Idioms

Idioms

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Open Ended

What is an interesting idiom in your own language. Write it out and explain it to your teacher.

Open Ended

What is your favorite English-language idiom or slang?

Multiple Choice

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

• He was born to a rich family

• He was born hungry

• He was born with teeth

Multiple Choice

Eric wants to get Chinese food. Lindsey wants to get Mexican food. But Marcy is on the fence.

What is the meaning of "on the fence?"

• She is sitting on a fence.

• She can't decide what she wants.

• She wants both Chinese and Mexican food.

• She doesn't like either type of food.

Multiple Choice

Pablo is about to speak in front of a big group. He's never done it before. So, he has butterflies in his stomach.

What is the meaning of "has butterflies in his stomach?"

• He swallowed butterlies.

• He feels like he is sick to his stomach.

• His stomach is being tickled.

• He is nervous about speaking in front of people.

Multiple Choice

We want to get a big dog, but Dad isn't sure. He says he'll sleep on it and tell us tomorrow.

What does it mean to "sleep on it?"

• To use the dog as a pillow.

• To get a good nights sleep.

• To think about it overnight.

• To dream about dogs.

Multiple Choice

We all voted for a class pet today. Everyone had a different idea. Even the teacher put his two cents in.

What does it mean to "put your two cents in?"

• to share your opinion or what you think.

• to give someone 2 pennies.

• to do math in your head.

• to pay the money you owe.

Multiple Choice

Some people are really good at fractions, but not me. Fractions go over my head.

What is the meaning of "go over my head?"

• I see fractions in the sky.

• It means that it is too hard to understand.

• Fractions are in my head.

• Fractions are above me.

Multiple Choice

Dustin tried to make his own table. He didn't have a lot of time or money, so he had to cut corners. The table he made was not pretty!

What does it mean to "cut corners?"

• to find ways to save time or money.

• to cut the corners of a paper.

• to make an ugly table.

• to create a pretty picture.

Multiple Choice

If you take something with a pinch of salt,

• you don't completely believe something because you think it's probably not true

• you like your food to be salty

• you think something might bring you bad luck

Multiple Choice

If you let the cat out of the bag,

• you accidentally reveal a secret

• you create a problem

• you pretend to be someone you are not and you are discovered

Multiple Choice

If you hear something on the grapevine, you hear it...

• from an authoritative or dependable source

• from someone who heard it from someone else

• while shopping at the greengrocer's

Multiple Choice

He is one tough cookie.

• He eats a lot of cookies
• He likes cookies
• He works hard

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

Multiple Choice

He likes to toot his own horn really means...

• He talks loudly.
• He plays in a band.
• He brags all the time.

Multiple Choice

Carla put her foot in her mouth really means...

• Carla takes yoga classes.
• She said something embarrassing.
• Carla ate a snack.

Multiple Choice

Which idiom goes the best with this sentence?
I'm tired. Let's go to bed.

• Let's hit the hay.
• He tried not to "make waves".
• Stuck between a rock and a hard place.

Multiple Choice

at the end of your rope

• not having enough rope
• standing on the border of your property
• completely out of patience
• extremely happy

Multiple Choice

bark up the wrong tree

• to have the wrong idea about something
• to go hunting but not find anything
• to search for a missing cat
• to be angry with a friend

Multiple Choice

get something off your chest

• to share something that is bothering or upsetting you
• to come up with a great idea
• to have difficulty breathing
• to be happy

Multiple Choice

Mandy flew off the handle when I told her it was her fault that we lost the swimming contest.

• became confused
• dove off the diving board
• became angry
• flew into the air

​Make a dialogue with a partner on any topic/with any context. Each line must have an idiom.