An idiom is a colourful expression which has become fixed in the language. It is a phrase which has a meaning that cannot be worked out from the meanings of the words in it. Examples: ‘in hot water’ means ‘in trouble’.
It’s raining cats and dogs.
Here are some more idioms used in sports as well as everyday conversation. Can you match them up so they make sense?
| Idioms | Literal Meaning | Metaphorical Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| Break your duck | Like a plant or tree with roots in one place | To achieve success after a history of failure |
| Don’t count your chickens | Only the basic material is left | All is equal |
| Down to the wire | To win by a small part of the body | Stuck and unable to move |
| A level playing field | Six of one and another six of something else | To succeed by the smallest margin |
| To win by a nose | Do not count your feathered livestock | It is up to you |
| Rooted to the spot | The ball is in a space you are playing in | The outcome will not be decided until the very last minute |
| Six of one, half a dozen of the other | To damage a waterfowl you own | It is equally both sides’ fault |
| The ball is in your court | A flat space on which to play | Don’t assume anything |
Idiomatic Expression – Exercise
A. Complete each sentence with an idiomatic expression from the box. There is one more than you need.
| behind his back | tight-fisted |
| bite his tongue | keep a straight face |
| off my chest | butterflies in my stomach |
| long in the tooth | itchy feet |
- The sales assistant got annoyed when the customer kept changing her mind about buying the shoes, but he had to ________________ and say nothing.
- Although he has plenty of money, my brother Oscar is very _______________ and never buys anyone a present.
- Mr Chavez told his secretary she couldn’t work on the project, but she went ________________ and started work on it anyway.
- I write down all my worries in a diary. I find it is a good way to get problems _______________.
- I hate speaking in front of a large group. In fact I get ________ just thinking about it.
- As soon as she has returned from one holiday, Maureen wants to go abroad again. She must have been born with ________________.
- Although the children wanted to be taken seriously when they talked about their pets, they made such funny mistakes that their teacher found it hard to ________________.