Idioms and Expressions

Say What? Idioms and Expressions in Everyday English

Introduction:

Welcome back, word detectives! Today, we’re going to unlock the secrets of idioms – those colorful expressions that add spice to our language. We’ll explore idioms related to time, money, and emotions, and discover how they’re used in everyday conversations.

Part 1: Idioms about Time

Idiom	Meaning	Example
Time flies	Time passes quickly	Time flies when you’re having fun.
Kill time	To do something while waiting	I killed time by reading a magazine while waiting for the train.
Beat the clock	To finish something before a deadline	We worked hard to beat the clock and finish the project on time.
Once in a blue moon	Very rarely	We only go out for dinner once in a blue moon.
Time is money	Time is valuable	Don’t waste time chatting – time is money!

Activity: Time Idiom Stories

• Choose one of the idioms above and write a short story or scenario where you would use it.
• Share your story with a partner and explain why the idiom is appropriate.

Part 2: Idioms about Money

Idiom	Meaning	Example
Cost an arm and a leg	Very expensive	That new car cost an arm and a leg.
Break the bank	Spend all of one’s money	Buying a house is going to break the bank.
In the red	In debt	The company has been in the red for the past two quarters.
Make a killing	Make a lot of money quickly	He made a killing investing in the stock market.
Penny for your thoughts	Asking someone what they’re thinking	You seem deep in thought. A penny for your thoughts?

Activity: Money Idiom Role-Play

• Imagine you’re at a store with your partner.
• Role-play a conversation where you use at least two money idioms.

Part 3: Idioms about Emotions

Idiom	Meaning	Example
On cloud nine	Extremely happy	I’m on cloud nine after getting the job offer!
Down in the dumps	Sad or depressed	He’s been down in the dumps since his dog ran away.
See red	Become very angry	When he lied to me, I saw red.
A weight off my shoulders	Relieved from a burden	Telling the truth was a weight off my shoulders.
Butterflies in my stomach	Nervous or excited	I have butterflies in my stomach before my job interview.

Activity: Emotion Idiom Charades

• Choose an emotion idiom and act it out without speaking.
• Your classmates have to guess the idiom you’re portraying.

Wrap-up:

• Idioms are fun, expressive, and a big part of everyday English.
• Remember, their meaning is not always literal, so pay attention to context!
• Keep learning new idioms and practicing them in your conversations to sound more natural and fluent.

Homework:

• Choose one idiom from each category (time, money, emotions).
• Write a short paragraph or dialogue using each idiom correctly.

Additional Tips for Teachers:

• Introduce idioms in context with real-life examples and stories.
• Encourage students to use idioms in their writing and speaking.
• Use online resources and games for further practice with idioms.