English Idioms in Use: Michael Mccarthy Felicity O'Dell
English Idioms in Use: Michael Mccarthy Felicity O'Dell
English Idioms in Use: Michael Mccarthy Felicity O'Dell
Idioms
in Use
Michael McCarthy
Felicity O’Dell
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Key 130
Index 171
rocker trolley
1.1 Put these expressions into four groups of idioms that share the same meaning. (There are two
groups of two idioms and two groups of four.) Explain the meaning in each case.
give up the ghost be on the road to recovery bite the dust be on the mend
be as nutty as a fruitcake feel off-colour be not all there feel under the weather
pop your clogs be off your trolley fall off your perch be a basket case
6 Imagine someone as unfit as Ruth going on holiday in the Himalayas. She must have a
................................................... loose.
10 Helen won’t understand the problem – she’s one ................................................... short of a picnic.
1.3 Which of the idioms meaning die do these pictures make you think of?
1 2 3 4 5
1.4 Match each statement on the left with the most likely response on the right.
1 I’ve got itchy feet. Oh dear, I hope he’s OK tomorrow.
2 He’s as right as rain now. Yes, but she’ll soon get over it.
3 He’s not right in the head. Where would you like to go?
4 I’m going to tell him what I think of him. That is a relief!
5 Dad’s a bit off-colour today. Good. Give him a dose of his own medicine.
6 Failing the exam was a bitter pill I know, Jane told me he was off his rocker.
to swallow.
F O L L OW
UP
Why do you think there are so many idiomatic expressions meaning mad and die? Is it the same in
your language? Do you think it would ever be appropriate for you to use any of these English idioms
for mad or die? If so, in what circumstances? If not, why not?