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Idioms – some interesting meanings and histories

a clean bill of health (Unit 56)
If an organization, industry, or project is given
a clean bill of health, it has received official confirmation
that it is operating correctly or is in a good condition.
The idiom comes from the official document, known
as the bill of health, given in the past to a ship’s captain
on leaving a port, stating whether at the time of sailing
any infectious disease existed on board or in the port.
A clean bill of health confirmed that the ship was free
from infection.
not ring true (Unit 27)
If something rings, it makes a clear, resonant sound such as
that made by striking a metal object on something hard. In
the past (and sometimes still today) this ringing sound was
used as an indicator that certain precious metals, coins, or
pieces of pottery or glass were of good and genuine quality.
In the idiomatic use, if something doesn’t ring true, you
don’t believe it, even though you cannot explain why.
turn over a new leaf (Unit 16)

be like a red rag to a bull (Unit 58)

In the past, the word leaf was used to mean one of

If something is like a red rag to a bull, it is likely to
make somebody very angry. The idiom comes from the
traditional belief that the colour red made bulls angry, seen
in the use of the red matador’s cape in bullfighting. (In fact,
bulls were probably attracted by the movement of the cape.)
the folds of a folded sheet of parchment or paper,
especially the folds of paper (each containing two
pages) that are cut to make a book. The figurative use
of turn over a new leaf to mean ‘make a new start’
dates from the 16th century, but in the past could mean
changing for the worse as well as the better. Now, if you
turn over a new leaf, you change your life by stopping a
bad habit, or becoming a better person.

Activity parties.
to talk about politics at dinner
Complete the sentences with the idioms above. You might have to
Well, you know you’re not supposed
think I’ve ever seen Pete so angry. ~
change some of the words to make them fit. was like a red rag to a bull! I don’t
1. I don’t trust that man. Something about him doesn’t 4. Mike’s comment about tax reform
.
trouble last year, didn’t he?
good news. He had some heart
2. No more smoking, more exercise and lots of healthy food! This year I’m health from the doctor. ~ Oh, that’s
. I’ll be the healthiest person 3. John’s just been given a clean bill of
you know, I promise! promise!
3. John’s just been given from the healthiest person you know, I
the doctor. ~ Oh, that’s good news. He had some heart trouble last year, I’m turning over a new leaf. I’ll be
didn’t he? and lots of healthy food! This year
2. No more smoking, more exercise
4. Mike’s comment about tax reform was like
about him doesn’t ring true.
! I don’t think I’ve ever seen
1. I don’t trust that man. Something
Pete so angry. ~ Well, you know you’re not supposed to talk about
politics at dinner parties. Answers