Tag: visual idioms

‘In a pickle’ – English idiom

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In a pickle

Example sentences from the web:

  • Listen, I’m in a little bit of a pickle right now. Could you come to my place and pick me up?
  • He was in a bind, a bit of a pickle, sort of distressed.
  • I noticed that you were in a bit of a pickle yesterday. I’m sorry, but I was in a hurry and I couldn’t help you. Did you manage to finish your essay in time?

Words and expressions from the example sentences you may not know:

  • TO PICK UP SOMEONE =>
  • IN A BIND => Like ‘in a pickle’, it means ‘in a difficult situation’; ‘in trouble’.

This idiom is well explained here: In a Pickle: And Other Funny Idioms.

School idioms

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A great infographic by Kaplan International Colleges on School idioms:

Kaplan International

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

“Social butterfly” – English idiom

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Social butterfly

social butterfly

Image source

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 be/feel/look bushed” – English idiom

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To be bushed

Image source

Be/feel/look bushed

Image source

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.