English idioms – Page 4

Level 1 Idioms – Unit 05

Conversation:

Barb: It’s too hot in here. How do you turn on the air conditioning?

Bob: It’s easy as pie. Just push the button marked ‘start.’ Then turn the dial up to maximum.

Barb: Okay. But when we checked in, the desk clerk said it takes about half an hour to cool the room down. I think I need something cold to drink now.

Bob: Speak up. I can’t hear you over that noisy air conditioner.

Barb: I’m going to the vending machine in the lobby to get some pop. Would you like anything?

Bob: No thanks. I’ll stick with ice water. You could bring up some more ice, if you don’t mind. I don’t want to run out.

Barb: [Later] I couldn’t get any pop. The vending machine broke down, and they shut down the ice machine for servicing. Let’s just check out of here and find a better motel.

Click on the audio recording below to hear the lesson.

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Pronunciation Exercise: Listen and repeat the vocabulary on the audio file below.

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Vocabulary:

• maximum:   the highest setting
• desk clerk:   the person you talk to when you register.
• vending:   selling
• lobby:   the big room inside the front door of a motel or hotel
• if you don’t mind: if it isn’t a problem for you
• servicing: fixing and cleaning a machine

Pronunciation Exercise: Listen and repeat the idioms on the audio file below.

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Idioms:

turn on                start the operation (of a machine, lights, etc.)
easy as pie         very easy to do
turn up      increase (sound, light, or heat) / arrive
check in (to)   register (at a motel or hotel)
speak up   speak more loudly / say something (at a meeting/in class)
stick with           continue using (something) / stay with (someone)
run out (of)    not have any more
break down       stop working (machine)
shut down      stop (a service or business) for a short time or permanently.
check out (of)   leave (a motel or hotel) / borrow (something) from a library

Notes:

Easy as pie and a piece of cake mean the same thing.

Turn up has 2 meanings. The other one is “arrive.”
Example: How many people turned up at the meeting last night?
It has the same meaning as show up. (Unit 03)

Speak up has 2 meanings. The other one is “say something (at a meeting/in class).”
Example: There are a few students who speak up in class, but most of them don’t usually say anything.

Stick with has 2 meanings. The other one is “stay with (someone).”
Example: When we go into the mall, stick with me. I don’t want you to get lost.

Run out and be out are closely related. Run out is an action, and be out is a condition (no action).
Example: I ran out of milk, and if there’s one thing I don’t like, it’s to be out of milk.

Break down and out of order (Unit 01) are closely related. Break down is an action, and out of order is a condition (no action).

Check out, meaning “leave (a motel or hotel),” is not followed by of if there is no object after it.
Example: What time do we have to check out?

Check out has 2 meanings. The second meaning is “borrow (something) from a library.”
Example: You can’t check out reference material from the library.

Level 1 idioms – Unit 03

Jul 7,2012 Leave a comment easy idioms, English idioms, low level idioms, simple idioms

Conversation:

Alice: You look awfully tired today. What happened? Did you stay out late last night?

Judy: No, but I stayed up till one-thirty finishing my English homework because I misplaced my textbook and looked for it for almost an hour before I found it. You look a little tired yourself.

Alice: I am. I didn’t turn in till nearly two o’clock. I was out until ten. Then when I got home, an old friend dropped in on me, and we talked for a long time. She was pretty upset, but I think I helped her calm down. You see, she was engaged, but called it off when she found out her boyfriend was already married.

Judy: What a jerk! Is she alright?

Alice: Yes. The guy showed up the next day with a bouquet of flowers, but she told him it was over and he left.

Judy: What a story! I guess sooner or later you hear everything.

Pronunciation Exercise: Listen and repeat the vocabulary on the audio file below.

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Vocabulary:

• awfully: very
• misplaced:   put in the wrong place and lost
• engaged: promised in marriage
• jerk:   a bad man
• bouquet:   a lot together
• over: finished, ended
Pronunciation Exercise: Listen and repeat the idioms on the audio file below.

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Idioms:

stay out not come home
stay up not go to bed
look for try to find
turn in go to bed / give to the teacher or boss
be out be gone from home or work / not have any more
drop in on (someone) visit by surprise
calm down relax
call off cancel (an event)
show up arrive
sooner or later at some time in the future

Notes:

Turn in has 2 meanings. The other one is “give to the teacher or boss.”
Example: Did you remember to turn in your keys before you left your last job?

Be out has 2 meanings. The other one is “not have any more.”
Example: Oh no! We are out of ice, and the party just started.

Drop in on (someone) and drop by are similar, but drop in on is followed by a person.
Example: Let’s go drop in on my brother tonight.

Drop by is either followed by a place or by no object.
Example: My door is always open. Why don’t you drop by (my office) sometime.

Level 1 idioms – Unit 02

Jul 7,2012 3 Comments easy idioms, English idioms, low level idioms

Conversation:

Peter: Hey George. Let’s take a break. I’m starting to get tired.

George: Me too. It’s not an easy job fixing up this old car.

Peter: It sure isn’t. My advice is to get rid of it and buy a nice used one.

George: But I love this car. It was my first. Let’s keep on working till dinnertime. Then we can eat out somewhere and finish the job afterwards.

Peter: Okay. What about that new Mexican restaurant on West Broadway? I hear the food is really good.

George: I don’t care for Mexican food. It gives me heartburn.

Peter: Then let’s go pick up some Chinese food and eat it here.

George: In the meantime, could you give me a hand with this jack?

Peter: Sure. Let me turn off the engine first.

George: I’ll be glad when this is done. I’m sure looking forward to having a car that works.

Pronunciation Exercise: Listen and repeat the vocabulary on the audio file below.

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Vocabulary:

• heartburn: a burning feeling in the chest
• in the meantime: while waiting to do something else
• jack: a tool that lifts part of a car so you can change a tire

Pronunciation Exercise: Listen and repeat the idioms on the audio file below.

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Idioms:

• take a break (from) stop working for a short time
• fix up repair, make better
• get rid of not keep
• keep on continue without stopping
• eat out eat at a restaurant
• don’t care for don’t like
• pick up go and get (someone or something) / lift
• give (someone) a hand help / clap hands to show approval
• turn off stop the operation (of a machine, lights, water, etc.)
• look forward to await with excitement

Notes:

Take a break is followed by from if there is an object.
Example: Let’s take a break from studying and go get some coffee.

Keep on and go on are similar, but keep on means continue without stopping and
must be followed by an -ing verb. Go on means continue after stopping and can be used alone without anything following.

Eat out is at a restaurant, but eat in is at home.
Example: I’m a little tired tonight so let’s eat in.

Pick up has two meanings. The other meaning is “to lift.”
Example: Please pick up the garbage you dropped on the floor.

Give (someone) a hand has two meanings. The other meaning is “clap hands to show approval.” Example: Let’s all give him a hand for a job well done.

Turn off and shut off have the same meaning.

Tag ArchiveEnglish idioms

Conversation:

Vocabulary:

Idioms:

Notes:

Quiz: Level 1 idioms - Unit 05 - True or False

1. If she speaks up, no one will hear her.

2. If something is easy as pie, then you can probably do it.

3. When you’re ready to leave a hotel, you must check out.

4. If the machine breaks down, you must fix it.

5. If you’re too cold, you should turn up the heat.

6. If we want the room, we’ll have to check in before 6:00 pm.

7. People stick with a product they don’t like.

8. If they run out of time, they will win.

9. A heavy snowfall can shut down the public transportation system.

10. You should turn on the stove when you’re finished cooking.

Your Score:

Your Ranking:

Quiz: Level 1 idioms - Unit 05 - exercise

1. She waited for him for two hours, but he didn’t __________________.

2. I can’t hear you over this noise, so you’ll have to __________________.

3. I don’t want you to get lost at the zoo, so _________________.

4. I can’t make an apple pie because I _________________ sugar this morning.

5. In this library you can __________________ up to five books a week

6. This is my favorite song. Could you _______________ please?

7. I thought this exercise was going to be difficult, but it’s _________________.

8. This is a bad time for my car to ________________. I need it for work.

9. You can’t ________________ at this hotel before noon.

10. They ________________ their business every summer to go on holidays.

11. We have to _________________ this hotel by noon.

12. Please _________________ the lights. It’s too dark in here.

13. I know email is faster, but I’ll _________________ letters.

14. Mary doesn’t often __________________ at meetings. She’s too shy.

Your Score:

Your Ranking:

Conversation:

Vocabulary:

Idioms:

Notes:

Quiz: Level 1 idioms - Unit 03 - True or False

1. If they call off the dance contest, then nobody will win.

2. If my sister is out, then she can come to the phone.

3. If you don’t calm down, you’re going to make me nervous.

4. If my daughter stays out late, then I shouldn’t worry.

5. If sooner or later everybody lies, then no one always tells the truth.

6. If I turn in my paper after the deadline, the teacher won’t mind.

7. If you help me look for my glasses, we can find them faster.

8. If they don’t show up to class, everyone will be here.

9. If you drop in on me, I was waiting for you.

10. If she tells her children they can stay up tonight, they’ll be happy.

Your Score:

Your Ranking:

Quiz: Level 1 idioms - Unit 03 - exercise

1. We all die ______________________.

2. They told me to be home by 11:00 pm., but I want to _________________ until at least 2:00 am.

3. Is it okay if I _________________ your office on Friday afternoon? We have to talk.

4. The teacher wants us to __________________ our essays this Thursday.

5. I’m sorry. George __________________. Can I take a message?

6. I like to __________________ my friends when I’m in their neighborhood.

7. How late did you __________________ last night watching TV?

8. It’s been a very long day, and now it’s time to ___________________.

9. We had to __________________ the picnic because of rain.

10. We __________________ sugar. I’ll go to the store and get some.

11. I know you have a job interview this morning, but try to __________________.

12. Would you please help me _________________ my glasses. I can’t find them.

13. I invited him to the party, but he didn’t ___________________.

Your Score:

Your Ranking:

Conversation:

Vocabulary:

Idioms:

Notes:

Quiz: Level 1 idioms - Unit 02 - True or False

1. If I get rid of my old CDs, then I will have less music.

2. If she turns off the oven, then she can cook dinner.

3. If you give me a hand, then I don’t have to do the job alone.

4. If you keep on making noise, then I will get angry.

5. If we take a break from our work, then we can go for coffee.

6. If I pick up the drycleaning, they will deliver it to me.

7. If he doesn’t care for parties, then I’ll invite him to one.

1.
If she speaks up, no one will hear her.

2.
If something is easy as pie, then you can probably do it.

3.
When you’re ready to leave a hotel, you must check out.

4.
If the machine breaks down, you must fix it.

5.
If you’re too cold, you should turn up the heat.

6.
If we want the room, we’ll have to check in before 6:00 pm.

7.
People stick with a product they don’t like.

8.
If they run out of time, they will win.

9.
A heavy snowfall can shut down the public transportation system.

10.
You should turn on the stove when you’re finished cooking.

1.
She waited for him for two hours, but he didn’t __________________.

2.
I can’t hear you over this noise, so you’ll have to __________________.

3.
I don’t want you to get lost at the zoo, so _________________.

4.
I can’t make an apple pie because I _________________ sugar this morning.

5.
In this library you can __________________ up to five books a week

6.
This is my favorite song. Could you _______________ please?

7.
I thought this exercise was going to be difficult, but it’s _________________.

8.
This is a bad time for my car to ________________. I need it for work.

9.
You can’t ________________ at this hotel before noon.

10.
They ________________ their business every summer to go on holidays.

11.
We have to _________________ this hotel by noon.

12.
Please _________________ the lights. It’s too dark in here.

13.
I know email is faster, but I’ll _________________ letters.

14.
Mary doesn’t often __________________ at meetings. She’s too shy.

1.
If they call off the dance contest, then nobody will win.

2.
If my sister is out, then she can come to the phone.

3.
If you don’t calm down, you’re going to make me nervous.

4.
If my daughter stays out late, then I shouldn’t worry.

5.
If sooner or later everybody lies, then no one always tells the truth.

6.
If I turn in my paper after the deadline, the teacher won’t mind.

7.
If you help me look for my glasses, we can find them faster.

8.
If they don’t show up to class, everyone will be here.

9.
If you drop in on me, I was waiting for you.

10.
If she tells her children they can stay up tonight, they’ll be happy.

1.
We all die ______________________.

2.
They told me to be home by 11:00 pm., but I want to _________________ until at least 2:00 am.

3.
Is it okay if I _________________ your office on Friday afternoon? We have to talk.

4.
The teacher wants us to __________________ our essays this Thursday.

5.
I’m sorry. George __________________. Can I take a message?

6.
I like to __________________ my friends when I’m in their neighborhood.

7.
How late did you __________________ last night watching TV?

8.
It’s been a very long day, and now it’s time to ___________________.

9.
We had to __________________ the picnic because of rain.

10.
We __________________ sugar. I’ll go to the store and get some.

11.
I know you have a job interview this morning, but try to __________________.

12.
Would you please help me _________________ my glasses. I can’t find them.

13.
I invited him to the party, but he didn’t ___________________.

1.
If I get rid of my old CDs, then I will have less music.

2.
If she turns off the oven, then she can cook dinner.

3.
If you give me a hand, then I don’t have to do the job alone.

4.
If you keep on making noise, then I will get angry.

5.
If we take a break from our work, then we can go for coffee.

6.
If I pick up the drycleaning, they will deliver it to me.

7.
If he doesn’t care for parties, then I’ll invite him to one.

8.
If you don’t fix up the bed, then no one can sleep there.

9.
If they look forward to seeing me, then I will be welcomed.

10.
If we eat out more often, we’ll save money.

1.
I don’t think I can _________________ working here any longer.

2.
Please ___________________ this sofa; it’s very heavy.

3.
John has such great parties that I always ____________________.

4.
Because I don’t like to cook, I _________________ almost everyday.

5.
I think I’ll ________________ work on Friday and go to the beach.

6.
She asked the children to ________________ their garbage when they were finished.

7.
Why don’t you _________________ that old painting you don’t like?

8.
Without Mark’s help there would be no school fair, so let’s all _________________.

9.
I __________________ pepperoni pizza. It gives me heartburn.

10.
We have to _________________ that old apartment before we move in.

11.
It’s unnecessary to _________________ your computer after each time you use it.

12.
Paul asked me to __________________ his brother at the airport.

1.
I really should _________________ working; I have to finish this by six o’clock.

2.
After four hours of nonstop dancing, the director told everyone to ______________.

3.
He had to ____________________ his girlfriend’s hand to answer his cell phone.

4.
She finally __________________ her last boyfriend and started to date again.

5.
Let’s leave the concert. I __________________ all this loud music.

6.
I’m sorry for the interruption. Please ________________.

7.
Tell me everything that happened and don’t __________________ anything.

8.
Last week Don’s father was sick, so he had to ______________ until he got better.

9.
If I were you, I would ____________________ that painting. It looks terrible!

10.
Last weekend we all ____________________ moving her office upstairs.

11.
After I saw the bad paint job, I knew I had to ______________.