American Culture Lecture Series Sounds English and Its

American Culture Lecture Series Sounds English and Its Idioms Instructor: Sun Caiping

Where do English idioms come from? Well-known literature Regional & cultural expressions New slang words Rhyming words Clichés

Hey, buddy. Come here and give me a ______. a. pat on the back b. smooth move c. high five a friendly greeting or way to say congratulations

Hey, Suzie. Sorry you have to go, but let’s _______. a. forget about it b. keep in touch c. Make a date stay in contact; Communicate regularly

What IS it? I wouldn’t touch it _________! a. with my finger b. because it’s sticky c. with a 10 foot pole Describes something that is disgusting and repulsive.

“Let’s go ________. ” a. Run around the block b. set the pace c. shoot hoops to play basketball

We need to relax. Let’s just _____ in front of the TV. a. veg out b. lay out c. stick our heads To sit around doing nothing

The dishonest politician came out smelling like a _______. a. b. c. trash can onion rose

The smart student had a memory like _________. a. b. c. an elephant a computer a monkey

We’re having a party and we’re going to _______. a. chat awhile b. raise the roof c. dance all night Become noisy and rowdy

The World Series baseball starts tonight and the fans are ______! a. psyched b. Excited c. highbound You are very excited.

Hey baby! You’ve got me _______! a. Going in the wrong direction b. Right where you want me c. Wrapped around your finger Under total control, blindly in love

“I’ve been working on my computer too long. I’m starting to ____. ” a. zone out b. get tired c. zonkered to lose concentration, to dream while working

Man, I am _______. I need some rest! a. tuckered b. working too hard c. burnt out Very tired, worn out or exhausted

I need to get some sleep. I just pulled __________. a. an overly long work session b. an all nighter c. a cup of java on my lap To study or work without sleep

Help! Everything has gone _______! a. up in smoke b. bonkers c. haywire Broken, in a state of chaos

Well, that didn’t work. I guess it’s _____! a. back to the drawing board b. give up time c. hit it again Start over, begin again

You’ve got ________ - but I like you anyway! a. lots of flab (fat) b. a jelly belly a. love handles Unsightly fat around the waist

After Mr. Mortimer died, no one could find his will, so his estate is _______. a. up in the air b. up for grabs c. going to pot Freely available; ready to be taken.

Tom thinks he can hit the bullseye from here? Ha! ______. . a. I don’t think so. b. In a pig’s eye c. When pig’s fly Unlikely; not really feasible; equivalent to “I don’t think so. ”

You don’t want to keep all of your ______. You might lose everything! a. Stuff in one lump b. eggs in one basket c. Investments in one folder Put money or hopes or future into one thing.

Ned will never get anywhere until he stops being such a ____. • a. doormat b. loser c. weakling A weak individual who is regularly used and abused by others

Jim’s friendly relationship with his secretary landed him in _______ with his wife. a. double trouble b. an upsetting fight c. hot water To be the object of someone’s anger; to be in trouble

Always try to get along with your boss, and be careful not to ____. a. bite the hand that feeds you b. create a CLM (career limiting move) c. upset the big guy Be ungrateful; turn against your family or employer or other supporter.

The pizza is here! Let’s _____. a. Eat til we pop b. Pig out c. get frumpy To eat large amounts of food quickly and without good manners; to overeat.

How did you score?

The Tiger and the Fox Once upon a time, a tiger was catching some zzz’s in his pad.

When he came to, he said to himself, “Man, I’m starving, I could eat a horse!” He went to the mouth of the cave and scoped out the scene dreaming of something to nosh on.

Like a flash, flash he eyed a wimpy fox taking it easy under a tree. The cool cat slithered to the tree, and pouncing, the fox was his

But, before the tiger could enjoy his spread, spread the wily fox said, “Cool it! How dare you chow down on me! me You’re biting off more than you can chew Can’t you dig who I am? God made me the King of Beasts. ” Beasts

The tiger, taken back by this swelled-headed fox, sat back, gave the fox the eye, and said, “Get real!” Seeing his window of opportunity, the fox said, “I’m crushed that you think I’m not being straight with you. But, follow me and I’ll give you proof as clear as a bell that the other animals fear me as the King of Beasts. ”

The tiger couldn’t make heads or tails out of the fox’s story, but knew that he had the upper hand. When the tiger and the fox entered the jungle together, all the cats were scared out of their wits and flew the coop

The fox looked at the tiger, showed his pearly whites, and said, “Need I say more? ” The tiger, thanking his lucky stars for not trying to eat the fox, ran off into the bush.

The End

More Idioms Just for you!

Some other common English Idioms ® Rule of thumb On the tip of my tongue ® Couch potato

In the Dog House Down in the Dumps Behind the 8 -Ball

In the Frying Pan or The Heat is On! Dropped the Ball Up in the Air

Did you. . .

Do you Get the Picture?

When should idioms NOT be used? Ordinarily, idioms or clichés should be avoided in formal or academic speech and writing. However, used sparingly, they can be colorful, important tools for clarification in informal speech or writing.

Thank you!