Никоненко Тамара Петрівна

The following expressions are idioms that use part of the body.

The actual meaning is noted in parentheses.

1) Stay on your toes.  (Remain alert)

2) You are pulling my leg.  (You are not telling me the truth.)

1. Begin by reviewing the English words for various colors as well as unfamiliar English words that might be paired with colors in “color idioms”.

2. Prepare a set of index cards with just the names of colors on them.  Also, prepare a separate set of index cards with the words that correspond to the colors to form “color idioms”.  A list of some “color idioms” is provided below.

Animal Analogies: Have students determine which animal best completes the sentence.  (Suggested answers follow.)

1.)  A memory like an __________________.

2.)  Sly as a _________________.

3.)  A real ______________ brain.

To understand English as it is spoken in real life, you have to be familiar with idioms. They are used so much in everyday English that it is important to be aware of them. You need to learn what they mean, and how to use them to become an ‘insider’.

    Sixty percent of the English language comes from Latin. In this post of Latin Phrases Common to English, you’ll find many examples of Latin words and the English words derived from them. This is not an exhaustive list but will give you a good feel for the Latin roots of English.