***Remember to use idioms appropriately in context to convey their intended meanings.
Exercise 1: Vocabulary
1. The ball is in your court
Definition: It is now up to you to take action or make a decision.
Example: “I’ve given you all the necessary information. The ball is in your court now to choose the best option.”
2. Let sleeping dogs lie
Definition: To avoid stirring up trouble or reopening old conflicts.
Example: “The issue was resolved, so it’s best to let sleeping dogs lie and not bring it up again.”
3. Raining cats and dogs
Definition: To rain heavily.
Example: “We had to cancel our picnic because it was raining cats and dogs.”
4. On thin ice
Definition: In a risky or dangerous situation.
Example: “After missing several deadlines, he’s on thin ice with his boss.”
5. Birds of a feather flock together
Definition: People with similar interests or characteristics tend to gather together.
Example: “Natalie and Emily became fast friends in college because they both loved art. Birds of a feather flock together.”
6. A penny for your thoughts
Definition: A polite way to ask someone what they are thinking or to inquire about their opinion.
Example: “You seem lost in thought. A penny for your thoughts?”
7. Go the extra mile
Definition: To make an additional effort or go beyond what is expected.
Example: “He always goes the extra mile at work by staying late to complete tasks.”
8. In hot water
Definition: In trouble or facing a difficult situation.
Example: “I’m in hot water with my parents after accidentally breaking their favorite vase.”
Exercise 2: Dialouge
Sarah: Hey, Mike, I heard you had a disagreement with your neighbor last night.
Mike: Yeah, it was about our property lines. We had a heated argument, and now I’m not sure what to do.
Sarah: Well, remember, the ball is in your court when it comes to resolving this. You might want to consider talking to your neighbor calmly and finding a compromise.
Mike: You’re right. I don’t want to escalate the situation further. I should let sleeping dogs lie for now and approach the conversation with a cooler head.
Sarah: That’s a good idea. And if the rain doesn’t get in the way, maybe you can invite them over for a friendly chat to clear things up. Speaking of rain, it’s been raining cats and dogs all week.
Mike: Tell me about it. It’s been tough to get any outdoor work done. My project is already delayed, and I feel like I’m on thin ice with my client.
Sarah: You know what they say, when it rains, it pours. But I’m sure you’ll find a way to catch up. You always go the extra mile to meet your deadlines.
Mike: Thanks, Sarah. I appreciate your support. I guess I just have to work through this challenging time. By the way, I was thinking about redecorating my living room. What do you think?
Sarah: I’d love to give my input. A penny for your thoughts on what style you’re considering?
Mike: Well, I was thinking of something modern and minimalistic.
Sarah: Great choice! Birds of a feather flock together, and it sounds like we have similar taste in home decoration.
Exercise 3: Fill in the Blanks
Liam: Hey, Emily, did you hear that Tom is facing some issues at work?
Emily: Yes, I heard he’s been making a lot of mistakes lately.
Liam: That’s right. Now his boss is really upset, and it seems like he’s “_______________” with his job.
Emily: Oh no, that doesn’t sound good. He should try to improve his performance or he might find himself “_______________.”
Liam: Exactly. I hope he can turn things around. He needs to “_______________” and show his dedication to the job.
Emily: Well, you know what they say, “_______________.” Maybe he needs to find a mentor at work to help him out.
Options:
1. In hot water
2. On thin ice
3. Go the extra mile
4. Let sleeping dogs lie
5. The ball is in your court
Exercise 4: Exercises
- 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
