An Oral Language
Program that Teaches
Idioms and Explains
How they Work
David Newman
Speech-Language Pathologist
© David Newmonic Language Resources
Idioms Language Program
A Friendly Reminder
© David Newmonic Language Resources 2009 - 2010
This book and all its contents are intellectual property.
All illustrations by David Newman
No part of this publication may be stored in a retrieval system, transmitted or reproduced in any way, including but not
limited to digital copying and printing without the prior agreement and written permission of the author.
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Table of Contents
Introduction......................................................................................................................................................................................................4
Notes on each Scenario..................................................................................................................................................................................5
Instructions to Students...............................................................................................................................................................................6
Glossary of Terms............................................................................................................................................................................................9
Cloud Nine scenarios – Clothes...............................................................................................................................................................10
Cloud Nine scenarios – Animals...............................................................................................................................................................14
Cloud Nine scenarios – Colours................................................................................................................................................................18
Cloud Nine scenarios – Money.................................................................................................................................................................22
Cloud Nine scenarios – Medical..............................................................................................................................................................26
© David Newmonic Language Resources
Idioms Language Program
situation; situations that your students should be
Introduction
This particular idiom program was created because of
my initial frustration in attempting to teach the
difficult concept of idioms to language impaired
students.
If we look at the following example we can see that
Mary describes the narrator’s new friend as a wolf in
sheep’s clothing, and adds that ‘you need to be
I have found idioms to be a difficult concept to teach
successfully.
familiar with and have some experience with.
Understanding
requires
a
leap
of
imagination on the student’s part. The role of the
clinician or teacher is to provide the scaffolding
careful of Marty.’ We can assume that Marty is
someone the narrator’s sister doesn’t trust much. The
inference is that perhaps Marty is an untrustworthy
character.
necessary for the student to make that leap, and truly
A Wolf in Sheep’s Clothing
Clothing
‘get’ the meaning of idioms.
Setting:
Setting: I liked my new friend Marty, but my sister
Through trial and error I’ve discovered that context is
a highly useful means of teaching the concept of
idioms. In each individual scenario a common idiom
is uttered by a character in a highly contextual
is not sure about him. She said, ‘You need to be
careful of Marty. He’s a wolf in sheep’s clothing.’
A wolf in sheep’s clothing means...
a) A wolf that likes to dress in sheepskins
b) A person that likes to dress well, but is harmless
c) A person who pretends to be good, but is actually
really bad
Idioms - Animals
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Idioms Language Program
Notes on Each Scenario
Idioms are an example of figurative language.
The correct answer for each scenario is presented as
underlined and highlighted in a multiple choice
format. Selecting the correct answer from multiple
choice provides a little extra scaffolding for students
who may struggle with the concept of idioms.
It is your discretion as a teacher or clinician as to how
much scaffolding your students need to be provided.
Each student will vary in their ability to learn and to
be comfortable with idioms.
Figurative language is a higher level language ability.
With figurative language students are required to go
beyond literal language and concrete images to
explore new layers of meaning.
There are 100 individual scenarios separated into five
different categories of 20 scenarios each: clothes,
animals, colours, money, and medical.
The cards can be cut out and laminated
and used together with a board game for
individual and group use, or as a whole
I recommend that students with language disorder
class activity.
receive the most amount of scaffolding. They need the
extra scaffolding to better create links between literal
information and the more metaphorical imagery found
in idioms.
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Idioms Language Program
The concrete image is combined with a startling
Instructions to Students
and
Please feel free to use the following
description
aide
your
as
a
preparatory
preparatory
students’
set
to
understanding
of
idioms. The following is an example of
instructions I use when introducing the
concept
of
instructions
idioms.
as
many
Repeat
times
the
as
is
seemingly
unrelated
image
to
create
something new.
Idioms are a very interesting form of figurative
language. They provide us with a new way of
looking at the world.
needed.
An idiom is a cultural metaphor that requires
‘Figurative
language
enables
us
to
explore
language in new and interesting ways. Figurative
language is a form of language that uses concrete,
literal images as a base.
some understanding of word and world knowledge.
That is, idioms are sayings that have been used
for generations and have become part of the
cultural vernacular.
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Idioms Language Program
Idioms do require some knowledge about words
Second, we have the image of the sheep. A sheep
and how they go together.
is an animal that is viewed as docile, harmless and
gentle.
An example of a popular idiom is, ‘a wolf in sheep’s
clothing.’ If we look closely at the idiom from a
Finally, when we combine the image of the wolf
literal point of view we have two quite separate
with the image of the sheep we have the strange
and contrasting images.
picture of a wolf dressed in sheep’s clothing.
First, there is the image of the wolf. Historically
Now, the two separate images of the wolf and
the wolf is viewed as a predator. We have learnt
sheep don’t normally ‘go’ together. But the beauty
from stories such as the three little pigs that a
of idioms is that the two images can actually be
wolf is a dangerous creature that cannot be
fused to create a whole new meaning.
trusted.
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Idioms Language Program
To successfully combine the two contrasting
Why does the wolf dress in sheep’s clothing?
images requires a leap of imagination on our
Answer: The wolf is trying to distract us from its
parts. And idioms, with their creative use of
true nature. The wolf hopes to trick us into
language,
thinking it is harmless; that it is just a sheep.
are
very
good
at
triggering
our
imaginations.
When we use the idiom of a wolf in sheep’s
So in our example of the wolf, we can picture a
clothing to describe a person we are essentially
wolf actually dressed in sheep’s clothing. We can
saying that a particular person cannot be trusted,
imagine that the clothing is in fact a disguise.
even though his/her appearance and manner
appears harmless to us.
We assume this because we know the wolf’s
nature and that beneath the sheep’s clothing it
The idiom of a wolf in sheep’s clothing reminds us
remains a dangerous predator.
that sometimes we need to look beyond surface
appearances to discover a person’s true nature.’
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Idioms Language Program
Glossary of Terms
The following terms have been added for your
convenience. Some of the words and descriptions in
the introductory notes may confuse some students.
Figurative Language: figurative language contains
images that a writer or speaker uses to make unusual
comparisons between items.
Literal language: literal language is words or images
that don’t deviate from their defined meaning.
Cultural Metaphor: images or language that is
particular to a region or cultural group and that has
Vernacular: the everyday language that is spoken by
a particular people or country that is different from
literary language.
Predator: an organism (animal – insect) that lives by
preying on other organisms.
Fuse: to unite or blend something together, like
melting.
Disguise: to change your appearance or conceal
identity with the intent to mislead.
specific meaning to that group.
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Idioms Language Program
Below the Belt
Belt
Burn a Hole in One’s Pocket
Pocket
Setting: I thought it was below the belt when my
Setting: I was in the biggest toy store in the
best friend stole my new footy and didn’t return
country - I could feel the money burn a hole in my
pocket.
it, even after I asked for its return.
Below the belt means…
a) To get hit by a ball on the legs
b) When a friend takes something that belongs to
you
Burn a hole in one’s pocket means…
a) To have a hole in your pants pocket
b) To have money that you’re likely to spend
c) To do something cowardly or unfair
c) To have money that you want to save
quickly
Dressed to Kill
Kill
Setting: My sister was getting ready to go to
the ball. She was dressed to kill.
Dressed to kill means…
a) To wear your best clothes
b) To wear clothes like a ninja
c) To wear your baggiest or worst clothes in public
Idioms: Clothes
Idioms: Clothes
Idioms: Clothes
Feather in One’s Cap
Cap
Fine Tooth Comb
Comb
Fits Like a Glove
Glove
Setting: To be named captain of my footy team
was a real feather in my cap.
Feather in one’s cap means…
a) To wear a cap that comes with a bright feather
b) To be given something you didn’t deserve
c) To achieve something to be proud of
Idioms: Clothes
Setting: I went over my written story with a fine
tooth comb to make certain there were no
Setting: I tried on my new school uniform. It fit
spelling mistakes.
like a glove.
Fine tooth comb means…
a) Careful attention to detail to ensure nothing is
missed
b) A comb used to brush fine hair
c) To look for spelling mistakes
Idioms: Clothes
Fits like a glove means…
a) An article of clothing that fits perfectly
b) An article of clothing that is too tight
c) An article of clothing that is too loose
Idioms: Clothes
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Idioms Language Program
Pull up Your Socks
Socks
In One’s Shoes
Shoes
On a Shoestring
Shoestring
Setting: My teacher was very annoyed when he
Setting: My father said, ‘To truly understand
Setting: My parents traveled throughout
said to me, ‘It’s time for you to pull up your socks
how other people feel you need to walk in their
Vietnam and Thailand on a shoestring, and had
and start working hard.’
shoes for a while.’
a great time.
Pull up your socks means…
a) Make a decent and sustained effort on a task
b) To warm your cold legs
c) To continue working as before
In one’s shoes means…
a) To walk using someone else’s shoes
b) To be in another person’s place or position
c) To be aware of walking in your own shoes
On a shoestring means…
a) Tying your wallet to your belt with string
b) Surviving well on a very small amount of money
c) To have large amounts of money and spend it all
Idioms: Clothes
Idioms: Clothes
Idioms: Clothes
Put Your Thinking Cap
Cap on
The Shoe is on the Other Foot
Foot
Tighten Your Belt
Belt
Setting: The ship was caught in a storm at sea.
Setting: My sister teased me when I had to visit
The captain yelled above the roaring wind, ’We
the dentist. Now the shoe was on the other foot
Setting: My mother said, ‘Your father has had
need to put our thinking caps on if we are to
– it was her turn to visit the dentist.
his hours at work cut back. That means we all
have to tighten our belts.’
survive this storm.’
Put your thinking cap on means…
a) To place a special cap on your head that aids
thinking
b) To think long and hard and decisively about
something
c) To make a hasty decision about something
Idioms: Clothes
The shoe is on the other foot means…
a) It’s the sister’s turn to visit the dentist
b) The sister was wearing the wrong shoes
c) Places and roles are reversed
Idioms: Clothes
Tighten your belt means…
a) To lose weight
b) To spend money without care
c) To live on less money than usual
Idioms: Clothes
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Idioms Language Program
Wear the Pants in One’s Family
Family
Setting: My friend’s mother wears the pants in
her family. She is always telling her husband
what to do.
Wear the pants in one’s family means…
a) To wear pants rather than dresses
b) To be in charge and the leader of the family
c) To take orders from the stronger partner
Idioms: Clothes
Too Big for Your Boots
Boots
Handle
Handle with Kid Gloves
Gloves
Setting: My friend’s team won the grand final.
Setting: My sister is very sensitive about her
My friend told everybody what a great player he
new braces. It’s important to handle her with kid
was. My father said, ‘That lad’s become too big
gloves about her braces.
for his boots.’
Too big for your boots means…
a) Your feet have grown too large for your boots
b) To be ‘swollen’ with conceit
c) To have played well and been a great player for
your team
Idioms: Clothes
Handle with kid gloves means…
a) To be deliberately rude to somebody
b) To wear special gloves when talking about
sensitive issues
c) To treat somebody with special gentleness
Idioms: Clothes
Hand Me Down
Down
Ants in One’s Pants
Pants
Setting: I really hate it when my mother gives me
Setting: The little boy ran around the room
my brothers hand me down clothes. I want new
yelling loudly. The kinder teacher told him to sit
Setting:
Setting: My money was burning a hole in my
clothes.
down. She said, ‘You have ants in your pants.’
pocket. I couldn’t wait to get to the milk bar and
Hand me down means…
a) Clothes that are too big for you
b) Clothes that are too ugly to wear
c) Things that are given away after the owner
Ants in ones pants means…
a) To have ants crawling in your pants
b) To enjoy running and yelling
c) To be very restless and have lots of nervous
doesn’t need it
energy
Idioms: Clothes
Idioms: Clothes
Burn a Hole in One’s Pocket
Pocket
buy some candy.
Burn a hole in one’s pocket means…
a) Money that is likely to be spent quickly
b) Coins that can cause holes in jeans pockets
c) Money that is spent on buying candy
Idioms: Clothes
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Idioms Language Program
Burst at the Seams
Seams
Decked Out
Out
Setting: I got on the school bus and tried to find
Setting: My older brother was all decked out in
a seat, but the bus was bursting at the seams
his new tuxedo, and was ready for the debutante
and I couldn’t find one.
ball.
Burst at the seams means…
a) The stitching on a pair of jeans seam becomes
undone
b) The tyres on a bus burst
c) Something is far too full or is overcrowded
Idioms: Clothes
Decked out means…
a) To wear your clothes inside out
b) To be dressed in your best clothes
c) To be dressed in your worst clothes
Idioms: Clothes
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Idioms Language Program
To Throw Someone to the Wolves
Wolves
A Wolf in Sheep’s Clothing
Clothing
As Quiet as a Mouse
Mouse
Setting: The coach played a first game player,
Setting:
Setting: I liked my new friend Marty, but my
Setting: I wanted to say hello to the new girl in
on the opposition’s champion. His assistant
sister is not sure about him. She said, ‘You
class, because she seemed a bit lost and was as
said, ‘ You’re throwing that player to the wolves.’
need to be careful of Marty. He’s a wolf in
quiet as a mouse.
To throw someone to the wolves means...
a) To send someone into danger without
protection. To sacrifice a person.
b) To feed hungry wolves
c) To protect someone using wolves
sheep’s clothing.’
A wolf in sheep’s clothing means...
a) A wolf that likes to dress in sheepskins
b) A person that likes to dress well, but is harmless
c) A person who pretends to be good, but is
actually really bad
As quiet as a mouse means…
a) Very quiet and shy
b) Very loud and boisterous
c) To be very quick, like a mouse
Idioms - Animals
Idioms - Animals
Idioms - Animals
As Sick as a Dog
Dog
As Stubborn as a Mule
Mule
One’
One’s Bark is Worse
Worse than one’
one’s Bite
Bite
Setting: My friend refused to go on the
Setting: My new teacher scolded me for not
Setting: I had far too much to eat at the
camping trip because he didn’t want to sleep
doing the math problem. My friend whispered,
Christmas party and felt as sick as a dog the
outdoors. I couldn’t change his mind because
‘Don’t worry about him, he’s a good guy. His
next day.
he’s as stubborn as a mule.
bark is worse than his bite.’
As sick as a dog means…
a) To be very sick
b) To feel a little poorly
c) To bark like a dog
Idioms - Animals
As stubborn as a mule means…
a) To kick like a mule
b) To not want to do things
c) To be immovable and inflexible on an issue
Idioms - Animals
Ones bark is worse than ones bite means…
a) Someone words are worse than their actions
b) Someone who likes to bite people
c) Someone whose actions are worse than the things
they say
Idioms - Animals
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Idioms Language Program
The Black Sheep of the Family
Family
A Bull in a China Shop
Shop
Cat got your
your Tongue?
Tongue?
Setting: My older brother is the black sheep of
Setting: My mum told me, ‘I’m not letting you go
Setting: I was very nervous and couldn’t
the family. He’s always getting into trouble and
to your sister’s pyjama party. It would be like
respond when my friend’s father said hello to me.
nobody can trust him.
letting a bull into a china shop.’
He said, ‘What’s wrong, cat got your tongue?’’
The black sheep of the family means…
a) Someone who likes to herd black sheep
b) The most disliked or troublesome member of a
A bull in a china shop means…
a) Someone who likes to smash delicate china plates
and cups
b) Leading a bull through a china shop
c) A tactless person who upsets others or their
family
c) The member of a family who stands out the most
Cat got your tongue means…
a) A cat that likes to steal tongues
b) To not be able to move ones tongue
c) Cannot speak because of shyness
plans
Idioms - Animals
Idioms - Animals
Idioms - Animals
Cat on a Hot Tin Roof
Roof
A Copycat
Copycat
Curiosity Killed the Cat
Cat
Setting: I couldn’t keep my little brother quiet.
Setting: I looked over at my friend’s work and he
Setting: My big sister packed away her new
He was leaping from couch to couch in the
had copied exactly what I had done. I thought to
shoes. She said to me, ‘Don’t open that shoe
lounge room like a cat on a hot tin roof.
myself, you copycat.
box. Remember, curiosity killed the cat.’
A copycat means…
a) To make an exact copy of something using a
photocopier
b) Someone who copies another’s work
c) Someone who creates an original essay or drawing
Curiosity killed the cat means…
a) To be curious about the contents of an unopened
box
b) To own a cat that is very curious
c) To be so inquisitive that you get into trouble
Idioms - Animals
Idioms - Animals
Cat on a hot tin roof means…
a) To prowl like a cat
b) To be full of energy and very lively
c) To be not very energetic
Idioms - Animals
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Idioms Language Program
Every Do
Dog has his Day
Day
Setting: I didn’t make it onto the basketball
team. My coach said, ‘Don’t worry, keep
practicing and you’ll make the team. ‘Every dog
Fight like Cats and Dogs
Dogs
frown, ‘You two always fight like cats and dogs.’
goodness, you look like something the cat
Fight like cats and dogs means…
a) To argue and fight with someone you know well
b) To watch cats and dogs fighting
c) To hiss like a cat or growl like a dog when
fighting
Idioms - Animals
Look like something the cat dragged in means…
a) To look a little untidy
b) To look all muddy and wet
c) To look tired, worn out, and very dirty
has his day.’
Every dog has his day means…
a) To own a dog that likes to sleep during the day
b) Every person gets their deserved turn or
chance
c) To be unlucky
Idioms - Animals
Make a Mountain out of a Molehill
Molehill
Look Like Something the Cat Dragged
Dragged in
Setting: My brother and I always argue over the Setting: I came home from the footy after having
played in the mud and rain. My mum said, ‘My
T.V. We started to fight. Our mum said with a
The
The Straw that Broke the Camel’s Back
Back
dragged in.’
Idioms - Animals
Take the Bull by the Horns
Horns
Setting: I was embarrassed when I spilt a drink
Setting: My sister kept losing things at school.
Setting: The coach was passionate as he
on my friend’s new carpet. My friend was kind
Mum was angry after she lost her school bag.
instructed his team. He said,’ I know the
and said, ‘Don’t worry; you’re making a mountain
out of a molehill.’
Make a mountain out of a molehill means…
a) To make a little problem into a big problem
b)To make something that is unimportant seem
important
c) To get upset over a spilt drink
Idioms - Animals
She said, ‘That’s the straw that broke the
camel’s back.’
The straw that broke the camel’s back means…
a) A small final setback that has built up to
cause a collapse or a bigger problem
b) A camel that can’t carry any more on its back
c) A small problem that will not cause too much
difficulty
Idioms - Animals
opposition is the top team; but take the bull by
the horns and beat them at their own game.’
Take the bull by the horns means…
a) To wrestle a bull to the ground with brute
strength
b) To beat somebody at their own game
c) To take decisive and direct action
Idioms - Animals
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Idioms Language Program
As Weak as a Kitten
Kitten
Bright Eyed and Bushy Tailed
Tailed
Setting: My best friend has had the flu and
Setting: I got up this morning and the sky was
been away from school for two weeks. When he
clear and the sun was shining. I felt bright eyed
came to school today he looked as weak as a
and bushy tailed.
kitten.
As weak as a kitten means…
a) To feel as fast and as agile as a cat
b) To feel sickly and fragile
c) To feel a little ill
Idioms - Animals
Bright eyed and bushy tailed means…
a) To climb a tree like a possum
b) To be very cheerful and excited
c) To feel flat and not energetic
Idioms - Animals
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Idioms Language Program
Black and White
White
Blue in the Face
Face
Setting: The manager tends to view issues in
Setting: I argued with my sister until I was blue in
terms of being black and white. He is inflexible
the face, but couldn’t get her to change the
and can’t be shifted on his views.
T.V. channel.
Black and white means…
a) Thinking that all things are either totally good
or utterly bad
b) To be flexible and open-minded about issues
c) To be colour blind
Blue in the face means…
a) Someone’s face turns blue from shouting
b) To be upset and emotional about an issue
c) To not be able to breathe properly
Catch Someone RedRed-Handed
Setting: The villain was in the process of
stealing the money when the policeman caught
him red-handed.
Catch someone red-handed means…
a) To catch someone when they’re
doing
something wrong
b) To catch someone with red paint on their hands
c) To catch someone who steals a lot
Idioms: Colours
Idioms: Colours
Give Someone the Green Light
Light
Grass is Always Greener
Greener
Green with Envy
Envy
Setting: The pool looked very inviting and our
Setting: I realized that the grass isn’t always
Setting: I was green with envy when my friend
class wanted to jump in, but we had to wait for
greener on the other side. My new school is not
won the lead role in the play, whereas I was only
our teacher’s permission. Finally, we were given
as good as my old school.
one of the extras.
Idioms: Colours
the green light.
Give someone the green light means…
a) To go through the traffic lights
b) Permission to begin something
c) To stop and wait for permission
Idioms: Colours
Grass is always greener on the other side
means…
a) The grass in the next paddock gets more water
b) A place or situation that is far away is better
To be green with envy means…
a) To be very jealous and full of envy
b) To feel a bit ill and turn a little green
c) To be envious yet happy for a friend’s success
than where we are now
c) Where we are now is better than the next place
Idioms: Colours
Idioms: Colours
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Idioms Language Program
Look at the World Through Rose
Coloured Glasses
Glasses
Once in a Blue Moon
Moon
Paint the Town Red
Red
Setting: My mother views the world through
Setting: My parents are very health conscious,
Setting: My parents were in a good mood. Dad
rose coloured glasses and sees only the good in
so we only get to have fish & chips once in a blue
said, as they were leaving, ‘Tonight, your mother
situations.
moon .
and I are going out to paint the town red.’
Look at the world through rose coloured glasses
means…
a) To wear a pair of rose glasses that distorts vision
b) To be too optimistic about something; to only
see the bright side
Once in a blue moon means…
a) To happen only rarely
b) To only buy fish & chips when it’s a full moon
c) To only buy fish & chips once a year
c) To view world events in a negative way
Idioms: Colours
Idioms: Colours
Roll Out the Red Carpet
Carpet
Show one’s True Colours
Colours
Setting: When the president visited our city,
Setting: I always felt that my boss didn’t like me,
the mayor rolled out the red carpet for him.
To roll out the red carpet means...
a) To put in a new carpet in a house
b) To welcome and show respect to a visiting
but he was always nice to me. His true colours
were revealed when he fired me.
person
To show one’s true colours means...
a) To reveal the colour of your skin and eyes
b) When an individual displays the type of person
c) To treat a visiting person with disrespect
they really are
c) To wear matching coloured clothes
Idioms: Colours
Idioms: Colours
Paint the town red means…
a) To go out and have a great time
b) To go out with pots of paint and paint buildings
red
c) To live in a town that has red buildings
Idioms: Colours
White Elephant
Elephant
Setting: Federation square is controversial.
Some developers believe the square to be a
great venue and meeting place, whereas others
describe it as a white elephant.
White elephant means...
a) A useless place or problematic situation
b) A building or venue that has great potential
c) A rare albino elephant
Idioms: Colours
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Idioms Language Program
To Pass with Flying Colours
Colours
Tickled Pink
Pink
Setting: I nervously looked at my exam results
Setting: I sent flowers to my best friend on her
and was relieved to learn that I had passed with
birthday. She was tickled pink that I had
flying colours.
remembered her birthday.
To pass with flying colours means…
a) To make a bare pass, or just pass
b) To pass with great success
c) To pass a course in flying coloured kites
To be pickled pink means...
a) To be very pleased and delighted
b) To be annoyed or very cross
c) To be tickled so hard your skin turns pink
White Lie
Lie
Setting: I really wanted to see a new rock band
that night, so I told my friend a white lie. I said, ‘I
can’t come to your birthday party because I feel
a bit sick.’
White lie means…
a) To tell a huge lie
b) To tell a harmless lie to avoid hurting
someone’s feelings
c) To tell a lie in order to trick someone
Idioms: Colours
Idioms: Colours
Idioms: Colours
To See Red
Red
Red Tape
Tape
Out of the Blue
Blue
Setting: I began to see red when I learnt that I
Setting: It could be argued that state and
Setting: Out of the blue our math teacher
had been misled by the car salesman, and bought
national water wastage is a problem because of
resigned and decided that he wanted to live and
a terrible car.
red tape in government departments.
work in India.
To see red means…
a) To wear red tinted sunglasses
b) To become very angry or annoyed
c) To become aware of something
Idioms: Colours
Red tape means…
a) Having to overcome time consuming paperwork
to complete a goal
b) Red tape used to seal office doors
c) Difficulty in deciding on a course of action
Idioms: Colours
Out of the blue means…
a) A complete surprise. No warning
b) To come to a decision
c) An object that appears from out of a clear blue
sky
Idioms: Colours
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© David Newmonic Language Resources
Idioms Language Program
In the Red
Red
Pot Calling the Kettle Black
Black
Setting: The businessman said to his staff, ‘I’m
Setting: My friend criticized me for wearing
afraid I’m going to have to let some of you go,
dirty shoes, which is the pot calling the kettle
because our business is too much in the red.’
black, because his shoes are dirtier than mine.
In the red means…
a) To use red ink in your pen instead of blue or
black
b) To have too many staff in a company
c) To lose money and to be unprofitable
Idioms: Colours
Pot calling the kettle black means…
a) To have dirty pots on the stove
b) The person who criticizes is as guilty as those
he accuses
c) To be fair and reasonable with criticism
Idioms: Colours
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© David Newmonic Language Resources
Idioms Language Program
Bet One’s
One’s Bottom Dollar
Born with a Silver Spoon in One
One’
ne’s Mouth
Scenario: My mother and I were waiting in the
Scenario: My friend and I watched as our
car for Dad to come out of the hardware store.
classmate was driven to school in his father’s
Mom said, ‘I’ll bet my bottom dollar that your
luxury car. My friend turned to me and said ‘that
father won’t be out of that store anytime soon.’
boy was born with a silver spoon in his mouth.’
Bet one’s bottom dollar means...
a) The dollar is in the bottom of my pocket
b) My money is at the bottom of the well
c) Bet all one has on something. A certainty.
Idioms: Money
Born with a silver spoon in ones mouth means...
a) Someone who likes the taste of silver
b) Someone born to wealth and comfort
c) Someone who always has a spoon in ones mouth
Idioms: Money
Bottom Line
Scenario: My teacher wasn’t happy with me
when he said, ‘ The bottom line is, if you don’t
start working harder on your project, I may have
to fail you.’
Bottom line means...
a) The most important thing
b) The line at the bottom
c) The point of no return
Idioms: Money
Dime a Dozen
Flat Broke
For a Song
Scenario: I wanted to buy a yellow budgie. My
Scenario: My friend and I went to the fish &
Scenario: My mother was in a good mood. She
mum frowned and said ‘Budgies are a dime a
chip shop for lunch. I bought potato cakes, while
pointed to an old battered fry pan and said ‘I
dozen. I’d much prefer you bought a canary.’
my friend bought chips. He turned to me and
found this down at the second hand store. I
said ‘I’d love to buy some fish but I’m flat broke.’
bought it for a song.’
Dime a dozen means...
a) Something that isn’t worth much
b) Something that is worth as much as a carton of
eggs.
c) Easy to get or buy, therefore of little value.
Idioms: Money
Flat broke means...
a) Having no money
b) Your have a flat tire and your bike is broken
c) Your wallet has a hole in it
Idioms: Money
For a song means...
a) To be good at singing songs
b) To buy something for a low price, to buy
cheaply
c) To sing a song for an item, instead of paying
money
Idioms: Money
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© David Newmonic Language Resources
Idioms Language Program
Highway Robbery
Hit the Jackbox
On the House
Scenario: We went to the car yard to buy a new
Scenario: My big brother found some money he
Scenario: The hotel manager was a good friend
car. My father looked at the prices and said in
had lost a year ago. He yelled ‘Whoo
of my fathers. When our family arrived for dinner
an annoyed tone ‘The cars are too expensive
Hoo...There must be 40 dollars here. I’ve really
the hotel manager said, ‘Tonight, my friend,
here. It’s highway robbery.’
hit the jackbox this time!’
dinner for you and your family is on the house.’
Highway robbery means...
a) To charge a very high price for something
b) To rob somebody on the highway
c) To steal something from somebody
Hit the jackbox means...
a) Hit a jack-in-the-box in the mouth
b) Make or find a lot of money suddenly
c) Win at the casino
On the house means...
a) To sit on the roof of a house
b) To eat dinner on the floor of a house
c) The owner of a place pays for you
Idioms: Money
Idioms: Money
Idioms: Money
Strike it Rich
Stone Broke
Scrape Together
Scenario: My uncle burst into the house with a
Scenario: My friends were going to the cinema
Scenario: My friend Paul wanted to buy the
huge smile on his face and said, ‘I struck it rich.’
to see the new film. They asked if I wanted to
new action figure. He said, ‘If we combine our
We learnt later that he had won a lot of money in
come. I replied, ‘I can’t go to the cinema because
money we’ll be able to scrape together enough
the lottery.
I’m stone broke.’
money to buy that toy.’
Strike it rich means...
a) To smile warmly at someone
b) Become suddenly wealthy or successful without
expecting to.
c) To strike the ground with a pickaxe and find gold.
Idioms: Money
Stone-broke means...
a) To have a pocket full of stones
b) To be as poor as a broken stone
c) To have no money
Idioms: Money
Scrape together means...
a) To share money with someone
b) To gather small amounts of money together to
form a small total.
c) To gather money together with a friend
Idioms: Money
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© David Newmonic Language Resources
Idioms Language Program
Red Cent
Rake in the Money
Rain Check
Scenario: My father shopped for a new lawn
Scenario: My parents have been raking in the
Scenario: I invited my friend over to watch a
mower. He said ‘I wouldn’t give a red cent for
money with their cleaning business. They have
DVD. He said, ‘Sorry, I can’t. I’ll have to take a
half the mowers I saw today.’
so much money now that our family will be able to
rain check. I’ll come next time’
Red cent means...
a) A red cent is a coin that is shiny red
b) The smallest amount of money
c) The last coin in your wallet
Idioms: Money
go on a long holiday to Fiji.
Rake in the money means...
a) To make a lot of money
b) To use a rake to gather up spare money
c) To clean money
Idioms: Money
Pay Through
Through the Nose
Pass the Buck
Scenario: I had to pay through the nose to buy
Scenario: My mother was angry. She said, ‘I am
my new jeans. They are the latest style and
so tired of being blamed for others mistakes. My
certainly not cheap.
boss keeps passing the buck.’
Pay through the nose means...
a) To pay for something using the length of your
nose as a measure
b) Pay money for something that is a very high
price, almost too much
c) To not pay much money for something. A bargain
Idioms: Money
Pass the buck means...
a) To pass money on to someone who needs it
b) To take responsibility for one’s own actions
c) To put the responsibility of decision making
onto someone else
Idioms: Money
Rain check means...
a) To promise to be available for an invitation at
a later date
b) To check for rain before accepting an invitation
c) To enjoy dancing in the rain
Idioms: Money
On a Shoestring
Scenario: I asked my mother if I could go to the
cinema with my friends. She shook her head
sadly and said, ‘No, I’m afraid we’re living on a
shoestring, so you can’t go.’
On a shoestring means...
a) To sell shoestrings to make money
b) On a very low budget with little money to
spend
c) On a high budget with lots of spare money
Idioms: Money
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© David Newmonic Language Resources
Idioms Language Program
Money to
to Burn
As Poor as a Church Mouse
Scenario: My best friend comes from a family
Scenario: My family is as poor as a church
where they have money to burn. They’re always
mouse. I have holes in my old trainers but can’t
going on expensive holidays.
afford new shoes.
Money to burn means...
a) Money is scarce; so don’t spend it on unnecessary
things
b) Use paper money to light the fire
c) To have lots of money. Money to spare
Idioms: Money
As Poor as a Church Mouse means…
a) To be wealthy
b) To need new shoes
c) To be very poor
Idioms: Money
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© David Newmonic Language Resources
Idioms Language Program
Back on One
One’s
ne’s Feet
Feet
Clean Bill of Health
Health
Taste of One
One’s
ne’s own Medicine
Medicine
Setting: The boy, who rudely knocked the
Setting: I felt sick and went to the doctors. He
Setting: My grandmother had been ill for some
milkshake out of my hand, got a taste of his own
gave me some medicine and told me I’d be back
time, but now she was much better. Her doctor
medicine when his ice cream later fell in the sand.
on my feet in no time.
gave her a clean bill of health.
Back on ones feet means…
a) To feel better and get out of bed
b) To stand up after tripping over
c) To feel physically healthy again
Idioms: Medical
Clean bill of health means…
a) To be given a doctors bill on crisp, clean paper
b) A report that confirms a person is healthy
c) A report that is uncertain about a person’s health
Taste of ones own medicine means…
a) Having an ice-cream knocked out of your hand
unintentionally
b) Those that treat others poorly are treated
the same way
c) Made to swallow bitter medicine
Idioms: Medical
Idioms: Medical
Go Under
Under the
the Knife
Knife
Just what the Doctor Ordered
Ordered
Bring Round
Round
Setting: My friend told me, ‘My father went
Setting: I was cold and wet after playing footy
Setting: My friend fainted because of the heat.
under the knife last night. He’s expected to be
in the rain and mud. Mum ran me a hot bath,
I tried to bring her round with a fan but she
home from the hospital tomorrow.’
which is just what the doctor ordered.
didn’t feel better till much later.
Just what the doctor ordered means…
a) The family doctor ordered a hot bath
b) Exactly what is needed or wanted
c) A doctor’s orders are to be followed to prevent a
cold
Bring round means…
a) To restore someone to consciousness
b) To walk someone around in a circle when they
feel feint
c) To bring someone who feels ill a glass of water
Idioms: Medical
Idioms: Medical
Go under the knife means…
a) To be operated on in surgery
b) To come home from the hospital safely
c) To cut your finger
Idioms: Medical
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© David Newmonic Language Resources
Idioms Language Program
Out Cold
Cold
Come Down With
With…
ith…
Feel on Top of the World
World
the ball and came crashing back to the ground,
Setting: My mum was sneezing and didn’t look
Setting: The student came out of the exam
and lay without moving. The T.V. commentator
well. She said, ‘I think I may be coming down with
room and said, ‘I think I did very well. I’m feeling
said the player looked like he was out cold.
a cold.’
on top of the world.’
Setting: The football player jumped high for
Out cold means…
a) To be outside on a cold day
b) To lose consciousness
c) To feel cold and clammy
Come down with…
a) To walk down the stairs with an item
b) To become sick
c) To come back to earth
Feel on top of the world means…
a) To feel very happy and very healthy
b) To feel giddy from heights
c) To feel happy from being up so high
Idioms: Medical
Idioms: Medical
Idioms: Medical
Flare Up
Up
Head Shrinker
Shrinker
Look the Picture of Health
Health
Setting: The basketball player played the game Setting: My dad said, ‘The man was ordered by
with a sore knee. He put an ice pack on the knee the court to go and see a head shrinker because
after the game because it had flared-up again.
Flare-up means…
a) A reoccurrence of an old injury or illness
b) An injury that causes swelling
c) To play sport while injured
of his strange behaviour.’
Head Shrinker means…
a) A witch Doctor
b) A psychiatrist; a doctor who works with
patients who have mental illness.
Setting: The nurse was pleased with the
patient’s progress. ‘You look the picture of
health,’ she beamed.
Look the picture of health means…
a) To look like a picture
b) To be in good health and to look healthy
c) To look healthy, but be still quite ill
c) A person who shrinks heads for a living
Idioms: Medical
Idioms: Medical
Idioms: Medical
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© David Newmonic Language Resources
Idioms Language Program
On the Mend
Mend
Over the Wors
Worst
orst
Run Some Tests
Tests
Setting: The boy’s grandfather had had
Setting: The doctor said to the nurse, ‘I’m
Setting: The doctor said to the patient, ‘I just
surgery two weeks before, but was now up and
pleased with Mr. Smith’s progress.’ The nurse
want to run some tests to make sure that
walking. He said to his grandson, ‘I think I’m
replied, ‘Yes, I think he’s finally over the worst.’
everything’s cleared up.’
finally on the mend.’
On the mend means…
a) To feel quite ill
b) Starting to heal. Become better
c) To repair a broken bone
Over the worst means…
a) Starting to recover from an illness
b) To be very ill
c) Starting to become ill
Idioms: Medical
Idioms: Medical
Take a Turn for the Worse
Worse
Run a Temperature
Temperature
Run some tests means…
a) A doctor performs medical tests
b) A written test to pass an exam
c) To have a courier deliver tests to a hospital
Idioms: Medical
Pull Through
Through
Setting: The mother placed a thermometer in
Setting: The doctor said to my mother, ‘Your
her baby’s mouth. She frowned and said, ‘He’s
Setting: The nurse said, ‘It was touch and go
husband has taken a turn for the worst, and will
running a temperature.’
with Mrs. Jones there for a while, but I’m now
have to stay in hospital for a few extra days.’
Take a turn for the worst means…
a) To turn the corner, become better
b) To take your turn in line
c) To become more ill
Run a temperature means…
a) A person’s temperature is high, indicating
illness
b) A person’s temperature is high, indicating good
health
c) A person who runs fast has a high temperature
confident that she’ll pull through.’
Pull through means…
a) To become more ill
b) To recover from a serious illness or injury
c) To go from being healthy to being sick
Idioms: Medical
Idioms: Medical
Idioms: Medical
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© David Newmonic Language Resources
Idioms Language Program
Run Down
Down
Under the Weather
Weather
Setting: The doctor said to his patient, ‘I want
Setting: My friend didn’t feel like coming out to
you to take some time off from work. You look
kick the footy. He said he was a bit under the
run down and need a holiday.’
weather.
Run down means…
a) To feel a bit down after running a race
b) To feel good after working hard
c) To be in poor condition, which could lead to
poor health
Idioms: Medical
Under the weather means…
a) To feel poorly because of a rainy day
b) To get wet when you’re under a rain cloud
c) To not feel very well
Idioms: Medical
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© David Newmonic Language Resources