Smart Idioms and How to Use Them

01 Animal Idioms

DIALOGUE: Understanding Idioms Through Reading
Practice reading the dialogue in pairs or on your own.

FRANK: I’m a dead duck!
TONY: Why do you say that, Frank?
FRANK: I haven’t been able to quit smoking. I told my wife I would quit by the end of the year, and that’s next week!
TONY: Maybe she forgot!
FRANK: I don’t think so, Tony. My wife has the memory of an elephant.
TONY: Why don’t you try quitting cold turkey?
FRANK: If I do that, I’ll start eating like a horse.
TONY: A little bird told me about a patch you can wear on your arm. It will take the craving away. And besides, you’re the top dog at the garage. I’m sure you can enforce a non-smoking rule to help you quit.


FRANK: My position at the shop isn’t that important. I’m the best grease monkey and I make good money, but...
TONY: You’re right. You do make good money, not chickenfeed. And the boss listens to you.
FRANK: I agree. He does listen to me and he knows I work hard, but others don’t work hard and he allows it.
TONY: I know! Doesn’t that get your goat?
FRANK: It does...and just yesterday I searched everywhere for my tools, but I couldn’t find them. Do you think someone took them?
TONY: You went on a wild goose chase? I smell a rat! Did you ask Tom for your tools?
FRANK: No, he’s kind of a lone wolf and I don’t trust him to give me an honest answer. He’ll just give me some cock and bull story like the time he broke my snowmobile.
TONY: Are you going to speak to Tom?
FRANK: No. I’m quite sure he took them, but you can’t change a leopard’s spots, so I’m not going to waste my time.
TONY: Are you going to speak to the boss about Tom?
FRANK: No, I don’t think so.
TONY: Well, Frank, the boss knows you’re an eager beaver, so at the very least I’m sure you can get him to put up a non-smoking sign.

01 Animal Idioms

DIALOGUE: Understanding Idioms Through Reading
Practice reading the dialogue in pairs or on your own.

FRANK: I’m a dead duck!
TONY: Why do you say that, Frank?
FRANK: I haven’t been able to quit smoking. I told my wife I would quit by the end of the year, and that’s next week!
TONY: Maybe she forgot!
FRANK: I don’t think so, Tony. My wife has the memory of an elephant.
TONY: Why don’t you try quitting cold turkey?
FRANK: If I do that, I’ll start eating...

Dedication
Description of Exercises and Levels of Difficulty
Idiom Usage Guide

1. Animal Idioms
2. Anger Idioms
3. Birthday Idioms
4. Body Idioms
5. Clothing Idioms
6. Color Idioms
7. Fear Idioms
8. Feelings Idioms
9. Food Idioms
10. Gratitude Idioms
11. Holiday Idioms
12. Love Idioms
13. Money Idioms
14. Music Idioms
15. Number Idioms
16. Royalty Idioms
17. School Idioms
18. Shopping Idioms
19. Sport Idioms
20. Weather Idioms
21. Work Idioms

Reference Section

Dedication
Description of Exercises and Levels of Difficulty
Idiom Usage Guide

1. Animal Idioms
2. Anger Idioms
3. Birthday Idioms
4. Body Idioms
5. Clothing Idioms
6. Color Idioms
7. Fear Idioms
8. Feelings Idioms
9. Food Idioms
10. Gratitude Idioms
11. Holiday Idioms
12. Love Idioms
13. Money Idioms
14. Music Idioms
15. Number Idioms
16. Royalty Idioms
17. School Idioms
18. Shopping Idioms
19. Sport Idioms
20. Weather Idioms
21. Work Idioms

Reference Section