Elementary idioms pdf

What object takes up the most space in your room? What are some good ways that you can take advantage of a friend? Some bad ways? What kind of life do you want for yourself in the long run? If a person has serious mental or emotional problems, whom can this person take the problems up with? For what reasons might you find yourself wearing a piece of clothing inside out?

Mrs Evans is hard of hearing. I have in mind going to the park. Do you have anything in mind? We should bear that in mind next time we invite her for dinner. My brother and I are having a lot of arguments these days. We can hardly agree on anything. How is old Mrs. Dunham managing to live after her hip replacement surgery? So far Lesson 4 b. For once c. All along Lesson 2 5. Wilma awoke suddenly when her alarm clock sounded in the morning.

Even though there are a lot of quiet moments in baseball, the players on the field should always stay alert. Why should you stay on your toes while driving a car? How are you getting along in your English studies? Do you usually stay calm or get angry during an argument?

Is there anything in life that you would like to do just for once? At what time in the morning does your alarm clock usually go off? Name one or more habits that you had as a child that later you grew out of. Why might someone say "Cut it out! On the other hand, democracies suffer many serious problems such as crime and unemployment. On the other hand, I take after my mother. Her math scores are always over 95 percent. Would you like to share it in two equal parts? What has happened to my wallet?

Hampton must leave the office early because he has an urgent appointment at the hospital. We almost had a serious accident on the highway when the front tire of our car exploded. Joyce never believed that the university would reject her application for graduate study. When is it acceptable to tell someone to shut up? Not acceptable? How much money have you got in your wallet or purse right now? What have you got to do to take care of your health? Have you ever had difficulty keeping up with other students in school?

Why or why not? For what reasons might a person be turned down for a job? Why is it important to break in a new vehicle? For what reasons might you think of someone as being a lost cause? Above all, what is the most important part of your life?

A noun or pronoun must separate the idiom. In Lesson 6 this idiom has the meaning to review, as in the second sentence of the second example below. I think that the comedian should go over his material more carefully before each act.

What were you about to say? The salesperson agreed to let me test the computer for an hour or so in the store. Because of his uniform, he was perceived as a police officer, but actually he was just a security guard.

On the authority of the courts, essential government workers cannot go on strike or refuse to perform their jobs. About to b. According to c. As a matter of fact Lesson 14 6. I was ready to go to bed when someone knocked on my apartment door. Tess is planning to go with us to Disneyland without doubt. Why are students in some schools placed in classes according to ability?

If parents want to raise their children well, what are they bound to do? If you see a man leaving a house through a window at night, what might you take him for? Why might you feel like tearing up a letter or some schoolwork? Have you ever said or done something special that went over well? What was it? Are you a serious person or a fun loving person at heart? Give examples. What would you do if you were about to watch a favorite TV show at home and the telephone rang?

It is usually used in the form to bite off more than one can chew. Have you gotten your flu shots yet? Do you believe him? He must have put at least fifteen pounds on.

She was declared dead three hours after being admitted to the hospital. Is your phone out of order? It is similar in meaning to to keep up with from Lesson News circulated the office that the company president was being forced to resign.

Several students had not been able to keep up with the rest of the class, so they had a lot of difficulty working to be equal to the others. Get in touch with me when you return from your trip, okay? All in all b. At all Lesson 4 c. Day in and day out 8. Is there beer and wine to be sufficient for everyone, or should we drive down to the store for more? The magician performed an amazing act for the audience of young people.

Have you ever bitten off more than you could chew? Explain the situation. Have you ever passed out or seen someone pass out? What happened? What do people in an audience have to do if there are not enough seats to go around? In class, when would you put up your hand?

Is this easy or difficult for you to do? What are some of the things in life that you have trouble putting up with? How would you feel if you had to stay at home day in and day out taking care of the housework and, perhaps, children? Would you feel satisfied or would you feel unhappy? Explain your reasons. Have you ever found yourself catching up with others? What was the situation? The person must be used to separate the idiom.

In an answer, something or nothing is usually used. You look very upset. It is sometimes used in a joking manner. S A noun or pronoun must again divide the idiom. Get lost b. Rule out c. Never mind Lesson 2 3. Would you like Alex to accompany you outside to your car? The company president refused to consider the participation of the middle managers in future business negotiations.

No one turned on the stove! No matter Lesson 15 b. Nothing is the matter c. No wonder 8. I was delayed by heavy traffic. The new flight attendant hesitated to raise the issue of overtime pay with the union representative. Occasionally Mary enjoys driving up to the mountains and camping by herself.

Over and over again Lesson 8 b. Every now and then Lesson 10 c. Once in a blue moon Lesson 13 Answer these questions orally by making use of the idiomatic expressions studied in this lesson. Why might you choose to introduce yourself to someone that you know only by sight? Are there any topics that you would never bring up with your parents? Can you mention any of them? Have you ever gotten seriously lost? Could you ever tell someone to get lost? Which countries manufacture products that generally hold up well?

What kind of job would you definitely rule out for yourself? When was the last time that someone saw you off? Why would you offer to see someone out of your house or apartment? Inflation always has a tendency to drive up the cost of products. A major construction company is putting it up. The related forms have the same meaning, but the type of movement is different.

The "something" might be an accident, a delay, etc. The preposition back is used when something has been disassembled and then is being reassembled, as in the second example. However, we were very disappointed that he never did get in touch with us. In some countries, being rich means just having a home for your family.

Jake was astonished when he learned that he had been accepted to Yale University. Madison has assembled an excellent team of administrators and instructors for the staff of the new community college.

Timmy, I asked you to be patient a moment while I finish getting dressed. Richard went to the library to locate information on the Civil War. It makes my parents happy that I maintain contact with them while I am away from home attending college. Have you ever gone up to a famous person and asked for an autograph? An autograph is the signature of a famous person.

Do you always hand in assignments in class on time, or are you sometimes late? Do you ever forget to hand them in? As a child, did you enjoy taking things apart? What kinds of things did you take apart? After you took them apart, did you always put them together again? Were you always successful? Are you better off now than you were five years ago? Do you consider yourself well-off? If not, do you expect to be well-off in the future? How do you expect to accomplish it?

When you are away from home, are you careful to keep in touch with your family or friends? Are you named after somebody? It took her by surprise to run across something like that. Some people come off quite differently than they really are. The meaning is the same as to put up with in Lesson It also occurs in the negative, sometimes with the adjective much.

The passengers had to buckle their seatbelts during takeoff. You just arrived an hour ago! I wonder how they pulled it off before the company could prevent it. In computer code, a binary number such as represents a letter, number, or other character on a computer keyboard.

The handyman worked carefully to paint the house neatly so that it looked like a professional job. Rhonda has to briefly visit the pharmacy in order to get her medication for stomach trouble.

Did Frieda write you after she returned to Germany? You should make him wash all those dirty clothes and clean up his room!

The crowd of political supporters was greatly affected by the news of the election victory. While Jerry was walking down the sidewalk, he unexpectedly found a twenty-dollar bill lying by the side of the road.

Leah managed to succeed in winning an important victory in a statewide track and field competition this year when no one expected her to do so. If you had to buy a birthday card, what kind of store would you stop by? Are you always certain to drop your friends a line when you travel? What would you do if you came across a bag containing a large amount of money? What do the initials U. Are there initials that stand for your country?

What are they? Do you prefer to be involved in playing a sport or just looking on? Whom do you look up to most in life? What kind of a person would you look down on? Should you avoid feeling this way, or is it sometimes all right? When might you want to, or have to, take off from a party early? Have you ever done this?

LESSON 23 to make do with: to manage, to cope This idiom is used when a person must accept a substitute that is not the most suitable. What a close call. Sometimes her chatter really gets on my nerves. Also for the second definition, a noun or pronoun must divide the idiom. The instructor allowed the student to do the class again because he had received a letter grade of D the first time.

Last night my husband and I remained awake until after midnight waiting for my daughter to return from a date. We should get our refrigerator repaired soon. The rattling noise really disturbs me. Fulson was late leaving his office because a last-minute telephone call delayed him. Thousands of customers cleaned out the department store because everything was being sold for a very cheap price.

Are there enough drinks to be sufficient for everyone, or should I go to the kitchen to make more? Describe a close call that you, or someone you know, has had.

When might babies or small children get on your nerves? What sports or hobbies do you go in for? How late do you usually stay up? Why might you decide to stay in instead of going out?

Why would someone have to take a class over? Has this ever happened to you? It was the fastest knockout in boxing history.

Save your strength for the competition later. Unfortunately, as we set off, it started to snow heavily, so we decided to head out again later. However, such dropouts often regret their decision later in life. Alberto has faith in his own ability to succeed in his new business enterprise. Cooperation is important in all relationships between people, especially those who must live and work together closely. Making sense b.

Seeing eye to eye Lesson 16 c. Give and take 3. Cynthia intended to finish her term paper in one day, but actually it took her three days.

The bicyclist collided with a wall and was scraped up badly. The student apologized to his teacher for submitting the essay late. In order to avoid the early morning rush hour traffic, we started traveling before dawn. Peter raised an important issue regarding the next soccer tournament at the club meeting.

Stacy worked very hard to prepare a nice meal for her family at their reunion. Have you ever been knocked out? Have you ever knocked yourself out to accomplish something? When you set goals for yourself, do you usually carry them out? Why might an athlete drop out of a sporting event? If someone has just lost a job, what could you do or say to cheer him or her up?

For some people, it makes sense to spend most of the extra income they make. Would this be true for you? Compare the following examples with those in the previous idiom above. If you see her, make sure not to let on. That professor lectures so quickly that I have trouble understanding his explanations.

We hope to escape this weekend for some camping in the mountains. The government was forced to assume control of a failing financial institution. You should really compromise with Sally and agree to share the cost of the car repairs.

Considering everything, we did a very good job of building that storage room by ourselves. Letting on c. All in all Lesson 19 8. The heat and humidity prevented me from sleeping late into the night. Please be sure not to reveal that we already know about the change in stock ownership rules that are planned by the company board of directors. Why might you burst out of a place such as a room, office, apartment, house, etc?

What do you like to do when you get away for a while? As a child, what did you try to get away with? Did you usually succeed, or did your parents usually catch you? What might keep you up in bed? Do you usually go to sleep easily or with difficulty? In the room that you are in right now, what stands out the most? Are you ever willing to meet someone halfway even after you have made up your mind about something?

Why is it important for a doctor to check up on your health condition? Do you go to the doctor regularly for a checkup? It has caused me trouble constantly. What a ripoff! The other workers defended their co-worker who was accused of stealing from the factory warehouse. It is sensible to check at several dealerships for the best price for a new car model. The army fulfilled the expectations of its commanders by defeating the enemy forces. Memories of my youth gradually diminish as I grow older.

Some species of animals will not exist anymore unless human beings act to save them. After a long illness, Mr. Felson needed time to slowly increase his strength again. You can profit from the knowledge of an experienced artisan like Tony in improving your own skills. When Mrs Tieg lost her ]ob, the Tieg family had to economize in order to survive financially. How did your marketing trip to Asia result?

How did it come about that you are using this book to study idioms? Why is it important to build up your knowledge of idiomatic expressions? What could cause your love for someone to die down?

What is an interesting memory of your childhood that has not faded away? Should people be concerned about animal and plant species that are dying out? What is the difference between sticking to a promise and living up to it? How do citizens stand up for their country?

The traveling circus was so popular in our city that it was kept for a longer time. The campers lost on the high mountain were able to survive against the cold weather by building a fire and keeping together. The committee delayed in deciding when to have the next board election. I wonder if he feels hostile towards me because of our conflicting views on the labor negotiations.

The rescue team was successful in reaching the group of miners trapped deep in the earth before their small supply of air became exhausted. When was the last time that an event or plan fell through for you?

Do you usually fall behind in your work, or do you usually keep up with it? When you have it out with a friend, do you usually stick to your opinion or do you often give in? What are the possible dangers of the pollution that factories give off? When you exercise heavily, does your energy quickly give out? Have you ever had it in for someone? How did you feel, or what did you do?

When you have it out with someone, do you usually show your emotions clearly, or do you stay calm and control them? How long can a human being hold out without food?

Without water? If you run into someone at the store, you are sticking to an appointment. If you agree to meet someone halfway, it becomes a matter of give and take. If you want to keep in touch with someone, you might decide to stop by their place for a while. If you have never heard of a certain type of animal, you probably know it by sight. If something is going wrong with your car, then it is holding up well. If someone is very well-off, the person probably has to cut corners. If you really go in for a certain sport, you might set out to be the best you can at it.

If you finally have it out with someone, you have been getting along well with the person. If a repairman is trying to fix a complicated watch, he or she would take pains to hold still while taking it apart. Fill in each blank with the appropriate form of the idioms using call listed below.

Some expressions come from Lessons 1 to The telephone bill is her most costly expense. Fill in each blank with the appropriate form of the idioms using make listed below.

Could you help me understand this lesson? Fill in each blank with the appropriate form of the idioms using put listed below. No smoking is allowed in here. I may be back after midnight. The example that follows let alone is much less possible than the example that precedes let alone. It will wear off after an hour or so. Then complete each sentence appropriately with your own idea. Also try to use idioms from previous lessons.

Example: 1. The effect of the wine disappeared gradually after I… 3. I think that we should wait without going to bed for our daughter until she… 4.

In general, it is best for a student learning English to… 5. The company was forced to release hundreds of workers because business… 6.

Sir, you can return your jacket to the store if you… 7. The outcome of the meter race was uncertain because the four runners… www. I have no time to visit the park, and certainty not the… 9. If you want to keep a favorite pair of shoes, what can you do when the sole bottom of the shoes wears down? Have you ever been worried and had to wait up for someone? Why was the person late? In your country, is it possible to take back an item to a store after you have bought it? Why is it important to let up if you have been working for several hours without a break?

Give an example of when you should leave a child alone. Why should smokers lay off smoking cigarettes? How long does it take for the effects of a drug such as alcohol to wear off? For what reasons would one country break off relations with another country? On the whole, what is your favorite music? Could you back up and say that again? She's been thinking about it for months. Lee has been trying for some time to buy his partner out so that he can control the company by himself.

I had to tell the joke again before anyone could catch on to it. Do you think that it will clear up later? After Jane exercised for an hour at the gym, she… 2. Larry defended his friend who was accused of… 3. The company withdrew support for the joint venture when… 4. This weekend I really am determined to… 5. That company will have to sell all its items if… 6. When a new product becomes popular, stores should… 7. Instead of discarding newspapers and plastics, people should… 9.

The teacher tried to make understandable the problem in class, but the students… When you are telling a complicated story to someone, when might you have to back up? Is there anything at the moment that you have your heart set on?

What is it? Do you think that you would be cut out for the job of politician? Do you throw out items of clothing when they are worn out, or do you find ways to reuse them? Give examples of how some items might be reused. For what reason might a person be thrown out of a private affair? Suppose that you have a serious misunderstanding with a friend. When would you want to clear up the misunderstanding right away, and when would you let some time pass by before straightening it out?

Slow down! Instead of beating around the bush, Melinda explained her objection in very clear terms. The scores were and Most investors lost all their money. Many of the lakes in this part of the country have lost all moisture because… 2. When I asked Ted what he was doing, he responded that… 3.

Karen hopes this meeting stops soon because… 4. If the government wants to terminate drug abuse in this country, it will have to… 5. Ruth sought revenge on the girl who stole her boyfriend away from her by… 6.

Because our son Alien is always joking, nobody… 7. The house for sale was a valuable piece of property because it faced… 8. Old-time residents in the neighborhood became angered when their new neighbor… 9. Marge has lost so much weight in the last month that she has had to decrease the size of… We visited the San Diego Zoo in order to visit and enjoy… www.

If someone asked you what you were up to these days, how would you respond? How can you tell when young children are up to something? Can you remember any personal experience when you were a child? When might someone choose to beat around the bush? What could you do to avoid this? What problems in the world would you like to put an end to?

Do you think that there is hope for this? Has someone ever stirred you up so much that you wanted to get even with him or her? What did you do? What attractions in the area that you are living now have you already taken in?

Have you ever been taken in by someone such as a salesperson or a stranger on the street? LESSON 31 to go through: to undergo, to experience; to consume, to use also: to use up The first definition is used when someone is having some hardship or difficulty. She had four interviews with the hiring committee in one week!

A noun object must divide the idiom. He must be putting us on. She waited over an hour for him before returning home. No matter what she says, he always has a clever response. Someone should tell him to calm down and relax.

You are wasting your breath trying to get him to agree with you. Larsen is in the hospital undergoing emergency surgery because he… 2.

Steve was misleading me when he told me that… 4. After the serious earthquake, most people remained calm, but unfortunately some people… 5. You are not able to convince someone if he or she is not willing to accept the ideas of others, so it is better to… 6. Betty failed to appear for her date because she… 7. Your car will withstand use longer if you… www.

Our team was able to win by gaining an advantage over the other team because… 9. The politician was nervous before she… Do you go through money quickly? What is your biggest expense? Have you ever gone through a medical operation? Do you enjoy putting others on, or are you a rather serious person? During an emergency, how can you keep your head? In what kind of emergency might you be likely to lose your head? Have you ever stood anyone up? What were the circumstances of the situation that caused you to do so?

In what sport would an athlete try to break loose from an opponent? Does talking in front of a large audience put you on edge? What a steal! This time he was shouting so that the whole neighborhood could hear. I must be losing my touch. After leaving his office down the hall, my supervisor briefly entered my office to… 3.

The old man who founded the company decided to retire when… 4. Because the mean boss severely treated his employees on many occasions, none of them… 5. Mike thought that the camera advertised in the newspaper was a bargain, so he… 6.

The children behaved so as to gain favor with their parents in order to… 7. The young child caused problems in his bicycle by… www. Lenny performed badly on the physics test because he… 9. If someone was being attacked by a thief, would you step in and help the person?

Why might you have to step on it in the morning? Does this happen often to you? Have you ever goofed up on an important test? Why did it happen? Have you ever gone off the deep end? For what reasons might an athlete lose his or her touch at a sport 6. Is there any special skill that you have well in hand?

How much money do you have on hand right now? All the rest of us would have forgotten. Simpson was so frightened when he heard footsteps behind him on the lonely, dark street that it took several minutes to pull himself together.

The noun coverup can be formed. Collins has decided to turn over his jewelry store to his son at the end of the year. This idiom is always used with the definite article the. When the committee members…, they decided to discuss the matter informally for a while. In playing sports, you have to be alert if… 3. The child tried to invent an excuse when… 4. The two lovers resolved differences with each other after… 6. Business had decreased so much that the company was forced to… 8.

You should place the bread in the toaster upside down because… 9. Old Mr. Jenkins gave control of his company to his associate when… What is the benefit of kicking an idea around instead of making an immediate decision? What kind of excuses do people make up for being late to an important event, a class? Do you know how many states made up the original United States in ?

How many states make up the United States now? Have you ever made up with someone? How did you feel about making up with the person?

Where could you go to pull together information for a research report? Would you enjoy doing so, or not? Have you ever had to cover up an embarrassing situation? Can you now explain what it was? When someone manages to kick the habit of smoking or drinking, there is an interesting expression, to turn over a new leaf, that applies. Can you imagine what this expression means? Have you ever faced a situation which you would describe as the last straw?

After three more blocks, turn right again. Are you still with me? The related form to get with it is used in commands. She swore that he had been there. For the third definition, the pronoun me must be used. Also try to use idioms from previous lessons 1. At the amusement center, Scan was about to… when he became afraid to do it.

Tanya talked to her supervisor directly about… 3. The politician asked his friends if they supported him on… 4. Ted fell in love with the actress as soon as… 5.

When Mrs. Garcia told her husband that their son…, Mr. Garcia responded, «That seems likely. The boss gave his employee another opportunity when… 9.

Have you ever been about to do something important or dangerous, and then gotten cold feet? Why might a student need to have a face-to-face talk with a teacher? For what reasons might you not be with it? Are you with it today? In general, who would you feel compelled to cover for?

Have you ever had to do this? What unbelievable statement might someone make that would cause you to respond, «Give me a break! Why might you choose to bow out of a situation? LESSON 35 to pin on: to find guilty of a crime or offense S also: to hang on This idiom is divided by a noun phrase containing the crime or offense.

The accused person is mentioned after the preposition on. Marvin weighs over two-hundred pounds. It paid for all of the lodging and meals, as well as transportation, during his stay. She told me, by the way, that she never plans to remarry.

He consulted over forty reference works and wrote a ninety- page report. Now the utility company has turned off her service. I expected her an hour ago. I think that she should get it off her chest soon. The police were successful in finding the criminal guilty of the robbery because… 2. My older brother is always able to provoke a response from me when he… 3. The director paid the bill for the meal when he invited… 5. The neighbors really did something with enthusiasm when they worked together to… www.

I understand that Bill … because he neglected his responsibilities again and again. In order to express their true feelings about a problem, some people… 8. On their honeymoon, the young couple lived luxuriously by In order to energize the party, the host and hostess… The preferred candidate for the new position would not … until management agreed that she would share involvement in budget matters.

Answer these questions orally by making use of the idiomatic expressions studied in this lesson. When you were a child, do you remember your brother, sister, or friend ever trying to pin something on you? If someone is late in meeting you, about how long would you stick around before leaving? In other words, why is the verb search used in this way? Have you ever had a chance to live it up? Describe what you did. What are some different ways of livening up an event such as a wedding? LESSON 36 to check in: to register at a hotel or motel; to leave or deposit for transporting or safekeeping S The adjective form check-in derives from this idiom.

The hotel permitted an early check-in time. However, in your case, we can set a special check-out time of P. The police sent two detectives to check the call out right away. The noun form copout means an excuse for avoiding responsibility. What a poor copout! These idioms are used to form the nouns turnon and turnoff. I find going to a museum and viewing classic works of art a real turnon. In fact, most bar scenes are really turnoffs to me.

He really missed the boat by opening a tanning salon near the beach. The Smiths registered at the hotel as soon as… www. The Smiths also deposited some jewelry at the front desk because… 3.

The jealous husband hired a private detective to investigate the possibility that… 4. I accepted what my financial advisor had to say about… 5. While shopping in the expensive store, Mrs. Thurston … very much. To ensure…, the politician managed to obtain the support of his colleagues in the Senate. The athlete got angry and flustered on national television when… 8. We delayed making a decision on the arrangements for the wedding because… 9.

If you and a friend are walking on a beach, what do you think your friend could mean if he or she says, «Check that out! Have you ever taken someone at his or her word, only to be disappointed at a later time? What is it that you want at the present time in the worst way? Have you ever copped out of a responsibility by thinking up a reasonable excuse?

How do you feel when you do this? Think of different kinds of events or situations where people have to line up. What kind of situation might cause you to lose your cool?

Notify me of follow-up comments by email. Notify me of new posts by email. Welcome friends! I believe that with the right resources, mindset, and strategies, all students can achieve at high levels and learn to love learning. My goal is to provide resources and strategies to inspire you and help make this belief a reality for your students.

Learn more about me. Skip to main content Skip to primary sidebar Want more grammar resources for 4th and 5th grade? Click here! About the No-Prep Printable Idiom Activities The printable version covers a total of 39 idioms 13 worksheets with 3 idioms per page. About the Digital Idiom Activities The content included in the printable version is also exactly the same content in the digital version.

Ways to Use the Freebie This resource can be used in a variety of ways. Here are some ideas for ways to use them in your classroom: A grammar or figurative language literacy center Small group work to practice when you are first introducing idioms A partner activity where students check their work and have discussions to defend their answers Independent practice to check for student understanding Extra practice for early finishers Get the FREE Idiom Activities Now!

Looking for MORE ways to practice idioms? There are 24 idiom task cards included in this set as well as additional cards for adages and proverbs. Idiom Flipbook printable Review idioms with your students with this easy-to-create flipbook that can be used as a grammar resource all year long. Idioms Review Book printable Practice finding the meaning of idioms, then use them in a sentence and illustrate the literal and nonliteral versions of each idiom.

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