Intermediate

Idioms – some interesting meanings and histories

be out of your mind (Unit 37) out of the blue (Unit 1)

The word mind often means memory, but it is also
used in reference to normal, healthy mental activity.
In the past, someone who was mentally ill was said to
be out of their mind. The expression is now used to refer
to someone who is behaving in a rash or crazy way. You
can also be bored or terrified out of your mind.
get bogged down in something (Unit 10)
In this phrase, the blue is a reference to a clear sky.
The presence of clouds may be a warning of rain or
storms ahead, but a clear blue sky suggests a period
of calm weather. Figuratively, if something arrives
out of the blue, it comes without warning.
the tip of the iceberg (Unit 8)

An iceberg is a huge mass of ice floating in the sea,

A bog is an area of wet ground. If you are walking
through a bog, you might get stuck in the mud,
or bogged down. Figuratively, the phrase
get bogged down in something means to become so
involved with the details of something that you can’t
make progress.
usually one that has broken off from a glacier. Although
an iceberg can rise above the water to a great height, a
far larger part of it is submerged beneath the surface
and is therefore invisible; you can only see the tip. The
idiom refers to something which may seem small or
manageable, but which is in fact only a part of a much
larger problem or matter.

Activity holiday.
is dreadful and you don’t get much
Complete the sentences with the idioms above. agree to do a job like that. The pay
4. You must be out of your mind to
1. Michael phoned me and asked to drive at all.
me for help. I didn’t know he was having money problems, but I said I’d mechanic said it was too dangerous
lend him £500. was only the tip of the iceberg. The
no! That problem with the wheel
2. I’ve got so revision that I can’t
3. Have you had your car fixed? ~ Oh
sleep properly. I’ll be really pleased when these exams are over. over.
3. Have you had your car fixed? ~ Oh no! That problem with the wheel was really pleased when these exams are
only . The mechanic said it was that I can’t sleep properly. I’ll be
too dangerous to drive at all. 2. I’ve got so bogged down in revision
4. You must to agree to do a job said I’d lend him £500.
like that. The pay is dreadful and you don’t get much holiday. he was having money problems, but I
and asked me for help. I didn’t know
1. Michael phoned me out of the blue
Answers