form5 (idioms)

What are idioms?

Definition

An idiom (also called idiomatic expression) is an expression, word, or phrase that has a figurative meaning conventionally understood by native speakers. This meaning is different from the literal meaning of the idiom's individual elements. In other words, idioms don't mean exactly what the words say. They have, however, hidden meaning.

Examples

• "Kick the bucket"
• "Spill the beans"

The meaning of these expressions is separate from the literal meaning or definition of the words of which they are made. Their meaning are however used figuratively. They mean respectively:

• "to die "
• "to tell people secret information"

Here are some idioms embedded in these news excerpts. Underline them. 

1. The top seeds, who have yet to triumph since bagging the Malaysia Open Super Series title in January last year, blew hot and cold en route to defeating Endo-Hayakawa in 51 minutes.
2. Chong Wei admitted that Sasaki had improved by leaps and bounds since they last met at the Japan and Singapore Opens in 2008, which Chong Wei won.
3. Then, Australia delivered the killer blow just a minute before the end through a Jason Wilson penalty corner goal.

 Now, surf the internet or use your reference books to find the meanings of these idioms.

1. Beat around the bush
2. Butterflies in the stomach
3. Can of worms
4. Cream of the crop
5. Duck the issue
6. Give somebody a cold shoulder
7. Give somebody the axe
8. Have a bone to pick with someone
9. His bark is worse than his bite
10. In cold blood
11. In the hot seat
12. Put your money where your mouth isSpill the beans

Match the sentences below to the correct idioms from the list.

• e.g. My mother didn't reply to my questions as she was still angry with me. ( 6   )
• The murderer killed his victim without mercy. (   )
• I chose to reveal the secrets as I could not hold it up anymore. (   )
• He was rated as one of the best hockey players of all time. (   )
• Being the boss is not an easy feat as there might be other people who think that they deserve to be in the critical position instead of you. (   )
• The manager had no other options but to fire him off the job. (   )

and now, write a sentence for each of the rest of the idioms in your reading and speaking exercise book.