Idioms from esl-lab

"in a pickle" = a difficult situation
"You'll find yourself in a real pickle if you don't have enough water during an emergency."

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"hang loose" = relax or stay calm
"Tell the people to hang loose until help arrives."

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"wacky" = silly or foolish

"My brother had the wacky idea of packing twenty bottles of ketchup in his emergency kit instead of water."

"call someone up" = call

"Please call me up if you aren't busy this weekend. I'll have my cellphone with me."

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"a thousand apologies" = say one is very, very sorry

"Hey, Steve. A thousand apologies for not calling you up earlier. My cellphone battery died.

"buckle down" = start to work hard

"If you don't buckle down and save money, you'll never be able to afford college."

"hand to mouth" = with barely enough money to live

"My father lived hand to mouth while he was trying to finish college."

"lie through one's teeth" = lie so you don't get in trouble

"The man lied through his teeth even though he was guilty of the crime."

"rip someone off" = cheat someone

"I decided to hire a lawyer because the salesman ripped me off."

SHAPE UP OR SHIP OUT: Either improve one's performance (or behavior) or leave. (Used as a command
John was late again, so I told him to shape up or ship out.

CHASE RAINBOWS: To waste your time trying to get or achieve something impossible (usually in continuous tenses)
 I don't think my parents ever believed I'd make it as an actor. I think they thought I was just chasing rainbows

MAKE A MONKEY OUT OF SOMEONE: MAKE A FOOL (OUT) OF SOMEONE
Watch out as you go! Don’t make a fool of yourself!

YOU ARE THE APPLE OF MY EYE(S)

HE DRINKS LIKE A FISH

LET THE CAT OUT OF THE BAG
 Finally, he let the cat out of the bag. He felt relieved although the police arrested him immediately

Drive idiom

1. In the driver's seat: in control or in charge of st

2. A backseat driver: control of st that is not responsibli

3. A Sunday driver: so that drive so slowly that annoying others

wheel idiom

Boat idiom

Drive idiom

Horse racing idiom

In this episode, The Teacher introduces you to three idiomatic phrases connected with horse
racing.

1. It’s neck and neck.

2. On the home straight or stretch.

3. Down to the wire

The script: 

Yah! Yah! Come on Bessie!...

Hello, I’m a very interesting and intelligent man…. Yah!

And today, I’m getting together with the sport of horse racing to teach you some idioms in English….Yah! Alright girl, come on. Come on Bessie! Yah! Yah!

I bet you’ve never been taught by the sport of horse racing before! ...Yah! Come on girl!

As you can see, it’s a very, very, very, very, very, very, very close race. Yes, it’s neck and neck.

In English, if two people in a competition are level and have the same chance of winning, we say ‘it’s neck and neck’.

It’s neck and neck.

Come on Bessie! Yah! Yah!

I’m so tired…..I hope we can make it to the end. Ah, fantastic, I can see the end of the race. Yes, we’re on the home stretch.

In English, when you’re coming to the end of a long task, we can say ‘we’re on the home straight or the home stretch’.

On the home straight or the home stretch.

Like this lesson. I’ve only got one more idiom to teach, so we really are on the home straight. Yah! Come on Bessie! Yah! Yah! Come on girl!

It’s so close! Who’s going to win?
It’s going to go down to the wire.

In English, if we are unsure of the result of something until the very last moment, we say ‘it’ll go down to the wire.’

Down to the wire.

Yah! Come on Bessie! Yah! Yah! Yeeeesss!

Judge: Competitor number 420, The Teacher, is disqualified for riding a fake horse.

The Teacher: That is absolutely ridiculous! I can’t believe they would say that about you! Did you hear that, Bessie?!

I am absolutely disgusted! I am so angry I’ve never been so appalled in all my life. I’ve a good mind to teach you a lesson
My self-talk: being uploaded soon...

Boxing idiom

In this episode, The Teacher introduces you to three idiomatic phrases connected with the sport of boxing.

1. Below the belt.

2. Take it on the chin.

3. Throw in the towel.

The script:

Hello, I’m a very interesting and intelligent man.
Argh!

And today…excuse me…I’m getting together with the sport of boxing to teach you some idioms in English.

Argh!

I bet you’ve never been taught by the sport of boxing before! … Ahh!...

Ah, my boss. He’s cut my pay, but I don’t care because I’m earning some extra money boxing…ArGH!!

My boss laughed when I told him..ARGH!...
He said even a fly could beat me up!
ARGHGHGHGH!!!

That was below the belt!

In English….if someone says something very hurtful or unfair, we say ‘That was below the
belt’.

Below the belt.
Argh!

Actually, maybe my boss was right about this. I’m not very good at it.
I guess I’ll just have to take his comments on the chin….ARGH!

In English, if we have to accept an unpleasant situation without complaining we say you ‘take it on the chin’.

Take it on the chin.

I’m taking it on the chin. …But I don’t think I can take much more of this. I think I have to admit defeat.

That’s right. It’s time to throw in the towel.

In English…, when you give up… or are about to admit defeat, we can say you ‘throw in the
towel’.

I’m …throwing… in… the… towel

My self-talk: being upload soon... 

Cat idiom

In this episode, The Teacher introduces you to three idiomatic phrases connected with cats.

1. There isn't enough room to swing a cat

2. Who let the cat out of the bag?

3. To put the cat among the pigeons

The script:

Hello, I’m a very interesting and intelligent man.And this is Tinkles, who, like me, is an excellent teacher of English. Well, she is my cat…I bet you’ve never been taught by a cat before. We live together in this house. Small, isn’t it? Not much room for Tinkles and me. In fact there isn’t enough room to swing a cat. In English, if a room or a space is very small, we can say there isn’t enough room to swing a cat. There isn’t enough room to swing a cat.

Unlike here, where there’s plenty of room, isn’t that right Tinkles? I’ve got something to tell you… It’s a bit of a secret.Tinkles? Tinkles? Oh, so you know my little secret already… Who let the cat out of the bag? In English, if someone lets a secret be known, especially by mistake, we can say they let the cat out of the bag. To let the cat out of the bag. 

Anyway, you are all invited… to Tinkles’s wedding. Cats… Little cuties, aren’t they? But never forget that underneath all that fluff they are vicious hunters. So, it’s not a good idea to put Tinkles with this lot.

In English, if there's something which causes trouble or makes people very angry we say it put a cat among the pigeons. To put a cat among the pigeons. Like when I told my students I’d spent the whole year preparing them for the wrong exam. That put the cat among the pigeons. Ah, they hated me so much, ha, ha, silly me. 

My self-talk: being uploaded soon...

Bee idiom

In this episode, The Teacher introduces you to three idiomatic phrases connected with bees.

1. Busy as a bee

2. The bee's knees

3. To have a bee in your bonnet

The script: 

Hello, I’m a very interesting and intelligent man. And today these bees and I are getting together to teach you a thing or two about English idioms. I bet you’ve never been taught by a bee before!

Look at them all working away: busy, buzzy bees. Busy, buzzy, buzzy, buzzy, buzzy ……buzz buzz. In English, if someone is very busy or is moving around quickly doing lots of things we can say they’re busy as a bee. Busy as a bee.

Buzz. Now, what else do we know about bees?Hmm, my favourite - runny honey. I love honey. In fact, I think it’s the bee’s knees! Now I know what you’re thinking “What are you talking about you silly man? The bee’s knees?” In English, if we think that something is excellent, or of the very highest quality, we can say it’s the bee’s knees. The bee's knees. Like my lessons - they're the bee's knees.

Now, they may make yummy, runny honey, but never forget that bees have a nasty side. They sting. So you wouldn’t want one to fly up here into your hat - or bonnet as we call this old fashioned ladies’ hat. So, how would you feel if you had a bee in your bonnet? Extremely worried. In English, if someone is very worried or concerned about something and they talk about it all the time, we can say they’ve got a bee in their bonnet. 

My self-talk: being uploaded soon...

Hair idiom

In this episode, The Teacher introduces you to three idiomatic phrases connected with hair.

1. I let my hair down

2. Keep your hair on

3. I'm tearing my hair out 

The script:

Hello, I’m a very interesting and intelligent and hairy man. And today, this hair and I will be teaching you some English idioms. I bet you’ve never been taught by some hair before.

I’ve been a little bit busy recently but today, as you can see, I’ve decided to let my hair down. In English, if we behave in a less serious way than usual and enjoy ourselves a little, we can say “I let my hair down.”

[Phone ringing] Hey, what’s happening baby?Oh, sir it's you! err yes, yes, of course, yes I’ll do that tomorrow, ok, really? Right now? ok, ok, ok… keep your hair on! [Hangs up the phone]In English, if you want someone who’s angry to calm down, you can say “keep your hair on”.

Fortunately, I never get angry. What do you mean? I do not! I'm always calm!… Look here you - I never get angry! I'm always calm! What is the matter with you? Look at me now! I'm calm… I'm calm and relaxed! Aarghhhh!

Darts. My favourite sport. Oh but it’s so tense… I'm tearing my hair out! In English, if we're very anxious about something we can say “I’m tearing my hair out.” 

My self-talk: being uploaded soon....

Head idiom

In this episode, The Teacher introduces you to three idiomatic phrases connected with heads.

1. It's like banging your head against a brick wall

2. He's got his head in the clouds

3. An old head on young shoulders 

The script:

Hello, I’m a very interesting and intelligent man. And today my head and I are going to teach you some English idioms.I bet you’ve never been taught by my head before.Um, well yes, I suppose actually you have been taught by my head before.

Anyway, now, as we all know, learning a foreign language is a very, very, very, difficult and frustrating experience.Yes indeed. It can be a very, uh! …. Very, oh! …Very, ow! … Very, argh! … Very, eh! Difficult and frustrating experience.It’s like banging your head against a brick wall. In English, if we try to do something that seems impossible or makes us frustrated, we can say “it’s like banging your head against a brick wall.”

Of course, with my lessons learning English is easy!Oh yes, when you’ve got such an interesting and intelligent teacher as me… it’s… very… simple…What do you mean I’ve got my head in the clouds?!In English, if someone is not fully aware of a situation, we can say “he’s got his head in the clouds”.

Have you met my younger brother?Now, I know what you’re thinking - you're thinking “you silly man, that’s not his younger brother. That's an old man”.But you’re wrong. He’s got an old head on young shoulders.

In English, if someone seems older than they are or if they talk and think like an older person, we can say “he’s got an old head on young shoulders.”["Ladies, ladies, please …"]He’s got an old head on young shoulders.Unlike me, I’ve got a young head on old shoulders.

My self-talk: being uploaded soon...

Leg idiom

In this episode, The Teacher introduces you to three idiomatic phrases connected with leg.

 1. I'm pulling your leg

2. It cost an arm and a leg

3. You haven't got a leg to stand on 

The script:

Hello, I’m a very interesting and intelligent man.And today these legs and I will be coming together to teach you some English idioms. I bet you’ve never been taught by some legs before!

Do you like my legs?Do you know I’m the current “Lovely Legs of Britain” champion? Not really. I’m only pulling your leg!In English, if you try to make someone believe something that isn't true, as a joke, we say I’m pulling your leg.

What’s that you say? You’re going to give up learning English because this class is too silly? Oh, ah no - you’re only pulling my leg.Ah, my car.I had to take it to the garage the other day and it was so expensive. In fact, it cost an arm and a leg.In English, if something is extremely expensive, we can say it cost an arm and a leg.

My boss.He’s threatening to fire me …again …because he says I stole one of his ties. But he didn’t see me take it, so he hasn’t got a leg to stand on.In English, if you’re in a situation where you can’t prove something, we say, “you haven’t got a leg to stand on”. Oh, it's my boss… 

My self-talk: being uploaded soon...

Pie idiom

In this episode, The Teacher introduces you to three idiomatic phrases connected with pies.

1. It's as easy as pie

2. Pie-eyed

3. To have a finger in many pies

The script:

Hello, I’m a very interesting and intelligent man. And today this pie and I are getting together to teach you some English idioms. I bet you’ve never been taught by a pie before! 

Now you’re probably thinking ‘It’s very difficult to learn anything from a pie’, but you’re wrong. In English, if something is very easy, we can say ‘it’s as easy as pie’. It’s as easy as pie. Oh, excuse me. I really need a drink after all that pie. 

Ahh! Ah, I think I’ve had enough actually, thank you. In fact, I’m completely pie-eyed.  In English, if someone is very drunk, we can he's pie-eyed. I think I need a little sleep. Pies. Many pies. 

Did I tell you my boss is threatening to fire me because I’m too weird? But I don’t really care because I’ve got all my other jobs. On Monday I’m a fire eater, on Tuesdays I’m a brain surgeon, on Wednesdays I’m a clown, on Thursdays I’m an astronaut and on Fridays I’m… a traffic warden. I’ve got my fingers in many pies. In English, if a person has their finger in many pies it means they are involved in lots of different activities.

My self-talk: being uploaded soonest... 

Eye idiom

In this episode, The Teacher introduces you to three idiomatic phrases connected with fruit.

1. To go bananas

2. It's a case of sour grapes

3. A second bite of the cherry

The script:

Hello, I’m a very interesting and intelligent man. And today, these bananas, this cherry, these grapes and I will be teaching you some English idioms. I bet you’ve never been taught by some fruit before.

Now as we know, all sensible fruit is round and green, or red, or orange. But not this fellow. No, the banana is long and yellow and he bends. What a crazy fruit! And what’s more… monkeys eat them. And we all know what monkeys are like. In English, if someone is very emotional and starts shouting and behaving in a crazy way, we say he’s gone bananas.  Like me when I scored the winning goal in the last minute of that cup final. I went completely bananas.
Oh really, well, that’s wonderful for you. Yes, but you know there’s more to life than money - it doesn’t really interest me at all. That was my boss. He’s won the lottery - twenty million pounds! I told him I wasn’t really interested in money, so I’m not jealous at all…but it’s not true. I wish I was rich! Ah, thank Yes, it’s a case of sour grapes. In English, if somebody pretends not to be impressed by something because they are jealous, we say it’s a case of sour grapes. 

At least now he's so rich, perhaps he'll leave.Mmm, cherries.Did you know I could juggle? Hang on, give me a second bite of the cherry. In English, if we try to do something a second time because we failed at first, we call it a second bite of the cherry. A second bite of the cherry. OK, here I go…How about a third bite of the cherry? What do you mean there are no cherries left?

My self-talk: be uploaded soon... 

Tea idioms

In this episode, The Teacher introduces you to three idiomatic phrases connected with tea.
1. It's not my cup of tea
2. I wouldn't do it for all the tea in China
3. It's as good as a chocolate teapot

The script:

Hello, I’m a very interesting and intelligent man. And today, this tea and I will teach you some idioms in English.

I bet you’ve never been taught by some tea before. I love tea. Of course I do, I’m an Englishman. What’s this? It isn't my cup of tea!

In English, if there’s something we don’t like very much for example a sport or a type of music, we can say ‘it's not my cup of tea’.

It’s not my cup of tea.

Please turn that down. Jazz really isn’t my cup of tea.

And now…

Time for a geography lesson. China is an extremely large country.
Can you imagine how much tea there is in China?
A lot.

Now, lucky you. Today I’m going to do anything at all that you ask. So, come on…

Well, I wouldn’t do that for all the tea in China.

In English, if there is something we would never do, we can say ‘I wouldn’t do it for all the tea in China’.

I wouldn’t do it for all the tea in China.

It means there is nothing, not even something worth a great deal that could persuade you. I can’t believe you asked me to…to do that.

Tea is hot. Well, apart from iced tea.

And where do we make tea? That’s right. In a teapot

So, as tea is very hot, what do you think is a good material for a teapot? Porcelain yes, glass yes, metal ok, chocolate… NO!

A chocolate teapot would be completely useless.

In English, if something is completely useless, we can say ‘it’s as good as a chocolate teapot’.

It’s as good as a chocolate teapot.

What’s that you say? You say these lessons are as good as a chocolate teapot? I don’t know. I work so hard for you and no-one seems to understand me. Quite sad really.

My self-talk: be uploaded soon...

Fish idioms

1. There's something fishy about this

2. A big fish in a small pond

3. A fish out of water

The script: 

Hello, I’m a very interesting and intelligent man.

And look at these little fellows swimming about all around the place.

Well today, these fish and I have decided to get together to teach you some English idioms. I bet you’ve never been taught by a fish before.

Take a look at this fellow - strange, isn’t he? In fact he looks a bit fishy. Of course he does! He is a fish!

In English we can say that a strange or suspicious situation is ‘fishy’. There’s something fishy about this.

Actually, there is something fishy about this… I only got this job because my brother’s the
boss!

Here’s a big one. But is he the biggest fish in the world?

Of course not! He’s a big fish in a small pond - or tank actually. A big fish in a small pond.

In English we can say that someone who’s important or powerful - but only in a small organisation - is a big fish in a small pond.

Like me. Or him.

I know you’re not stupid, but I’m going to ask you a very simple question.

Ready? Where do fish live?

Yes, of course you’re right: in the sea… yes or a river…yes or a stream, yes or a pond… yes or a tank… alright, alright, alright - in water.

Ah, good, our fish again. Happy isn’t he, swimming around in all that water? But what if we took him out of the water?

He'd be very, very unhappy and uncomfortable because he's in an unfamiliar place.

A fish out of water.

Like me in the discotheque. I'm a fish out of water!  

23 May 2011 football idioms

In this episode, The Teacher introduces you to three idiomatic phrases connected with
football.

1. The kick off.

2. Moving the goalposts.

3. A political football.

Script:

Hello, I’m a very interesting and intelligent…footballer. 

And today, the sport of football and I are getting together to teach you some English idioms. I bet you’ve never been taught by the sport of football before!

That’s right. It’s time for kick off in today’s match… lesson.

In English, if we’re speaking informally, we can call the start of any event, not just a sports match, the kick off.

The kick off.   The start of an event.

Ah, my boss. He’s not very happy with me.

He says I was late for a meeting yesterday. He told me kick off was at 12 o’clock. But when I arrived, he said I was an hour late.

That’s right. He’s always moving the goalposts.

In English, if someone changes the rules while we are trying to do something to make it harder, we say they’re moving the goalposts…Argh!

Moving the goalposts.

Like that time I told my students to prepare for a vocabulary test and then gave them a
grammar exam! Ha ha ha! I really moved the goalposts. They hated me so much.

Parliament. This is where politicians… argue.

My self-talk: I will upload soon....

14 May 2011: gold idiom

In this episode, The Teacher introduces you to three idiomatic phrases connected with the colour gold.

1. As good as gold.

2. A heart of gold.

3. Worth its weight in gold.

The script:

Hello, I’m a very interesting, and intelligent and rich man. 

Not really. 

And today this gold and I will be getting together to teach you some English idioms. 

I bet you’ve never been taught by some gold before!

 And now… a metallurgy lesson. 

Gold is… good. 

Ah.   My boss’s dog, Brian. 

He asked me to look after him while he went away on holiday. 

My boss says Brian’s as good as gold. 

But I’m not so sure. 

In English, if someone - usually a child, or a pet, is very well-behaved, we say they’re as good as gold. 

As good as gold. 

There you are Brian, good dog…Ah!

Argh! Brian! Brian! Get down! No! Let go, Brian! Sit! Sit! Argh! Roll over! No, lay down Brian! ARGHGHGH! 

Have you met my sister? 

She’s a lovely girl, but I don't know why… nobody seems to like her. 

She’s so kind and helpful… 

…that’s right. She’s got a heart of gold. 

In English, if someone is very kind and helpful, we say they’ve got a heart of gold. 

A heart of gold. 

And next in our lesson on gold…. 

Gold is… 

… heavy…and… valuable. 

Um, what IS the time, by the way? 

Ah, thank you. 

Clocks are SO useful, aren’t they? In fact, they’re worth their weight in gold. 

In English, if something is extremely useful, we say it’s worth its weight in gold. 

My self-talk:

13 May 2011 bean idioms

1. To be full of beans
2. I haven't got a bean
3. To spill the beans

The script:

Hello, I’m a very interesting and intelligent man. And today I'm getting together with these beans to teach you some English idioms.

I bet you’ve never been taught by a bean before! Never been taught by a bean before … ha ha! Been taught by a bean … ho ho! So funny!

Anyway. Coffee.

My favourite drink.
It comes from beans.

I’ve had a several cups of coffee today. Actually, I’ve had one, two… ten cups of coffee! That’s why I’m full of beans!

In English, if someone is full of energy, we can say he’s ‘full of beans’.

To be full of beans.

Like this coffee. And like me - Ow!
Oh, that’s not very good

What’s that you say? You want to borrow some money. You haven’t got a bean? In English, if you have no money at all you can say ‘I haven’t got a bean’.

I haven’t got a bean.

Well, alright then, I’m actually a very wealthy man. How much do you want?

Go on help yourself.

Have you been having fun? Ha ha! Get it? Been having fun… Oh, hang on a moment. It’s my mobile.

Yes… oh really? Can’t tell me… but why? Just tell me a little bit. Oh come on you can tell
me!

Spill the beans!

In English, if we want someone to tell us something secret, we can say to them ‘spill the
beans’.

Spill the beans.

Just not on your favourite shirt. 

My self-talk:

12 May 2011 horse idioms

In this episode, The Teacher introduces you to three idiomatic phrases connected with horses.

 1. To eat like a horse

2. Straight from the horse's mouth

3. To flog a dead horse 

The script:

Hello, I’m a very interesting and intelligent man.

And this is Fred, who, as you may have noticed, is a horse. Today Fred and I are going to be helping you to improve your English.

I bet you’ve never been taught by a horse before.

Hungry, isn’t he? In fact, he eats all the time. He eats like a horse - of course he does - he is a
horse.

In English, if someone eats a lot we can say ‘he eats like a horse’. To eat like a horse. To eat a lot.

[Neighing and other horsy noises.]

What's that you say Fred? Ah, just that silly noise horses make. Anyway, I heard it straight from the horse’s mouth.

We use this idiom when we've got some information directly from the person responsible for
it. For example: my boss is going to fire me. Yes, it’s true. I heard it straight from the horse’s
mouth.

It means my boss told me directly. I didn’t hear it from anyone else.

Sad news, I’m afraid… Fred’s died.

Which means there's no point in trying to get him work any more.

How do we make a horse work? Yes, that's right, by hitting it, or as we say, ‘flogging it’.

Our next horse idiom: ‘to flog a dead horse’. Which as you can see is completely pointless.

‘To flog a dead horse’. This means to waste effort on something that we have no chance of succeeding at.

I sometimes feel like I’m flogging a dead horse when I’m teaching. My students, they never seem to learn… I don't quite understand what the problem is…..very frustrating…

[Horse noises]

My self-talk: