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1001001001000 000

ENGLISH IDIOMS 1001001001000 000

W.H.Blackmore

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Unit 1. Long and Short Idioms cross line cross

tick cross. Crossed in love line 20

line Step out of line If you step out

of line again, you will be sacked Read between the lines

lines railway lines 5In the long run run

long short cross dot line lines

1. A long way out

[ ] Quite inaccurate.

[ ] I am sorry to say that your answer was a long way out.

2. By a long chalk [ ] By a great amount; very much.

By a long shot

By a long chalk

[ ] She has not finished her thesis by a long chalk.

3. Cut a long story short [ ] Say with fewer words in order to save time.

[ ] Li Ming met this American girl last year in Shanghai well, to cut a long story short,

he is an American citizen now.

4. Have a long head [ ] Be sensible, shrewd.

[ ] He has a long head, and I think he could do well in business.

5. In the long run [ ] Over a long period of time; ultimately.

in the long run in the short run

[ ] The company is losing money at the moment, but profits will be high in the long run.

6. The long and short of something [ ] To sum up the most important point of an argument or story.

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[ ] Its a complicated story, but the long and short of it is that he was arrested.

7. Take a long view [ ] Think about what will happen in the future as well as what is happening now.

Take the long view.

[ ] We are planning to build a new bridge, and we should take the long view.

8. A short cut [ ] A quick way of arriving somewhere or doing something.

[ ] It was a long road, so we took a short cut across the field.

9. Short with someone

[ ] Abrupt or rude to someone.

[ ] I asked her father to marry his daughter, but he was short with me.

10. Have a short temper [ ] Get angry easily.

[ ] Many people say that Mr. Smith has a short temper, but I think he is all right.

11. Make short work of something [ ] Deal with something quickly.

[ ] The exam was very easy and she made short work of it.

12. Run short of something [ ] Use up almost all of something; have too little or few of something left.

[ ] I think we are running short of rice. Please buy another bag on your way home.

13. Short-handed [ ] Not having enough workers.

[ ] When the mechanic left for a holiday, we were short-handed for a time.

14. At cross purposes with someone [ ] Misunderstand each other.

[ ] You must be at cross purposes with him; you dont seem to be talking about the samething.

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15. Crossed in love [ ] Be disappointed in love.

[ ] She was crossed in love four times before she met her present boy friend.

16. Cross ones ts and dot ones is t i

[ ] Be careful, exact, and precise, especially in writing.

[ ] This is an important document; we must cross our ts and dot our is when we draw upthe contract.

17. Cross someones path

[ ] Meet someone by chance, especially after a long period of time.

[ ] I have crossed her path two or three times in my life.

18. Cross someones mind [ ] Come to mind briefly; Occur to someone.

Pass through someones mind.

Come to mind

[ ] I would like to tell you what has just passed through my mind.

19. Double-cross someone [ ] Cheat, betray a friend or a partner.

[ ] The robbers tried to double-cross each other, each wanting to keep all the jewelry forhimself.

20. All along the line [ ] Everywhere; completely; in every way; at every point.

[ ] (1) We were lucky all along the line.(2) He has trusted you all along the line but now you have let him down.

21. Bottom line [ ] (1) The last figure on a financial balance sheet.

[ ] I can not remember those figures. Please just tell me the bottom line.

[ ] (2) The result; the final outcome; the crux of the matter.

[ ] The bottom line is that you have to do the job because no one can do it.

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22. Bring somebody into line [ ] Make somebody agree or obey.

23

[ ] She could not agree with him before the meeting, but he soon brought her into line.

23. Come into line with someone [ ] Agree with someone; accept someones advice; obey.

Fall into line with someone.

[ ] He eventually fell into line when I showed him all the evidence.

24. Draw the line at [ ] Refuse to go as far as; set a limit.

at

[ ] I am willing to help you, but I draw the line at doing your homework for you.

25. Drop someone a line [ ] Send or leave someone a short letter.

[ ] Even if you are busy, you should sit down and drop him a line to thank him for hishospitality.

26. Put someones life on the line [ ] Risk death in order to achieve something.

Put someones neck on the line

[ ] Government officials in this country are not the ones who will put their lives on the line

to fight in wars.

27. Sign on the dotted line [ ] Place ones signature on a contract or other important paper.

[ ] We can not say that the agreement is concluded until we both sign on the dotted line.

28. Take a strong line [ ] Act in a certain way.

[ ] The students are behaving badly; you should take a strong line with them.

29. Toe the line [ ] Obey orders; do what is expected or required to do.

Toe Toe Tow

Tow the line

[ ] The father insisted his daughter toe the line and finish her homework, or he would

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refuse to let her go out and play with her friends.

30. Read between the lines [ ] Find a deeper meaning than is obvious; understand more than the words appear to mean.

[ ] This editorial is very important. You should read between the lines.

I.

1. She was crossed in love many times in the past.A. She used to love God in the past.B. She was disappointed in her past love life.C. She did not want to get married.

2. He has a short temper.A. He never gets angry.B. He gets angry easily.C. He has an amiable character.

3. He is not prepared to put his neck on the line.A. He is not going to take the risk.B. He is not willing to risk his life.C. He does not want to tell the truth.

4. You should cross your ts and dot your is.A. You should be careful in your writing.B. You should make sure you can get there in time.C. You should be considerate to others.

5. They tried to double-cross each other.A. They tried to cheat each other.B. They tried to see each other more often.

C. They tried to pray for each other.6. We are short-handed at the moment.

A. We want to make more money.B. We should improve our skills.C. We need more people to help.

7. Eventually we brought her into line.A. She was captured in the end.B. Finally she agreed with us.C. Eventually we took her to court.

8. The manager has a long head.A. The manager is very mean.

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B. The manager is very generous.C. The manager is very shrewd.

9. She is always short with me.A. She always asks me to help her.B. She is always happy to be with me.C. She always gets angry with me.

10. I have never crossed her path after graduation.A. I have not seen her after graduation.B. She wanted to marry me after graduation.C. She refused my love after graduation.

II. 6 14

1. take a ________________ line.

2. come into ________________ with someone.3. not by a long ________________.4. cross someones ________________.5. have a short ________________.6. all along the ________________.7. the long and ________________ of it.8. bring someone into ________________.9. draw the ________________ at.10. put ones ________________ on the line.11. cross ones ts and ________________ ones is.12. read ________________ the lines.13. at ________________ purposes with someone.14. all ________________ the line.15. drop someone a ________________.

III. [1] a long way out. [ ] obey rules.

[2] a short cut. [ ] disappointed in love.

[3] bottom line. [ ] outcome.[4] toe the line. [ ] need more workers.

[5] crossed in love. [ ] quite incorrect.

[6] short-handed. [ ] betray someone.

[7] double-cross someone. [ ] be firm.

[8] take a strong line. [ ] a quick way.

[9] have a long head. [ ] meet someone.

[10] cross someones path. [ ] clever and shrewd.

IV.

1 cut __ ______ ______ ______

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2 take __ _______ ____3 take __ _______ _____4 come ____ _______ ____ _________5 drop _________ __ _____6 toe ___ ______7 put ___________ ____ __ ___ _____8 bottom _______9 have __ _______ _________10 have __ ______ _______

V. 1. He has been very fortunate all along the ________________.2. I wanted to drop him a ________________ before I went back; but I forgot.

3. He is a successful businessman; he has a ________________ head.4. It is hard to ________________ her into line.5. He was sad because he was crossed in ________________ again.6. I ________________ the line at writing the paper for him.7. We are running ________________ of milk.8. You should ________________ the long view when we make plans.9. He has not finished his homework by a long ________________.10. She is often at cross ________________ with her husband.

VI.

2. A sudden idea crossed his mind.3. I crossed her path only once since we graduated two years ago.4. This is an important article. You should read between the lines.5. She has not finished the book by a long chalk.6. She eventually came into line with me.7. The teacher asked his students to toe the line.8. He has not finished his assignment by a long chalk.9. She made short work of the exam.

10. I will cut the long story short.11. We are lucky all along the line.

VII.

1. She did not want to go to Russia with us at the beginning. But we 2. The students are rough. You should 3. When you draw up the contract, you should 4. It is a long story. Because we do not have enough time now, I will 5. You should know I can not do everything for you. I have 6. This chapter is very important. You should

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7. The exam was not difficult for her, and when she did it, she 8. He is still not married. He wants to, but he 9. Three more employees have left, so now we 10. He is very angry with his girl friend because she

Unit 2. Point and Location idioms

point bottom top

At bottom She seems aggressive but at bottom she is verykind and generous Bottom Bottoms up

Cheers Cheers. Talented

Personnel Intercourse Fair Intercourse

point square circle round bottom top level

1. Carry ones point [ ] Make others agree with oneself.

Gain ones point.

[ ] He had a good talk with the students and gained his point.

2. Come to the point [ ] Speak directly about the matter being discussed.

[ ] The students were getting impatient; so I asked her to come to the point.

3. In point [ ] Having to do with what is being discussed.

[ ] He argued for the proposal and gave a case in point by giving an example of what was

being discussed.

4. Make a point [ ] State an item of importance.

[ ] The President made a point at the meeting, which we should all remember.

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5. Make a point of doing something [ ] Make the effort to do something which one considers necessary.

[ ] He always made a point of knowing the students by name.

6. Off the point [ ] Not having to do with what is being considered.

Away from the point.

[ ] We just want him to stop talking; what he said is away from the point.

7. On the point of doing something [ ] Just about to.

[ ] When he was on the point of winning the race he stumbled and fell.

8. The point of no return [ ] Position or situation from which one can only go forward.

[ ] I understand if I ask for a transfer from this university, it will be the point of no return.

9. To the point [ ] Having to do with what is being discussed; relevant to the subject.

[ ] You have to re-write the last part of your essay. It is not to the point.

10. When it comes to the point [ ] In fact; in reality.

[ ] He promised her a lot of money, but when it came to the point she got nothing.

11. A square meal [ ] A good and satisfying meal.

[ ] After ten hours in the boat, I really look forward to a square meal.

12. A square peg in a round hole [ ] A person not suited for the job or situation he/she is in.

[ ] I was the only person who could not speak Japanese at the party and I felt I was a squarepeg in a round hole.

13. Square up with someone [ ] Settle ones accounts with someone.

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[ ] The person you sent over to help me is not good. Send me another man, and dont

scrape from the bottom of the barrel.

22. Touch bottom [ ] Go down; fall very low; to the lowest point.

[ ] Share prices touched bottom on the Exchange this morning.

23. Blow ones top [ ] Become very angry; lose ones temper.

[ ] He was very rude to her. In the end, she blew her top.

24. Get on top of sb / sth

[ ] (1) Be successful in dealing with something difficult.

[ ] We are getting on top of the problem at last.

[ ] (2) Be too much for someone.

[ ] The work I am doing at the moment is really getting on top of me, and I must get somehelp.

25. Go over the top [ ] Do something in an exaggerated or excessive way; overreact.

[ ] She really went over the top with the dinner she prepared for us. It took her two hours toprepare!

26. On top of something [ ] (1) In addition to; also; as well.

[ ] He gave me a meal and, on top of that, money for my journey.

[ ] (2) Dealing satisfactorily with something.

[ ] I do not think the new students are on top of this matter.

27. On top of the world [ ] Feeling wonderful; glorious; overjoyed.

[ ] She was on top of the world when she got her new job.

28. Over the top [ ] Exaggerated; excessive.

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[ ] His reaction to the teachers statement was really over the top.

29. Do ones level best [ ] Do everything possible.

[ ] The manager promised to do his level best to ensure that the company would not betaken over by another one.

30. Keep a level head [ ] Be or remain steady or calm; be sensible.

Have a level head.

[ ] She is not likely to do anything rash; she has a level head.

31. On the level [ ] Honest.

[ ] You should be quite sure that he is on the level before you sign the contract with him.

I.

1. She is on the level.A. She is efficient.B. She is in a high poistion.C. She is honest.

2. You are away from the point.A. What you said is irrelevant.B. What you said is not true.C. What you said is logical.

3. He is on top of the world.A. He is very powerful.B. He is very honest.C. He is very happy.

4. His work is getting on top of him now.A. He is doing too much work now.B. He is doing his work very slowly.C. He has been praised for his work.

5. You should come to the point now.A. You are being irrelevant.B. You should stop talking now.

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C. You are articulate.6. He always makes a point of remembering his wifes birthday.

A. He always tries to make sure he remembers her birthday.B. He always apologizes to her on her birthday.C. He always forgets her birthday.

7. Your argument is not to the point.A. Your argument is not logical.B. Your argument is not relevant.C. Your argument is groundless.

8. They are going round in circles.A. They are working hard.B. They are confused.C. They are making great progress.

9. He blew his top.

A. He was pomoted.B. He was demoted.C. He lost his temper.

10. He can knock the bottom out of the theory.A. He can prove that the theory is not true.B. He can understand the theory.C. He can use the theory.

II. 1. keep a ________________ head.2. scrape the ________________ of the barrel.3. on ________________ of the world.4. the ________________ of no return.5. a ________________ peg in a round hole.6. go round in ________________.7. touch ________________.8. make a ________________ of doing something.9. ________________ from the point.

10. go the ________________ of somewhere.11. come to the ________________.12. when it comes to the ___________.13. knock the ________________ out of something.14. square ________________ with someone.15. do ones ________________ best.

III.

[1] blow ones top. [ ] check various places.

[2] on the level. [ ] excessive.

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[3] do ones level best. [ ] just about to.

[4] touch bottom. [ ] get angry.

[5] make ones rounds. [ ] make others agree.

[6] over the top. [ ] honest.

[7] on top of the world. [ ] do ones best.

[8] come to the point. [ ] feel wonderful.

[9] gain ones point. [ ] fall very low.

[10] on the point of. [ ] speak directly.

IV.

1 touch __________2 go ___ ________ __ _________3 make _____ _________

4 square ___ _____ _________5 on _____ __ ___ _______6 come ___ ____ ________7 away ______ ____ ________8 blow _____ ______9 go _______ ___ _____10 round ____________ _____

V. 1. The stock price has ________________ bottom yesterday.2. She is on ________________ of her work.3. Dont ________________ the bottom of the barrel.4. We had a ________________ meal last night.5. You should ________________ to the point.6. You are ________________ the point.7. She always makes a ________________ of cleaning the keyboard.8. I felt like a square ________________ in a round hole.9. I must get to the ________________ of the matter.

10. He promised he would do his level ________________.

VI.

1. That was a square meal.2. She is on top of the world.3. You must come to the point now.4. You are away from the point.5. He kept a level head.6. He has made a point.

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7. Your argument is not to the point.8. You are going round in circles.9. We should get to the bottom of the matter.10. She is on the level.

VII.

1. He spoke to us for two hours, but he failed 2. He loves his daughter very much, and he always 3. The price is 99,89 yuan, 4. His talk to the students was very good, and he 5. Dont beat about the bush; you d better come 6. What she said made him very angry, so he 7. I know the task is difficult, but you should learn and get

8. She is fair and honest, and everyone says she 9. He said I could use his car, but when 10. I was the only one dressed in a suit at the informal party, I felt

Unit 3. Fire and Water Idioms

Get on like a house on fire

Pull chestnuts out of fire

cats paw

Milk and water (Water under the bridge) (Water over the dam)

fuel fire water stream ice

1. Add fuel to the fire [ ] Make a problem or situation worse; make an angry person even more angry.

Add

fuel to the flames

[ ] Mary was shouting angrily, but Michael kept laughing and thought that would stopMary from being angry. Of course, that was just adding fuel to the fire.

2. Get on like a house on fire [ ] Get on very well very quickly.

Like a house on fire

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[ ] I am sure the kids from Australia and the kids from China will get on like a house on

fire.

3. Go through fire and water [ ] Go through any hardships or any test.

[ ] He is loyal; he will go through fire and water to serve the company.

4. Have too many irons in the fire [ ] Do too many things at once.

[ ] At night he tutored in French, during the day he taught Arabic and at weekends he sang

at a karaoke bar. He has too many irons in the fire.

5. No smoke without fire [ ] Some evidence of a problem probably indicates that there really is a problem.

Where there is smoke there is fire There is no smoke

without fire [ ] People say that the manager is having an affair with his secretary, and there is no smoke

without fire.

6. Out of frying-pan into the fire [ ] From a bad situation to a worse situation.

[ ] I was deeply in debt. Then I really got out of the frying-pan into the fire when I lost my job.

7. Play with fire [ ] Do something very risky or dangerous.

[ ] If I were you, I would not talk to him that way. Well, unless you like playing with fire.

8. Pull chestnuts out of the fire [ ] Get out of a difficulty.

Pullchestnuts out of the fire for someone.

[ ] The lazy boy couldnt finish his assignment in time and he asked his friend to pullchestnuts out of the fire for him.

9. Put the fat in the fire [ ] Cause serious trouble.

The fat is in the fire

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Fat [ ] If you do not treat me nicely, I will report you to the police and put the fat in the fire.

10. Under fire [ ] Be attacked; criticized; or blamed.

come

[ ] The teachers stupid remark came under fire from the angry students.

11. Dull as dishwater [ ] Very uninteresting.

[ ] The professors speech was as dull as dishwater, and all the students were bored todeath.

12. Feel like a fish out of water [ ] Feel uncomfortable in a strange place .

[ ] I did not know most of the guests there, so I felt like a fish out of water.

13. Fish in troubled waters [ ] Try to obtain benefit for oneself from a state of confusion.

Fish [ ] The company started a rumor about its competitors alleged financial crisis so as to fish

in troubled waters.

14. Get into hot water [ ] Get into difficulties, usually by doing something foolish.

[ ] He did not listen to our advice and soon got into hot water.

15. Hold water [ ] Remain correct after being tested; able to be proved.

[ ] Your argument does not hold water, and I can detect many flaws.

16. In hot water [ ] In trouble.

Into hot water.

[ ] She got into hot water by being late to an important lecture.

17. Keep ones head above water [ ] Keep out of trouble, out of debt etc.

Get ones head above water.

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[ ] The allowance he gets from his parents each month helps him to keep his head above

water.

18. Like water off a ducks back [ ] Having no effect at all.

[ ] She has such a high opinion of herself that advice and criticism flows off her like wateroff a ducks back.

19. Make someones mouth water [ ] Make someone want to eat.

[ ] The ice-cream in the shop made her mouth water.

20. Milk and water [ ] (1) Innocuous talk.

[ ] After the meeting, my friend said to me that all they had at the meeting was milk and

water and that it was a waste of time.

[ ] (2) Two completely different things or people cannot be put or work together satisfactorily.

[ ] The new coach and the swimmer have very different personalities and characters. Whenthey are together, they are like milk and water.

21. Still waters run deep [ ] (1) Deep thinkers are persons of few words.

Smooth waters run deep

[ ] At meetings he is always quiet. But when he does speak, we all listen carefully, for stillwaters run deep.

[ ] (2) Conspirators are more dangerous.

[ ] The terrorist organization had secret codes and superficially they were regarded asresponsible citizens. However, the police know of this behavior, for still waters run

deep.

22. Take to something like a duck to water [ ] Able to do something well as soon as one tries to do it.

[ ] It didnt take him a long time to join the local band because he took to music like a duck to water.

23. Test the water [ ] Try to discover what people think about an idea before doing anything about it.

Test the waters.

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[ ] She mentioned her idea to a few people as a way of testing the water and they were very

interested in it.

24. Throw cold water on something [ ] Discourage someone from doing something; reduce enthusiasm for something.

Pour cold water on something.

[ ] When my brother said I could not borrow his car for the day, he poured cold water onmy plans.

25. Throw out the baby with the bath water [ ] Get rid of the good parts as well as the bad parts of something when trying to improve it.

[ ] I do not think we should throw out the baby with the bath water. There are some positive

elements in CET tests in China.

26. Water under the bridge [ ] Something unpleasant passed and forgotten.

Water over the dam

[ ] Please dont worry about it any more. Its all water under the bridge.

27. Go with the stream [ ] Do as others do.

[ ] He listened to the same music and dressed the same way as his friends. He went with thestream, for he lacked confidence in making his own decisions.

28. A drop in the bucket [ ] A negligible or tiny quantity.

A drop in the ocean

[ ] Ten cents means a lot of money to the beggar on the street, but it is a drop in the oceanfor most people.

29. Break the ice [ ] Make people begin to feel at ease.

[ ] He broke the ice at the party by telling a very amusing joke.

30. Put something on ice [ ] Delay or postpone something.

Put something on the back burner

[ ] We have to put your project on ice for some time, because we do not have the money.

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I.

1. Your argument does not hold water.A. Your argument is not logical.B. Your argument is flawless.C. Your argument has many flaws.

2. He is adding fuel to the fire.A. He is very generous.B. He is in a big hurry.C. He is causing greater trouble.

3. The fat is in the fire now!A. You are in real trouble now!B. You have to lose weight now!

C. You are making great progress!4. The government are under fire.

A. The government are being criticized.B. The government need more employees.C. The government is going bankrupt.

5. She has too many irons in the fire.A. She has many important friends.B. She is an important person.C. She has many things to attend to.

6. She is in hot water now.A. She lives in a rich suburb.B. She is being praised to the sky.C. She is in trouble now.

7. That was water under the bridge.A. Let bygones be bygones.B. That happened in the good old days.C. We spent money like water in the past.

8. His talk was like milk and water.A. His talk was very boring.

B. His talk was very stimulating.C. His talk made all the students happy.

9. She threw cold water on my plan.A. She made me more sensible with my plan.B. She discouraged my plan.C. I realized my plan was not feasible.

10. She kept her head above water.A. She kept herself out of financial trouble.B. She was in great financial trouble.C. She remained wise and sensible.

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II.

1. a drop in the ________________.2. test the ________________.3. ________________ waters run deep.4. keep ones head above ________________.5. have too many ________________ in the fire.6. take ________________ something like a duck to water.7. out of ________________ into the fire.8. get into hot ________________.9. feel like ________________ out of water.10. water under the ________________.11. ________________ something on ice.12. get on like a ________________ on fire.13. make someones ________________ water.

14. threw out the ________________ with the bath water.15. add ________________ to the fire.

III. [1] break the ice. [ ] correct.

[2] go with the stream. [ ] past experience.

[3] milk and water. [ ] make people relax.

[4] water under the bridge. [ ] do as others do.

[5] hold water. [ ] uninteresting.

[6] in hot water. [ ] being blamed.

[7] test the water. [ ] do something risky.

[8] add fuel to the fire. [ ] in big trouble.

[9] play with fire. [ ] find out the reaction.

[10] under fire. [ ] make a problem worse.

IV.

1 a _______ __ ___ ________

2 go _____ ___ __________3 add ______ ___ ____ ______4 get ___ ______ _ _____ _ _____5 There __ __ ______ ________ ____6 like _ _____ ____ __ _______7 fish ___ _________ ________8 like _______ ___ _ ________ _____9 break ____ ____10 throw _____ _______ __ __________

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V.

1. The new students got on ________________ a house on fire.2. Still waters run ________________.3. She has too ________________ irons in the fire.4. You are skating on ________________ ice.5. He did not realize he was playing ________________ fire.6. That was only a ________________ in the ocean.7. Dont try to ________________ in troubled waters.8. The Chairman tried to ________________ the ice.9. His speech was like ________________ and water.10. I was asked to pull ________________ out of the fire for her.

VI.

1. They got on like a house on fire.2. What had happened was water over the dam.3. There is no smoke without fire.4. You will soon get into hot water.5. His article came under heavy fire.6. Smooth waters run deep.7. She has too many irons in the fire.8. He tends to go with the stream.9. They went through fire and water together.10. I feel like a fish out of water.

VII.

1. We certainly had our disagreements in the past, but thats 2. Everyone in the office gives me work to do. I am 3. We were told that his lecture would be stimulating, but the lecture turned out 4. We have tried to stop him, but it was no use. Our advice was 5. The situation in the country is in a big mess. So he is 6. He survived without borrowing money from anyone. He managed

7. It was not easy to found a company in those days. He 8. She got a divorce last year and married an even more vicious husband last month. She 9. I can not write this essay. Can you do it for me? If you 10. Everybody is trying to buy a bigger flat. Do you think he

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Unit 4. Flower, Grass and Tree Idioms

grass, hay straw Straw

(grapevine) (rose) (olive branch) (laurel)

(palm) (root) male sexual organ.

bud rose bunch flower lily thorn grass hay

straw nettle root grapevine olive branch laurel palm tree bush

1. Nip something in the bud [ ] Put an end to something before it gets properly started.

[ ] The commander knew that the mercenary soldiers were planning a mutiny, so he nippedit in the bud.

2. Under the rose [ ] Privately.

[ ] I can only say this among friends and under the rose.

3. A bed of roses [ ] A very pleasant state.

[ ] Life is not always a bed of roses. You will face difficulties at certain times.

4. Not all roses [ ] Not easy, not comfortable.

[ ] For car learners, driving forward is easy, but reversing is not all roses.

5. Gather ye rosebuds while ye may [ ] Seek pleasure; lead a pleasure-loving life while one has the opportunity.

ye the ( ) ye you

[ ] Life is short; gather your rosebuds while you may.

6. See something with rose-colored glasses [ ] Look at things in a happy and hopeful way; optimistic.

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See Look at Glasses

Spectacles.

[ ] His life so far has been easy and happy, so he often sees things with rose-coloredspectacles.

7. The best of the bunch [ ] The best of all.

The pick of the bunch .

[ ] My students are all good; it is very difficult to say who is the pick of the bunch.

8. The flower of something [ ] The best part of something.

[ ] During the Second World War, the country lost the flower of its youth.

9. Gild the lily [ ] Add something superfluous.

Gild the pill

Paint the lily,

[ ] She gilded the lily by putting on too much make-up for the interview.

10. A thorn in the flesh [ ] A source of irritation, nuisance.

[ ] His wifes continual nagging was a thorn in his flesh, and he wanted a divorce.

11. Allow grass to grow under ones feet [ ] Do nothing; stand still.

Let the grass grow under ones feet.

[ ] She is always busy. She does not allow grass to grow under her feet.

12. Make hay of something [ ] Disturb, upset, confuse, make a mess of something.

[ ] The heavy rain made hay of their honeymoon; they were forced to return home soonerthan had expected.

13. Hit the hay [ ] Go to bed and get some sleep.

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[ ] In those days he used to hit the hay after midnight.

14. Look for a needle in a haystack [ ] Look for something which is very difficult to find.

[ ] Finding a good restaurant open at this time of the day in the city is like looking for aneedle in a haystack.

15. A straw in the wind [ ] A small sign of what may happen.

[ ] The fall in the stock market is a straw in the wind to a countrys economy.

16. Clutch at straws

[ ] Try desperately to get any help.Grasp at straws.

straw [ ] The students English was not good; he will do anything and clutch at any straw to pass

the exam.

17. The last straw [ ] Something unpleasant which, by being added, makes a situation unbearable.

The last straw may break the camels back

[ ] I lost all my money. Having my car stolen as well was the last straw.

18. Grasp the nettle [ ] Tackle a problem directly; face a difficulty directly.

[ ] Talking about it day after day wouldnt solve the problem; what we should do is to graspthe nettle and get started.

19. Get to the root of the matter [ ] Understand or discover the essential part of it.

Go to the root of the matter.

[ ] The President is not satisfied with your report, and he wants to get to the root of the

matter.

20. Root and branch [ ] Completely.

[ ] The manager believed root and branch that the company would make record profits thefollowing year.

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21. Take root [ ] Become established, fixed, settled.

[ ] I am sure this custom will take root among overseas students.

22. Hear something on the grapevine [ ] Hear news from someone who heard the news from someone else.

Hear something through the grapevine. that

[ ] I heard on the grapevine that she was pregnant, but I am not sure if it is true.

23. Hold out the olive branch [ ] Show that one is ready to make peace.

Hold out an olive-branch.

[ ] Even after seventeen years of hostility, neither party is willing to hold out theolive-branch.

24. Look to ones laurels [ ] Be careful not to lose ones honor or become less famous because of the success of

somebody else.

[ ] Your daughters English is getting very fluent now, you will have to look to your laurels.

25. Rest on ones laurels [ ] Be satisfied with what one has done already and not try for further improvement.

[ ] Once he got his Ph.D. degree he did no further research and just rested on his laurels.

26. Win ones laurels [ ] Win honor or become famous.

[ ] She won her laurels at the National Speech Contest when she was only sixteen years old.27. Carry off the palm [ ] Win a prize; win victory.

Win the palm Bear the palm

[ ] The palm was carried off by a girl of 12 whose paper contained no mistakes at all.

28. Bark up the wrong tree [ ] Make the wrong choice; follow the wrong course.

[ ] If you accused me of stealing your book, you are barking up the wrong tree.

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29. Get to the top of the tree [ ] Reach the top of ones profession.

At the top of the tree.

[ ] The teacher thinks he can reach the top of the tree once he becomes a supervisor for postgraduate students.

30. Lead someone up a tree [ ] Diverting the issue and leaving a person in a difficult position or situation.

[ ] The journalists precarious questions led the politician up a tree.

31. Beat about the bush [ ] Waste time by talking about something other than the most important point.

[ ] I hate people who beat about the bush at important meetings.

I.

1. Dont beat about the bush!A. You should come to the point now!B. Dont talk behind my back!C. Dont destroy the environment!

2. They held out the olive branch.A. They wanted to make peace.B. They won the game.C. They planted a nice tree.

3. They discussed it under the rose.A. They discussed it openly.B. They had a private discussion.C. They had an argument.

4. He allows grass to grow under his feet.

A. He is lazy.B. He is kind-hearted.C. He is intelligent.

5. Dont gild the lily!A. Dont try to improve something that is already perfect!B. Dont count your chickens before they are hatched!C. Dont look a gift horse in the mouth.

6. We should grasp the nettle.A. We should avoid the issue.B. We should make further inquiries.C. We should tackle the problem directly.

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7. This is a straw in the wind.A. This is the best we can get.B. This is an indication.C. This will cause a big problem.

8. I think it is time to hit the hay.A. I think it is time to work.B. I think it is time to go to bed.C. I think it is time to eat.

9. This custom will take root.A. This custom will cease to exist.B. This custom will become established.C. This custom will be criticized.

10. He is a thorn in the flesh.A. He is a nuisance.

B. He is a gardener.C. He is a good surgeon.

II.

1. clutch at a ________________.2. ________________ and branch.3. let grass grow under ones ________________.4. gild the ________________.5. look for a ________________ in a haystack.6. ________________ the nettle.7. get to the ________________ of the matter.8. hear something on the ________________.9. gather ye rosebuds ________________ ye may.10. ________________ out the olive-branch.11. ________________ to ones laurels.12. beat about the ________________.13. ________________ up the wrong tree.14. lead someone up a ________________.

15. ________________ on ones laurels.

III.

[1] rest on ones laurels. [ ] completely.

[2] carry off the palm. [ ] the best of something.

[3] under the rose. [ ] go to bed.

[4] make hay of. [ ] become established.

[5] a straw in the wind. [ ] win the prize.

[6] root and branch. [ ] ruin, destroy.

[7] take root. [ ] an indication.

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[8] clutch at straws. [ ] look for help desperately.

[9] the pick of the bunch. [ ] stop making progress.

[10] hit the hay. [ ] privately.

IV.

1. a thorn __ ____ ________2. see _________ ____ ___________ _______3. gild ____ ______4. look ___ __ _______ __ _ _________5. hear __________ __ ____ ____________6. gather ___ __________ ______ ___ _____7. hold _____ ___ ______ ________8. carry ____ ____ _______

9. lead ___________ ___ _ ______10. beat ________ ____ ______

V.

1. Life is not a ________________ of roses.2. They had a conversation under the ________________.3. She is a ________________ in the flesh.4. The weather made ________________ of the football match.5. He is grasping at ________________.6. He believes it root and ________________.7. Stop beating __________________ the bush.8. You should look to your ________________.9. Do you think he can ________________ his laurels?10. He was led up a ________________.

VI. 1. He rested on his laurels.

2. They refuse to hold out an olive branch.3. Who carried off the palm?4. He is at the top of the tree.5. You need to look to your laurels.6. She is barking up the wrong tree.7. He refused to grasp the nettle.8. It is hard to decide who is the pick of the bunch.9. You should not let grass grow under your feet.10. I should get to the root of the matter.

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VII.

1. I believe this custom will eventually 2. This is a personal matter and I can only 3. Finding your stolen bike in the street is like 4. The General heard about the mutiny, so he 5. His English is almost as good as yours, youd better 6. You should enjoy yourself as much as you can. As the old saying goes, 7. He can not see the dark side of the situation. He is optimistic and 8. Both sides are tired of the war now. I think they will 9. You should be careful when you talk to the journalists. They 10. After he got the promotion, he stopped making progress and

Unit 5. Fruit, Vegetable and Grain Idioms (Adams apple)

One apple a day, keeps the doctor away

nut, Are you off your nut? ? What!? You want to sell your house and buy a luxurycar? You must be nuts! I cant

play snooker for nuts.

apple banana chestnut core fig fruit plum gooseberry grapes nut nutshell pip bean cucumber peas grain oats potato seed sesame

1. In apple-pie order [ ] In good order.

[ ] Their dormitory is in apple-pie order even though there are eight students living in it.

2. The apple of someones eye [ ] Someone or something loved very much.

[ ] She has three children but the eldest is the apple of her eye.

3. Upset the apple-cart [ ] Cause disorder and confusion; cause problems or trouble.

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[ ] The discussion was going smoothly, but suddenly the manager left the room. This actionreally upset the apple-cart and the meeting ended.

4. Go bananas [ ] Go crazy or become silly.

[ ] (1) Whenever I see Mary, I just go bananas! She is wonderful.(2) It was a terrible day! She almost went bananas.

5. An old chestnut [ ] An old joke which is no longer amusing.

[ ] The so-called expert made a very boring speech, adding a few old chestnuts at the end.

6. Get to the core of something [ ] Make a thorough investigation; understand it completely.

[ ] At the moment we dont know who is responsible for the damage, but we must get tothe core of the matter in the next two days.

7. To the core [ ] In every way, completely.

[ ] She is Japanese to the core even though she has lived in China for 20 years.

8. Not care a fig [ ] Not care at all; consider something unimportant or valueless.

Not care a straw

[ ] I dont care a fig for all your stupid excuses; I want you to pay me now.

9. Bear fruit

[ ] Yield results.

[ ] He has had many good ideas, but none of them has borne fruit.

10. A plum job [ ] A well-paid job.

[ ] Eventually he has got a plum job with a joint venture company free accommodation,

free car, traveling allowances, and the lot.

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11. Play gooseberry [ ] Be the third person present when two lovers wish to be by themselves.

[ ] Its time I went home; I dont want to play gooseberry.

12. Sour grapes [ ] Bitterness at failure, used when someone fails to get something and then pretends he/she

does not want or like it.

[ ] Her saying that she did not want to go to America is just sour grapes.

13. A hard nut to crack [ ] A difficult problem to solve.

walnut andhazelnut

[ ] The shortage of financial resources is always a hard nut to crack for any administration.

14. Not be able to do something for nuts [ ] Be unable to do it well; not able to do it at all.

(peanut and almond)

[ ] She thinks she has a very good voice, but in fact she cannot sing for nuts.

15. In a nutshell [ ] As briefly as possible; in a few words.

[ ] Its a long story, but let me put it in a nutshell.

16. Lie in a nutshell [ ] Easy to understand; simple and clear.

[ ] The whole matter lay in a nutshell.

17. Give someone the pip [ ] Make someone angry or depressed, annoy someone.

Pip

[ ] She gives me the pip when she starts talking about money.

18. Have the pip [ ] Be annoyed, angry or depressed.

Get the pip

[ ] Whenever she thinks about the salary she earns, she gets the pip.

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19. Pip someone at the post [ ] Defeat someone in a race or competition by a very small margin at the last moment.

[ ] We thought he would win the race, but unfortunately he was pipped at the post.

20. Not have a bean [ ] Have no money.

[ ] I lent her some money because she did not have a bean on her to buy her lunch.

21. Full of beans [ ] Lively, active.

Full of life ( ) Beans

[ ] She seemed very sick when I came in, but she was full of beans when I was away.

22. Spill the beans [ ] Give away a secret.

[ ] My wifes present to me was supposed to be a secret, but my little daughter spilled thebeans. I knew she was giving me a pair of shoes.

23. As cool as a cucumber [ ] Very calm and relaxed in a difficult situation; not at all worried or excited.

30-40

Cool Cool

[ ] (1)The pop star is adored by many youngsters and they say he is cool, as cool as a

cucumber.

(2)I thought she would be very nervous before the job interview, but she was as cool as

a cucumber.

24. As like as two peas [ ] Very similar in appearance.

[ ] The two sisters are not twins, but they are as like as two peas.

25. Separate the grain from the chaff [ ] Separate what is of value from what is useless.

[ ] Could you come over and have a look at the product and separate the grain from the

chaff?

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26. Off ones oats [ ] Not eating much; having lost ones appetite because of not feeling well.

[ ] He has been off his oats since he has been in the hospital.

27. Sow ones wild oats [ ] Lead a happy and careless life when one is young (but improving in conduct when one

is older).

[ ] He is sowing his wild oats now but I believe he will settle down once he finds a proper job.

28. A hot potato [ ] Something that is difficult or dangerous to deal with.

[ ] Human rights issue is a political hot potato in the world.

29. Go to seed [ ] Become careless about ones appearance.

Run to seed.

[ ] She used to wear make-up whenever she went out, but since she got married she has

gone to seed. And now she looks very plain.

30. Open sesame [ ] (1) Something one may use to solve a problem.

[ ] The invention of the transistor was the open sesame to the development of the computer.

[ ] (2) Magical or mysterious means of commanding access to what is usually inaccessible.

[ ] He thought money was his open sesame and he could do anything and influenceanybody with money.

I.

1. I dont care a fig.A. I dont care at all.B. I am really concerned.C. I am allergic to plants.

2. Dont upset the apple-cart!A. Dont cause confusion and disorder!B. Dont keep the apples!C. Dont throw the apples away!

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2. He went bananas.A. He was very happy.B. He was very sad.C. He became crazy and silly.

4. He is Australian to the core.A. He has kept his Australian lifestyle in every way.B. He has lost his Australian passport.C. He has to get a new Australian passport.

5. Everything was in apple-pie order.A. Everything was a mess.B. Everything was in good order.C. Everything was expensive.

6. He has got a plum job.A. He has lost his job.

B. He has got a new job.C. His job is well paid.

7. The children are full of beans.A. The children are quiet.B. The children are scared.C. The children are active.

8. She went bananas when she saw him.A. She criticized him.B. She loved him very much.C. She was sick of him.

9. It was my wife who spilled the beans.A. It was my wife who cooked the vegetarian dish.B. It was my wife who let the cat out of the bag.C. It was my wife who made a mess of the kitchen.

10. We must get to the core of the matter.A. We must make a thorough investigation.B. We must keep the secret.C. We must improve the situation.

II.

1. sow ones ________________ oats.2. lie in a ________________.3. give someone the ________________.4. ________________ the beans.5. as like as two ________________.6. in apple-pie ________________.7. not care a ________________.8. pip someone at the ________________.9. ________________ of beans.

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10. not have a ________________.11. ________________ sesame.12. the ________________ of someones eye.13. get to the ________________ of something.14. ________________ grapes.15. as cool as a ________________.

III.

[1] a plum job. [ ] have no money.

[2] spill the beans. [ ] have no appetite.

[3] off ones oats. [ ] careless about appearance.

[4] go to seed. [ ] give away a secret.

[5] full of beans. [ ] well paid job.

[6] not have a bean. [ ] yield results.[7] bear fruit. [ ] briefly.

[8] in a nutshell. [ ] annoy someone.

[9] give someone the pip. [ ] in every way.

[10] to the core. [ ] lively and active.

IV.

1 a _____ ___ __ _______2 play ______________3 full ___ ________4 spill ___ ________5 put ___ __ ____ _______6 lie __ __ __________7 go ___ _______8 not _______ _ ______9 off ____ _____10 get __ ___ ______

V. 1. The two bicycles are as ________________ as two peas.2. This is a ________________ nut to crack.3. She is the ________________ of her fathers eye.4. You shouldnt ________________ gooseberry here.5. The matter _________________ in a nutshell.6. She is ________________ her oats.7. He is ________________ his wild oats.8. I dont really care a ________________.9. He ________________ the apple-cart on purpose.10. This issue is a ________________ potato.

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VI.

1. She is Chinese to the core.

2. It is a hard nut to crack.3. I do not have a bean with me.4. The children are full of beans.5. The room is in apple-pie order.6. I will put it in a nutshell.7. She upset the apple cart.8. She has spilled the beans.9. That is an old chestnut.10. He doesnt care a straw.

VII.

1. He worked very hard in the house, now everything is 2. He loves his daughter very much. The daughter is 3. He did not buy anything, because he 4. He thought he would win the race, but he lost. He was 5. Its a long story, but I will 6. Everybody wants to avoid this problem. It is 7. He has tried very hard to make his project work, but so far 8. We will carry out further investigations. We 9. Now she has started to nag again. It 10. You can do whatever you like with the bike; I

Unit 6. Food and Milk Idioms

bread cake pie

Hot cake Money

for jam Butter someone up Get on with your work. Stop

beefing about the salary!

hard or soft

bread butter cake pie bacon egg milk honey soup jam

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1. All bread is not baked in one oven [ ] Everybody is different; people are different from one another.

[ ] You expect your son to achieve the same as you? Thats impossible. All bread is notbaked in one oven.

2. Ask for bread and receive a stone [ ] Not satisfied; meet a rebuff.

[ ] Full of hope he went to the managers office to ask for a payrise, which was bluntlyrefused. He asked for a bread and received a stone.

3. Bread and butter [ ] A persons livelihood or income.

[ ] Teaching is a hard work, but it is my bread and butter.

4. Bread and circuses [ ] Activities that are intended to keep people happy so that they do not complain about

existing problems.

[ ] Longer holidays are just bread and circuses designed to make people busy and happy.

5. Half a loaf is better than no bread [ ] Dont reject what you have got.

[ ] You have been given this old flat. A lot of other people have no flat at all. You should besatisfied. Half a loaf is better than no bread.

6. Know which side ones bread is buttered[ ] Know what will be the most advantage to oneself.

[ ] She will not divorce him as long as he has money in the bank; she knows which side her

bread is buttered.

7. Live on the breadline [ ] Be very poor.

Live below the breadline a

breadline

[ ] At the moment, there are many people from this province living below the breadline.

8. Ones daily bread [ ] Ones means of living; money to live.

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[ ] He takes photos but his daily bread comes from writing books.

9. Take the bread out of someones mouth [ ] Take away his/her means of earning a living.

[ ] The company opened a McDonalds restaurant near his caf and took the bread out of his mouth.

10. Take the gilt off the gingerbread [ ] Take away the pleasantness of something.

[ ] My Australian friend gave me a very nice cup, but it took the gilt off the gingerbread

when my wife chipped it.

11. The greatest thing since sliced bread [ ] Something or someone that is considered extremely good, often better than they really

are.

Thebest thing since sliced bread.

[ ] People think mobile phones are the best thing since sliced bread, but to me they are just

another kind of expensive gadgets.

12. A piece of cake [ ] Something very easy.

[ ] She is not worried about the exam at all; in fact she thinks its a piece of cake.

13. Have ones cake and eat it [ ] Have two nice things at the same time.

[ ] You can either buy a computer or have a holiday in Australia with the money, you canthave your cake and eat it.

14. Sell like hot cakes [ ] Be sold very easily, fast.

Go like hot cakes

[ ] The desks are well made and the price is just right; they are being sold like hot cakes.

15. The icing on the cake [ ] Something that makes a good situation even better.

The frosting on the cake

[ ] The old man was happy to see that his daughter was having a stable relationship with

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her partner. The news of a grandchild is really the icing on the cake.

16. Nutty as a fruit-cake [ ] Silly; crazy.

[ ] Whenever he comes home from work, he is as nutty as a fruit-cake.

17. As easy as pie [ ] Very easy.

As easy as falling off a log

[ ] My daughter thinks that passing the exam is as easy as pie.

18. Eat humble pie

[ ] Be forced to admit that one is wrong and to say one is sorry.Umble numbles Humble

umble numbles Eat crow

[ ] The advertisers had to eat humble pie and apologize for misleading viewers.

19. Have a finger in every pie [ ] Involved in and have influence over many different activities, often in a way that other

people do not approve of.

Have a finger

in making every pie

[ ] Professor Smith is sure to be able to solve your problems; he has a finger in every pie.

20. Have ones finger in the pie [ ] Involved in a particular activity.

[ ] Whenever he has his finger in the pie, things will go wrong.

21. Pie in the sky [ ] A supposed future reward which one is not likely to get.

[ ] The company has promised her a large reward, but she thinks its just pie in the sky.

22. Bring home the bacon [ ] Earn money to live on; do something successfully especially to win a race or game.

[ ] If you want to stay home looking after the kids, then I will have to bring home the

bacon.

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23. Have egg on ones face [ ] Seem stupid because of something one has done.

[ ] You will have egg on your face if you spread the gossip about your boss.

24. As sure as eggs is eggs [ ] Certainly, without any doubt.

[ ] If you give up this job, you will not find another, as sure as eggs is eggs.

25. Put all ones eggs in one basket [ ] Put all ones money, spend all ones time etc. on only one thing; risk everything.

[ ] You should choose a variety of subjects and skills; its wise not to put all your eggs in

one basket.

26. Teach someones grandmother to suck eggs [ ] Give advice to someone who is more experienced than oneself.

Teach fish to swim. Teach the dog to bark.

[ ] I was playing the piano before you were born, so dont teach your grandmother to suck eggs.

27. The land flowing with milk and honey [ ] A place where living conditions are excellent and it is easy to make money.

The land of milk andhoney.

[ ] People in developing countries still look on America as the land flowing with milk and

honey.

28. Milk of human kindness [ ] Natural kindness and sympathy shown to others.

[ ] She is very hard and selfish, and she has no milk of human kindness at all.

29. Milk the bull [ ] Try to achieve something that is absolutely impossible.

Milk

[ ] The company has been trying to invent a cheap digital camera in order to capture themarket and make a fortune. But the chief science researcher says the company is

milking the bull.

30. Milk the market

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[ ] Make big profits by influencing the price of shares on the stock market.

[ ] The Shanghai magnate bought most of the shares in Telecom China. The price of theshares has risen and he is trying to milk the market.

31. From soup to nuts [ ] From the beginning to the end.

[ ] The teacher told us everything about his experience, from soup to nuts.

32. In the soup [ ] In trouble.

[ ] He has been trying to avoid paying his income tax, now he is in the soup.

I.

1. They took the bread out of my mouth.A. They begged me to help them.B. They destroyed my business.C. They wanted me to lose weight.

2. The book sold like hot cakes.A. The book sold well.B. Not many people were interested in the book.C. The book was too expensive.

3. Dont put all your eggs in one basket.A. Dont expect to make a big profit.B. Dont risk everything.C. Dont insult your partner.

4. You are milking the bull!A. Your business will be successful.

B. You might make a lot of money.C. You will achieve nothing.

5. He is as sure as eggs is eggs.A. He is quite certain.B. He is not quite sure.C. He is not convinced.

6. Its a piece of cake.A. Its something very easy.B. Its very cheap.C. Its useless.

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7. I think she has a finger in the pie.A. I think she is involved.B. I dont think she is involved.C. I think she is satisfied.

8. You cant have your cake and eat it.A. You cant get what you want.B. You cant make everyone happy.C. You cant have two nice things at the same time.

9. He told us the story from soup to nuts.A. He told us the story from the beginning to the end.B. His story was not interesting at all.C. His story was really very interesting.

10. These activities are only bread and circuses.A. These activities are only meant to make people happy.

B. These activities are not really necessary.C. These activities do not mean to stop peoples complaints.

II.

1. the icing of the ________________.2. eat ________________ pie.3. the land of ________________ and honey.4. from ________________ to nuts.5. as easy as ________________.6. half a ________________ is better than no bread.7. know which side ones ___________ is buttered.8. take the bread out of someones ________________.9. put all ones ________________ in one basket.10. ________________ the bull.11. have a ________________ in the pie.12. have ones ________________ and eat it.13. sell like ________________ cakes.14. take the ________________ off the gingerbread.

15. All bread is not ________________ in one oven.

III.

[1] in the soup. [ ] make big profits.

[2] bread and butter. [ ] achieve nothing.

[3] milk the bull. [ ] a rich place.

[4] the land of milk and honey. [ ] in great demand.

[5] earn ones bread. [ ] from beginning to end.

[6] sell like hot cakes. [ ] in trouble.

[7] milk the market. [ ] mad.

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[8] as nutty as a fruitcake. [ ] something easy.

[9] a piece of cake. [ ] a persons income.

[10]from soup to nuts. [ ] earn ones living.

IV.

1 pie ___ ____ ______2 a land ___ _____ ___ _______3 from ______ ___ ______4 bring _______ ____ _______5 put ____ ____ ____ __ ___ ________6 All ________ __ ___ ______ __ ___ ____7 Half __ ____ __ ______ _____ __ _______8 take ___ _______ ___ __ ___________ _____

9 eat ___________ ____10 teach ___________ ___________ __ ____ ____

V.

1. This kind of car is selling like hot ________________.2. He is as ________________ as a fruitcake.3. This is the ________________ on the cake.4. She has a finger in every ________________.5. He asked for bread and received a ________________.6. He thinks Shenzhen is the land of milk and _________________.7. You will be in the ________________ if you do not listen to me.8. Dont put all your eggs in one ________________.9. You cant have your cake and ________________ it.10. If I dont work, who is going to bring home the ________________?

VI. 1. Dont beef about the weather all the time!

2. Its a piece of cake.3. You are taking the bread out of his mouth.4. She was forced to eat her humble pie.5. Dont teach your grandmother to suck eggs!6. You are milking the bull.7. He went on from soup to nuts.8. All bread is not baked in one oven.9. Half a loaf is better than no bread.10. She knows which side her bread is buttered.

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VII.

1. They all want to go to America. They think 2. He is risking everything. Tell him 3. What does he do to 4. You can go to either Italy or France. You 5. Dont reject what you have been offered, 6. This job is very easy, its 7. There is a big demand for French wine, and I am sure the product will 8. He is really mad. I have never seen such a person who 9. The man is involved in many different things. Indeed he 10. It is useless to try that. You are only

Unit 7. Kitchen Idioms

oil

(The salt of the earth)

fat oil pepper mustard salt tea spice taste spoon kettle wine plate pot

1. Chew the fat [ ] Talk; chat; gossip.

Chew the rag.

[ ] She was always chewing the fat with the other shop assistant, and for this, she was

severely criticized by the manager.

2. Burn the midnight oil [ ] Study or work till it is very late.

[ ] He had to burn the midnight oil so as to complete the audit of the companys accountsbefore the end of the financial year.

3. Oil someones palm [ ] Give money or presents to someone as a bribe.

Grease someones palm. Oil Grease

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[ ] Before the formal negotiation, he reported it to the Disciplinary Committee that a man

from the other company was trying to oil our managers palm.

4. Oil the wheels [ ] Do something to make things go more smoothly.

Oil

[ ] The director oiled the wheels by giving every one a bonus at the end of the year.

5. Pour oil on the flames [ ] Aggravate a delicate situation and make it worse.

[ ] Her father was poor and seriously ill in hospital. The daughter came into the ward andcomplained that her monthly allowance was inadequate. She was pouring oil on the

flames.

6. Pour oil on troubled waters [ ] Calm a disturbance with soothing words; try to make peace, settle a quarrel.

[ ] The young couple are quarrelling again, you should go over and pour oil on troubledwaters.

7. Pepper someone with something [ ] Put questions to him/her rapidly.

Pepper

[ ] The first speaker was peppered with questions, but the second was such a boring

speaker that she was peppered with tomatoes and eggs.

8. As keen as mustard [ ] Very eager, full of enthusiasm.

[ ] The tutor does not know much about computers but he is as keen as mustard to learn asmuch as he can about this new technology.

9. Cut the mustard [ ] Suitable in every way.

[ ] We looked around and found a proposal that exactly cut the mustard.

10. Worth ones salt [ ] Worth what one is paid.

salary

salarium

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[ ] I know his salary is high, but he is worth his salt.

11. Rub salt into the wound [ ] Deliberately make someones unhappiness, shame or misfortune worse.

Rub salt into someones wounds.

[ ] Dont rub salt in the wound by telling him how enjoyable and pleasant your trip was.

12. Salt away some money [ ] Save money, keep money for the future.

Salt

[ ] I am worried about my future, and I have been trying to salt away a few hundred yuaneach month.

13. Take something with a pinch of salt [ ] Not believe completely.

Take something with a grain of salt.pinch grain

[ ] Well, you know him, he tends to exaggerate everything; you must take what he says

with a pinch of salt.

14. Not ones cup of tea [ ] Something which one does not like.

[ ] Last night they invited me to a dancing party, but dancing is not my cup of tea.

15. Put new wine in old bottles [ ] Impose new practices, principles on people who are too old to stand the strain.

[ ] His future mother-in-law insisted that he pay her 30,000 yuan as a dowry. He couldntgive her the money and buy a flat at the same time. How can you put new wine in an old

bottle?

16. The spice of life [ ] Something pleasant or exciting.

[ ] Young people like to change their jobs frequently; they think variety is the spice of life.

17. Give someone a taste of their own medicine [ ] Do the same bad thing to someone that they have often done to you, in order to show

how bad it was.

Give someone a dose of his or her own medicine.

[ ] She is always sarcastic at meetings so I thought I would give her a taste of her own

medicine and see how she likes it.

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18. Have a bad taste in ones mouth [ ] Cause a feeling of disgust or regret.

Have a nasty taste in ones mouth

[ ] I know that you are entitled to criticize my daughter, but nevertheless your way of

handling my child has left a nasty taste in my mouth.

19. To ones taste [ ] Something which one likes or feels satisfied.

[ ] The lunch you cooked yesterday was very delicious; it was really to my taste.

20. Wine and dine somebody [ ] Entertain someone by giving them an expensive meal and wine.

Wine dine [ ] She was very happy when she was told that she would be wined and dined by the pop

star in his city.

21. Dish the dirt [ ] Say scandalous things about someone.

Dish out the dirt.

[ ] The journalist offered 20 thousand dollars to the lady for dishing the dirt on her formerboy friend.

22. Half baked [ ] Not carefully thought about; not planned carefully.

[ ] I am afraid that your idea is only half-baked, and I do not think it is practical.

23. Bite off more than one can chew [ ] Take on more than one can deal with; over-confident.

[ ] Mary is very tired these days. She is always biting off more than she can chew.

24. Have too much on ones plate [ ] Have too much work to do or a lot of problems to deal with.

Have ones plate full; have a lot on

ones plate; have enough on ones plate. Have Get

[ ] He cant take on any more work. He has already got too much on his plate.

25. Go to pot [ ] Get much worse.

Pot [ ] Her standard of writing has been going to pot recently.

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26. Keep the pot boiling [ ] Earn enough to be able to buy food or to live.

[ ] The salary for teachers is very low so they have to do some extra work outside theuniversity to keep the pot boiling.

27. The pot calling the kettle black [ ] The person who accuses is as bad as the person he/she is accusing.

[ ] The dentist complained that the lawyers fees were too high; it is clearly a case of thepot calling the kettle black.

28. Take pot luck [ ] Accept what is available without knowing much about it; eat whatever food is available.

[ ] Nobody knows what will be provided at their parents place, so well have to takepotluck.

29. Born with a silver spoon in ones mouth [ ] Born with many advantages; born to a wealthy family.

Grow up with a silver spoon in the mouth.

[ ] We all know that she was born with a silver spoon in her mouth.

30. Food for thought [ ] Something to think about.

[ ] His lecture was very interesting, and it provided much food for thought.

I. 1. Dont rub salt into the wound.

A. You are making the matter worse.B. You are not treating him properly.C. You should not help him.

2. It is not to my taste.A. I do not really like it.B. I am starving.C. I am not hungry.

3. He finds it hard to keep the pot boiling.A. He finds it hard to make ends meet.

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B. He finds cooking a hard job.C. He finds it hard to save more money.

4. His plan is half-baked.A. His plan is realistic.B. His plan is not carefully thought about.C. His plan is being carried out.

5. You have got enough on your plate now.A. You have earned enough money now.B. You have got too much money now.C. You have got enough work to do now.

6. He salts away 200 yuan each month.A. He puts away 200 yuan each month.B. He spends 200 yuan each month.C. He wastes 200 yuan each month.

7. It is not my cup of tea.A. It is not to my liking.B. I have other fish to fry.C. I am in the soup now.

8. You should take it with a pinch of salt.A. You should not believe it completely.B. You should take a strong line.C. You should keep the secret.

9. We should not pour oil on the flames.A. We should calm the disturbance.B. We should not make matters worse.C. We try our best and work harder.

10. She is burning the midnight oil these days.A. She is working till very late at night.B. She is wasting a lot of time at night.C. She is not careful with her money.

II.

1. pour oil on troubled ________________.2. ________________ for thought.3. oil someones _________________.4. ________________ the pot boiling.5. chew the ________________.6. bite ________________ more than one can chew.7. ________________ salt into the wound.8. put new ________________ in old bottles.9. the ________________ calling the kettle black.10. have too much on ones ________________.11. have a bad ________________ in ones mouth.

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12. born with a ________________ spoon in the mouth.13. take something with a ________________ of salt.14. ________________ oil on the flames.15. ________________ the wheels.

III. [1] the spice of life. [ ] save money.

[2] half baked. [ ] to ones liking.

[3] go to pot. [ ] suitable in every way.

[4] cut the mustard. [ ] make money to survive.

[5] salt away. [ ] not well planned.

[6] to ones taste. [ ] things to think about.

[7] keep the pot boiling. [ ] excitement in life.

[8] pour oil on the flames. [ ] gossip.[9] food for thought. [ ] get much worse.

[10] chew the fat. [ ] make it worse.

IV.

1 pour _____ __ ___ _______2 chew ____ _____3 pour ____ __ _________ ________4 burn ___ ____________ ____5 rub ______ ___ ___ __________6 wine ____ ______ ____________7 the pot __________ ___ ________ _______8 put ____ _______ ___ ____ _________9 not _____ _____ ___ ______10 oil _______________ _______

V.

1. She has a habit of chewing the ________________ with her friends.2. This is really food for ________________.3. He is trying to oil the managers ________________.4. You should not ________________ the midnight oil too often.5. She is as ________________ as mustard.6. I think he is worth his ________________.7. That is not my ________________ of tea.8. His ideas are ________________ baked.9. The students ________________ the speaker with all sorts of questions.10. The students performance is going to ________________.

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VI.

1. She used to burn the midnight oil.

2. They are trying to pour oil on troubled waters.3. We must oil the wheels every now and then.4. We should not pour oil on the flames.5. She is as keen as mustard.6. We were wined and dined last night.7. Dont bite off more than you can chew.8. He is having too much on his plate.9. Well have to take pot luck.10. She is more likely to dish the dirt.

VII.

1. She is a good cook, and the supper she prepared 2. She is eager to learn English and I think she 3. If you want to have the project finished in time, you should 4. Not all that she said is true, you must 5. I have been worried about my old age, so I 6. You should work hard to 7. Young people tend to change jobs frequently, they think 8. She is nasty to me very often, so I will 9. The students are arguing, youd better 10. I dont like snooker, it is not

Unit 8. Clothing Idioms (I) I cap

hat Hat

cap hat

buttonhole dress up, dress down Cut your coat according

to your cloth

apron belt bib and tucker boot buttonhole cap coat cuff dress gauntlet glove

1. Tied to someones apron-string [ ] U nder someones control.

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Tied to ones mothers apron-strings.

[ ] When she was a child she was tied to her mothers apron-string, and now she is marriedand is still tied to her mothers apron-string.

2. Tighten ones belt [ ] Spend less money, economize; go hungry.

Pull in ones belt.

[ ] Your father has lost his job. This means we will be short of money and we will all haveto tighten our belts.

3. Best bib and tucker [ ] Best clothes.

bib and tucker [ ] You should put on your best bib and tucker when you are invited to attend the reception

at the Embassy.

4. Get the boot [ ] Be dismissed from a job; be sacked; be fired.

[ ] They all got the boot in 1997 when the company was taken over by a joint venturecompany.

5. Give someone the boot [ ] Dismiss him/her from a job.

[ ] The boss gave her the boot when she was found meeting her boy friend in the office.

6. The boot is on the other foot [ ] The fault lies with the other person; the opposite is the truth.

The boot is on the wrong foot

The boot is on the wrong leg

[ ] He says it was his sister who broke the cup, but I think the boot is on the other foot.

7. To boot [ ] As well, in addition.

[ ] She is a singer, a professional dancer and a fashion designer to boot.

8. Die in ones boots [ ] Die while still active or working, not die in bed.

Die in ones shoes. Die in harness

[ ] He worked very hard all his life. After he retired he continued to work part time anddied in his boots.

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9. Too big for ones boots [ ] Haughty for ones status or age.

Too big for ones shoes

[ ] John is getting too big for his boots. He thinks he is better than anyone else.

10. Pull oneself up by ones bootstraps [ ] Achieve something through ones own efforts.

[ ] Mr. Murphy pulled himself up by his bootstraps to become a successful and well-knownlawyer.

11. Buttonhole someone [ ] Go up to someone and speak to him / her persistently.

[ ] A strange man buttonholed him at the market and forced him to buy more calendars.

12. Cap in hand [ ] Showing respect to someone; humbly.

[ ] He came to see me in the office, cap in hand; and he asked me if I could help him find a

job.

13. A feather in ones cap [ ] An achievement; an honor.

[ ] He was recognized as the best student of the year, and this award was a feather in hiscap.

14. Put on ones thinking-cap [ ] Start thinking in a serious manner.

thinking-caps

[ ] She had to put on her thinking-cap to choose a name for the cat I bought for her.

15. Cut ones coat according to ones cloth[ ] Not spend more money than one has; meet ones needs according to ones resources.

Cut ones coat to suit ones cloth.[ ] I dont have that amount of money to buy a piano, so we have to cut our coat according

to our cloth.

16. Turn ones coat [ ] Change ones ideas or principles; change sides and join the opposition.

Turn-coats

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[ ] We all expected Tom to vote for us in the debate, but he turned his coat.

17. Hang on someones coat-tails [ ] Try to succeed on another persons success or ability.

Hang on someone elses

coat-tails On someones coat-tails.

[ ] He has no brains and he does not work hard; he became rich on his fathers coat-tails.

18. Off the cuff [ ] Spontaneous; without preparation or rehearsal.

Off-the-cuff Speak off the cuff.

[ ] Most students in my class are good at making speeches off the cuff.

19. Dress up [ ] Put on special clothes for a party etc.

Dress down

( ) [ ] They went to the party dressed up as Mongolian girls.

20. Give somebody a dressing down [ ] Speak firmly to somebody who has done wrong.

Dress somebody down. dress up

dress down

[ ] The student did not hand in his homework, so the teacher gave him a dressing down.

21. Window dressing [ ] (1) Way of arranging goods in a shop-window.

[ ] The boutique is famous for its artistic window-dressing.

[ ] (2) Art of showing ones abilities or qualities to the best advantage.

[ ] He was good at window-dressing and had all his degrees and titles printed on his name

card.

22. Throw down the gauntlet [ ] Argue forcibly, challenge, or invite someone to fight.

Gauntlet

[ ] He was annoyed that he did not have a flat and he threw down the gauntlet to theHousing Authority, but they ignored him.

23. Take up the gauntlet [ ] Accept the challenge by picking up the gauntlet which had been thrown down.

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Pick up the gauntlet.

[ ] The man was courageous and took up the gauntlet and went by himself to the placedesignated by the criminals.

24. Fit like a glove [ ] Fit perfectly.

( )

[ ] This suit fits me like a glove; but I wont buy it because it is the wrong color.

25. Iron hand in the velvet glove [ ] Strong and ruthless type of control that gives the appearance of being gentle and liberal.

[ ] The leader pretends to be liberal, but his people have little freedom. It is a case of the

iron hand in the velvet glove.

26. Throw down the glove [ ] Challenge.

Throw down the gauntlet glove.

[ ] She threw down the glove at the general manager because she was passed over for apromotion that went to a less experienced male.

27. Work hand in glove with someone [ ] Work together in a close cooperation with someone (often in a bad sense).

Hand in glove with someone.

[ ] The woman is actually working hand in glove with the drug dealers.

28. Take the glove off to someone [ ] Treat or argue with someone without mercy.

Handle someone without

gloves.

[ ] If he does not pay for the damage, we shall have to take our gloves off to him.

29. Handle someone with kid gloves

[ ] Treat someone carefully.Kid

[ ] She is very sensitive to criticism, you have to handle her with kid gloves.

30. Kid gloves [ ] Polite or gentle manner.

[ ] Hardened criminals are not impressed by the social worker who attempts to use kid

gloves in his effort to reform their behavior.

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31. With gloves off [ ] Treating someone in a rough way.

treat

[ ] He thought his girlfriends parents would welcome him; but they treated him withgloves off.

I.

1. He was tied to his mothers apron-string.A. The mother and the son love each other.B. The son controls the mother.C. The mother controls the son.

2. The manager gave her the boot.A. She received a payrise (=payraise).B. She was not fired.C. She was sacked.

3. He threw down the gauntlet in front of his boss.A. He abused his boss.B. He challenged his boss.C. He bribed his boss.

4. She is hand in glove with the drug dealer.A. They are relatives.B. They are having a love affair.C. They work together in a close cooperation.

5. He was told to handle the children with kid gloves.A. He was told to be polite and gentle with the children.B. He was told to play card games with the children.C. He was told to hide his feelings.

6. They became turn-coats.A. They changed their opinion.B. They became wealthy.

C. They became famous.7. The boot is on the other foot.

A. The boot is too big.B. The boot is too small.C. The opposite is the truth.

8. The bus driver died in his boots.A. He died while still working.B. He was very poor when he died.C. He died in a traffic accident.

9. She is an accountant and an auditor to boot.A. She is an accountant as well as an auditor.

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B. She is learning to become an auditor.C. She is not a qualified auditor.

10. This is a feather in his cap.A. This is his honor.B. This is his shame.C. This is his burden.

II.

1. the _________________ is on the other foot.2. died in ones _________________.3. tied to his wifes __________________.4. grow rich on his fathers __________________.5. _________________ like a glove.

6. best ________________ and ________________.7. tighten ones _________________.8. give him a ________________ down.9. cut ones coat according to ones ________________.10. throw down the ________________.11. ________________ up the gauntlet.12. handle someone without ________________.13. too big for ones ________________14. iron hand in the ________________ glove.15. pull oneself up by ones ________________.

III. [1] get the boot. [ ] challenge.

[2] dress up. [ ] dress casually.

[3] best bib and tucker. [ ] show respect to someone.

[4] to boot. [ ] be dismissed from a job.

[5] cap in hand. [ ] polite or gentle manner.

[6] throw down the glove. [ ] speak to him persistently.

[7] kid gloves. [ ] in addition.[8] fit like a glove. [ ] elegantly dressed.

[9] buttonhole someone. [ ] best clothes.

[10] dress down. [ ] fit perfectly.

IV.

1 throw _______ ___ _______2 pick ____ ____ ________3 handle __________ _____ ___ ______4 treat __________ _____ ______ ___

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5 pull ______ __ __ ___ __________6 die __ ____ _______7 The boot __ __ ____ ______ ______8 speak ___ ___ _____9 best ____ ___ _______10. tied __ ___________ ______________

V. 1. You cant afford to buy an expensive car now! You should cut your ___________ according to

your _________________.

2. He is a famous doctor now. He pulled himself up by his _________________.3. If he does not repay me by tomorrow, I shall take my ________________ off to him.4. The teacher threw down the _________________ at the Deans office because she did not get

the chance of going overseas.

5. He looks down upon his friends, and he feels he is too ________________ for his boots.6. The workers did not finish the job as scheduled, so the boss gave them a ________________

down.

7. She decided to ________________ up to go to the in-laws place.8. The new secretary was given the ________________ when she was found coming to work

late on several occasions.

9. The new teacher came into the Headmasters Office, _________________ in hand; she askedif she

could teach an easy class.

10. When they met for the first time, he treated his girl with ________________ gloves.

VI.

1. You should put on your best bib and tucker.

2. The VCD seller buttonholed me in the street this morning.3. You will get the boot if you do not work hard.4. We must not handle hardened criminals with kid gloves.5. He is too big for his boots.6. Their father had to tighten his belt.

7. She was hanging on to her fathers coat-tails.8. The doctor gave the nurses a dressing down.9. He turned his coat in the last minute.10. I took gloves off to him.

VII.

1. The boss is not pleased with the workers performance; so he 2. We are short of money these days; so we should 3. He is very angry with her husband; so she 4. We are going to a party tonight; you should

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5. He is not afraid of challenge; and I am sure he will 6. He has worked together with the smugglers; he is 7. She did not rely on anyone to become a pop singer. She 8. He is arrogant and haughty. He 9. Tomorrows party is formal and important, so you 10. She is sensitive and shy. I think you

Unit 9. Clothing Idioms (II) II

leader (dog collar)

(wear the trousers),

hat mask pocket sackcloth shirt shoe shoes sleeve socks spurs thread trousers

1. At the drop of a hat [ ] Always; immediately and without urging.

Be ready to do something at the drop of a hat

[ ] My colleague is always ready to argue at the drop of a hat.

2. Eat ones hat [ ] A phrase telling the kind of thing that one would do if a very unlikely event really

happens.

eat ones hat if

[ ] He said he would eat his hat if she won the prize.

3. Keep something under ones hat [ ] Keep something as a secret.

[ ] This information is confidential; you should keep it under your hat.

4. Pass round the hat [ ] Collect money for something; ask for donation for someone (the hat being used as a bag