Video on this topic by Engvid:
Tag: ESL
School idioms
A great infographic by Kaplan International Colleges on School idioms:
Example sentences with these idioms:
- BOOKWORM
Margaret rarely leaves the library. She has typical symptoms of a bookworm.
- TO BRAINSTORM
Over the next three days, we’ll hear stories of bravery and brainstorm solutions for change.
- COPYCAT
She called me a copycat for wearing the same prom dress. - HIT THE BOOKS
I haven’t studied for today’s test yet. Time to hit the books!
- PASS WITH FLYING COLORS
As for the exam, I’m pleased to report you passed with flying colors. - SKIP CLASS
Are you going to skip class and go to the beach? - DROPOUT
“Why don’t we see Joanne Red at school anymore?”
“Oh, she’s a dropout, she left high school last week.” - TEACHER’S PET
Marcus is a teacher’s pet. He cannot shut up. He runs to the class after lunch and seems to always be raising his hand.
A funny video by English is Fun! on this topic:
- A POP QUIZ => An unexpected exam.
- TO READ OUT LOUD => To read loud enough that anyone can hear you and follow along.
- TO PLAY HOOKY => To not go to school when you’re supposed to.
- CLASS CLOWN => The person in the class who just likes to act silly and make everyone laugh during class.
Now that you know all these idioms, try to fill the gaps in this quiz to find out if you remember their meanings:
Activity for teachers: School idioms ex.
Answers: School idioms ex. answers
“To see red” – English idiom
Example sentences from the web:
- Whenever I think of the needless destruction of trees, I see red.
- When he insulted my mother, I saw red and I hit him.
- I didn’t mean to break his nose. I just saw red.
“When the going gets tough, the tough get going.” – English proverb
In times of crisis, those who are most resilient and determined take action and prove they’re worth.
Example sentences from the web:
- I realize we’re lost. But always remember, – “When the going gets tough, the tough get going.”
- The football team was losing the game, so at half time the coach reminded them that when the going gets tough, the tough get going.
- Anna lost her job and her boyfriend dumped her for her best friend. She carried on. When the going gets tough the tough gets going. Three months later she was in a better job and going out with a really nice guy.
If you still don’t get the meaning of this proverb …
“The going” => the situation
“Gets tough” => becomes difficult
“The tough” => people who are strong and enduring
“Get going” => become fully engaged
There is a song named after this proverb: When the going gets tough, the tough get going by Billy Ocean.
If you like the 80s, listen to it! 😉
Lyrics:
When the going gets tough
The tough get going, tough, tough, huh, huh, huh
When the going gets tough, the tough get ready
Yeah, ooooh, du da do da
I got something to tell you
I got something to say
I’m gonna put this dream in motion
Never let nothing stand in my way
When the going gets touch
The tough get going
I’m gonna get myself ‘cross the river
That’s the price I’m willing to pay
I’m gonna make you stand and deliver
And give me love in the old-fashion way
Woooh
Darlin’, I’ll climb any mountain
Darlin’, I’ll do anything
Ooh, can I touch you (can I touch you)
And do the things that lovers do
Ooh, wanna hold you (wanna hold you)
I gotta get it through to you, oooh
When the going gets tough
The tough get going
When the going gets rough
The tough get rough
Hey, hey, hey, hey, hey
Ooooh baby
I’m gonna buy me a one-way ticket
Nothin’s gonna hold me back
Your love’s like a slow train coming (slow train coming)
And I feel it coming down the track (woh)
Darlin’, I’ll climb any mountain
Darlin’, I’ll do anything
Ooh (ooh) can I touch you (can I touch you)
And do the things that lovers do
Ooh, (ooh) wanna hold you (wanna hold you)
I gotta get it through to you (ooh)
‘Cause when the going gets tough
The tough get going
When the going gets rough
The tough get rough
Yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah
Wooh, yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah
Darlin’, I’ll climb any mountain
Darlin’, I’ll swim any sea
Darlin’, I’ll reach for the heaven
Darlin’, with you lovin’ me
Oooh (oooh)
Oooh, can I touch you (can I touch you)
And do the things that lovers do (can I touch you)
Oooh, wanna hold you (wanna hold you)
I gotta get it through to you
When the going gets tough
Going gets tough
Going gets rough
Going gets rough…
‘Dedication’ – What does it mean?
Example sentences from the web:
- I am sure you will do it with great effectiveness and dedication.
- His dedication went far beyond what would normally be expected of a chief election observer.
- Her dedication to medicine was so great that she had time for little else.
DEDICATION – Noora Noor
This song is for my mother
Who told me to work harder
The way she loves
Makes me feel free
This song is for my brothers
With them, so much wiser
The way they love
I feel so complete
Everyone (love) thought that I could (love) do
Whatever, whenever, wherever I set my mind on
Everyone (love) thought that I could do (love)
Whatever, whenever, wherever I set my mind on
This song is for my sister
I melt when I’m around her
So much joy she brings for me to see
This song is for my father
Without him, I’m so much stronger
From Heaven he guides me through a rainy day
Everyone (love) thought that I could do (love)
Whatever, whenever, wherever I set my mind on
Everyone (love) thought that I could do (love)
Whatever, whenever, wherever I set my mind on
Believe in me
I believe in you
Believe in me
I believe in you
Believe in, believe in, believe in me
I believe in you, you
In you, you
Yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah
Yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah
Yeah, yeah yeah…
I promise I’ll be better
Everyone (love) thought that I could do (love)
I set my mind ???? ????
Everyone (love) thought that I could do (love)
Do whatever, whenever, wherever I set my mind on
Yeah
Comic on this topic by British Council with comprehension test:
Comic on dedication.
“Social butterfly” – English idiom
Example sentences from the web:
- Because he was not a social butterfly, he rarely went out in Washington.
- Jessica is constantly out and about; she’s a real social butterfly.
- Lulu is a social butterfly. She is always surrounded by people.
“To endure” – What does it mean?
Other synonyms:
Example sentences from the web:
- I cannot endure your insolence any longer. => Here “endure” means “tolerate”, “bear”, “support”.
- The style endured for centuries. => Here “endured” means “continued in the same state”, “lasted”.
- Even in the darkest ages humanity has endured. => Here “endured” means “suffered patiently”, “suffered without yielding”, “persisted”.
Words from the example sentences you may not know:
- INSOLENCE => being rude or impolite, show a lack of respect or other people.
- YIELDING => TO YIELD => to collapse, to give up, to surrender.
“To be/feel/look bushed” – English idiom
Example sentences from the web:
- After all that exercise, I’m bushed.
- The poor kid is bushed, I’ll take her home. She’s not in any shape to take more right now.
- “We’re off to bed now”, said Alfonso. “We are bushed!” Isabella laughed.
“Well, we are”, said Ronnie, indignantly.
“We’ve done a lot today, you know. And walked miles.”
“I know that. I’m not laughing at you being tired, Ron. It’s just when we say in Australia that we’re bushed, it can also mean that we’re lost. Or confused. Like we don’t know what’s going on. Not just tired […].”
Taken from Whitely, M, 2014, Bushed!, Elm House Publishing, p. 84.
Words and expressions from the example sentences that you may not know:
- TO BE IN SHAPE => to be in good condition physically and functionally
- TO BE OFF TO BED => .to go to bed; to go to sleep.
Difference between “to chip”, “to crack”, and “to break”.
Sometimes I am distracted and it could happen that I break, chip or crack a cup, a plate, a bowl, … Did it ever happen to you? Did you know these terms?
“Compulsory” – What does it mean?
Example sentences from the web:
- Attendance is compulsory for all members.
- Spraying against rust is compulsory and employed as preventive measure.
- Compulsory education refers to a period of education that is required of persons, imposed by law.
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