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