Idiom Exercise #8: Describing Alcohol Consumption

Communicative Goal: Describing Alcohol Consumption

Context: Drinking in Professional Life

Part 1, Speaking: Review and discuss the following idioms, providing your own examples.

1. to drink like a fish: to drink large quantities of alcohol (informal, neutral, general, amusing)  

Example: Some East Asian business people drink like a fish.

2. to drink one under the table: to outdrink another (informal, neutral, masculine)    

Example: John can drink anyone under the table. His liver must be the size of his head!

3. to drown one’s sorrows: to drink alcohol for sadness (informal/formal, negative, sympathetic)        

Example: Drowning your sorrows is always a bad idea.

4. to hold one’s liquor: to drink alcohol without becoming drunk (informal, neutral, masculine)  

Example: Heavy drinkers can usually hold their liquor.

5. to tie one on: to get drunk (informal, negative, friendly)  

Example: They really tied one on at the New Year’s Eve party!

Part 2, Reading: Complete the passage below with conjugated idioms from the list above.

     Alcohol use and abuse are commonly associated with certain professions, such as the closely allied fields of entertainment and advertising.

    Many prominent personalities in these industries __________, incorporating alcohol into their daily lives by even going so far as to stock their workplaces with open bars.

     In this drinking culture, one is valued by how much one can __________ and __________ others __________, reminiscent of college fraternity drinking games. Those who do not partake are often excluded from professional advancement opportunities.        

     This can lead to real difficulties, of course, including alcoholism, alcohol poisoning and death. A major warning sign is when they start __________ to cope with failures, or __________ in public, often leading to embarrassing pictures splashed across the tabloids the following day.      

© James Doyle, 2014

www.mylanguagesolutions.com

English Class: 
Are you interested in learning more idioms? Take this great class!

http://www.mylanguagesolutions.com/#!advanced-integrated-english-skills-workshop/c12pt

Answers: 
The answers to this exercise are available at the following link: 

http://www.mylanguagesolutions.com/#!english-exercises-answers/c11f1   

Idiom Exercise #7: Describing Sadness

Communicative Goal: Describing Sadness

Context: Modern Life

Part 1, Speaking: Review and discuss the following idioms, providing your own examples.

1.   to be down in the dumps: to feel sad for a short period (informal, negative, weak, general)

      Example: Come on, what are you down in the dumps for? You should be happy!

2.   to be in a funk: to feel sad for an extended period (informal, negative, weak, general) 

Example: He is in a funk right now because he can’t find a job.

3.   to feel blue: to feel sad (informal, negative, strong, general, often used for one’s personality)

Example: I imagine that Picasso felt blue during his blue period.

4.   to feel down: to feel sad due to disappointment (informal, negative, weak, general)

Example: I feel down when I am turned down.

5.   to let down: to sadden someone through disappointment (informal, neutral, general)

Example: Please let him down gently….

Part 2, Reading : Complete the passage below with the appropriately conjugated idioms.

     The frustrations of modern life can lead to sadness and even depression when it seems like everyone and everything, from breakups to rejection letters, _____ us _____.

     It is natural __________ in situations like these. This can be intensified, however, when coupled with gloomy weather and our own biological makeups, making us __________. 

     When we __________ for a few days, friends and family can usually soon bring us back to our old selves with a night on the town.

    If we __________, however, professional help may be necessary to get us back on track.  

© James Doyle, 2013

www.mylanguagesolutions.com

English Class: 
Are you interested in learning more idioms? Take this great class!
http://www.mylanguagesolutions.com/#!advanced-integrated-english-skills-workshop/c12pt

Answers: 
The answers to this exercise are available at the following link: 

http://www.mylanguagesolutions.com/#!english-exercises-answers/c11f1   

Idiom Exercise #6: Describing Happiness

Communicative Goal: Describing Happiness

Context: Modern Life

Part 1, Speaking: Review and discuss the following idioms, providing your own examples.

1.   to be in good spirits: to feel positive following sadness (formal, positive, weak, general) Example: The patient was in good spirits following the procedure.

2.   to be on cloud nine: to feel extremely happy (informal, positive, strong, general) 

Example: She was on cloud nine after the ceremony.

3.   to be on top of the world: to feel happy due to success (informal, positive, strong, general) Example: Bill Gates is on top of the world.

4.   to grin from ear to ear: to beam due to happiness (informal, positive, strong, general)

Example: Children grin from ear to ear while opening Christmas presents.

5.   to jump for joy: to express extreme happiness (informal, positive, strong, general)

Example: I would jump for joy if I won the lottery!

Part 2, Reading : Complete the passage below with the appropriately conjugated idioms.

     Although modern life can be frustrating, it also provides us with opportunities to experience happiness. Most of us, for example, __________ following important milestones in our academic and professional careers.

    This is even more true for joyous life events, such as marriage and childbirth, when we __________, __________ in the images that record these precious moments.

     The more optimistic among us can even manage __________ despite bumps in the road, like breakups and being passed over.

     Finally, we all _________ in different ways, from beaming to sobbing. Indeed, it can sometimes be quiet difficult to tell if someone is overjoyed or down in the dumps! 

English Class: 
Are you interested in learning more idioms? Take this great class!
http://www.mylanguagesolutions.com/#!advanced-integrated-english-skills-workshop/c12pt

Answers: 
The answers to this exercise are available at the following link: 

http://www.mylanguagesolutions.com/#!english-exercises-answers/c11f1   

Idiom Exercise #5: Describing Resistance

Communicative Goal: Describing Resistance          

Context: The Civil Rights Movement

Part 1, Speaking: Review and discuss the following idioms, providing your own examples.

1.   to hold out: to resist pressure for a lengthy period of time (formal, nonseparable, general, neutral to

     negative) Example: The union is still holding out, refusing negotiations.             

2.   to put up a fight: to resist using violence (formal / informal, nonseparable, general, neutral)

     Example: Sharks usually put up a fight when you try to reel them in.            

3.   to speak up: to protest in the sense of “reject an injustice,” especially if one is reluctant to do so

      (formal, nonseparable, general, neutral)

      Example: It is important to speak up for yourself.     

4.   to stand up: to protest in the sense of “reject an injustice or control” (formal,  nonseparable, general,

      positive) Example: Children usually begin standing up to their parents when they are in their teens.               

5.   to turn the other cheek: to not respond violently to violence (formal, nonseparable, general, positive)

      Example: Turning the other cheek may get all of your cheeks slapped.   

Part 2, Reading: Complete the passage below with the most appropriately conjugated idioms.

     The Civil Rights movement of the 1950s and 60s sought to better the legal, social, financial and political status of minority groups in the United States, especially the long suffering African-American community. Although occurring in the mid-20^th century, the movement had roots stretching back more than a hundred years, to abolition. Considering the extreme repercussions they faced for exercising even their basic legal rights, it is not surprising that almost a century passed before African Americans began __________. 

     Many prominent figures emerged over the course of the movement, the Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. being the best remembered. Observing that __________ was not effective in the face of brutal police tactics and counter-protestor assaults, he followed Gandhi’s example of nonviolent resistance, urging his followers __________.

     Successful nonviolent resistance strategies included sit ins and lie ins, whereby protestors would refuse to move from segregated locations, such as businesses, __________ for hours until they peacefully disbanded or until carted away by police. 

     Today, civil rights leaders continue King’s legacy. They call upon younger generations to build upon the momentum of the 20th century and __________ for their rights and those of others.   

© James Doyle, 2013

www.mylanguagesolutions.com

English Class: 
Are you interested in learning more idioms? Take this great class!
http://www.mylanguagesolutions.com/#!advanced-integrated-english-skills-workshop/c12pt

Answers: 
The answers to this exercise are available at the following link: 

http://www.mylanguagesolutions.com/#!english-exercises-answers/c11f1    

Idiom Exercise #4: Describing Betrayal

Communicative Goal: Describing Betrayal 

Context: American Mobsters

Part 1, Speaking: 

Review and discuss the following idioms, providing your own examples.

1.   to drop a dime: to betray (informal, nonseparable, negative, in the sense of “anonymously provide

      information” Example: USCIS is encouraging citizens to drop a dime on undocumented immigrants.    

2.   to rat on: to betray (informal, nonseparable, highly negative in the sense of “provide information”)

      Example: Teachers’ pets usually rat on their classmates.             

3.   to turn in: to betray (formal, separable, general, neutral in the sense of “give to one’s enemies”)

     Example: The don was apprehended when one of his former associates turned him in to the FBI.            

4.   to turn on: to betray (informal / formal, nonseparable, general, neutral)

     Example: Dogs can turn on their masters.            

5.   to turn state’s: to betray (formal, nonseparable, positive, in the sense of “testify against someone”)

      Example: It is rare for wise guys to turn state’s.   

Part 2, Reading: 
Complete the passage below with the most appropriately conjugated idioms.

     Although ruthless criminals, American mobsters live by their own codes of honor and loyalty to one another. This is vital to their success as their very survival depends upon secrecy and operating in the shadows. Indeed, the greatest taboo within the syndicates is __________ one’s partners in crime.

     As such, they can usually only be successfully prosecuted when law enforcement agencies are able to convince them __________ each other.

     It is incredibly difficult, however, for the Department of Justice to convince gangsters __________ against their former employers. Every wise guy knows that, by taking the stand, he and his family immediately become targets of deadly reprisals. 

     The same is true for the larger community. Victims of mafia extortion often have ties to "the family" and a confused sense of ethnic solidarity. Most obviously, they are also reluctant __________ as they fear the grave repercussions.

     Despite this culture of loyalty and climate of fear, an ambitious soldier or enforcer who wishes to move up the ladder of the underworld may __________ a kingpin, expecting to fill the void left once his former employer is locked up. 

© James Doyle, 2013

www.mylanguagesolutions.com

English Class: 
Are you interested in learning more idioms? Take this great class!
http://www.mylanguagesolutions.com/#!advanced-integrated-english-skills-workshop/c12pt

Answers: 
The answers to this exercise are available at the following link: 

http://www.mylanguagesolutions.com/#!english-exercises-answers/c11f1    

Idiom Exercise #3: Describing Lying

Communicative Goal: Describing Lying

Context: President Nixon

Part 1, Speaking: Review and discuss the following idioms, providing your own examples.

1.    to lie through one’s teeth: to blatantly lie (nonseparable, informal, highly negative)

      Example: The pickpocketer lied through his teeth when we caught him red-handed.

2.   to live a lie: to pretend to be someone / something that one is not (nonseparable, informal, negative)  

      Example: Many homosexuals in conservative societies live a lie.    

3.   to be economical with the truth: to be slightly misleading (nonseparable, formal, positive)

      Example: Most attorneys are economical with the truth.        

4.   to pull a fast one: to lie in the sense of “cheat” (nonseparable, informal, negative)

      Example: The con artist almost pulled a fast one on her.  

5.   to take in: to lie in the sense of “trick” (separable, formal, slightly negative)

      Example: Defense attorneys often take in juries.  

Part 2, Reading: Complete the passage below with the appropriately conjugated idioms.

     U.S. president Richard Nixon is, perhaps, the one American politician most reviled for his deceptiveness, so much so that it earned him the epithet “Tricky Dick,” popular caricatures of him commonly depicting him in the act of nervously lying and __________ the gullible.

     Although most politicians can __________ to some degree, Nixon was accused of __________ to the American public by denying any involvement in the notorious Watergate scandal, infamously claiming during a news conference “I’m not a crook.”

     He almost __________ on voters, but with the House of Representatives poised to impeach him, Nixon decided to resign from the presidency of the United States in 1974 instead of continuing __________.

© James Doyle, 2013

www.mylanguagesolutions.com

English Class: 
Are you interested in learning more idioms? Take this great class!
http://www.mylanguagesolutions.com/#!advanced-integrated-english-skills-workshop/c12pt

Answers: 
The answers to this exercise are available at the following link: 

http://www.mylanguagesolutions.com/#!english-exercises-answers/c11f1