Idioms What do they mean?

review A third wheel? Do you remember the phrase: What does it actually mean?

idiom Definition: a phrase that can not be understood by its literal meaning. Literal meaning: 字面上的意思 Similar to a 成语, but not limited to only four words. Let’s take a look at some idioms and try to figure out what they mean!

Piece of cake Last night’s English homework was a piece of cake! What does this sentence actually mean? A) This person baked a cake for homework B) The homework was really easy C) The person didn’t do their homework

B. The homework was easy Piece of cake means that whatever you’re doing is very easy. Ex: Taking the zhongkao is a piece of cake compared to the gaokao.

Under the weather Last week, Sally was feeling under the weather. What does this sentence actually mean? A) Sally is sick. B) Sally was sad because it rained everyday. C) Sally was angry.

A) Sally is sick Under the weather means that you are feeling sick. Ex: Sally was feeling a little under the weather this morning so she didn’t go to class.

No more multiple choice! Now it’s time for you to figure out the meaning for yourselves! Break into groups of 6 and try to figure out what the idiom means from the sentence given.

The idiomatic phrase is in red 1. I heard you have a performance this weekend, break a leg! 2. I’ve gotta go to the library and hit the books. 3. Now my mom knows that I have a boyfriend, I can’t believe you let the cat out of the bag! 4. You guys are great with guessing the meanings of idioms, you really hit the nail on the head with that last one. 5. I will get eight hours of sleep when pigs fly. 6. It turns out Gary is a really smart guy! Guess you can’t judge a book by its cover. 7. John: I think I can actually finish all my homework this weekend！ Sally: Don’t bite off more than you can chew. 8. If you do the laundry then I’ll cook dinner; you scratch my back and I’ll scratch yours.

Break a leg 1. I heard you have a performance this weekend, break a leg! Break a leg means good luck! It is mostly used to wish a performer good luck before they go on stage.

Hit the books 2. I’ve gotta go to the library and hit the books. To hit the books means to do a lot of homework or studying.

Let the cat out of the bag 3. Now my mom knows that I have a boyfriend, I can’t believe you let the cat out of the bag! To let the cat out of the bag means to tell a secret

Hit the nail on the head 4. You guys are great with guessing the meanings of idioms, you really hit the nail on the head with that last one. To hit the nail on the head means to perfectly understand something or get something exactly right.

When pigs fly 5. I will get eight hours of sleep when pigs fly. Have you ever seen a pig fly? Never? Exactly, so this phrase means that something will never happen. (除非太阳从西边出来）

You can’t judge a book by its cover 6. It turns out Gary is a really smart guy! Guess you can’t judge a book by its cover. You can’t tell if a book is good or bad just by looking at its cover. So this phrase can be used for more than just books. It means that you can’t truly understand someone or something just by its outward appearance.

Bite off more than you can chew 7. John: I think I can actually finish all my homework this weekend！ Sally: Don’t bite off more than you can chew. If you take a giant bite of food then you will choke! Bite off more than you can chew applies to more than just food. It means don’t try to do more than you can handle.

Scratch someone’s back 8. If you do the laundry then I’ll cook dinner; you scratch my back and I’ll scratch yours. It’s really hard to scratch your own back so you need someone to help you out. When you refer to scratching someone’s back, it means that you will do a favor for someone if they do something in return.

Create a dialogue With the person sitting next to you, create a two person dialogue using the same phrase I assigned to you when you were in your group. Example: Kate: How are you feeling today? Student: Still a little under the weather.