Hello,
This new series of articles will focus on some interesting and useful idioms, classified into topic groups ( colours, food, animals etc). But what is an idiom/ an idiomatic expression? An idiom is ’a group of words in a fixed order that have a particular meaning that is different from the meanings of each word understood on its own.’ (Cambridge Advanced Learner’s Dictionary, Cambridge University Press, Third Edition)
Because the weather has been so weird lately, I thought of coming up with some idioms related to weather and atmosphere. We all know the words ’wind’/ ’storm’/ ’moon’/ ’rainbow’/ ’cloud’ etc, but let’s see if you know these idioms.
When you try to achieve something that is difficult to get, you can say that you reach for the moon/ stars. But when someone is trying to get something impossible, something that they will never obtain, they are chasing rainbows.
Get wind of something – you can use this expression when you learn a piece of information you were unaware of, especially when it has been a secret.
Be in the eye of the storm – you can say that a person or organisation is the eye of the storm when they are deeply involved in an argument, a problem or a difficult situation that affects a lot of people.
Know / See which way the wind is blowing – this expression means that you should know how a situation is developing in order to be prepared for any changes.
When you are daydreaming and not paying attention to what is happening or being said around you you definitely have your head in the clouds.
A storm in a teacup/ A tempest in a teapot – this expression describes a lot of unnecessary anger or worry about something that is not important.
When you want to emphasize that every difficult or unpleasant situation has some advantage and it is always possible to get something positive out of it, you can say that every cloud has a silver lining.
Rain on sb’s parade – this expression means that you spoil someone’s plans or pleasure.
Steal sb’s thunder – if somebody steals your thunder, they take the credit and praise for something you did.
Make hay while the sun shines – this expression is used as an encouragement to make good use of an opportunity while it lasts.
When you are not feeling very well you can say that you are under the weather. But when you are extremely happy and excited because something wonderful has happened you are on cloud nine.
And here’s an exercise for you.
Complete the gaps using the following idioms:
see which way the wind is blowing a storm in a teacup rain on your parade
get wind of steal her thunder reach for the moon
chasing rainbows under the weather
- We don’t want the press to ……………………………………………… this crisis.
- Your friend is trying to start his own business, but he’s ……………………………………………… .
- Before you decide on anything, you need to study the whole situation to ………………………………………………
- What’s wrong? You look a bit ……………………………………………… .
- His parents always encouraged him to work hard and ……………………………………………… .
- I’m sorry to ………………………………………………, but you’re not allowed to smoke in the theater.
- There’s no danger in the water. I think it’s all ……………………………………………… .
- I won’t announce my engagement tonight. It’s Carmen’s birthday and I don’t want to ……………………………………………… .
Autor: Cecilia Stănia – Trainer intern A_BEST Limba Engleză
Cecilia Stănia este absolventă a Facultăţii de Limbi şi Literaturi Străine Dimitrie Cantemir, specializarea Studii Limba şi literatura Engleză– Limba şi Literatura Germană, promoţia 2010.
Cecilia a fost mereu interesată să-şi îmbunătăţească cunoştinţele de limba engleză, de aceea ea a urmat modulul Psihopedagogic Nivelul I.
În calitate de trainer A_BEST, Cecilia predă engleza – limbaj general şi business – în mediul corporate.
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