Environment idioms

1. (to be) out of the woods

When you are past the difficult or dangerous part of a process and you are now safe, you are ‘out of the
woods’.

“He seems to be recovering well from the surgery, but we aren’t out of the woods yet.”

2. go to the ends of the earth for (someone)

If you would go to the ends of the earth for someone, you would go to extreme measures or do absolutely
anything for them, or to make them happy.

“In his wedding vows he said that he would go to the ends of the earth for his wife.”

3. can’t see the forest for the trees

If you can’t see the forest for the trees, you are too focused on the small details of something to be able to see
the bigger picture.

“I think we need to take a step back from the project and look at it with fresh eyes in a few days. I’m worried
that we can’t see the forest for the trees and are going to end up making decisions which will be costly in the
future.”

4. a drop in the ocean

A drop in the ocean is a tiny amount compared with what is needed or expected.

“John has started to pay me back the money he owes, but really it’s just a drop in the ocean.”

5. don’t beat around the bush

To beat around the bush is to not give a straight answer, to waste time or to avoid answering a question.

“My boss never gives a straight answer when we ask about budgets. It is very frustrating. He is always
beating around the bush!”

6. (to be) down-to-earth

A person who is down-to-earth is humble, nice and an all-round good person.

“Even though he’s a worldwide superstar, he’s so down-to-earth!”

7. neck of the woods

Your ‘neck of the woods’ is the area where you live.

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“There’s a new café opening in your neck of the woods, isn’t there? We should check it out some time.”

8. (to be) green-fingered or have a green thumb

Someone who is green-fingered or has a green thumb is good at gardening and looking after plants.

“Gardening is one of my hobbies. I got it from my Grandmother. She had a green thumb and was always out
tending her garden.”

Fill in the spaces

Fill in the spaces with an earth and environment idiom from the list above.

“I will __________ to make sure this birthday party is a success!”

“My aunt has a _______. Her garden is beautiful!”

“I’m going to be in your __________ on Friday. Do you fancy meeting up for a coffee?”

“I get on with her really well. She’s so funny and _______.”

“Stop ______ and just tell us what’s wrong!”

“Mike is getting obsessed with the tiny details of the presentation and forgetting about the message we want
to convey. He _______.”

“The company went through some bad times financially due to the pandemic, but fortunately we are
_________ now.”

“The donation is generous, but it is just a _______ compared to the amount we need to be able to make a
difference.”

Discussion Questions

Do you have any similar idioms to the ones above in your native language?

Who is someone who you would go to the ends of the earth for?

If you have a problem or a complaint, do you find it easy to go straight to the point and speak your mind, or
do you often beat around the bush?

Can you think of a celebrity who seems down-to-earth? Why do you think so?

Some people say that reducing our use of plastic bags is just a drop in the ocean in the fight against climate
change. Do you agree?

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What are some of the things you can find in your neck of the woods?

Do you have a green thumb? Do you know someone who does?

Bonus Question

Have you ever heard the expression “The grass is always greener on the other side”? What do you think this
means? Do you agree?

Environment Proverbs

. What a man can be is born with him; what he becomes is a result of his environment.

 Have the wisdom to abandon the values of a time that has passed and pick out the constituents of the
future. An environment must be suited to the age and men to their environment.
 We are changed as we change our environment.
 Ignorance is a form of environmental pollution.
 Earth is not a gift from our parents, it is a loan from our children.
 The wood is burnt, but the ashes are a nuisance.
 When spider webs unite, they can tie up a lion.
 Paper can't wrap up a fire.
 A well-developed forest will not miss a useful tree that is felled.”
 “A tree on a hill is a meeting place for birds.”
 “Hills with trees are footprints of God.”
 “When trees are being cut, the forest is noisy; when trees are growing, the forest is quiet.”
 “Trees pull the rain.”
 “The best time to plant a tree is twenty years ago; the second-best time is now.”
 “When there is something wrong in the forest, there is something wrong in society.”
 “A person who has planted a tree before he dies has not lived in vain.”
 “It takes many years to grow a tree but a day to cut it down.”
 “To plant a tree is to mix with God.”
 “Go softly in the world; if it is harmed, it cannot return.”
 “Eat, but leave some in the forest for others.”
 “Do not finish the arrowroot; think of the future.”
 “Most of the world is still ahead.”
 “Earth is our mother's womb.”
 “The beauty you left behind, where will you find it tomorrow?”
 “Treat the earth well; it was not given to you by your parents; it was loaned to you by your children.”
 “Do not drain the river till it dries.”
 “A tree blossoms with rain.”
 “Birds will flock to a fruitful tree.”
 “A dried-up tree does not bear a green one.”

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 IDIOMS

1. A drop in the ocean

Meaning: a very small amount compared to what is needed

Example: Unplugging unused appliances may seem like a drop in the ocean in terms of reducing electricity
consumption, but it would make a big difference if we all do that.

3. A voice in the wilderness

Meaning: a person or group with an unpopular opinion or making a suggestion or plea that is ignored
Example: The scientist’s warnings about rising global temperatures as a result of human activity was a voice
in the wilderness in the 80s, but governments around the world have now realised the danger and are taking
steps to fight climate change.

4. Can’t see the wood for the trees

Meaning: to be unable to understand a situation clearly because one is too involved in it

Example: Policymakers who are worried about job losses from coal mine shutdowns simply can’t see the
wood for the trees, and should instead invest in renewable energy.

5. Sands of time are running out

Meaning: a limited amount of time before something happens; not much time left to do something
Example: The sands of time are running out – we need to achieve zero net greenhouse gas emissions within
the next 10 years to prevent the worst effects of climate change.

7. Tip of the iceberg

Meaning: only a small part of a much larger problem

Example: Disasters due to climate change are just the tip of the iceberg. Experts say rising global
temperatures are putting at least 1 million plant and animal species at risk of extinction around the world.

8. A place in the sun

Meaning: A good or lucky position

Example: After years of hard work, Tim has finally found his place in the sun after being promoted to senior
manager.

11.Make hay while the sun shines

Meaning: To take advantage of a good situation while it lasts

Example: We have two months of summer holiday, so let’s make hay while the sun shines and go travelling.

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1. A drop in the ocean

Meaning: An amount so small that it doesn’t really make a difference

Example: For those who have lost their jobs during the pandemic, the HK$10,000 consumption vouchers are
like a drop in the ocean.

1. Ray of Sunshine

Meaning: A happy person who makes the people around them feel happy too

Example: Mary is a ray of sunshine who always makes people laugh.

1. Swim against the tide

Meaning: To do or say the opposite of the majority

Example: The designer always swims against the tide, which helps him produce unique pieces.

2. Hot air

Meaning: Empty talk that is intended to impress; words that are not sincere and will have no practical results

Example: The president’s election promises turned out to be a lot of hot air and disappointed many of the
people who voted for him.

1. Walking on sunshine

Meaning: To be extremely happy

Example: She has been walking on sunshine ever since getting into her dream university last week.

1. BARKING UP THE WRONG TREE

Meaning: This is used when you are describing someone who is making a mistake or a false assumption about
something they are trying to achieve.

Example: "I didn't break it, you're barking up the wrong tree!"

3. LAST STRAW

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Meaning: This idiom comes from an old English proverb that states, “It’s the last straw that breaks the camels
back.” In the proverb, it is referring to the camel carrying too much weight, so it suffers and breaks down. As
an idiom, it can refer to the last in a series of bad events that makes you feel like you cannot continue.

Example: "When she said i was lying to her, that was the last straw."

4. OLIVE BRANCH

Meaning: An olive branch is a symbol of peace. If you are “extending the olive branch,” then you are
reconciling or ending a fight in order to be friendly.

Example: "I sent him a birthday card as an olive branch."

5. OUT OF THE WOODS

Meaning: If you are “out of the woods” then you have gotten past the worst part of a bad situation. This is a
very old expression, dating back to 1792, that refers to the literal situation of being lost in the woods and
finding your way out.

Example: "You've got one more exam tomorrow, you're not out of the woods yet."

8. TO MAKE A MOUNTAIN OUT OF A MOLEHILL

Meaning: Moles are small digging creatures that make mounds of dirt in your garden. To "make a mountain
out of a molehill" is to make a small problem or issue into a much bigger one by worrying about it and
panicking.

Example: "Stop worrying about it. You're making a mountain out of a molehill."