Exercise 1: Vocabulary
1. To have one’s feet on the ground
Definition: To be practical, realistic, or sensible.
Example: “She’s a successful entrepreneur who always has her feet on the ground.”
2. To have a green thumb
Definition: To have a natural talent or skill for gardening and plant care.
Example: “Her garden is flourishing; she definitely has a green thumb.”
3. To be a diamond in the rough
Definition: To have great potential or talent despite lacking refinement or polish.
Example: “He may be unrefined, but he’s a diamond in the rough with his artistic abilities.”
4. To be a fly on the wall
Definition: To wish to be present secretly and witness a conversation or event.
Example: “I would love to be a fly on the wall during their important business meeting.”
5. To bite off more than one can chew
Definition: To take on more responsibilities or tasks than one can handle.
Example: “I volunteered for three projects, but I think I’ve bitten off more than I can chew.”
6. To have one’s head in the clouds
Definition: To be dreamy, lost in thoughts, or not paying attention to reality.
Example: “He often walks around with his head in the clouds, daydreaming.”
7. To be as scarce as hen’s teeth
Definition: To be extremely rare or hard to find.
Example: “Authentic antique coins from that era are as scarce as hen’s teeth.“
8. To be a fish in troubled waters
Definition: To be in a difficult or chaotic situation.
Example: “With all the recent changes in the company, employees feel like fish in troubled waters.”
Exercise 2: Dialogue
Alex: Sarah, have you seen Mark lately? He’s been talking about launching his own startup.
Sarah: Oh, Mark is a smart guy, and he’s always had one’s feet on the ground. I’m sure he’ll do well in the business world.
Alex: Definitely. I heard he’s going to focus on sustainable products, like organic gardening supplies. He’s got a green thumb when it comes to gardening.
Sarah: That’s perfect. There’s a growing market for eco-friendly products. Mark could be a real a diamond in the rough in that industry.
Alex: I agree. I wish I could be a fly on the wall in his first investor meeting to see how it goes.
Sarah: Me too. It would be interesting to see if he can convince potential investors. But speaking of investments, I think I might have bitten off more than one can chew with my new house renovation project.
Alex: Really? Renovations can be quite overwhelming. Did you hire a professional contractor?
Sarah: Yes, but I also wanted to oversee everything. Now, I feel like I’ve one’s head in the cloud and can’t keep up with all the decisions.
Alex: It’s important to find a balance between being involved and not taking on too much. Don’t be too hard on yourself.
Sarah: Thanks, Alex. I’ll try to keep that in mind. Meanwhile, finding a reliable contractor is proving to be scarce as hen’s teeth.
Alex: I know what you mean. Good ones are as scarce as hen’s teeth. But once you find the right one, your project will go smoothly.
Sarah: Let’s hope so. Right now, I feel like a fish in troubled waters with all these renovation challenges.
Exercise 3: Fill in the blanks
Sophia: Hey, John. I heard you’ve been helping out with the community garden.
John: Yeah, it’s been great! I’ve been getting my hands dirty, planting vegetables, and learning a lot about gardening.
Sophia: That’s fantastic! You’ve always had ______.
John: Thanks, Sophia. I’ve been lucky to have some experienced gardeners to guide me. Speaking of skills, did you know Jenny is taking painting lessons?
Sophia: Really? She’s always been ______, but I didn’t know she was into art. Is she any good?
John: She’s _______, for sure. Her early paintings show potential, but she’s still learning.
Sophia: It’s wonderful that she’s exploring her artistic side. I’d love to be _______ when she showcases her work for the first time.
John: I know what you mean. Witnessing someone’s creative process can be quite fascinating. By the way, did you catch Sarah’s speech at the conference last week?
Sophia: No, I missed it. I heard it was excellent, though. She’s always had _______ when it comes to public speaking.
John: Absolutely. She was confident, persuasive, and had the audience engaged throughout.
Sophia: Sarah is really impressive. I wish I could be ______ during her important presentations.
John: Well, maybe next time you’ll have that opportunity. Speaking of wishes, I heard you’re planning to start your own business.
Sophia: Yes, that’s right. I’ve decided to launch an online boutique for handmade jewelry.
John: That sounds exciting! Just make sure you don’t ______ with too much work all at once. Starting a business can be overwhelming.
Sophia: You’re right, John. I don’t want to take on more than I can handle. I’ll pace myself and seek guidance from experienced entrepreneurs.
John: That’s the spirit, Sophia. Keep your ______, and you’ll navigate the challenges successfully.
Sophia: Thanks for the encouragement, John. Starting a business can be as challenging as planting a garden, but I’m ready for it.
Options:
1. one’s feet on the ground
2. a green thumb
3. a diamond in the rough
4. a fly on the wall
5. bitten off more than one can chew
6. one’s head in the clouds
7. scarce as hen’s teeth
8. a fish in troubled waters
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.
