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English Notes Word Study 1 WORD STUDY PART II: Figurative Language

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English Notes Word Study 1

WORD STUDY PART II:Figurative Language

English Notes Word Study 2

Compare and Contrast the Phrases:

Directions: Read the phrases. Compare and contrast the phrases using the Venn Diagram below.

1.Smoky wisps curl up like genies2.His anger was like a giant storm cloud over the sea3.The clouds swirl about like gauzy curtains4.The mist was resting on the valley like drifted snow5.The sky is black as ink6.The ballerina was as graceful as the morning mist

English Notes Word Study 3

RULE #1: UNDERSTANDING SIMILES I. A simile is...

A. A figure of speech used to _____________________ two unlike things, using the words _____________ or _____________.

i. Example: The muscles on his brawny arms are strong as iron bands.

Practice Using Similes:

** Fill in the blank with a noun. Create a simile that is original; avoid cliches (a comparison that is used ALL the time)!

1. The baby was as pure as _______________________.

2. Jane worked as hard as ____________________.

3. She was agile like a _________________.

4. The girl sang like a ______________.

5. The soda can exploded like a __________________.

PRACTICE IDENTIFYING SIMILES Directions: Read the three poems. Highlight any similes that you find.

POEM #1 POEM #2 POEM #3

FLINT

An emerald is as green as grass,A ruby red as blood;

A sapphire shines as blue as heaven;

A flint lies in the mud.

A diamond is a brilliant stone,To catch the world’s desire;An opal holds a fiery spark;

But a flint holds a fire.

Christina Rossetti1830-1894

FRIENDS

A friend is like a mystery,still to be discovered

wanting to be figured out.

A friend is like a bookalways very cleverwaiting to be read.

Anonymous

(UNTITLED)

A hand is like an open basketwaiting for you to put things in.

A foot is like a walking racket stomp, step, skip, jump in.

A nose is like a high up mound that you can climb and then slide down.

A mouth is like a funny clown which makes us laugh and never frown.

Your eyes are like a fire burning with desire.

Your mind is like a climbing wire with every reach you go higher.

Anonymous

English Notes Word Study 4

PRACTICE WRITING SIMILES Directions: Choose five of the “idea” nouns from the word bank below and write a simile for each. Highlight one word from each box that you will write a simile for, choose one extra word from any of the categories. Write as if you were going to use the simile in a poem. Make each one descriptive and vivid. We will use these similes in a future assignment.

Feelings States/Attributes Ideas/Concepts/Ideals Movements/Events

★ love★ hate★ anger★ peace★ pride★ sympathy

★ bravery★ loyalty★ honesty★ integrity★ compassion★ charity★ success★ courage★ deceit★ skill★ beauty★ brilliance★ pain★ misery

★ beliefs★ dreams★ justice★ truth★ faith★ liberty★ knowledge★ thought★ information★ culture★ trust★ dedication

★ progress★ education★ hospitality★ leisure★ trouble★ friendships★ relaxation

1. __________________________________________________

__________________________________________________

2. __________________________________________________

__________________________________________________

3. __________________________________________________

__________________________________________________

4. __________________________________________________

__________________________________________________

5. __________________________________________________

__________________________________________________

English Notes Word Study 5

Predictable vs. Clever:

Directions: Read the original poem and fill in the similes with your own non-cliche similes. You may not repeat nouns.

PREDICTABLE CLEVER

Poor as a church mouse,

strong as an ox,

cute as a button,

smart as a fox.

Thin as a toothpick,

white as a ghost,

fit as a fiddle,

dumb as a post.

Bald as an eagle,

neat as a pin,

proud as a peacock,

ugly as sin.

When people are talking,

you know what they’ll say,

as soon as they start,

to use a cliche!

Poor as a __________________,

strong as an ________________,

cute as a __________________,

smart as a _________________.

Thin as a __________________,

white as a _________________,

fit as a ___________________,

dumb as a _________________.

Bald as an _________________,

neat as a __________________,

proud as a _________________,

ugly as ___________________.

When people are talking,

you know what they’ll say,

as soon as they start,

to use a cliche!

English Notes Word Study 6

RULE #2: UNDERSTANDING METAPHORS II. A metaphor is...

A. A figure of speech used to _____________________ two unlike things, using a form of

the verb be (______, _______, _______, _______, _______, ______,

______, _______). The comparison is not announced by the words like or as.

i. Example: The road was a ribbon of moonlight. Practice Using Metaphors:

** Fill in the blanks with a noun. Create a metaphor that is original; avoid cliches!

1. My legs were _______________________ as I raced for the tape.

2. Faced with failure, I felt my heart become a (an) ____________________.

3. As the audience listened in shocked silence, my fingers became _________________, stumbling over the keys.

4. My feet were ______________ as I set out to investigate the peculiar noises coming from the attic..

PRACTICE IDENTIFYING METAPHORS Directions: Read the poems. Highlight any similes that you find in yellow. Highlight any metaphors in green.

POEM #1 POEM #2

THE LIGHTHOUSE

The lighthouse is the guardian angel of the night.She shines her light for all the lost sailors passing by.Her beam bright as the sun, flashing through the night sky.

The lighthouse is a soldier during the storms.Standing tall, unafraid of chaos,Her light is piercing through the storm like sharp knives.

The lighthouse is the night owl of the day.Sleeping and tucked away until the night,Her beam off as silent as a deer not wanting to be found.

Katherine Sessor

FIFTH OF JULY

My family is an expired firecracker,set off by the blowtorch of divorce.

We lay scattered in many directions like seeds in the wind.

My father is the wick, badly burntbut still glowing softly as a fading night light.

My mother is the blackened paper fluttering down,blowing this way and that, like a falling leaf, unsure where to

land.

My sister is the fallen, colorful parachute, lying in a tangled knot, unable to see the beauty she holds like a

blind man looking in the mirror.

My brother is the fresh, untouched powder that was protected from the flame.

And I, I am the singed, outside papers, curled away from everything, silently cursing the blowtorch.

Written by: John (7th grade student)

English Notes Word Study 7

PRACTICE WRITING METAPHORS Directions: Use the template to write a rough draft of a poem about your family. Remember to use non-cliche metaphors. Make the poem meaningful, descriptive, and vivid. use adjectives and adverbs!

EXAMPLE POEM (No plagiarism. Use your own ideas!)

METAPHOR FOR A FAMILY

My family lives inside a medicine chest:Dad is the super-size band aid, strong and powerful but not always effective in a crisis. Mom is the middle-size tweezer, which picks and pokes and pinches.David is the single small aspirin on the third shelf, sometimes ignored.Muffin, the sheep dog, is a round cotton ball, stained and dirty, that pops off the shelf and bounces in my way as I open the door. And I am the wood and glue which holds us all together with my love.

written by: Belinda (7th grade student)

WRITE YOUR OWN

________________________________(Title of Poem)

My family is _________________________________________________. (Use an adjective and a noun, ex: faded jeans)

Dad is the ___________________, ______________ and ______________ (noun) (adjective) (adjective)

_________________________________________________________.(phrase/ sentence that goes with your description)

Mom is the ___________________, ______________ and ______________ (noun) (adjective) (adjective)

_________________________________________________________.(phrase/ sentence that goes with your description)

_____________is the _______________, ___________ and ___________ (sibling’s name) (noun) (adjective) (adjective)

_________________________________________________________.(phrase/ sentence that goes with your description)

*****Repeat line 4 for each sibling that you have (on a separate piece of paper). Feel free to add in pets or grandparents if you are really close with them!*****

I am the ___________________, ______________ and ______________ (noun) (adjective) (adjective)

_________________________________________________________.(phrase/ sentence that goes with your description)

English Notes Word Study 8

Cross it Out:

Directions: Cross out the words like or as in the following similes:

1.The baby was like an octopus, grabbing at all the cans on the grocery store shelves.

2.As the teacher entered the room she muttered under her breath, “This class is like a three-ring circus!”.

3.The giant’s steps were like thunder as he ran toward Jack.

4.The pillow was like a cloud when I put my head upon it after a long day.

5.Those girls are like two peas in a pod.

Reread each sentence without the like or as, what did you create by crossing off those words?

_______________________________________________________________

SIMILE OR METAPHOR:

Directions: Write an S next to the phrases that are similes and write an M next to the phrases that are metaphors. Write your own simile (#10) and your own metaphor (#11) at the bottom of the page.

1. The fluorescent light was the sun during the test. ________

2. No one invites Harold to parties because he’s a wet blanket. _________

3. The bar of soap was a slippery eel during the dog’s bath. __________

4. Ted was as nervous as a cat with a long tail in a room full of rocking chairs. _________

5. She is as sweet as candy. ________

6. Bob runs like a deer. _________

7. She slept like a log. _________

8. My dad is a bear. __________

9. He was a bird soaring above the ocean hooked into his parasail. _______

10. A friend is as ___________________ as ___________________________.

11. A friend is __________________________________________________.

English Notes Word Study 9

RULE #3: UNDERSTANDING IMAGERY III. Imagery is...

A. Using words that appeal to the senses and create a ________________ in the readers mind. There are seven types of imagery:

i. _________________ Imagery: something that you could see.

An example from Robert Frost’s poem, “Once by the Pacific”: the clouds were low and hairy...like locks blown forward in the gleam of eyes.

ii. _________________ Imagery: something that you could hear.

An example from Robert Frost’s poem, “An Old Man’s Winter Night”: the roar of trees, the crack of branches, beating on a box.

iii. _________________ Imagery: something that you could smell.

An example from Robert Frost’s poem, “Unharvested”: A scent of ripeness from over a wall...smelling the sweetness is no theft.

iv. _________________ Imagery: something that you could taste.

An example from Robert Frost’s poem, “A Record Stride”: the walking boots that taste of Atlantic and Pacific salt.

v. _________________ Imagery: something that you could touch.

An example from Robert Frost’s poem, “The Witch of Coos”: the bed linens might just as well be ice and the clothes snow.

vi._________________ Imagery: an internal sensation or feeling (ex. hunger, thirst, fear).

An example from Robert Frost’s poem, “Storm Fear”: My heart owns a doubt, it costs no inward struggle not to go.

vii._________________ Imagery: something that moves or has tension.

An example from Robert Frost’s poem, “Ghost House”: the black bats tumble and dart.

visual auditory olfactory taste touch organic kinesthetic

★ pink★ red★ orange★ shadowy★ drab★ glowing★ glass★ wooden★ jumbo★ gigantic★ tiny★ plump★

★ loud★ soft★ silent★ screaming★ thunderous ★ quiet★ noisy★ talkative★ rowdy★ deafening★ faint★ muffled★ whispered,

★ perfumed★ acrid★ putrid★ burnt★ smelly★ reeking★ noxious★ pungent★ aromatic★ fragrant★ scented★ musty★sweet-smelling

★ sweet★ sour★ acidic★ bitter★ salty★delicious★ savory★ delectable★ yummy★ bland★ yummy★ appetizing ★ spicy

★ hard★ soft★ silky★ velvety★ bumpy★ smooth★ grainy★ dry★ scaly★ polished★ wet★ lumpy★ freezing

★ useful★ useless★ important★ evil★ angelic★ disgusting★ surprising★ happy★ sad★ scared★ excited★ grumpy★ lonely

★ quick★ fast★ slow★ rushing★ bustling★ rapid★ whirlwind★ haste★ squiggly★ crooked★ winding★ serpentine★ warped

English Notes Word Study 10

PRACTICE IDENTIFYING IMAGERY

Directions: Read the two poems. Circle or highlight any phrases that use imagery. Note above or next to the phrase if it is (V= visual, A= auditory, O= olfactory, Ta= taste, To= touch, O= organic, K= kinesthetic).

POEM #1 POEM #2

SUMMER

I like hot days, hot days,Sweat is what you got days,Bugs buzzin’ from cousin to

cousin.Juices dripping,

Running and ripping, Catch the one you love days.

Birds peeping,Old men sleeping,

Lazy days, daisies lay,Beaming and dreaming,

Of hot days, hot days,Sweat is what you got days.

Walter Dean Myers

BALLET DANCING

Going to class,Putting on the costume is what

you got.Dancing days,

Dancing from morning to night,Night to morning.

Dancing on toes and feet,Feet and toes.

Jumping, twirling, sitting, smiling,

Having fun.

Turning on music,Music turning on,

Listening to the beat,Get ready for the show,

Putting on make-up.My teacher makes up dances,

From morning to night,Going to classes.

Sabrina Yakubovich (4th grade)

English Notes Word Study 11

PRACTICE WRITING WITH IMAGERY Directions: Choose an idea noun to be the topic of your cinquain poem. Use pg. 4 of your notes. Use the chart to brainstorm words and phrases to compliment your poem topic.

ORGANIZE YOUR THOUGHTS

Idea Noun:

5 Adjectives that describe your noun:

1. __________________________ 2. _________________________

3. __________________________ 4. _________________________

5. __________________________

3 Adverb + Verb phrases: (example: gracefully danced, purposefully marched, etc.)

1. ___________________________ + ____________________________

2. ___________________________ + ____________________________

3. ___________________________ + ____________________________

2 similes/metaphors to describe your noun:

1. ________________________________________________________

2. ________________________________________________________

Synonym of the original noun:

English Notes Word Study 12

PRACTICE WRITING WITH IMAGERY (continued) Directions: After brainstorming, have your teacher check your chart. Then fill in the template below by using the information in your chart. Be creative!

Cinquain Poem: a five-line poem that describes a noun.

______________________________________________

(a one word title, a noun that tells what your poem is about)

_______________________, ________________________

(adjective) (adjective)

__________ _________, __________ __________, _________ _________,

(adverb) (verb) (adverb) (verb) (adverb) (verb)

_____________________________________________________________

(a simile describing your idea noun)

____________________________________________

(synonym for original noun)

EXAMPLE CINQUAIN POEM:

beauty

flawless, simple

gracefully dancing, elegantly aging, hopelessly wishing

beauty is like a fluffy, white cloud, pristine in a clear blue sky but it vanishes during a storm

allure

English Notes Word Study 13

Create Imagery: Directions: Using the chart below, finish the phrase to create an example of each type of imagery. Be creative and

avoid cliches!

visual auditory olfactory

John ________________

like _________________

___________________.

“______________!” Was all

that I heard as the _________

___________________

___________________.

The smell of the __________

was as ________________

as __________________.

taste (gustatory) touch (tactile) kinesthetic

___________________

tasted ________________

like _________________

and _________________.

The _________________

felt _________________

like _________________

___________________.

The ocean ______________

and _________________

like _________________

___________________.

organic

Shelia is fatigued;

_________________ and

_________________ like

___________________.

(first two blanks need synonyms for fatigue).

English Notes Word Study 14

RULE #4: UNDERSTANDING ALLITERATION IV. An Alliteration is...

A. Repeated consonant sounds occurring at the ___________________ of words or the

_________________ of words. Alliteration is used to create melody, establish mood, call

attention to important words, and point out similarities and contrasts.

i. Example: wide-eyed and wondering while we wait for others to waken.

Practice Using Alliteration:

** Fill in the blank with words to finish the alliteration. Use sixth grade words!

1. ________________ aunt ate ________________ and _________________

around ___________________.

2. Becky’s _________________ _______________ and ______________,

becoming ______________ for Billy.

3. ____________________ cat clawed her _________________, creating

_____________________.

4. The __________________ dog _______________ in the _______________,

while drinking _________________ water.

5. A ____________________ eagle eats __________________, enjoying each

____________________ of eating.

6. Fred’s ___________________ fried ________________ for _____________

food.

English Notes Word Study 15

Picture this: Directions: Choose one of the phrases below. Draw a picture of the phrase. Use the example as your guide.

Ex: The run-down house appeared depressed. Phrase Choices:

1. The tree branch moaned as I swung from it.

2. The thunder clapped angrily in the distance.

3. When the DVD went on sale, it flew off the

shelves.

4. The moon winked at me through the clouds

above.

5. The flowers waltzed in the gentle breeze.

6. The bees played hide and seek with the

flowers as they buzzed from one to another.

7. The stars danced playfully in the moonlit sky.

Phrase Illustrating: ______________________________________________

English Notes Word Study 16

Picture this (continued): Directions: Now redraw your picture. This time use the literal meaning. The literal meaning is when you take

each word as it is written.

Ex: The run-down house appeared depressed.

Phrase Illustrating: ______________________________________________

English Notes Word Study 17

RULE #5: UNDERSTANDING PERSONIFICATION V. Personification is...

A. A figure of speech which gives _________________ traits to an ____________,

an _____________, or an _____________.

i. Example: The trees bowed to the ground. (The author is using an action verb associated with humans to describe the motion of the trees.)

Practice Using Personification:

** Fill in the blank with words to finish the personification phrase. Use sixth grade vivid verbs!

1. The flowers ___________________________ for water.

2. The wind _______________________ as it raced around the house.

3. Lightning _______________________ across the sky.

4. The carved pumpkin _______________________ at me.

5. The vines ____________________ their fingers together to form a braid.

6. The wind ______________________ softly in the night.

7. The stars ______________________ at me.

8. The radio ______________________ to life at the touch of a button.

PRACTICE IDENTIFYING PERSONIFICATION Directions: Read the poems. Highlight the object the is being personified and the action given to each object.

POEM #1 POEM #2

DINNERTIME CHORUS

The teapot sang as the water boiledThe ice cubes giggled in their glass

the teacups chattered to one another.While the chairs were passing gas

The gravy gurgled merrily As the oil danced in a pan.Oh my dinnertime chorusWhat a lovely, lovely clan!

MY TOWN

The leaves on the ground danced in the windThe brook sang merrily as it went on its way.

The fence posts gossiped and watched cars go bywhich winked at each other just to say hi.The traffic lights yelled, ”Stop, slow, go!”

The tires gripped the road as if clinging to life.Stars in the sky blinked and winked outWhile the hail was as sharp as a knife.

English Notes Word Study 18

PRACTICE IDENTIFYING PERSONIFICATION (continued)

POEM #3 POEM #4

GAMES

Chipmunks chatter and scurry,Blue jays scream and scold.

Robins talk and gossipdemanding their story to be told.

Squirrels skip and box one anotherand rabbits play hop scotch.

The games they play, the sounds they makeReally are top notch.

THE GASTRONOMIC GYM

Pasta twirling and spinning,peas do vertical jumps

mashed potatoes swimming.meat doing bench press and pumps.

Food has begun to exercisebut it’s not in any gym.

My brother said its happeningright inside of him.

Directions: Choose one of the poems above and illustrate the literal (silly) meaning. Include all objects/animals, etc. and the actions they performed. Color your drawing.

English Notes Word Study 19

RULE #6: UNDERSTANDING ONOMATOPOEIA VI. An Onomatopoeia is...

A. The use of words that mimic ___________________. They appeal to our sense of hearing and they help bring a description to life.

i. Example: Boom!

Practice Using Onomatopoeia

** Fill in the chart. Think of as many sounds as you can for each letter.

A B C D E

F G H I J

K L M N O

P Q R S T

U V W X Y

Z

English Notes Word Study 20

PRACTICE IDENTIFYING ONOMATOPOEIA

POEM #1 POEM #2

MOM & DAD ARE HOME

Slam! Slam!Go the car doors. Jangle! Jangle!

Go the house keys.Jiggle! Jiggle!

Go the keys in the door.Squeak!

Goes the front door! Thump! Thump!

That is me running down the stairs.Guess what?

Mom and Dad are home!!

THE GAME

Clap! Clap!Stomp! Stomp!Swish! Swish!

This is the way we get throughOur games.

The crowd shouts,”Yahoo!”

The ball soars through the air.Then, bounce, bounce, bounce.The audience holds its breath.

SWISH!The ball goes in;

We win!

Directions: Read the poems below. Highlight all of the onomatopoeia’s that you find.

POEM #3 POEM #4

CAMPING

Crack! Crack!The fire crackles under the stars.

Sizzle! Sizzle!The water sizzles above the fire.

Crunch! Crunch!The campers crunching on potato chips.

Click! Clack! Click! Clack!The tent poles clicking and clacking together.

Rustle! Rustle!As we prepare our sleeping bags to go to sleep.

Chirp! Chirp!The crickets say, “good-night”.

TO GRANDMA’S WE GO

Rumble! Rumble!The thunder roars.

Drip! Drip!The rain comes down.

Boom! Boom!The thunder shakes the window panes.

Run to the car! Run to the car!Splash! Splash!

To Grandma’s we goFor hot cocoa.Zoom! Zoom!

English Notes Word Study 21

PRACTICE WRITING WITH ONOMATOPOEIA Directions: Choose one of the topics to write an onomatopoeia poem about. You can write about your own, but you must have it cleared by your teacher first.

______________________________________________

(poem title)

______________________! ________________________!

(onomatopoeia) (onomatopoeia)

__________________________________________________________

(phrase that explains what the sound is)

______________________! ________________________!

(onomatopoeia) (onomatopoeia)

__________________________________________________________

(phrase that explains what the sound is)

______________________! ________________________!

(onomatopoeia) (onomatopoeia)

__________________________________________________________

(phrase that explains what the sound is)

POSSIBLE TOPICS: • An old house• An amusement park• A quiet woods• Around a campfire at night• A battle or war• A day at the beach• Christmas morning• Thanksgiving dinner• A haunted house

• The Fourth of July• Under the sea• The zoo• A castle• A kitchen• Swamp life• A concert• A playground• A pirate ship

• A library or quiet place• A subway• A farm• In the city• On a mountain• In a blizzard• At a football game• Playing a board game• A walk during fall

TROPICAL PARADISE

Whoosh! Splash!The water rushes swiftly over the falls and into the clear, blue pool.

Tweet! Squawk!A baby flamingo and its mother hold a brief argument.

Squelch! Plop!The diamond white sand squishes as I wiggle my toes in contentment.

Peace in paradise.

English Notes Word Study 22

Quick Review: Directions: Code each phrase according to which type of figurative language it uses. (S = simile, M = metaphor, I -

imagery, A = alliteration, P = personification, O = onomatopoeia).

1. The cat sat on the mat. ______________

2. The students were like ants crowded around the pizza box. ______________

3. Mr. Soinila’s Fantastic, Fabulous Fourth Graders. _______________

4. The fog crept on little baby feet. ________________

5. Snap, crackle, pop! _________________

6. He is a strong ox. _____________

7. The juicy apple made my mouth water and my stomach cramp with hunger. _____________

RULE #7: UNDERSTANDING HYPERBOLE VII. A Hyperbole is...

A. An _____________________ statement used to heighten effect. It is not used to

mislead the reader, but to ________________ a point.

i. Example: She’s said so on several million occasions.

Practice Using Hyperbole:

** Fill in the blanks to finish the hyperbole phrase. Use sixth grade words and avoid cliches!

1. I’m so hungry, I could __________________________________________.

2. You snore louder than __________________________________________.

3. He sleeps like ______________________________________________.

4. She is ____________________________________________ than the hills.

5. That joke is so old, the last time I heard it I was _____________________________.

6. ________________________________________, I will die of embarrassment.

7. ________________________________________________ weighs a ton!

8. His smile was a ______________________________________________.

9. Her eyes were as ______________________________________________.

10. ________________________________________________ cats and dogs.

11. He was as big as ______________________________________________!

English Notes Word Study 23

PRACTICE UNDERSTANDING WRITING HYPERBOLE Directions: Decipher the six hyperboles.

1. My sister uses so much makeup that she broke the chisel trying to get it off last night.

What does this really mean? ________________________________________________________

____________________________________________________________________________

2. My teacher snores in class, sometimes, I think they have already nailed the lid on her coffin.

What does this really mean? _______________________________________________________

____________________________________________________________________________

3. My dog has a face that only his mother could love.

What does this really mean? _______________________________________________________

____________________________________________________________________________

4. I think of you a million times a day.

What does this really mean? _______________________________________________________

____________________________________________________________________________

5. My best friend is so forgetful, I have to remind her what her name is.

What does this really mean? _______________________________________________________

____________________________________________________________________________

6. My grandmother was around when the dinosaurs died.

What does this really mean? _______________________________________________________

____________________________________________________________________________

Directions: Write your own hyperbole. REMEMBER IT MUST BE SCHOOL APPROPRIATE. LEAVE THE MAMAS OUT OF THIS ASSIGNMENT. ABSOLUTELY NO YOUR MAMA IS SO...and absolutely no rude statements or offensive statements allowed.

____________________________________________________________________________

____________________________________________________________________________

____________________________________________________________________________

____________________________________________________________________________

English Notes Word Study 24

RULE #8: UNDERSTANDING IDIOM VIII. An Idiom is...

A. A word or phrase that means something __________________ than the dictionary definition of the word or phrase. Listed below are some of the most common idioms and their meanings.

1. A chip on your shoulder:★ Being upset for something that happened in the

past.

2. A dime a dozen:★ Anything that is common.

3. A leopard can’t change his spots:★ You cannot change who you are.

4. An arm and a leg: ★ Very expensive. A large amount of money.

5. Apple of my eye: ★ Someone who is cherished above all others.

6. At the drop of a hat: ★ Willing to do something immediately.

7. A picture paints a thousand words:★ A visual presentation is far more descriptive than words.

8. A piece of cake: ★ A task that can be accomplished very easily.

9. A slap on the wrist: ★ A very mild punishment.

10. A taste of your own medicine: ★ When you are mistreated the same way that you mistreat others.

11. A toss-up: ★ A result that is still unclear and can go either way.

12. Add fuel to the fire: ★ Whenever something is done to make a bad situation even worse than it is.

13. Against the clock: ★ Rushed and short on time.

14. All bark and no bite: ★ When someone is threatening and/or aggressive but not willing to engage. Uses words not actions.

15. All in the same boat: ★ When everyone is facing the same challenges.

16. Give him the slip: ★ To get away from. To escape.

17. Cross your fingers: ★ To hope that something happens the way you want it to.

18. Cry over spilt milk: ★ When you complain about a loss from the past.

19. Cry wolf: ★ Intentionally raise a false alarm.

20. Curiosity killed the cat: ★ Being inquisitive can lead you into a dangerous situation.

21. Don’t look a gift horse in the mouth: ★ When someone gives you a gift, don’t be ungrateful.

English Notes Word Study 25

RULE #8: UNDERSTANDING IDIOM

22. Don’t put all you eggs in one basket: ★ Do not put all your resources in one possibility.

23. Down to the wire: ★ Down to the very last second.

24. Back to square one: ★ Having to start all over again.

25. Barking up the wrong tree: ★ A mistake made in something you are trying to achieve.

26. Beating around the bush: ★ Avoiding something.

27. Bend over backwards: ★ Do whatever it takes to help.

28. Between a rock and a hard place: ★ Stuck between two very bad options.

29. Bite off more than you can chew: ★ To take on a task that is way to big.

30. Bite our tongue: ★ Stop talking.

31. Blood is thicker than water: ★ The family bond is closer than anything else.

32. Blue moon: ★ A rare event.

33. Break a leg: ★ A superstitious way to say “good luck”.

34. Crack someone up: ★ To make someone laugh.

35. Get your walking papers: ★ Get fired from a job.

36. Go out on a limb: ★ Put yourself in a tough position in order to support someone else.

37. Graveyard shift: ★ Working hours from about 12: 00 am to 8: 00 am. The time of the day when most people are sleeping.

38. Head over heels: ★ Very excited or joyful, especially when in love.

39. Hit the books: ★ To study, especially for a test or exam.

40. Hit the hay: ★ Go to bed or to sleep.

41. Hit the nail on the head: ★ Do something exactly right.

42.Drive someone up the wall: ★ To irritate or annoy very much.

43. Dropping like flies: ★ A large number of people either falling ill or dying.

44. Every cloud has a silver lining: ★ Be optimistic, even difficult times will lead to better day.

45. Foam at the mouth: ★ To be enraged or very angry.

46. Get up on the wrong side of the bed: ★ Someone who is having a bad day.

English Notes Word Study 26

RULE #8: UNDERSTANDING IDIOM

47. Put a sock in it: ★ To tell a noisy person to be quiet.

48. Raining cats and dogs: ★ A very loud and noisy rain storm.

49. Smell a rat: ★ To detect someone in the group is betraying others.

50. Spitting image: ★ The exact likeness or kind.

51. The ball is in your court: ★ It is your decision this time.

52. The last straw: ★ When one small burden after another creates an unbearable situation, the last straw is the last small burden that one can take.

53. Tie the knot: ★ Get married.

54. Wear your heart on your sleeve: ★ To openly and freely express emotions.

55. When pigs fly: ★ Something that will never ever happen.

56. You are what you eat: ★ In order to stay healthy you must eat healthy food.

57. Hold your horses: ★ Be patient.

58. Icing on the cake: ★ When you already have it good and get something on top of what you already have.

59. To steal someone’s thunder: ★ To take the credit for something someone else did.

60. Kick the bucket: ★ Die.

61. Knock on wood: ★ Knuckle tapping on wood in order to avoid bad luck.

62. Lend me your ear: ★ To politely ask for someone’s full attention.

63. Let the cat out of the bag: ★ To share a secret that wasn’t suppose to be shared.

64. Like a chicken with its head cut off: ★ To act in a frenzied manner.

65. Never bite the hand that feeds you: ★ Don’t hurt anyone that helps you.

66. On pins and needles: ★ Anxious or nervous, especially in anticipation of something.

67. On the fence: ★ undecided.

68. Over my dead body: ★ When you absolutely will not allow something to happen.

69. Pulling your leg: ★ Tricking someone as a joke.

70. Under the weather: ★ Feeling ill or sick.