Idioms

Idioms are phrases which people use in everyday language which do not make sense
literally but we understand what they mean
An idiom is an expression that has a meaning apart from the meanings of its
individual words.
• For example: It’s 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.
Food for thought These idioms are all about food. Can you explain what they really
mean?
• Taking two bits of the cherry
• Selling like hot cakes • Going bananas
• Pick up your ears
• Wear your heart on your sleeve
Answers… Taking two bits of the cherry- A second opportunity to achieve something
Selling like hot cakes -To sell quickly and in large numbers
Going banana- If you go bananas, you are wild with excitement, anxiety, or worry
Pick up your ears Listen carefully
Wear your heart on your sleeve To openly and freely express your emotions
Feel like a fish out of water- Be like a fish out of water Meaning: Feel uncomfortable
because you are in an unfamiliar situation. If you feel like a fish out of water, you feel
awkward or uncomfortable because you are in an unusual or unfamiliar situation.
Example: I don't like going to the big parties they have. I always feel like a fish out of
water there. Todd is a country boy raised in a small town in Northumberland and was
like a fish out of water when he visited bustling London.
 We say "shake a leg" when we are waiting for someone and we want them to go
faster. Example: "The party is starting in ten minutes. Shake a leg!"

Hang on means to wait awhile. Hang on a minute. I need to talk to you. Hang on. Let
me catch up with you.
Turn someone off means to dull someone's interest in someone or something. The
boring professor turned me off to the subject.
• Dressed up to the ______
• Talking ___ to the dozen
• One in a ______
• Playing ______ fiddle
• In _______ heaven
Answers 
Dressed to the nines to be wearing very fashionable or formal clothes for a special
occasion
Talking nineteen to the dozen Very rapidly or energetically
One in a million if you say that someone is one in a million, you mean that they are
very special because they have such good qualities
Playing second fiddle to be in a subordinate position to someone
In seventh heaven to be extremely happy
Animal Crackers • It’s raining ____ and dogs! • I’ve got a ____ in my throat • Those
are just ______tears • He’s taken the _____share • I can smell a ___
Answers 
It’s raining cats and dogs. To rain very hard I’ve got a frog in my throat.
A feeling of hoarseness or a lump in one's throat
Those are just crocodile tears. An insincere display of grief; false tears
He’s taken the lion share. The largest portion of something. I can smell a rat. to start
to believe that something is wrong about a situation, especially that someone is being
dishonest
Pick up your ears. Listen carefully.
Wear your heart on your sleeve. To openly and freely express your emotions.