Idioms are one of the most amazing phenomena in the English language. The very word idiom comes from the Greek idios that means “peculiar, strange”. The best examples of them are fixed grammatically and it is impossible to guess their meaning from the sense of the words that constitute them. Native speakers use them without thinking about where they come from but to a student learning English they can be confusing. Here are some of popular idioms and look at their origin.
To beat around the bush means to avoid answering a question or to approach something in a roundabout way.
In the 1500's hunters hired people called Beaters to drive small animals such as hares foxes or birds out of the bushes so the hunters could get a better shot at them. They used their long sticks hitting around the bushes rather than directly on them.
To blow one's own trumpet means to boast about one's own achievements.
The expression is first recorded by Anthony Trollope in his 1873 work “Australia and New Zealand”.
To get up on the wrong side of the bed means to start the day on a less happy note.
This phrase owes its origin to a popular belief in ancient times getting up on the left side of the bed was considered to bring bad luck.
To make no bones about it means to find no difficulties or problems with something. To speak directly, plainly, honestly without hesitation.
It dates back to the 14th-15th century England when someone wanted to express his dissatisfaction with something. This saying is related to soup. It's a reference to an unwelcome discovery of bones in the soup. Soups with bones were difficult to swallow and the soups that were strained to remove were not. If you found no bones in your meal you'll be able to swallow it without any difficulty or objection without worrying about choking. When you make no bones about something people feel they can swallow or accept your answer.
Black sheep (a member of a group or a family who has fallen foul of the others, who is in disgrace).
Shepherds disliked black sheep since their fleece could not be dyed and therefore worth less than white. Shepherds in earlier times also thought that black sheep disturbed the rest of the flock. By the late eighteenth century, the term “black sheep” was being applied to the people who didn't behave as the rest of the group.
Working with Idioms at the English Lessons
An idiom is an expression which meaning differs from an each separate word. For example, ”to be out of sorts” means “not to feel well” or “to be in two minds” denotes “not to be able to decide”.
Idioms are anything but dry and dull. Actually, they are the most interesting and capturing part of English giving it character and spice. Their sense and playfulness should be passed along to the students.
I offer you some of my exercises which can be useful at the lesson.
Circle the correct alternative.
1. You are an apple of my eye.
a). You are a pain in the head.
b). I can't see anything because of you.
c). You are in the centre of my attention, a special person for me.
2. You are as cool as a cucumber.
a). You catch a cold.
b). You are very fashionable.
c). You are relaxed and not worried.
3. It's a piece of a cake.
a). It's delicious.
b). It's very easy.
c). It's very soft.
4. Don't cry over spilt milk.
a). Buy another bottle of milk.
b). You will be unlucky.
c). Don't waste time worrying about...
4. I am nuts about you.
a). I can't understand you.
b). I am angry with you.
c). I'm crazy about you.
6. Let the cat out of the bag.
a). Take a cat for a walk.
b). Reveal a secret or hidden agenda.
c). Tell a lie.
7. Skeleton in the cupboard.
a). A corpse in a closet or in a cupboard.
b). An empty cupboard.
c). A scandal ,a secret or a hidden disgrace.
8. Be broke.
a). Be penniless.
b). Be sick.
c). Be bored.
9. Make smb's hair stand on end.
a). Frighten smb very much.
b). Have one's hair cut.
c). Don't comb one's hair.
10. Pull one's socks up.
a). Put on warm socks.
b). Be in a hurry.
c). Take command of oneself.
Answers: 1с 2с 3b 4c 5c 6b 7c 8a 9a 10c