SMART IDIOMS AND HOW TO USE THEM includes the most vivid and authentic English idioms with fun and high-impact exercises specifically designed for ESL students intermediate level. It is a thorough, user-friendly resource designed to encourage learning and knowledge retention for classroom and self-study use.
Dedication
Description of Exercises and Levels of Difficulty
Idiom Usage Guide
1. Animal Idioms
2. Anger Idioms
3. Birthday Idioms
4. Body Idioms
5. Clothing Idioms
6. Color Idioms
7. Fear Idioms
8. Feelings Idioms
9. Food Idioms
10. Gratitude Idioms
11. Holiday Idioms
12. Love Idioms
13. Money Idioms
14. Music Idioms
15. Number Idioms
16. Royalty Idioms
17. School Idioms
18. Shopping Idioms
19. Sport Idioms
20. Weather Idioms
21. Work Idioms
01 Animal Idioms
DIALOGUE: Understanding IdiomsThrough Reading
Practicereading the dialogue in pairs or on your own.
FRANK: I’m a dead duck!
TONY: Why do you saythat, Frank?
FRANK: I haven’t beenable to quit smoking. I told my wife I would quit by the end of the year, andthat’s next week!
TONY: Maybe she forgot!
FRANK: I don’t think so,Tony. My wife has the memory of an elephant.
TONY: Why don’t you tryquitting cold turkey?
FRANK: If I do that, I’llstart eating like a horse.
TONY: A little bird told me about a patch you can wear on your arm. It will take the craving away. Andbesides, you’re the top dog at the garage. I’m sure you can enforce anon-smoking rule to help you quit.
FRANK: My position at theshop isn’t that important. I’m the best grease monkey and I make goodmoney, but...
TONY: You’re right. Youdo make good money, not chickenfeed. And the boss listens to you.
FRANK: I agree. He doeslisten to me and he knows I work hard, but others don’t work hard and he allowsit.
TONY: I know! Doesn’tthat get your goat?
FRANK: It does...and justyesterday I searched everywhere for my tools, but I couldn’t find them. Do youthink someone took them?
TONY: You went on a wildgoose chase? I smell a rat! Did you ask Tom for your tools?
FRANK: No, he’s kind of alone wolf and I don’t trust him to give me an honest answer. He’ll justgive me some cock and bull story like the time he broke my snowmobile.
TONY: Are you going tospeak to Tom?
FRANK: No. I’m quite surehe took them, but you can’t change a leopard’s spots, so I’m not goingto waste my time.
TONY: Are you going tospeak to the boss about Tom?
FRANK: No, I don’t thinkso.