Idioms are phrases the use of which is accepted over a long period of time. They are characteristic of every language. The importance of Idioms has already been discussed in this article on idioms and teaching. They add more meaning to what one is trying to say.
Idioms and vocabulary become more interesting to learn when taken under specific headings or topics. A number of classroom activities can be planned around their study. Below given is a paragraph using Idioms for Body Parts. From the usage, try to guess their meanings:
I have a sweet tooth, but everything in that chocolate boutique costs an arm and a leg. The owner of the boutique is a handsome guy. My friend drools over him. She always has a comment or too on the tip of her tongue for the owner and his chocolates. Luckily, I have my heart in the right place and do not end up spending a fortune on these chocolates. I find the owner a little too nosey. He is all ears and all eyes on his customer’s discussions. He becomes a pain in the neck after some time. One day he caught his helper red handed trying to pilfer some chocolates out of the boutique. The helper was hand in glove with a regular customer. The helper tried to bite the hands that feed him.
Answers:
A sweet tooth: being fond of sweet food; An arm and a leg: something expensive; on tip of her tongue: always ready; heart in the right place: try to do the right thing, which may not always be right; nosey: interfering; all ears: all attentive; all eyes: all attentive; pain in the neck: annoying; red handed: catch someone doing something wrong; hand in glove: extremely close relationship; bite the hands that feed him: to do harm to someone who does good things for you
Some more idioms using Body Parts are as follows:
A big mouth: a person who talks too much; turn a deaf ear: not pay heed to; an old head on young shoulders: more mature than his age; right hand man: a very close reliable companion; lead by the nose: a person who loves food; bone of contention: point of disagreement; cold blood: heartlessly; cold shoulder: to ignore; tongue in cheek: to pass a comment meant to be funny; blood is thicker than water: considering relatives before any one else; to force someone’s hand: to force someone to act.
More Idioms are available at: http://www.idiomsite.com
and http://www.usingenglish.com/reference/idioms
(The italicized words in the paragraphs above are idiomatic expressions)
