Idioms: English Expressions, Break the Ice

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Idioms: English Expressions

Study 10 idioms below. Then answer the questions.

Idiom	Definition	Sense	Example
beside the point	not needed, not related to the topic or situation	neutral, negative	I like your new idea, but it's beside the point right now. First, we have to get started on the basic project.
blows ____ mind	is very amazing or surprising	usually positive	That movie blew my mind! The plot was so intense.
clean up _____ act	to become better in appearance and behavior	positive	My brother used to go to parties every night, but last year he cleaned up his act. He's a responsible business man now.
don't count your chickens before they're hatched (usually shortens to don't count your chickens)	don't assume the best outcome--wait and see what actually happens	neutral, a warning	Your new website looks great, and I think you will make some money on it, but don't count your chickens! There's a lot of competition these days.
foot the bill	to pay the bill, usually when you do not want or expect it	negative	We took the executives out to dinner, and the networking was very productive. Unfortunately, I had to foot the bill.
get out of hand	to get out of control	neutral, negative	My roommate and I were never friends, but lately things are getting out of hand. She won't even clean her own dishes.
wasn't born yesterday	not stupid	neutral, negative	The car salesman told me that I should consider luxury and speed before cost. I told him that I wasn't born yesterday.
jump to conclusions	to make decisions too quickly (without thinking about all the facts)	negative, usually a warning	I'm glad the interview went well, but don't jump to conclusions. You don't know for sure if they will hire you or what salary they will offer.
keep ____ in the loop	keep informed	neutral, positive	Thank you for inviting me to this meeting. Please keep me in the loop as you develop your project.
kid around	joke	positive, humorous	Hey, stop kiding around! We all have to get back to work.

Answer the Questions

1. Do you know someone who often gets off topic?
When might you say, "that's beside the point?"

2. Describe something (a movie, some news) that blew your mind.

3. Think of someone who has cleaned up his or her act. How did the person change?

4. When is a time that you warned someone not to count his/her chickens?

5. Have you ever had to foot the bill for a dinner or event? Or has someone had to foot the bill for you?

More Questions

6. Have you ever felt that life was getting out of hand (you were very busy or having difficulties)?

7. Describe a time when you might say, "I wasn't born yesterday."

8. Do you know anyone who often jumps to conclusions?

9. Are you working on a project or team and other people are keeping you in the loop?

10. Do you like kidding around or are you more serious?

Now learn 10 more idioms. A blank ____ indicates a place for a pronoun.
Then answer more questions about your everyday life.

Idioms	Definition	Sense	Example
likely story	its probably a lie, the story is not likely	sarcastic, negative	You walked for twenty blocks in the rain because you wanted fresh air? Likely story! You were drinking.
miss the point	to not see the important part, the main topic	neutral	I tried to tell my manager that I was unhappy. He missed the point and started recommending vacation spots.
nickel-and-dime	to make money through small, unnoticed fees	negative	You shouldn't open an account at that bank. They'll nickel-and-dime you!
PC	politically correct, safe, avoiding offense	neutral	The comedian was very funny. His jokes definitely weren't PC.
settle down	to get married	neutral	He was single until he was 38. Then he finally settled down. Now he has three small kids.
sweet tooth	a taste for sweets	neutral	The cake looks very good, but I don't have much of a sweet tooth today.
the gloves are off	no more gentleness, it is time for tough competition	negative	That company is taking our customers. The gloves are off! We need to beat them.
under the weather	a little sick	negative	Even since the season changed, I've been feeling under the weather.
way to go	good job!	positive or sarcastic	You got a new job. Way to go! You broke three glasses. Way to go!
wrap up or wrap it up	finish	neutral	It's been a good meeting. Let's wrap it up and go to lunch.

Answer the Questions

1.Describe a time when someone told you a story that was not likely.

2. Do you know someone who often misses the point of conversations?

3. Do you know of a company that nickel-and-dime's people?

4. Do you like to be PC or do you like to say whatever you want?

5. If you are single now, do you plan to settle down soon? If you're married now, when did you settle down?

More Questions

6. Do you have a sweet tooth? How often do you eat sweets?

7. Think of any competitive situations you have experienced. Was there a time when you or your team decided that the gloves were off?

8. Have you felt under the weather recently?

9. Think of your friends and family and their recent accomplishments (or mistakes). Why might you say "way to go" to someone?

10. Is there a project that you plan to wrap up soon?