1.

Autumn years – it is often used to refer to the “In his autumn years, Peter was able
later years in someone’s life. to enjoy his garden a lot more”

2. Apple of my eye – someone who is cherished “Even though Frank has three children, his youngest
above everyone. has always been the apple of his eye”.

3. Old chestnut – it refers to a story or a joke that Ted: “The best years of your life are
has been told so many times that it becomes when you’re a child”.
uninteresting. Sue: “Not that old chestnut again!”

4. Take a leaf out of someone’s book – to follow “Alex has really done well to turn his life around. You
someone’s example should take a leaf out of his book”.

5. To drive someone nuts – to make someone go “That noise is driving me nuts. Please
crazy. stop at once!”

6. To squirrel something away – to hide or store .“Lisa squirreled away a lot of money while she was
something like a squirrel. working and now she can enjoy her retirement”.

7. Turn over a new leaf – to reform and begin “He has learned his lesson and
again. has turned over a new leaf“

8. To be nuts about someone or something – to be “I am nuts about that girl. I’d do anything for her”.
obsessed with someone or something.

9. Lost in the mists of time – means that „The true significance of these traditions have been
something has been forgotten because it lost in the mists of time“.
happened a long time ago.

10. Golden handsake – Used in Business English “The CEO was given early retirement and a golden
to refer to a large sum of money that is given to handshake of £800,000 when the company was
an employee (normally high level) when they restructured”.
leave.
 1. autumn a) of one’s eye
2. golden b) handshake
3. lost c) a leaf out of somebody’s book
4. to be d) years
5. turn over e) nuts
6. squirrel f) nuts
7. take g) away
8. apple h) chestnut
9. old i) a new leaf
10. drive j) in the mists of time

a) a large amount of money given to

a worker:
b) an old joke which is said many
times:
c) the afternoons of life:
d) start again:
e) hide something:
f) someone who is fond of
everybody:
g) extremely enthusiastic:
h) take somebody as an example:
i) lost or forgotten:
 When did you last turn over a new leaf?
 What are you nuts about?
 Have you ever had a golden handshake?
 What did you last squirrel away?
 Do you like old chestnuts?
 What will you do in your autumn years?
 Who is an apple of your eye?
 What are the traiditions which have lost in the mists of
time?
 What/Who drives you nuts?
 Is it good to take a leaf out of somebody’s book? Why?