Idiomatic expressions

In case you are wondering ,this is a post about idioms, so let´s to clarify what an idiom is.

The OED describes it as “a group of words established by usage as having meaning not deducible from the meanings of the individual words” . In other words : and idiom , by definition , doesn´t make sense.

If you try to translate an idiom from English to your mother tongue you will find really difficult to understand what that person is trying to say. Also, if you try to use an idiom altering a single word it wouldn´t make sense. Don´t panic! It can seem tricky and it would certainly be difficult to learn all idioms, but I can help you with a list of common ones.

To make it more interesting , lets play a game to test your knowledge: can you complete the idioms below by inserting the correct word? The meanings are included to help you! Answers down below.

1. Quick to understand

There are no _______ on Lucy. She understood what she immediately needed to do.

2.Have enough money to be able to eat and live

Paul’s part time bar job has helped him keep the _____ from the door.

3.Do hard boring work

We are going to need to build up a solid base by doing the _______ work before this business can make money.

4.Something good coming from a bad situation

Although I didn’t want to live in Portsmouth, every ________ has a silver lining as I met my future wife there.

5.Really busy

Our __________ haven’t touched the ground since we got to work today. I didn’t even have time for lunch.

6. Become stricter

The students didn’t do their homework so Francine had to _____ her foot down.

7.Bravely say something which may be wrong in the future

I am going to stick my _______ out and say that Real Madrid will not win the Champions League this season.

Result down below

Answer key

1 No flies on someone – quick to understand

There are no flies on Lucy. She understood what she immediately needed to do.

2 Keep the wolf from the door – have enough money to be able to eat and live

Paul’s part time bar job has helped him keep the wolf from the door.

3 Do the donkey work – do hard boring work

We are going to need to build up a solid base by doing the donkey work before this business can make money.

4 Every cloud has a silver lining – something good coming from a bad situation

Although I didn’t want to live in Portsmouth, every cloud has a silver lining as I met my future wife there.            

5 Feet hardly touch the ground – really busy

Our feet haven’t touched the ground since we got to work today. I didn’t even have time for lunch.

6 Put your foot down     –  become stricter

The students didn’t do their homework so Francine had to put her foot down.

7 Stick your neck out – bravely say something which may be wrong in the future

I am going to stick my neck out and say that Real Madrid will not win the Champions League this season.