General Idioms (2)

What is an idiom?
An idiom is a phrase where the meaning is not literal the phrase is not describing something true
that is happening, but refers to a hidden meaning. For example, the idiom 'it's raining cats and
dogs' does not mean that cats and dogs are falling from the sky like rain the meaning is that it is
raining a lot.
Idioms are used frequently by native speakers of English and, when used correctly, can make
your English sound more natural.

1. Look at these five common idioms. Read the idioms (on the left) and match to the meanings (on
the right.)

Speak of the devil When you would never do something

See eye to eye When you're talking about someone just as they
arrive sometimes negative
Wouldn't be caught dead Avoid talking about something, not being direct
Beat around the bush Very different from
Far cry from When two (or more) people agree on something

2. Read through this short paragraph, then read again and fill the gaps with the idioms above. The
first one has already been filled in for you.

When it comes to my new colleague Tim, I won't beat around the bush
concerning how I feel about him. We just don't
_____on anything we always disagree. He's a
my old colleague who I liked a lot. Honestly, I
with Tim outside of work. Oh look,
, here he comes now!

3. Think of an example sentence using the idioms.

- 'Speak of the devil'

- 'See eye to eye'

- 'A far cry from'

- 'Wouldn't be seen dead'

- 'Beat around the bush'

 General Idioms (2) Teacher's Guide

1. Look at these five common idioms. Read the idioms (on the left) and match to the meanings (on
the right.)

Speak of the devil When you would never do something

See eye to eye When you're talking about someone just as they
arrive sometimes negative
Wouldn't be caught dead Avoid talking about something, not being direct
Beat around the bush Very different from
Far cry from When two (or more) people agree on something

2. Read through this short paragraph, then read again and fill the gaps with the idioms above. The
first one has already been filled in for you.

When it comes to my new colleague Tim, I won't beat around the bush
concerning how I feel about him. We just don't see eye to eye
_____on anything we always disagree. He's a far cry from
my old colleague who I liked a lot. Honestly, I wouldn't be caught dead
with Tim outside of work. Oh look, speak of the devil , here he comes
now!