An idiom is a phrase or expression that typically presents a figurative, non-literal meaning attached to the phrase; but some phrases become figurative idioms while retaining the literal meaning of the phrase.
Here are some examples:
B1
It’s raining cats and dogs: It’s raining really hard.
Example: “There’s no way they’ll be playing at the park, it’s raining cats and dogs out there!”
Let the cat out of the bag: Telling someone something you weren’t supposed to.
Example: I was talking with John and let the cat out of the bag.
Live and learn: Learning from your mistakes.
Example: I left my bike unlocked for five minutes and it was stolen. You live and learn I suppose.
B2
A blessing in disguise: An apparent misfortune that eventually has good results.
Example: Being laid off was a blessing in disguise – within a month I got a much better job.
Pulling someone’s leg: Joking with them/pulling a prank on them.
Example: I panicked when he said the test was tomorrow, but then I realized he was just pulling my leg.
Your guess is as good as mine: Used for emphasis when one doesn’t know the answer to a question.
Example: I asked my wife “how long will it take for the pie to bake?” and she answered, “your guess is as good as mine.”
C1
Catch-22: Paradoxical situation from which an individual cannot escape because of contradictory rules or limitations.
Example: To get a certain job, you need work experience. But to get that work experience, you need to have had a job. It’s a Catch-22.
Dodged a bullet: Manage to avoid a difficult or unwelcome situation.
Example: “I was going to take the train to my office, but I ended up taking the bus. Later that day, I discovered that the train got delayed. I definitely dodged a bullet by taking the bus!”
The tip of the iceberg: A small part of something (such as a problem) that is seen or known about when there is a much larger part that is not seen or known about.
Example: “Her success is just the tip of the iceberg, she had to fight very hard to get to the position where she’s at, and we just didn’t see that.”
Let’s practise!
Fill in the gaps with the correct idiom:
A blessing in Disguise Tip of the iceberg Pulling someone’s leg
Dodge the bullet Your guess is as good as mine It’s raining cats and dogs
- The flu I had a few weeks ago which prevented me from going on holiday with my friends was _____________. They had a terrible time. Everything went wrong and it cost them a lot of money.
- I was just _____________ when I said Marissa wanted to go out with him, but he believed me and he called her. And now they really are going out!
- At first I was so disappointed to miss out on that job, but when I heard that the company went out of business a week later I realized I’d _____________ !
- I asked her when the shipment would arrive. She said, _____________.
- “What my friend is going through is just _____________, he has bigger issues to deal with.”
- I love the sound when it _____________!
ANSWERS:
1- A blessing in Disguise
2- Pulling someone’s leg
3- Dodge the bullet
4- Your guess is as good as mine
5- Tip of the iceberg
6- It’s raining cats and dogs
