IDIOMS

Of Greek origin
The word idiom means a private citizen,
something belonging to a private citizen,
personal, and, by extension, something
individual and peculiar
Idioms are phrases which people use in
everyday language which do not make sense
literally but we understand what they mean
For example: Its raining cats and dogs. Its literal meaning suggests that
cats and dogs are falling from the sky. We interpret it to mean that it is
raining hard.
Other Examples:
To stick your neck out is to say or do something that is bold and a bit
dangerous. A similar idiom that is used for slightly more dangerous
situations is to "go out on a limb." In both idioms, the idea is that you put
yourself in a vulnerable position.
To break the ice is to be the first one to say or do something, with the
expectation that others will then follow. Another idiom that means
something similar is "get the ball rolling."
To get long in the tooth means to get old. The expression was originally
used when referring to horses since gums recede with age. So the longer
the teeth a horse has, the older it is said to be.
To have a chip on one's shoulder is usually an expression to describe a
person who acts, as you say, rudely or aggressively, but also in a manner
that could be described as "aggressively defensive." The person seems
always ready for a fight.
1. The teacher asked us to talk
about the ___________ of
industrial development.
2. Do not worry about the problems
you have in your business .You know
there are always ___________ in
business.
3. The police found nothing special
in the house of the criminal as he
had taken all the important
documents with him leaving just
_____________.
4. If you think that doing this math
problem is __________, just try it.
1. All these promises the
politicians make are just ____ in
the sky.
2. The small amount of money
donated is just a drop in the _____
compared to the large sum of
money needed.
3. He has been successful in life.
He went from ____ to riches.
4. They had a dispute yesterday.
Thats why she gave him a ___
shoulder.
5. I had to face the ____ all by
myself, although I was not the only
responsible for the problem.
 Idioms: What Does This Mean?

The idiom will show here. Read the idiom, discuss with the
class, then click "enter" to see the definition.
 Idioms: What Does This Mean?

While the sun shines

Make the most of ones

opportunities
Idioms: What Does This Mean?

Beaten black and blue

Covered with bruises

 Idioms: What Does This Mean?

Blood pours into his face

Grow angry
Idioms: What Does This Mean?

Blue in the face

For a long time

 Idioms: What Does This Mean?

Easy way out

Done with no difficulty

 Idioms: What Does This Mean?

In good faith

With good and honest intent

With sincerity
Idioms: What Does This Mean?

Pain in the neck

A bother;
An annoyance
 Idioms: What Does This Mean?

Dose of her own medicine

A sample of unpleasantness that

one has been giving to other
people
 Idioms: What Does This Mean?

Bent her knees

To make an effort greater than

what is required
Idioms: What Does This Mean?

Seek consolation

Look for comfort

This story has been
adapted from an
Egyptian Legend
Once there were two brothers. When their
father died, they inherited his farm.
The soil was poor and the land was dry,
except when the Nile flooded.
Life was hard, growing wheat and making
it into flour.
But the brothers continued to share
everything, just as they had always done.
 One day, after the brothers had
finished bringing in the harvest, the
younger brother said to himself

Although we have divided the flour

equally, it is not really fair. My brother
has a wife and children to feed, while I
live alone. He should have more than me.

But he knew that his brother would not

accept more than his half share.
So he thought
of a plan.
That night he went into the barn where
his share of the harvest was stored. He
counted out six sacks of flour.
Checking that no one was watching, he
carried the sacks into his brothers
barn.
 I am very lucky. I have a wonderful
life, and a beautiful wife and children
with whom I can share my good
fortune.

My brother has no family. At

the end of the days work, he goes
home to an empty house. I will give him
some of my flour to compensate for his
loneliness.

Much later that night, the older brother

awoke, after a dream. He started thinking
As dawn was breaking he took six sacks
of flour from his store, and added them
to the stash in his brothers store.
He will never know where these came
from he thought.
Come the morning, both brothers were
perplexed to find exactly the same
number of sacks as there had been
before they had given the six away.
But neither brother said anything,
because they didnt want the
other to learn of their generous
gesture.
The following night each brother took a
similar gift of flour to the other.

Yet in the morning they found the

original number of sacks in their barns.
On the third night, as they traversed the
rough terrain between their houses, each
man saw a figure in the distance under the
light of the moon.
They wondered who it could be.
As the brothers closed the distance
between them, they recognised each
other, and then it dawned on them what
had happened.
Without a word,
they fell into each
others arms and
embraced!

They had proven to

each other the
strength of their
love.
And the moral of
this tale?

Whatever you give

shall come back
to you!
 Teefas Teasers
Why do you think the two brothers
cared for each other so much?
Why did the brothers give without
telling each other?
Do you have any examples of times when
you have given, and it has come back to
you?
 Glossary
reciprocated returned, shared

compensate give back, pay off.

gesture a sign or signal.

jealousy envy
Activities to complete this lesson include:
background
information on
farming in ancient
Egypt
tips for being a
good brother,
sister or friend
performing Click on the image above to view
and/or download learning activities.
activity
Rate this lesson here.