Idioms, Proverbs & Adage

Idioms, Proverbs & Adage

Guide in understanding Figurative language

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=s59VF4rN7bc

What is an idiom?

• expression whose meaning cannot be predicted from the usual meanings of its constituent elements. (Webster’s Dictionary)

• The meaning of an idiom is metaphorical rather than literal.

Example of an idiom: One tough cookie

• A person who can endure physical or mental hardship; a hardened, strong-willed person

• Sentence:

  Even though she broke her leg, she is one tough cookie and never cried in pain.

Tough: strong enough to withstand adverse conditions or rough handling

Multiple Choice

what is the meaning of this idiom?

• a person who likes to eat desserts

• a strong person

• a tough sweet biscuit

• a big cookie

this is a potato

this is a couch

Example of an idiom: A couch potato

• Someone who spends a lot of time sitting and watching television.

• Sentence: In order to win the race, Sadie could not be a couch potato; she had to train every day.

Multiple Select

'a lazy and inactive person.' Which idiom expresses this meaning?

this is a foot

Foot in the door.

Do you know? there is a technique called foot in the door technique where fundraisers get you to agree on the small things first then they will trick you into agreeing on bigger things. This technique is made popular by salesman in the US who try to put their foot between the door and start pitching. When people try to close the door, they can't because the salesman's foot is between the door.

Example of an idiom: Get my foot in the door

• To enter a business or organization at a low level, but with a chance of being more successful in the future

• to make the first step towards a goal

• Sentence: I think I could get the job if I could only get my foot in the door.

Fill in the Blank

Fill in the blank with the proper idiom.

Making contacts can help you ___ _ ___ __ ___ _____ when it comes to getting a job.

Multiple Choice

Mr Taufik works on the computer software every day. He is definitely a ____________________________

• couch potato

• computer potato

• mouse potato

• rat potato

Example of an idiom: Cut to the chase

• to talk about things that is really important

• not waste time with the unimportant part

• leave out all unnecessary details, focus on the major point, say only what is important and leave out minor details.

• Sentence: I didn't have long to talk so I cut to the chase and asked whether he was still married.

On cloud nine

• extremely happy

• She's been on cloud nine since she heard the news of her engagement

• I felt like I was on cloud 9 when she said that she I loves me a lot.

• The grandmother was on cloud nine to see her grandson after a long time.

Fill in the Blank

make a sentence with the idiom related to 'cloud'

a picture of a baby being born

this is silver. it is very expensive

this is an example of a really nice spoon

a baby with a spoon in his mouth

born with a silver spoon in the mouth

• when we think of silver we think of something valuable and expensive

• having a baby born with an expensive cutlery in the mouth sounds unrealistic

• but it shows that someone is so rich and wealthy since they were born

• it means that someone is born in a wealthy family

Multiple Choice

He was born with a silver spoon in his mouth means...

• He was born hungry

• He was born with teeth

• He was born to a rich family

In a pickle

• pickle means 'Jeruk'

• Imagine someone living in a jar of pickling liquid

• it must be uncomfortable and difficult

it means someone is in trouble. "Can you help me? I'm in a pickle."

Poll

do you want to live in a pickle or do you want to live normally like everyone else?

• sure, why not

• no, i would not like that

Multiple Choice

Which idiom goes the best with this sentence?

"I have a problem."

• I'm getting a hatI

• I'm in a pickle

• Don't put all of your eggs in one basket

Toot my own horn

this is a horn

Poll

do you think a horn is noisy or it sounds beautiful like a piano?

• very noisy and annoying especially when someone is blowing the horn loudly

• it is music to my ears

toot my own horn

• To boast or brag about one's own abilities, skills, success, achievements

• "masuk bakul angkat sendiri"

• My father told me never to toot my own horn

Multiple Choice

What does this sentence mean?

Ever since Julia got a new job at the ministry, she always tooting her own horn to us.

• Julia cannot stop bragging ever since she got a good job.

• Julia likes to play her musical instrument ever since she got into the ministry

• Julia like her job at the ministry so she she learns how to play with her horn

Multiple Choice

Nuyu spend a lot of time with the unnecessary details of why Naim cried. I wish she would just ___ __ ___ _____

• cut to the chase

• get her foot in the door

• in a pickle

Multiple Choice

Since the Conditional Movement Control Order (CMCO) started, I cannot go exercise outside so I just lay down in front of the TV and sleep. I think I have turned into ________________________

• a mouse potato

• a church mouse

• a couch potato

• a tough cookie

Multiple Choice

I have joined a business class. It will be a great way to meet the right people and to get my ____ __ ___ ____

• in a pickle

• foot in the door

• a piece of cake

• toot of my own horn

Multiple Choice

My grandmother raised six children on her own. She can overcome any problem in life because she is _________________.

• a piece of cake

• slim pickings

• couch potato

• tough cookie

Multiple Choice

According to the reports, Dato Seri Anwar Ibrahim is a ______ ______ because he spends an enormous amount of time on the computer every day

• in a pickle

• foot in the door

• mouse potato

Fill in the Blank

Fill in the blanks

The grandmother was on _____ ____ to see her grandson after a long time.

Multiple Choice

what is the meaning of this sentence?

My husband has become a couch potato since he lost his job

• The husband wants another wife

• The husband lost his job because he likes eating potatoes

• the husband started to like eating potato chips on the couch

• the husband has become lazy since he was fired

Multiple Choice

To become successful, you must need effort. A famous name might get your ____ __ ___ ____, but you'd better expect to do all the hard work yourself.

• in a pickle

• tough cookie

• foot in the door

• mouse potato

Multiple Choice

He has never worked hard for anything because he was ____ ____ _ ______ _____ __ ___ _______. His parents bought everything for him instead.

• born with a plastic spoon in his mouth

• born with a silver spoon in his mouth

• in a pickle

• a tough cookie

Multiple Choice

When he heard that his wife was pregnant, he smiled brightly and said 'I'm so happy I feel like I'm on _____ ____"

• couch potato

• mouse potato

• a pickle

• cloud nine

Multiple Choice

My grandfather worked in the army. His family was poor when he was little. He also had cancer. He managed to survive the grueling treatment. He is a fighter and a strong person. He is a

• in a pickle

• toot his own horn

• tough cookie

• born with a silver spoon in his mouth

Multiple Choice

What is the meaning of this sentence?

Megat is a real couch potato and doesn't like to participate in any activity that makes him tired or sweaty

• Megat is very lazy

• Megat likes potatoes

• Megat likes to exercise

• Megat likes to move around

Multiple Choice

What does this sentence mean?

Luqman is in a pickle when he stops coming to English class.

• Luqman is hungry

• Luqman is in trouble

• Luqman is in a classroom

Multiple Choice

Azfar: I'm sorry about your cat. I hope you are feeling better.

Ashiek: Don't worry about me. I am _____________

• a tough cookie

• a couch potato

• tooting my own horn

• in a pickle