighbors who want to ask a family that has m any noi sy parties to move away.
7. A group whose cause i s to aboli sh the use of nucl ear energy.
KEEP ONE'S COOL

(to) KEEP ONE'S COOL
DEFINITION: To remain calm or indifferent ILLUSTRATIVE SENTENCES
• In spite of all the excitement over the disaster, the men were able to keep their cool and
continue the rescue work.
(Paraphrase: They managed to remain calm in spite of all the noise and disturbance. )
• When Randy heard the shots, he kept his cool and called the police. (Paraphrase: He remained
calm and telephoned the police.)
40
KEEP ONE'S HEAD = To stay calm when there's trouble or danger
COUNT TO TEN = TO remain calm and delay action when angry (by counting to ten) to
avoid acting rashly
FUNCTIONAL ACTIVITY: Ask students to describe situations In which they find it
most difficult to keep their cool or their head or count to ten.
FUNCTIONAL ACTIVITY: Ask students If, and when, It Is justifiable to lose one's
cool or one's head.
FUNCTIONAL ACTIVITY: Ask students to decide In which of the following
situations it would be necessary to keep one's cool (head) or count to ten.
1. While walking through the woods, you come face to face with a large bear.
2. While walking down the street, you meet an old friend.
3. While driving through a section of the ci ty at night, you suddenly see the body of a man In the
street In front of you.
4. While entering a bank, you hear gunshots and see three men running toward you,
5. While reading a mystery novel In bed, you hear a strange noi se downstairs and get up to
Investigate.
6. While seated In a movie theater you noti ce smoke coming from the area near the screen on
which the fUm appears.
7. While shopping In a large department store, you suddenl y notice that your billfold (pocket book)
Is mi ssing.
8. While visiting a fri end In another city, you suddenly realize that your birthdays are on the same
day.
9. While sitting In the park, you notice that the leaves on the trees are beginning to turn green.
10. While riding on the bus to work, you notice a strange sm ell coming from the motor.
KEEP ONE'S EYES PEELED

(to) KEEP ONE'S EYES PEELED
DEFINITION: To watch carefully; to be always looking
• Keep your eyes peeled for snakes when you are In the woods! (Paraphrase: Watch carefully
for snakes.)
• Sam kept his eyes peeled for the house number as he walked down the narrow street.
(Paraphrase: He was looking for the house as he walked along.)
BE ON THE LOOKOUT (FOR)
KEEP ONE'S EYES OPEN To be ready to see; to pay watchful attention
KEEP AN EYE OUT (FOR)
FUNCTIONAL ACTIVITY: Ask students if the following are something that one
should keep his eyes peeled for, be on the lookout for, keep his eyes open for or
keep an eye out for.
1. A diamond lying on the main street of a town.
2. A better job.
3. A husband or wife.
4. A new way to get rich.
41
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
• 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.)
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
42
KEYED UP
DEFINITION: Excited; nervous
• 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.)
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)
• 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.
43
LEAD A MERRY CHASE

(to) LEAD A MERRY CHASE
DEFINITION: To escape capture skillfully; to make a pursuer work hard
(Sometimes used with ON)
• 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
• 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 troubl e
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.
44
1. A discussion with a Mend about politics In which each of you st rongly 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 sh ould 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
• 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.
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.
45
LOSE ONE'S TEMPER

(to) LOSE ONE'S TEMPER
DEFINITION: To get angry; lose control of oneself in anger
• 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
(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 apologi ze for —
3. DISAGREEMENT. Begin the utterance with
(a) I di sagree. 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.
(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 —
46
LUCKY DOG
LUCKY DOG
DEFINITION: A very fortunate person
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
• 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
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
M ADE 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.
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 dishone sty 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

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
(e) If you men don't stop..., I'm —
(b) No won der you can't get anything done! There's too much —
(c) Jack! If you keep on..., I'm —
(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...?
(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
• 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 con serve 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
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
• 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
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)
• 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.)
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---------------l eaving.
OUT OF CIRCULATION
OUT OF CIRCULATION
DEFINITION: Not out In the company of other people; not active or joining in
the activities
• 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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2. Traffic on a highway that does not move forward. (It's_________.)

3. A clothing designer who won't change the style of his clothes. (He's_________.)
4. A young woman who decides to become a nun (She's_________)
5. A political leader retires and moves to an Isolated area. (He's_________)
OUT ON A LIMB
DEFINITION: In a dangerous position that can't be changed; with one's beliefs
and opinions stated openly.
• John went out on a limb when he decided to speak out against waste In county government.
(Paraphrase: He stated his opinion about waste for all to hear.)
• By stating his ideas on foreign policy on TV last night, the President really went out on a limb.
(Paraphrase: He has placed himself in an unchangeable position by expressing his opinions
publicly.)
RELATED EXPRESSIONS
IN A HOLE
IN A SPOT in an embarrassing or difficult position; in some trouble
BEHIND THE EIGHT BALL = in a difficult position; in trouble
FUNCTIONAL ACTIVITY: Ask students to indicate which of the idioms applies
to the situations below. Some may not apply at all.
1. Two men In a balloon that suddenly springs a leak.
2. A young man who takes his girlfriend to dinner and discovers, after they have eaten, that he
has left his money at home.
3. A labor leader promi ses members of the union that he will not sleep until they get the wage
Increase they have asked for.
4. A family of four stop their car near a park along the highway to eat a picnic lunch.
5. Someone who, during the summer, predicts that the winter will be very cold and have many
snowstorms.
6. A company, with many orders to complete and shipments to make, whose employees
suddenly become III with a strange sickness.
7. A concert pianist about to appear on stage who discovers a large hole In Ms trousers.
8. A politician who declares to the newspapers that he can solve the crime problems of the city
within two months after being elected.
(to) PADDLE ONE'S OWN CANOE

DEFINITION: To work without help; earn one's own living; support oneself
• The widow's son was very talented and soon had le ft home to paddle hi s own canoe. (Paraphrase:
Her son was able to support himself.)
• / prefer to paddle my own canoe and not depend on receiving any money from my parents.
(Paraphrase: I prefer to earn my own living.)
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MAKE ONE'S WAY = To do many things to earn a living; find one's life's
work
SHIFT FOR ONES ELF = To live or act independent of help, guidance, or
protection from others; take care of oneself
FUNCTIONAL ACTIVITY: Ask students to decide in which of the following
situations the idioms or synonymous expressions would need to be applied in
the life of the persons involved.
1. A woman whose husband dies suddenly leaving her with very little money or property. (Will she
have to shift for hersel f?)
2. A young woman just graduating from the university and In need of a j ob. (Will she have to make
her own way?)
3. A millionaire who wants to do som ething worthwhile to help society solve Its problem s. (Will he
have to paddle hi s own canoe?)
4. Three orphans whose dead parents have left them two houses, three cars, a farm, and $100,000
In a trust fund.
(Will they have to shift for them sel ves?)
5. A young man whose laziness causes hi s father to ask him to leave home. (Will the young man
have to paddle hi s own canoe?
PLAY IT BY EAR
(to) PLAY IT BY EAR
DEFINITION: To decide what to do as one goes along to fit the situation
• It was my first experience with computers so / had to play It by ear. (Paraphrase: I had to learn
as the situation developed.)
• Anna did not know what to expect when she went to try out for the TV role, so she played it by ear.
(Paraphrase: She had to go without planning what to do or say.)
RELATED EXPRESSION
CROSS ONE'S BRIDGES BEFORE ONE COMES TO THEM
To worry about future events or possi ble troubl e before they happen (Used In negative sentences,
often as a proverb)
FUNCTIONAL ACTIVITY: Ask students to discuss situations In which the best
way to proceed may be to play it by ear or not to cross one's bridges before
coming to them.
POOPED OUT
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POOPED (OUT)
DEFINITION: Exhausted; very tired
• After a day working In the yard, he was pooped (out). (Paraphrase: He was exhausted after the
day's work.)
• We walked all the way home after the movie and arrived pooped out.
(Paraphrase: The long walk made us very tired.)
DONE IN = Tired; exhausted TIRED OUT = Extremely tired WORN OUT = Weak from
exhaustion
expressions to describe how the following persons feel.
(a) (group of boys) — after a long hike through the woods
(b) (you) — after swimming across a lake
(c) (a housewife) — after cleaning house all day (Q ) (soldiers) — after a baffle of four days
length
(e) (mother & father) — after watching over a sick child for 72 hours
POP THE QUESTION

(to) POP THE QUESTION
DEFINITION: To ask someone to marry you
Steve went with Marcia only three months before he popped the question. (Paraphrase: He asked her
to marry him after only three months of courtship.)
I'm really uptight because I plan to pop the question tonight.
(Paraphrase: The reason I'm so nervous is that I'm going to ask my girl friend to marry me tonight.)
FUNCTIONAL ACTIVITY: Ask students to discuss the pros and cons of a long
versus a short courtship before popping the question.
FUNCTIONAL ACTIVITY: Ask students to describe the way they popped the
question (if they are married) or how they intend to pop the question (if they are
not married).
PUPPY LOVE
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PUPPY LOVE
DEFINITION: The first love of very young people
• When Fred and Alice began dating in high school, their parents thought It was just puppy love.
(Paraphrase: Their parents did not think that it was real or lasting love.)
• My first love was puppy love—the girl next door, but she didn't know that I existed.
(Paraphrase: The girl next door was not a lasting love and she didn't pay any attention to me.)
FUNCTIONAL ACTIVITY: Ask students to give instances of the puppy loves in their
lives.
PUT THE SQUEEZE ON

(to) PUT THE SQUEEZE ON
DEFINITION: To exert pressure to obtain some concession or goal
ILLUSTRATIVE SENTENCE
* The bank put the squeeze on Tom and forced him to sell his car to get money to repay the
loan.
(Paraphrase: Tom had to sell his car because of pressure from the bank.)
* The labor leaders put the squeeze on the company officials and finally got an
* Increase In wages for union members.
(Paraphrase: Company officials conceded higher pay for workers because of pe rsistent
pressure from labor leaders.)
FUNCTIONAL ACTIVITY: Ask students to use the idiom to express the
following:
1. FEAR. Begin the utterance with
(a) I'm afraid they're going to ...
(b) It will be bad If ...
(c) Aren't you afraid that ...?
2. SUGGEST ION. Begin the utterance with
(a) You ought to ...
(b) Don't you think that ...?
(c) I believe that ...
3. EXASPERATION. Begin the utterance with
(a) It's about time to ...
(b) Why don't we ...?
(c) I would like to ...
4. AGREEMENT. Begin the utterance with
(a) Let's ...
(b) We agree that ...
(c) They all feel that ...
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SAVE FOR A RAINY DAY

(to) SAVE FOR A RAINY DAY
DEFINITION: To save for a time of need, especially a time when one may
really need money
• Squirrels gather nuts In the fall for a rainy day. (Paraphrase: They store nuts for the time when
there will be a lack.)
• Each week my parents saved for a rainy day.
(Paraphrase: They habitually put money In the bank against the time when they might need It)
LAY UP = To save for future use, collect a supply of something
LAY ASIDE = To save
PUT BY = To save for the future
SAVE UP = To put away for future use
FUNCTIONAL ACTIVITY: Ask students to (1) give reasons why one should
save for a rainy day and (2) give examples of some things they would like to
save up, put by, lay aside, or lay up for.
(to) SAY A MOUTHFUL

DEFINITION: To say something of great Importance or meaning; to say more by
a few words than the words themselves usually mean (Used in the past tense)
When Adrian said that was the best play he had ever seen, he said a mouthful! (Paraphrase:
What Adrian said about the play was really an understatement.)
"That old lady Is the biggest gossip In town." "You said a mouthful!"
(Paraphrase: She is not only a big gossip but one of the worst.)
YOU SAID IT!
YOU CAN SAY THAT AGAIN!
Used to show strong agreement with what another person has said
FUNCTIONAL ACTIVITY: Ask students to convert the following situations into
dialogues using the idiom and synonymous expressions.
1. You are talking with a Mend about a famous soccer player and you say that he Is the best In
the world. Your friend agrees.
2. You are discussing a movie you have seen recently with your brother. He says that it is one
of the worst films of the past 25 years. You agree with him.
3. You are having lunch with a friend from your office. You begin to discuss the merits of your
boss. You think that he Is one of the kindest and most generous supervisors you have ever had.
Your friend is of the same opinion.
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SAY (SPEAK) ONE'S PIECE

(to) SAY (SPEAK) ONE'S PIECE
DEFINITION: To say freely or openly what one thinks; to say, usually in public,
what one is expected to say
"Now that you've said your piece," the mayor said, "you may leave." (Paraphrase: "You have
said what you wanted to say and now you may leave.")
Each of the members of the council rose to his feet, spoke his piece, and sat down.
(Paraphrase: Each one said what he was expected to say.)
HAVE ONE'S SAY = To express one's opinion s freely
FUNCTIONAL ACTIVITY: Ask students to make up utterances that the following
might say, using the Idiom or synonymous expression.
1. A general to a sergeant requesting a three-day pass.
2. The director of a school to a group of teachers asking for a salary increase.
3. The president of a large company to a group of working people threatening to strike.
4. A father to his teen-age son who thinks he should be able to use the family car.
5. The mayor of a small city to a group of angry taxpayers.
6. A storeowner to a customer complaining about the bad service and high prices.
(to) SKATE ON THIN ICE

(to) SKATE ON THIN ICE
DEFINITION: To take a chance; to risk danger, disapproval, or anger
You're skating on thin Ice If you keep on talking like that to your father. (Paraphrase: You're
asking for trouble.)
/ knew I was skating on thin Ice to ask for a raise In salary, but I had to have more money.
(Paraphrase: I knew I was taking a chance on being fired.)
PRESS ONE'S LUCK = To depend too much on luck or chance
1. CONCERN. Begin the utterance with
(a) I hope you know that...if...
(b) Be careful not to...
(c) If you are too demanding,...
2. AGREEMENT. Begin the utterance with
(a) You're right. Joe Is...
57
(b) I agree. We're... if...

3. OBSERVATION. Begin the utterance with
(a) I heard that she... because...
(b) With that kind of attitude, John...
(c) He failed In business because...
SLOW DOWN (UP)

(to) SLOW DOWN (UP)
DEFINITION 1: To go more slowly than usual; work less hard
• Because of the Icy roads, we slowed down. (Paraphrase: We drove more slowly than usual.)
• His doctor told him he was going to have to slow down at work or his health would get worse.
(Paraphrase: The doctor told him to work less hard.)
LET UP = To do less or go slower or stop; stop working or working hard
EAS E UP (OFF) = To work less; make or become less nervous; relax
DEFINITION 2: To become less busy
• Business slowed up last month because of the railroad strike. (Paraphrase: The railroad strike
caused busine ss to decline.)
• Buying slowed up In the stores at the end of the holiday season. (Paraphrase: The stores became
less busy.)
FUNCTIONAL ACTIVITY: Ask students to complete the sentences below with
one of the idioms or synonymous expressions according to the implied
sense.
1. As It approached the town, the train________.
2. The big snowstorm caused the movement of buses, trains, and airplanes to_________
3. "You're acting every nervous. Maybe you should_________for awhile!"
4. He had worked for twelve hours and finally become so exhausted that he had to
FUNCTIONAL ACTIVITY: Ask students to use the following antonyms to
contrast with the idioms and synonymous expressions in the base sentence.
ANTONYMS: SPEED UP = To go faster
PICK UP = To become faster or livelier
BASE SENTENCE: It's time
to____________________not____________________!
58
SNAKE IN THE GRASS

SNAKE IN THE GRASS
DEFINITION: A person who cannot be trusted; one who betrays
• Where did you hear that? From Ed? He's a snake in the grass. (Paraphrase: Ed can't be trusted
because he tells another person's secrets.)
• Some snake in the grass told the plans about the party to Evelyn. (Paraphrase: Someone betrayed us
by telling Evelyn our secret plans.)
FUNCTIONAL ACTIVITY: Ask students to give examples when they have felt that
someone that they trusted turned out to be a snake in the grass.
FUNCTIONAL ACTIVITY: How many of the following might be called a snake in the
grass?
1. A friend who tells everyone about your romantic interest In a certain young man/young woman.
2. A brother who tells your sister about the birthday present that you have bought for her and
which you wanted to keep as a surprise.
3. An uncle who telephones your mother to inform her that he will be coming for a short visit.
4. A teacher who promises not to give a test and then does so anyway.
5. A friend who invites you to go out for dinner and then asks you to pay for your own.
6. An employer who gives all of his employees a large bonus without telling them beforehand
that he Is going to do so.
7. A friend who promises to lend you some money without charging interest, but who decides
to charge interest after all.
8. A father who promises to give his daughter a car and, instead of buying her a second-hand vehicle,
gives her a new one.
Something to crow about...

(to) HAVE SOMETHING TO CROW ABOUT
DEFINITION: To have something to be proud of or to have something in which
one takes pleasure or satisfaction.
Mark really has something to crow about. He won the state championship In golf. (Paraphrase:
Mark's achievement gives him reason to be proud.)
We have something to crow about. Our daughter just won a tour-year scholarship to the universi ty.
(Paraphrase : We are proud of our daughter for her acade mic success.)
59
PRIDE ONESELF ON = To be proud of; to be much

pleased by; to take satisfaction
FUNCTIONAL ACTIVITY: Ask students to describe three situations
that are something to crow about or are something In which one takes pride
STAND ONE'S GROUND

(to) STAND ONE'S GROUND
DEFINITION: To defend a belief or statement; to refuse to weaken when opposed
• Although his friends believed that he was wrong in his beliefs, Stan stood his ground.
(Paraphrase: Stan believed he was right and did not change his mind.)
• In spite of strong verbal attacks from both friends and enemies, the President stood his
ground on the issue.
(Paraphrase: The President refused to alter his opinion about the matter.)
RELATED EXPRESSIONS
STICK TO ONE'S GUNS = To maintain an idea or opinion even though people try to prove one
wrong
Stand by One’s Guns
STAND PAT = to like things the way they are and to be against change
FUNCTIONAL ACTIVITY: Ask students to use the idiom or related expressions to
1. ADMIRAT ION. Begin the utterance with
(a) I really admire Bill. In any argument he always —
(b) Sandra Is amazing. She wins arguments because she....
2. ENCOURAGEMENT. Begin the utterance with
(a) Don't be sad about losing the argument, just... next time.
(b) If you would..., you would not be so indecisive!
(c) Your ideas are as good as Sarah's. Be firm and....'
(a) I get so annoyed with Fred. He's so easy to push around/ He never —
(b) My grandfather knows the issue. That's why it's easy for him to-----
(c) Well, it's about time you....'
(to) STICK ONE'S NECK OUT

60
or (to) STICK ONE'S CHIN OUT

DEFINITION: To act boldly despite the risk of danger, or trouble, or criticism
Vera Is the kind of person who Is willing to stick her neck out to help a friend In trouble.
(Paraphrase: She will help a friend In trouble even though It might be risky for her.)
Tom stuck his chin out and supported the unpopular campaign to raise teachers sala ries.
(Paraphrase : He risked criticism to support some thing many people opposed.)
GO OUT ON A LIMB
To state one's beliefs and opinions openly;
To be In a dangerous position that can't be changed
FUNCTIONAL ACTIVITY: Ask students to use the idioms and synonymous
(a) I'm surprised that...
(b) I was sh ocked that...
(c) I didn't realize that...
2. DISAPPOINTMENT. Begin the utterance with
(a) I was disappointed to hear that...
(b) I was certainly let down when... (c) /can't get over...
3. JOY. Begin the utterance with
(a) I was overjoyed to hear that...
(b) I was so happy when...
(c) I had to laugh when...
4. SORROW. Begin the utterance with
(a) I was sorry to learn that...
(b) It's too bad that...
(c) What a shame that...
STRAIGHT FROM THE HORSE'S MOUTH
DEFINITION: Directly from the person or place where something began; from
a reliable source.
• "Where did you get that information about the contest?" "I got It straight from the horse's mouth."
(Paraphrase: A person who can be trusted told me.)
• He got the news of the visit straight from the horse's mouth—his mother. (Paraphrase: His
mother, who can't be doubted, told him of the visit.)
FUNCTIONAL ACTIVITY: Ask students to cite examples of sources of
Information that they consider to be "the horse's mouth," at the same time
giving the kind of information to be gained.
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STRIKE IT RICH
(to) STRIKE IT RICH
DEFINITION 1: To discover a rich deposit of minerals such as gold, silver, oil,
etc. that can be mined, or to find a buried treasure
After 20 years of prospecting for gold in the mountains, he finally struck It rich.
(Paraphrase: He found a rich deposit of gold after 20 years of searching.)
The divers found the sunken treasure ship at the mouth of the harbor and believed that they had
struck It rich.
(Paraphrase: They thought that they would find a lot of gold and silver on the sunken ship.)
HIT PAY DIRT = To find gold-or silver-bearing ore
DEFINITION 2: To become rich or successful suddenly or without expecting
to
Ann's rich grandfather died and left her two million dollars. She felt that she had
struck It rich overnight.
(Paraphrase: When she heard she had Inherited two million dollars from her grandfather, Ann
realized that she had suddenly become wealthy.)
Because of the success of hi s Invention, the scienti st struck it rich in six months. (Paraphrase: The
succe ss of hi s Invention quickl y made him rich.)
STRIKE PAY DIRT = To make a valuable discovery
1. A statem ent in a newspaper about the di scovery of oil In the North Sea.
2. A statem ent by a radio announcer about a wom an who has won a one million dollar lottery prize.
3. A statem ent by a man explaining his di scovery of a rich vein of gold In hi s back yard.
4. A statem ent on TV by a young wom an whose research led her to finding some valuable paintings
in her hometown library.
SWEAT OUT
(to) SWEAT OUT
DEFINITION: To wait anxiously; worry while waiting
• Wayne was sweating out the results of his final examination. (Paraphrase: He was waiting
anxiously to know how well he had done.)
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• Their car broke down five miles from town and they had to sweat It out while someone went
for help.
(Paraphrase: The y worried while waiting for help to come.)
FUNCTIONAL ACTIVITY: Ask students to choose from the following situations those
that would probably be sweat out.
1. Parents waiting in a hospital while a doctor examines their child.
2. A young man in a car that has just been stopped by a police officer.
3. A woman who has entered a store to make a small purchase.
4. A husband at the airport waiting for his wife to arrive from a visit with her parents.
5. A truck driver whose vehicle begins to lose power as it descends a long hill.
6. A student waiting for the teacher to give him a copy of the final examination.
7. A young man who has proposed marriage to his girl friend and is waiting for her answer.
8. An elderly couple watching television while waiting for their grandson to come to take them
to church.
9. A wife watching her husband take his first bite of a special dish she has prepared for him.
10. Employees of a large company waiting for news of an expected increase In wages.
TAKE THINGS EASY

(to) TAKE IT EASY
or (to) TAKE THINGS EASY
DEFINITION 1: To act or go slowly, carefully, and gently (Often used with ON)
• Take it easy/ The street Is very Icy.
(Paraphrase: Drive slowly and carefully.)
• Take It easy on Carol and don't give her too much to do In one day.
(Paraphrase: Don't overwork Carol.)
GO EASY (ON) = To act or go slowly, carefully, and gentl y; to treat with compassion
DEFINITION 2: To avoid hard work; to have an easy time; to live in comfort
• Dad likes to take things easy on wee/rends. (Paraphrase: He avoids hard work.)
• When he retires, Jim will have enough money to take things easy until he dies. (Paraphrase: He
won't have to work anymore because he has enough money.)
(to) GOOF OFF = To loaf or be lazy; not want to work
FUNCTIONAL ACTIVITY: Ask students to complete the following with the correct
form of the Idioms or synonymous expressions.
1.______/ want to get there alive!
2. Tell him_____Frank. Hi s mother just died yesterday.
3. They're going to fire Jeff. He_____- on the job and wastes time.
4. Helen Isn't going to graduate. She _____and didn't study.
5. On my vacation, I'm_____and just eat and sleep!
6. Let's sit down for awhile and_____.
7. My brother always______He never gets angry or uptight about anything.
8. _____on that cake. Don't eat It all or you'll get si ck!
9. _____/ Don't get so excited. We have enough time to get there.
10. With one million dollars, I could_____the rest of my life!
63
TAKE IT ON THE CHIN

(to) TAKE IT ON THE CHIN
DEFINITION 1: To be badly beaten or hurt
• Our soccer team realty took It on the chin yesterday. They lost 5-0.
(Paraphrase: The team was badly beaten.)
• Many Investors took it on the chin last week when the stock market fell twenty points.
(Paraphrase: They suffered heavy financial losses.)
DEFINITION 2: To accept without complaint discouragement, defeat, trouble,
etc., calmly
• A good sport Is one who can take It on the chin when he loses. (Paraphrase: A good sport
accepts defeat without complaining.)
• When they told him that he had lost the race, he took It on the chin with a smile. (Paraphrase:
He received the news of his defeat cheerfully.)
TAKE ONE'S MEDICINE = To accept punishment without complaining
TAKE IT = To bear trouble, hard work, criticism, etc., and not give up or weaken easily
FACE THE MUSIC = To accept one's punishment
FACE UP TO = to accept (something hard or unpleasant)
FUNCTIONAL ACTIVITY: Ask students to give personal examples in which the
Idioms or synonymous expressions applied In their own lives or in the lives of
friends or relatives.
TAKE OFF
(to) TAKE OFF
DEFINITION: To leave fast; depart suddenly; to go away; to leave
• Joe didn't even wait for an answer but lumped In hi s car and took off. (Paraphrase: He departed
suddenly without waiting for a reply to his que stion.)
• We all got In the truck and took off for the mountains. (Paraphrase: We left to go to the mountains.)
TAKE OFF IN HIGH GEAR = To /eave In a hurry LIGHT OUT = to go away
FUNCTIONAL ACTIVITY: Ask students which of the following situations might cause
one to take off in high gear or light out (in a hurry).
1. Seeing a bear while walking through the woods.
2. Finding gold In your backyard.
3. Discovering that one of your teeth i s broken.
64
4. Discovering that you have left the water running In the bathtub.
5. Hearing on the radio that a rainstorm Is coming.
6. Seeing a snake under your bed.
7. Suddenly realizing that your watch has stopped and that you are two hours late for an
appointment.
8. Finding a book that you thought you had lost.
9. Smelling smoke while you are sitting In bed reading a novel. 10. Di scovering that the loud noi se
that you heard was thunder.
TOO BIG FOR ONE'S BRITCHES

(BOOTS)
TOO BIG FOR ONE'S BRITCHES (BOOTS)
DEFINITION: Feeling more important than one really is; overly sure of one's own
importance
• After he was made captain of the team, Frank began to get too big for his britches.
(Paraphrase: He began to think that he was more important than he really was.)
• We need to take Al down a notch or two. He's gotten too big for his boots.
(Paraphrase: We'll have to make Al less proud of himself because he's overly sure of hi s own
importance.)
SWELLED HEAD (SWELL HEADED ) Feeling more important than one
really is
BIG HEAD (BIG-HEADED)
FUNCTIONAL ACTIVITY: Ask students to give examples of persons they have
known who were too big for their britches, swell-headed, or big-headed and the
reasons the person felt so important.
FUNCTIONAL ACTIVITY: Ask students to describe the following in terms of the
idiom or synonymous expressions. In some cases the idioms do not apply.
1. A person who brags about his excellence In playing golf and imagines that some day he will
be national champion.
2. A woman who complains a lot about her inability to cook, to sew, and to keep house well.
3. A student who feels that she has learned more than her teachers and feels that it is time she
began to show her classmates how much she knows.
4. A doctor who has become so skilled in surgery that he feels that he has nothing more to
learn In the field and that he should establish his own medical school.
5. A shy man who is always apologizing for his mistakes— even when he has made none —
and whom his friends constantly have to encourage.
65
TURN THUMBS DOWN

(to) TURN THUMBS DOWN
DEFINITION: To disapprove; reject; say no (Usually used with ON) [Note: To
turn thumbs up means the opposite]
• The company turned thumbs down on Aaron's proposal for a wage increase. (Paraphrase:
They rejected Aaron's proposal.)
• Jane wanted to go to the soccer game with Tom, but her mother turned thumbs down.
(Paraphrase: Jane's mother disapproved of her going with Tom.)
RELATED EXPRESSION
TURN DOWN = To refuse to accept; reject
FUNCTIONAL ACTIVITY: Ask students which of the following they would turn
thumbs down (on) or turn thumbs up.
1. An Invitation to visit the home of a famous movie star.
2. A request from a friend for a loan of money.
3. A proposal by a friend for a trip to the ocean to go fishing.
4. A plan by the government to increase taxes in order to build more schools.
5. A request by your boss that you change jobs at an Increase In salary.
6. A suggestion from your mother that you go back to school to learn a different trade or
profession.
7. An invitation from a new social club to Join as a member.
8. An invitation from the language department of the university to give a speech on "Language
Learning."
9. A request from your father to avoid the company of some friends you have recently made.
10. A proposal by your brother or sister to share the expenses of a new apartment.
UP IN THE AIR
UP IN THE AIR
DEFINITION 1: In great anger or excitement
When he saw the damage to the car, my father went straight up In the air. (Paraphrase: He was
greatly angered at me.)
The kids were all up In the air over the family trip to Disneyland. (Paraphrase: The y
were excited about the upcoming trip.) DEFINITION 2: Not settled; undecided; uncertain
66
Our plans for the new house are still up in the air. (Paraphrase: We are uncertain about the new
house.)
The fight had ended but the judges decision about the winner was still up In the air.
(Paraphrase: The winner of the fight was still undecided.)
RELATED EXPRESSION
LEAVE HANGING = To leave undecided or unsettled
FUNCTIONAL ACTIVITY: Ask students to determine if the following up in the air
situations illustrate (1) anger or excitement or (2) an undecided or uncertain
condition or state.
1. A father up in the air about a broken window in the house.
2. A doctor up in the air about the necessity of performing surgery.
3. A boss up In the air about the repeated tardiness of an employee.
4. A salesman up In the air about the possibility of a large and profitable sale.
5. A teacher up In the air about a student's disrespectful remark.
6. A lawyer up in the air about the failure of a client to pay his bill.
7. A store owner up in the air about a decision to enlarge the size of his store.
8. A movie actress up in the air about accepting an acting role offered to her.
9. A teen-ager up in the air about a chance to visit friends in Europe during the summer. 10.
A housewife up in the air about the food she will prepare for invited dinner guests.
UPTIGHT
DEFINITION: Worried, irritated, excessively eager or anxious
• Mike was so uptight about his job interview the next day that he couldn't sleep. (Paraphrase:
He was so eager to get the job that he couldn't sleep.)
• What are you so uptight about? You keep tapping your foot on the floor.
(Paraphrase: What has you so worried that you keep on tapping your foot?)
RELATED EXPRESSIONS ON EDGE
EDGY
Extremely tense or nervous; irritable; impatient
KEYED UP - Excited; nervous
FUNCTIONAL ACTIVITY: Ask students to deduce why each of the following might
be uptight, on edge, edgy, or keyed up.
1. A husband pacing up and down in the waiting room of a hospital.
2. A woman waiting in an airport
3. A clerk in a store after counting the day's cash receipts.
4. A bank teller facing a masked man.
5. A student who receives a telephone call from the principal of his or her school.
6. A visitor sitting on a chair in the White House.
7. An actor standing in the center of the stage.
8. A tax/ driver after stopping to pick up a passenger.
9. A young boy seated in a dentist's office.
10. An elderly woman who has just received a telegram from her sister in another state.

1common American Phrases in Everyday Contexts

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1

DEFINITION: Awkward, especially with one's hands; clumsy ILLUSTRATIVE

DEFINITION: In a quarrel; in a fight; opposing each other, Strong

rather than a sailboat.

FUNCTIONAL ACTIVITY: Ask students to decide which of the following is on

BEAT THE BAND

(to) BEAT THE BAND

BEAT TO THE DRAW

(to) BEAT TO THE DRAW

FUNCTIONAL ACTIVITY: Ask students to use the Idiom and synonymous

3. SYMPATHY. Begin the utterance with

BIG FROG (FISH) IN A SMALL POND

(to) BLOW (TOOT) ONE'S OWN HORN

(to) BURN RUBBER

BURN UP THE ROAD

(to) BURN UP THE ROAD

BY WORD OF MOUTH - informal

(to) CALL THE SHOTS

FUNCTIONAL ACTIVITY: Ask students to use the appropriate Idiom or

(to) CLOWN AROUND

(to) COME OUT OF ONE'S SHELL

(to) CRY OVER SPILLED MILK

(to) CUT OFF ONE'S NOSE TO SPITE ONE'S FACE

DEAD TO THE WORLD

DOWN IN THE DUMPS

GET A WORD IN (EDGEWAYS)

FUNCTIONAL ACTIVITY: Ask students to use the idiom and synonymous

(to) GET HOLD OF

(to) GET IT ALL TOGETHER

FUNCTIONAL ACTIVITY: Ask students to use the Idiom and synonymous

GET IT IN THE NECK

(to) GET IT IN THE NECK

SYNONYMOUS EXPRESSIONS To be scolded or punished

INFERENCE. Begin the utterance with

(to) GET ONE'S GOAT

GET THE MESSAGE

GET THROUGH ONE'S HEAD

DEFINITION 2: To make someone understand or believe ILLUSTRATIVE

FUNCTIONAL ACTIVITY: Ask students to use the idiom and synonymous

FUNCTIONAL ACTIVITY: Ask students to name some professions in which a gift of

GIVE A HARD TIME

(to) GIVE A HARD TIME

scold; criticize; attack with words

FUNCTIONAL ACTIVITY: Ask students to name someone or something they would

(to) GIVE A RING

GIVE (LEND) AN EAR TO

(to) GIVE (LEND) AN EAR TO

GO AT IT HAMMER AND TONGS

(to) GO AT IT HAMMER AND TONGS

HANG IN THE BALANCE

(to) HANG IN THE BALANCE

FUNCTIONAL ACTIVITY: 1) Ask students to describe some of their

HARD ACT TO FOLLOW

HARD (TOUGH) ROW TO HOE

FUNCTIONAL ACTIVITY: Ask students to decide which of the following have a

HAVE ONE'S HANDS FULL

(to) HAVE ONE'S HANDS FULL

HAVE THINGS (MATTERS) WELL IN

FUNCTIONAL ACTIVITY: Ask students to describe some ways to have the

HEAD AND SHOULDERS

FUNCTIONAL ACTIVITY: Ask students to make comparisons of the following using

HEAD OVER HEELS