Image: Sheep, Moon, Wind, Coins
***Remember to use idioms appropriately in context to convey their intended meanings.
Exercise 1: Vocabulary
1. To be the black sheep
Definition: To be the odd or disreputable member of a group or family.
Example: “She’s the black sheep of the family; she always gets into trouble.”
2. To be a breath of fresh air
Definition: To bring new and positive energy or ideas into a situation.
Example: “His innovative approach was a breath of fresh air in the stagnant industry.”
3. To see eye to eye
Definition: To agree or have the same opinion as someone.
Example: “They rarely see eye to eye on political matters.”
4. To kick the bucket
Definition: To die.
Example: “He’s an old man; he doesn’t have much time left before he kicks the bucket.”
5. Over the moon
Definition: To be very excited or thrilled about something.
Example: “She was over the moon about her wedding dress.”
6. To keep one’s chin up
Definition: To remain optimistic and persevere in the face of adversity.
Example: “Despite the setbacks, she kept her chin up and continued working towards her goals.”
7. To be a dime a dozen
Definition: To be very common, easily found, or of little value due to abundance.
Example: “In that area, coffee shops are a dime a dozen; you can find one on every street corner.”
8. To go off the deep end
Definition: To become irrational, agitated, or extremely upset.
Example: “When he heard the news, he went off the deep end and started yelling.”
Exercise 2: Dialogue
Sarah: You know, I’ve always felt like the black sheep in our family.
Alex: Really? Why do you say that?
Sarah: Well, you all have these successful careers and families, and then there’s me, still trying to figure things out.
Alex: Sarah, you’re not the black sheep at all! Everyone’s path is different, and we value your unique perspective.
Sarah: Thanks, Alex. You’ve always been a a breath of fresh air to me, bringing positivity and new ideas into our group.
Alex: I appreciate that, Sarah. It’s essential to see eye to eye on many things, even if we have different viewpoints sometimes.
Sarah: Absolutely, we don’t always have to eye to eye. Our differences make us interesting.
Alex: True. By the way, did you hear about Uncle Bob?
Sarah: No, what happened?
Alex: Unfortunately, he kicked the bucket last night. It’s sad news for the family.
Sarah: Oh no, I had no idea. I’m so sorry to hear that. He was a good man.
Alex: Yes, he was. It’s a reminder that life is precious. We should cherish every moment.
Sarah: You’re right. I’ll make sure to tell everyone I care about how much they mean to me.
Alex: That’s a great attitude, Sarah. It’s essential to stay keeping your chin up even in tough times.
Sarah: Speaking of staying positive, guess what? I got the job I interviewed for last week!
Alex: That’s incredible news, Sarah! I’m over the moon, for you!
Sarah: Thanks, Alex! I’m truly over the moon, and I can’t wait to start this new chapter.
Exercise 3: Fill in the blanks
David: Hey, Emily, you seem down today. Is something bothering you?
Emily: Yeah, David, I’m feeling a bit like ______ at work.
David: Oh, I’m sorry to hear that. What’s going on?
Emily: Well, everyone else in my department got promoted, but I’m still stuck in the same position.
David: Don’t worry, Emily. Sometimes, it takes time for people to recognize your potential. You’re like _______ around here, always coming up with innovative solutions.
Emily: Thanks for the encouragement, David. But lately, I’ve been having issues with my colleague, Sarah. We can never _______ on project strategies.
David: Ah, disagreements happen in the workplace. Sarah is known for being a ______ type.
Emily: You’re right; I should try to find common ground. On another note, did you hear about Mr. Anderson from the accounting department?
David: No, what happened?
Emily: He unexpectedly ________ yesterday. It’s such a shock.
David: Wow, that’s sad news. He was a dedicated employee. It’s a reminder that life is short; we shouldn’t waste time on trivial matters.
Emily: Absolutely. Sometimes, I need to _______ even when things get tough.
David: That’s the spirit, Emily. And guess what? You remember that proposal you submitted last week?
Emily: Yes, what about it?
David: It got approved! You should be ________!
Emily: Wow, I’m ________, David! This is fantastic news!
Options:
1. the black sheep
2. a breath of fresh air
3. eye to eye
4. kicked the bucket
5. over the moon
6. keeping your chin up
7. a dime a dozen
8. going off the deep end
Exercise 4: Discussion
- Create examples using the idioms above.
- If that is too easy, challenge yourself and create a dialogue with each idiom!
- Discuss which idioms you found interesting.
- Are any of the idioms similar or different compared to idioms in your language?
- Discuss where you think each idiom got its meaning.
