Idioms

What does “it’s raining cats and dogs” really mean?

• Pets are falling from the sky.
•  I see cats and dogs outside.
• It’s raining hard today!

Tags

CCSS.L.4.5B

CCSS.L.5.5B

What does “she has a green thumb” really mean?

• She is really good at gardening.
• She spilled green paint  on her thumb.
• Her fingernails are painted green.

Tags

CCSS.L.3.5A

CCSS.RL.3.4

What does “he’s in hot water” really mean?

• His bath water was too hot.
• The water is boiling.
• He is in big trouble!

Tags

CCSS.L.4.5B

CCSS.L.5.5B

What does “I’m all tied up” really mean?

•  I can tie a really good knot!
• I’m very busy right now.
• Help! Someone tied me up.

Tags

CCSS.RI.4.4

CCSS.RI.5.4

CCSS.RL.4.4

CCSS.RL.5.1

CCSS.RL.5.4

What does “I’m all ears” really mean?

• I am listening very closely to what you have to say.
• My ears are too big.
• I can hear really well.

Tags

CCSS.L.4.5B

CCSS.L.5.5B

What does “she has butterflies in her stomach” really mean?

• She has a nervous or anxious feeling.
• She swallowed a butterfly.
• She feels sick.

Tags

CCSS.L.4.5B

CCSS.L.5.5B

 What does “he got up on the wrong side of the bed” really mean?

• He hit his head when he got out of bed this morning.
• His bed is pushed up against the wall and he can only use one side.
• He has been grumpy since he woke up.

Tags

CCSS.L.4.5B

CCSS.L.5.5B

What does “zip your lips” really mean?

• You need to be quiet.
• Your lips are chapped and you need some chap stick.
• Your zipper is stuck. 

Tags

CCSS.L.3.5A

CCSS.RL.3.4

What does “catching some Z’s” really mean?

• You are catching some bees in a butterfly net.
• You are practicing your “Z” sound for speech therapy.
• You are sleeping.

Tags

CCSS.L.4.5B

CCSS.L.5.5B

What does “he’s a couch potato” really mean?

• He is planting potatoes under the couch.
• He is eating a potato on the couch.
• He is lazy and doesn’t move a lot. 

Tags

CCSS.L.3.5A

CCSS.RL.3.4