IDIOMS are EVERYWHERE!
April 10th, 2007
INTRO
An Idiom is an expression (i.e. term or phrase) whose meaning cannot be deduced from the literal definitions and the arrangement of its parts, but refers instead to a figurative meaning that is known only through conventional use.
Or more simply …
An idiom is a group of words which, when used together, has a different meaning from the one which the individual words have. For example:
- How do you know about John’s illness?
- Oh, I heard it on the grapevine.
Of course, the second speaker does not mean he heard the news about John by putting his ear to a grapevine! He is conveying the idea of information spreading around a widespread network, visually similar to a grapevine.
The English language is full of idioms (over 15,000). Native speakers of English use idioms all the time, often without realising that they are doing so. This means that communication with native speakers of English can be quite a confusing experience.
We use idioms to express something that other words do not express as clearly or as cleverly. We often use an image or symbol to describe something as clearly as possible and thus make our point as effectively as possible. For example, “in a nutshell” suggests the idea of having all the information contained within very few words. Idioms tend to be informal and are best used in spoken rather than written English.
Idioms: the good news
Sometimes idioms are very easy for learners to understand because there are similar expressions in the speakers’ mother tongue. For example:
He always goes at things like a bull in a china shop!
Sometimes you can guess the meaning of new idioms from context. For example, what do you think these idioms mean?
1. He was on the carpet last week for being late for work three times.
2. She made a marvellous speech to the conference. She took the delegates by storm.
3. It was an extremely long report. It took me three hours to wade through.
4. I believe we should talk openly and frankly about the project – warts and all.
5. Let’s call it a day. I am very tired and we have covered the main points of the meeting I think.
Idioms: the bad news
However, idioms can often be very difficult to understand. You may be able to guess the meaning from context but if not, it is not easy to know the meaning. Many idioms, for instance, come from favourite traditional British activities such as fighting, sailing, hunting and playing games. As well as being quite specialist in meaning, some of the words in idioms were used two or three hundred years ago, or longer, and can be a little obscure. Here are some examples:
1. Now that the Prime Minister has been elected there will be a lot of jockeying for position to get the key posts in his administration.
2. I finally ran the book to earth in a second-hand bookshop in Wales. I had been searching for it for three years.
3. They took her ideas on board and decided to increase the budget.
4. You should fall in with our arrangements; we can’t make alternative plans for you.
5. We saw the boss at the bar but we gave him a wide berth. We did not want to talk to him then.
Read the following passage entitled “Step right up!”. What do you think the underlines words/phrases mean?
What effect/impact do you, the reader feel when reading the text?
What words/phrased can you replace the underlined words/phrases to make the passage more interesting or better/more effectively written. (Post under the comments section)
It was Sunday night and Allison was going to bed to take the load off her feet when she stopped dead in her tracks. She remembered that her project was due the very next day. Since this project was a major part of her grade, she knew that it was going to have to sweep her teacher off her feet.
Allison’s feet flew as she raced to her mom’s room. She threw herself at her mother’s feet begging for help. Her mother replied that sooner or later she would have to learn to stand on her own two feet. Allison knew that she had gotten off on the wrong foot starting so late and that she would have to step on the gas if she wanted to finish this paper. Then she knew that next time a paper was assigned she would have to get her foot in the door and take steps to prevent this from happening again.
Go to the following website which is a ‘dictionary’ of idioms. Use at least 5 of the idioms in a paragraph (not less than 75 words) based on the picture composition you all recently completed (the angry goat). (Post under the comments section)
Then rewrite the story (Post under the comments section) making as effective use of the same idioms as possible.
Think how they can be effectively used, and whether extensive use has compromised the quality of your story. (Post under the comments section)
Lastly, in groups of 4, choose an idiom to write a short script about. The idiom’s figurative meaning should be communicated by the narrative. The idiom’s literal meaning should be part of the dialogue or acted out.
E.g. ‘bury the hatchet’
A short skit could be written about two friends who argue and make up (bury the hatchet) but they show they are friends again through a ritual of burying an axe/hatchet as a good luck symbol! (To be presented on Monday 16/4/07)
Get cracking! Hoist your sails! Start your engines!
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See also:
- Any QUESTIONS??? (August 14th, 2007)
- Pictures speak a 1000 words (July 28th, 2007)
- QUOTES (July 2nd, 2007)
- All Summer in A Day – Venus (June 6th, 2007)
- What A Tangled Web We Weave (March 18th, 2007)
April 10th, 2007 at 10:58 am
interesting. Some idioms can be deciphered as the context it is in is phrased in such a way.
I know mr grosse is going to ask us to do it tomorrow, 11th April.
Be ready to be in the lab.
April 10th, 2007 at 11:00 am
strange, the clock on this blog is 12hours too slow.
April 10th, 2007 at 9:31 pm
the clock on this blog has suddenly stopped.
April 10th, 2007 at 9:35 pm
huh?! really?
April 10th, 2007 at 9:49 pm
Step right up!
It was Sunday night and Allison was going to bed to SLEEP when she STOPPED. She remembered that her project was due the very next day. Since this project was a major part of her grade, she knew that it was going to have to AMAZE HER TEACHER.
Allison’s FEET MOVED VERY QUICKLY as she raced to her mom’s room. She KNELT begging for help. Her mother replied that sooner or later she would have to learn to BE INDEPENDENT. Allison knew that she had gotten WRONG starting so late and that she would have to SPEED UP if she wanted to finish this paper. Then she knew that next time a paper was assigned she would have to START EARLY and TAKE PRECAUTIONS to prevent this from happening again.
April 10th, 2007 at 9:50 pm
Bo Wei, look. You posted your comment on April 10, 2007 @ 9:35p.m. when you posted on April 11, 2007 @ 9.35 a.m.
April 10th, 2007 at 9:50 pm
Suddenly, the furious goat charged towards John. He screamed blue murder and ran for the campsite. Meanwhile, wanting to save my skin, I climbed the nearest tree I could find to escape the goat’s razor sharp horns. “Oi! Who in the world is screaming so loudly? Do you have a screw lose or something!” Mr. Lim, our teacher-in-charge hollered. He set his face in a firm glare and stared around him. But, upon seeing me up on a tree, and John running for dear life, his face turned into a mixture of surprise and anger. “Help me! Stop that mad goat!” Mr. Lim immediately snapped into action and pulled John away from the range of the menacing horns just in the nick of time. “John! Are you alright? Didn’t you know you could have been killed? You are in deep trouble lad, deep trouble indeed.” Mr. Lim said solemnly. John looked up at his knight in shining armor, and began to see haunting visions of his parent caning him, the teachers giving him a telling off, and lastly, his demotion. Why did he even think of that stupid, crazy idea? It was a horrible experience and he would not be thinking of it anytime soon.
April 10th, 2007 at 9:51 pm
The 5 idioms paragraph
Suddenly, the furious goat charged towards John. He screamed blue murder and ran for the campsite. Meanwhile, wanting to save my skin, I climbed the nearest tree I could find to escape the goat’s razor sharp horns. “Oi! Who in the world is screaming so loudly? Do you have a screw lose or something!” Mr. Lim, our teacher-in-charge hollered. He set his face in a firm glare and stared around him. But, upon seeing me up on a tree, and John running for dear life, his face turned into a mixture of surprise and anger. “Help me! Stop that mad goat!” Mr. Lim immediately snapped into action and pulled John away from the range of the menacing horns just in the nick of time. “John! Are you alright? Didn’t you know you could have been killed? You are in deep trouble lad, deep trouble indeed.” Mr. Lim said solemnly. John looked up at his knight in shining armor, and began to see haunting visions of his parent caning him, the teachers giving him a telling off, and lastly, his demotion. Why did he even think of that stupid, crazy idea? It was a horrible experience and he would not be thinking of it anytime soon.
April 10th, 2007 at 9:52 pm
When the boys came back, the scout master had a face like thunder and the boys knew they were going to have to face the music. He shouted, and ranted, flames coming from his ears and when he calmed down, narrowing his eyes, he said . “Now lets get down to the nitty gritty, boys, no ifs and buts, you are going to have to be punished.” And they knew, this was something not to be sneezed at……
April 10th, 2007 at 9:54 pm
Sorry, double posted.
April 10th, 2007 at 9:57 pm
“There had always been bad blood between Nat and I. Jon was okay. but Nat was a constant pain in the neck. Seriously. He was always saying that I wasn’t good, that I wasn’t able to even dress myself. Well, I wasn’t the best, but I could paddle my own canoe all right. I guess that was part and parcel of being in scouts. I would hold my own till the end.”
April 10th, 2007 at 9:58 pm
4/5 done 5 idioms paragraph:
The Farmer who was mad as a hornet raised his pitchfork high. He swung it down onto Jerry. He scream blue murder and ran hell for leather. He clambered up a tree quickly. The news that Tom and Jerry had been chased by a goat and a mad farmer spreads like wildfire
April 10th, 2007 at 9:58 pm
Looking sideways and forward, we finally found Tim and John sitting by a tree panting loudly. We started interrogating them about why they fell
into deep waters. Tim explained,” We were finding some fire wood by the forest where we saw excellent quality branches near the goat, like we struck gold. So, we threw some stones at the goat to lure it away. Then, the goat blew its top and started chasing us. We were like on the ninth circle of hell. Luckily you saved us!” We all laughed at them for being so mischeivous at we all know that your sins will find you out.
Looking around, we finally found Tim and John sitting by a tree panting loudly. We started questioning them about why they fell
into deep waters. Tim explained,” We were finding some fire wood by the forest where we saw branches of the best quality near the goat, like we struck gold. So, we threw some stones at the goat to lure it away. But it thought otherwise, the goat blew its top and it started chasing us. We were like on the ninth circle of hell. Luckily you saved us! Thank you!” We all laughed at them for being so mischeivous at we all know that your sins will find you out.
April 10th, 2007 at 10:36 pm
The Comprehension on the Goat
“John, from the bottom of my heart, I’m having second thoughts about what you are going to do. What will happen if the goat mauls you?” Mark asks worriedly.
“Don’t be such a wet blanket, little brother. Goats are smart, you know. I bet it won’t notice if I open the door to the pen. A dare is a dare and if I am to get the money from Andrew, I have to go into this pen with the territorial goat for five minutes. Stay here and time me, though I’m sure I can stay much longer.”
“Creak…” the door to the pen opens.
“Err… John? I’m… I’m fright… Hey, watch your six! The goat’s coming at you!”
“Ahh… don’t kill me, you big brute! I don’t want to die!” John screams blue murder and runs out of the pen.
April 10th, 2007 at 10:38 pm
It was Sunday night and Allison was going to bed to REST when she STOPPED. She remembered that her project was due the very next day. Since this project was a major part of her grade, she knew that it was going to have to AMAZE her teacher.
Allison RAN as she raced to her mom’s room. She BEGGED her mother for help. Her mother replied that sooner or later she would have to learn to BE INDEPENDANT. Allison knew that she had ALREADY DONE WRONG starting so late and that she would have to HURRY UP if she wanted to finish this paper. Then she knew that next time a paper was assigned she would have to START PREPARING IMEDIATELY and take steps to prevent this from happening again.
April 10th, 2007 at 10:39 pm
As Tom and Sam burst out of the bush with the goat close behind them, they cried blue murder.
“Help! Help! Save my bacon! The goat is going to kill me!”
Max, who saw the duo being chased by the goats, shouted to the teacher. “Mr Lim! Tom and Sam are being chased by a goat!”
“Max, do you have a screw loose? There are no goats here.”
“Mr Lim, I’m not lying. There is really a goat here.”
Mr Lim ran to the scene. When he saw the situation, his heart missed a beat.
Tom , spotting a tree, climbed up the tree nimbly. Up on the tree, Tom thought, “When I’m am rescued, I’m surely going to be skinned alive.”
April 10th, 2007 at 10:40 pm
It was Sunday night and Allison was going to bed to sleep when she suddenly stopped. She remembered that her project was due the very next day. Since this project was a major part of her grade, she knew that it was going to have to impress her teacher.
Allison raced to her mom’s room. She went to her mother and started begging for help. Her mother replied that sooner or later she would have to learn to be independent. Allison knew that she was wrong by starting so late and that she would have to hurry if she wanted to finish this paper. Then she knew that next time a paper was assigned she would start early and be careful to prevent this from happening again.
April 10th, 2007 at 10:41 pm
Tom said “ Don’t worry, you are in safe hands. This would be a safe bet and nothing would happen to us. We will arrive safe and sound.” But David disagreed. He said “I am a sharp cookie. I will not be easily deceived! If you want to fool someone, don’t fool me. This is not my cup of tea.” He complained and walked away. But Tom kept on begging him until he finally agreed.
April 10th, 2007 at 10:46 pm
Allison rushed to her mother’s room. She threw herself at her mother’s feet begging for help. Her mother replied that sooner or later she would have to learn to be independent. Allison knew that she was in troule starting so late and that she would have to hurry if she wanted to finish this paper. Then she knew that next time a paper was assigned she would have to be punctual, not procrastinating and be careful to prevent this from happening again.
April 10th, 2007 at 10:49 pm
Goat compo
When the young two-legs peeked their hedious heads from behind the fence, it scared the living daylights out of me! What they did later REALLY got under my skin! Almost literatly! They poked me with sticks! I was SERIOUSLY under heavy fire. I saw red. I rammed my horns into one of the two-legs’. His friend hung him to dry, running away and ignoring the cries of his friend. Serves him right.
April 10th, 2007 at 10:49 pm
It was Sunday night and Allison was going to bed to SLEEP when she STOPPED. She remembered that her project was due the very next day. Since this project was a major part of her grade, she knew that it was going to have to IMPRESS HER TEACHER.
Allison’s FEET MOVED FAST as she raced to her mom’s room. She KNELT DOWN feet begging for help. Her mother replied that sooner or later she would have to learn to BE INDEPENDANT. Allison knew that she had gotten WRONG starting so late and that she would have to SPEED UP if she wanted to finish this paper. Then she knew that next time a paper was assigned she would have to START EARLY and TAKE PRECAUTIONS to prevent this from happening again.
April 10th, 2007 at 10:51 pm
* She KNELT DOWN ON HER feet begging for help.
April 10th, 2007 at 10:51 pm
It was Sunday night and Allison was going to bed to rest when she halted. She remembered that her project was due the very next day. Since this project was a major part of her grade, she knew that she had to impress the teacher.
Allison sprinted as she raced to her mom’s room. She knelt down, begging for help. Her mother replied that sooner or later she would have to be independent. Allison knew that she had was wrong in starting so late and that she would have to rush if she wanted to finish this paper. Then she knew that next time a paper was assigned she would have to start early and take precautions to prevent this from happening again.
April 10th, 2007 at 10:53 pm
It was Sunday night and Allison was going to bed to rest when she stopped. She remembered that her project was due the very next day. Since this project was a major part of her grade, she knew that it was going to have to amaze the teacher.
Allison’s ran as she raced to her mom’s room. She knelt down at her mother’s feet begging for help. Her mother replied that sooner or later she would have to learn to be independent. Allison knew that she was wrong to start so late and that she would have to speed up if she wanted to finish this paper. Then she knew that next time a paper was assigned she would have to rush and take steps to prevent this from happening again.
April 10th, 2007 at 10:54 pm
It was Sunday night and Allison was going to bed to rest her tired feet when she halted sharply. She remembered that her project was due the very next day. Since this project was a major part of her grade, she knew that it was going to have to amaze her teacher.
Allison dashed as she raced to her mom’s room. She fell on her knees begging for help. Her mother replied that sooner or later she would have to learn to be independent. Allison knew that she had been very careless starting so late and that she would have to floor it if she wanted to finish this paper. Then she knew that next time a paper was assigned she would have to start early and plan ahead to prevent this from happening again.
April 10th, 2007 at 10:54 pm
Not to rub salt in Tom’s wound, but the way his feet flew pell-mell as he fled from that mad goat…It was a magnificent undignified hasty retreat. Also, how he threw himself at the farmer’s feet after he was saved and the way Mr. Tan stopped dead in his tracks when he saw the goat plus the way all the other scouts were scattered to the four winds made this a memorable camping trip indeed.
April 10th, 2007 at 10:55 pm
compo
Not to rub salt in Tom’s wound, but the way his feet flew pell-mell as he fled from that mad goat…It was a magnificent undignified hasty retreat. Also, how he threw himself at the farmer’s feet after he was saved and the way Mr. Tan stopped dead in his tracks when he saw the goat plus the way all the other scouts were scattered to the four winds made this a memorable camping trip indeed.
April 10th, 2007 at 10:56 pm
It was Sunday night and Allison was going to bed to take a rest when she stopped suddenly. She remembered that her project was due the very next day. Since this project was a major part of her grade, she knew that it was going to have to impress her teacher greatly.
Allison’s ran quickly to her mother’s room. She ran in front of her mother begging for help. Her mother replied that sooner or later she would have to learn to rely on herself. Allison knew that she had started badly by starting so late and that she would have to start soon if she wanted to finish this paper. Then she knew that next time a paper was assigned she would have to start early and do a good job and take precautions to prevent this from happening again.
April 10th, 2007 at 10:56 pm
It was Sunday night and Allison was going to bed to *sleep* when she *stopped abruptly. She remembered that her project was due the very next day. Since this project was a major part of her grade, she knew that it was going to have to *highly impress her teacher*.
Allison’s *legs were wobbling* as she raced to her mom’s room. She *went down on her knees* begging for help. Her mother replied that sooner or later she would have to learn to *be independent*.Allison knew that she had *been wrong* starting so late and that she would have to *work quickly* if she wanted to finish this paper. Then she knew that next time a paper was assigned she would have to *start early*and *take precaution* to prevent this from happening again.
April 10th, 2007 at 10:57 pm
It was Sunday night and Allison was going to bed to rest when she stopped. She remembered that her project was due the very next day. Since this project was a major part of her grade, she knew that it was going to have to impress her teacher.
Allison bolted to her mom’s room. She lay sobbing at her mother’s feet begging for help. Her mother replied that sooner or later she would have to learn to be independent. Allison knew that she had started off too late and that she would have to hurry up if she wanted to finish this paper. Then she knew that next time a paper was assigned she would have to hasten and try to prevent this from happening again.
April 10th, 2007 at 10:57 pm
It was Sunday night and Allison was going to bed to SLEEP when she STOPPED. She remembered that the project was due the very next day. Since the project was a major part of her grade, she knew it was going to have to AMAZE HER TEACHER.
Allison FEET MOVED VERY QUICKLY as she raced to her mom’s room. She KNELT begging for help. Her mother replied that sooner or later she would have to learn to BE INDEPENDENT. Allison knew that she had DONE SOMETHING WRONG starting so late and she would have to SPEED UP if she wanted to finish this paper
April 10th, 2007 at 10:58 pm
The scouts now realized the severity of the incident and ruthlessness of the goat, thus they started moving towards it with great caution. A few more joined in. So since there is safety in numbers, they began to advance more quickly. Poor Jerry, he better run faster to save his skin before it is torn by the goat’s horns. By now, beads of perspiration were flying off Jerry’s forehead and hair; that goat must have scared the living daylights out of him – I have never seen him perspire so much before! The closer the goat came, the louder his screams of blue murder were. Suddenly, one of the scouts pounced onto the goat and others soon managed to pin it down with their united force. After much struggling, the goat finally cried uncle.
April 10th, 2007 at 10:58 pm
It was Sunday night and Allison was going to bed to rest when she halted. She remembered that her project was due the very next day. Since this project was a major part of her grade, she knew that it was going to have to impress the teacher
Allison sprinted to her mom’s room. She knelt down, begging for help. Her mother replied that sooner or later she would have to learn to be independent and do things on her. Allison knew that she had made a wrong decision starting so late and that she would have to work faster if she wanted to to start early and take precautions and prevent this from happening again.finish this paper. Then she knew that next time a paper was assigned she would have
April 11th, 2007 at 1:30 am
5 idioms from the angry goat
Ali screamed blue murder as the goat which was mad as a badger chased them.
“Does it have a screw loose or something? Why does it have to chase us?” Screamed Ali.
“Stop talking and continue running!” replied Tommy. He had started climbing up a tree.The others who were sitting down turned to look and seemed to have ants in their pants.
“Look, it’s so funny, let’s see if the goat will manage to hit them!” said one. “You fool, keep running in circles, the goat can’t turn well when it’s running at full speed!” shouted another.
Armchair critic, though Ali to himself. The goat was still chasing him.
April 11th, 2007 at 1:48 am
I thought it was a very enjoyable trip! Especially when I got to see how Mr Tan tried to catch the goat and Bobby screaming like he had a screw loose. But it was amazing that the farmer had a silver bullet to scare the goat away-his tractor, and Bobby buried the hatchet with the goat! I definately want to go to more camps in the future, but there is a slim chance I will see another goat chasing Bobby and Tom. It’s scary but being chased by a goat helps u excercise and makes you healthy as a horse!
April 11th, 2007 at 1:49 am
I hope that had 75 words in it…I didn’t count properly…
April 11th, 2007 at 2:10 am
“Okay, boys, let’s get to work! John, Fred and Chris -the three of you will either get the firewood or take out the trash. Now!”
“I’ll take out the trash,” Chris said quickly, instantly choosing the lesser of two evils.
John and Fred were left with no choice. Then again, Chris was known to be lazy. “Well, they say a leopard can’t change its spots,” Fred muttered.
“Never mind,” replied John, always the peacemaker. “After all, even we can’t kick a habit overnight if we tried. That boy’s been handled with kid gloves ever since he was born.”
Though he knew John was right, Fred could not resist one last shot at Chris. “Fairweather friend,” he grumbled. John smiled but said nothing.
April 11th, 2007 at 2:33 am
It was Sunday night and Allison was going to bed to rest when she suddenly stopped. She remembered that her project was due the very next day. Since this project was a major part of her grade, she knew that it was going to have to impress her teacher.
Allison’s dashed into her mom’s room. She knelt down begging her mother for help. Her mother replied that sooner or later she would have to learn to be independent. Allison knew that she already had a bad start by starting so late and that she would have to hurry up if she wanted to finish this paper. Then she knew that next time a paper was assigned she would have to start early, thus preventing this from happening again.
April 11th, 2007 at 2:41 am
Most leatherboots treat us goats like babies. I mean, “Oooh, so cute!!” How much of that is a respectable ram like myself supposed to take? Those leatherboots are too big for their boots, turning their noses up at their front two legs just to tower over us! How uncivilised. And now, they’re cutting down our conveniently located back-scratchers for something destructive, I’m sure. I mean, what can you expect from a hog but a grunt? There are two leatherboots who I’ll always remember, though, they really got my goat, if you’ll excuse the pun. They just won’t let sleeping goats lie, if you’ll let me borrow an idiom from our dog cousins.
April 11th, 2007 at 2:46 am
Step Right Up!
It was Sunday night and Allison was going to bed to take sleep when she stopped. She remembered that her project was due the very next day. Since this project was a major part of her grade, she knew that it was going to have to impress her teacher.
Allison ran with all her might as she raced to her mom’s room. She bowed to her mother begging for help. Her mother replied that sooner or later she would have to be independant. Allison knew that she had started wrongly by starting so late and that she would have to do it speedily if she wanted to finish this paper. Then she knew that next time a paper was assigned she would have to get ogg to a good start and take steps to prevent this from happening again.
April 11th, 2007 at 2:46 am
off*
April 11th, 2007 at 2:50 am
“Aaarrggghhhhh…Help me!” All of a sudden, my friends heard a loud, ear-piercing shriek. They turned our heads in the direction of the scream only to see Tim the notorious bully screaming blue murder and showing a clean pair of heels with the goat in hot pursuit.
“Mr. Lim, what is Mike doing up there on the tree?” Our attention was diverted once more with my best friend, Larry’s comment and the other boy scouts immediately spotted me, with my heart in my mouth, gripping the tree trunk tightly. “Tim, here’s my plan. Run towards the tents, then steer clear of them and change your direction just before you crash into them. Quick!” After a lot of running, the goat was finally subdued with everyone pinning it down to the ground. It was only then that I dared to climb down the tree.
From the expression on Mr. Lim’s face, Tim and I knew that we had to face the music. ( Not the end of the story but the end of this part!)
April 11th, 2007 at 3:39 am
The two pathethic pinkskins which for some reason used me for throwing practice with stones were running away frantically. Huh! They thought I was some little lamb that would whimper in pain when they threw rocks at me? They got it wrong! They drove me till I was at the end of my rope, made me blow my gasket, and they were going to pay for it. I ran after them like a deranged man. Sorry, I mean a goat. I would not stop chasing them for all the tea in china, for I had an axe to grind. They had better batten down their hatches. They made their bed and were going to lie on it.
April 11th, 2007 at 3:46 am
It was Sunday night and Allison was going to bed to sleep when she suddenly stopped. She remembered that her project was due the very next day. Since this project was a major part of her grade, she knew that it was going to have to impress the teacher.
Allison’s ran as fast as she could to her mom’s room. She knelt in front of her mother, begging for help. Her mother replied that sooner or later she would have to learn to be independent. Allison knew that she had started wrongly by starting so late and that she would have to hurry up if she wanted to finish this paper. Then she knew that next time a paper was assigned she would have to start early and plan what she was going to do to prevent this from happening again.
April 11th, 2007 at 3:54 am
When I saw the big two legged mutant, I should have known that I was bearding the lion in his own den. But I continued chasing the rude mutants and it was only when one of them climbed up a brown grass holder, that I started to think that I had bitten off more than I could chew. I was about to ram the other mutant when, like a bolt from the blue, I felt a sharp pain in my side. The big mutant had rammed me with its lower hoof! I was on my side, gasping, helpless, I felt like I was about to meet my maker. “Quickhoove!” the voice was familiar, but I couldn’t place it. Then, in a nick of time, someone jumped over me, rammed the big two legged mutant and sent him flying into a brown grass holder. The one who saved my skin was Twinthorn.
April 11th, 2007 at 4:07 am
“Somebody help me!” Ali screamed blue murder as he ran through the camp. He had thrown a stick at the goat and now he had to pay through the nose. Jack, Ali’s best friend, saw what was happening but was so scared that he climbed up a tree instead of helping Ali. Now, Ali had to paddle his own canoe and try to steer clear of the goat which was gathering steam.
April 11th, 2007 at 4:11 am
Sorry, just now my paragraph only had 72 words.
“Somebody please help me!” Ali screamed blue murder as he ran through the camp as fast as he could. He had thrown a stick at the goat and now he had to pay through the nose. Jack, Ali’s best friend, saw what was happening. However, Jack was so scared that he climbed up a tree instead of helping Ali. Now, Ali had to paddle his own canoe and try to steer clear of the goat which was gathering steam
April 11th, 2007 at 4:25 am
‘Boys, the duties yesterday were a disappointment! I certainly hope that you will do better jobs now! You see, yesterday, some of you didn’t do very good jobs! Howard is picking up some sticks now because he forgot to yesterday! Jack didn’t do his duties! I understand that you are all tired from the long trip, but you have to do your duties properly! I am tired too, but I still got us food for breakfast and apples for dessert, right? If you want to stay on without any trouble, you all have to shake a leg and start doing your duties properly and carefully! Got it?’
‘Sir, can we sleep today and start work tomorrow?’ Mark asked.
‘Are you in cloud cuckoo land, Mark? Don’t be ridiculous!’
‘ARGH!!!!!’ Howard screeched suddenly.
‘What is wrong with you, Howard? Do you want us to go deaf by hearing you scream blue murder?’ Mr. Lee was getting impatient. ‘And now, where are Jared and Jack? They seem to have vanished into thin air!’
‘Sir-sir…’ Howard stuttered.
‘What is it Howard? Can’t you even speak properly now?’ Mr. Lee said in a huff. ‘Those two boys! I’m going to offer them a carrot and a stick when they come back! They had better do their share of duties!’
April 11th, 2007 at 4:28 am
By saying rewrite the whole story, with the idioms,does that mean write the story again but add the paragraph in?
April 11th, 2007 at 4:45 am
5 idioms paragraph. ( no dialogs. strangely, such a short paragraph has more than 75 words)
The Farmer who was mad as a hornet raised his pitchfork high. He swung it down onto Jerry. He screamed blue murder and ran hell for leather. He clambered up a tree quickly. The news that Tom and Jerry had been chased by a goat and a mad farmer spreads like wildfire. Some of the scouts started to panic but others try to pour oil on troubled water. Tom ran as fast as he could and managed to keep the goat away for now.
April 11th, 2007 at 4:51 am
5 idioms paragraph. ( no dialogs. strangely, such a short paragraph has more than 75 words)
The Farmer who was mad as a hornet raised his pitchfork high. He swung it down onto Jerry. He screamed blue murder and ran hell for leather. He clambered up a tree quickly. The news that Tom and Jerry had been chased by a goat and a mad farmer spreads like wildfire. Some of the scouts started to panic but others try to pour oil on troubled water.
*i reposted it because i did not want the last sentence.
April 11th, 2007 at 4:52 am
5 idioms paragraph with proper use of idioms(i think the idioms were used properly…)
“Hey Tom! Be careful! I heard that that farmer is mad as a hornet!” Jerry said. The farmer raised his pitchfork high. He swung it down onto Jerry. Tom said, Jerry! Now would be a good time to rune hell for leather!” “Wow. Jerry’s scream blue murder” Tom muttered as Jerry screamed. He clambered up a tree quickly. Jerry yelled,” Wow! The news that we’re being chased is spreading like wildfire!” Some of the scouts started to panic but others tried to clam them down. The head scout said “Stop trying to pour oil on troubled waters! Let the teacher handle this!”
April 11th, 2007 at 5:28 am
It was Sunday night and Allison was going to bed to REST when she STOPPED. She remembered that her project was due the very next day. Since this project was a major part of her grade, she knew that it was going to have to IMPRESS the teacher.
Allison raced to her mom’s room. She KNELT DOWN at her mother’s feet begging for help. Her mother replied that sooner or later she would have to learn to BE INDEPENDANT. Allison knew that she had MADE A MISTAKE starting so late and that she would have to WORK DOUBLY HARD if she wanted to finish this paper. Then she knew that next time a paper was assigned she would have to START PREPARING EASILY and take steps to prevent this from happening again.
April 11th, 2007 at 5:29 am
“Don’t worry, Tom. You are in safe hands,” Mr Tan assured.
“Thanks a lot. I would have never imagined that I could get out of the woods safe and sound. I initially thought that my salad days were gone for good,” Tom said.
“I hope that you have learnt your lesson, Tom. Fortunately, Tim was there to save your bacon, otherwise you would have been injured,” said Mr Tan.
“It’s worth seeing Tom scream blue murder in exchange for what I did,” Tim exclaimed.
Everyone laughed.
April 11th, 2007 at 5:55 am
“Don’t worry, there’s safety in numbers.” Tom said to Peter as the goat prepared to charge.
“It may be so, but i think we had better run to save our skins now!”replied Peter.
As Tom was fatter and slower than Peter, Peter reached the tree faster and climbed it, then sat on a sturdy branch. He tried to shout to Tom to make him go faster.
“Hurry up, get over here! Nobody can save your bacon if you don’t run faster”
“Stop adding salt in the wound, i already know i’m slow enough!” said Tom,but he managed to reach the tree and climb it.”you know, we shouldn’t have stirred up the hornet’s nest in the first place, then we wouldn’t be in this situtuation!”said Peter.
April 11th, 2007 at 5:58 am
I was just about to take a cat nap when I felt a stinging pain in my lower back; must have been a rock. I tilted up my head and glared at the two boys. One of them was sneering at me while the other was trying to read him the riot act but he just would not listen.
I shouted at them, ” Meh!” That should have frightened them but I got flying rocks as a reply.
Although it hurt all over my body, the build up of anger inside me could overcome anything . My legs were shaking with frustration. What they did not realise was that I was not like the other timid goats. Nope, we were chalk and cheese and without waring, I took a leap over the fence. All I could see was red mist. I do not believe they can get away scot-free.
April 11th, 2007 at 6:14 am
Step Right Up.
It was Sunday night and Allison was going to bed to go to sleep when she stopped suddenly. She remembered that her project was due the very next day. Since this project was a major part of her grade, she knew that it was going to have to give her a surprise.
Allison sprinted as fast as she could to her mom’s room. She begged her mother to help her with the project pleadingly. Her mother replied that sooner or later she would have to learn to be more independent. Allison knew that she shouldn’t have started so late and that she would have to rush if she wanted to finish this paper. Then she knew that next time a paper was assigned she would have to get started earlier and take precautions to prevent this from happening again.
April 11th, 2007 at 6:51 am
I changed the sentences a little in order to fit the idioms in.
“Instructor Lee!” yelled Henry, one of his campmates. Tim knew in his heart that he was finally going to be saved. “There is a goat chasing Time,” he shouted.
There is a wha—?“Instructor Lee was lost for words after confirming what Henry said was the truth. The campers were excited, driving a heated discussion of what Instructor Lee would do to resolve this mess.
Some frightened campers were screaming their heads off, as if they were the ones being chased by the goat. Instructor Lee lost his head and was calling for quiet. A farmer working in the nearby farm, seeing that his animal was let loose, blew his top, shouting and chasing the goat. Tim was running, twisting and turning at every opportunity he could find. John was scared to death, clutching hold onto the tree tightly, as if the branches were smeared with oil. Chaos blanketed the land.
April 11th, 2007 at 6:57 am
It was Sunday night and Allison was going to bed to sleep when she stopped suddenly. She remembered that her project was due the very next day. Since this project was a major part of her grade, she knew that it was going to have to impress her teacher.
Allison’s feet moved quickly as she raced to her mom’s room. She knelt down in front of her mother begging for help. Her mother replied that sooner or later she would have to learn to be independent. Allison knew that she had begun wrong starting so late and that she would have to hurry if she wanted to finish this paper. Then she knew that next time a paper was assigned she would have to get ahead and take precautions to prevent this from happening again.
April 11th, 2007 at 8:01 am
Out of the blue, two scouts and a ferocious-looking goat burst out of the farm! One of the Scouts scrambled up the tree while the other kept running around. The Scout that was hammering wooden pegs into the ground to keep the tent upright, was so scared that the living daylights were scared out of him. He dropped the hammer which landed on the green grass. The sharp as a tack camp director who was giving survival tips, turned back at the commotion and muttered angrily to himself as his face darkened. He borrowed a blanket from the farmer to carry out his silver bullet, throwing the blanket on the goat…trapping it. The camp director then turned towards the two Scouts and proceeded to skin them alive.
April 11th, 2007 at 8:39 am
Paragraph with 6 English idioms and idiomatic expressions
“Will someone please tell me what happened?” implored the Instructor, but each time getting louder, so loud that I should change the word “implored” to “thundered”.
No one moved, the camp dead air. I got down from the tree, and explained everything in great detail very weakly, saying that I threw an apple at the goat and it hit its head, and then all hell broke loose. After that I knew I was dead meat for sure.
“You what? That is called stupidity. Dead from the neck up. Now, because of your foolish act you’re toast. I’m not just going to let bygones be bygones. I’m going to make sure that your sins find you out. I’m warning you again. YOUR SINS WILL FIND YOU OUT!”
April 11th, 2007 at 8:45 am
I can’t believe I posted the paragraph at 8:39 in the morning when it is already dark at night. This timing system is a dead duck!
April 11th, 2007 at 8:48 am
It was Sunday night and Allison was going to bed to have a nice sleep when she stopped abruptly. She remembered that her project was due the very next day. Since this project was a major part of her grade, she knew that it was going to have to make the teacher thoroughly impressed.
Allison’s feet flew as she raced to her mom’s room. She knelt down in front of her mother and started begging for help. Her mother replied that sooner or later she would have to learn to be independent. Allison knew that she had done wrong starting so late and that she would have to work extra hard if she wanted to finish this paper. Then she knew that next time a paper was assigned, she would have to start immediately and take steps to prevent this from happening again.
April 11th, 2007 at 8:56 am
They ran like a headless chicken, moved like greased lightning, but the goat was quick on the trigger, just footsteps behind. No one knew what to do. Just then, Alan ran to the baskets, picked up an apple and threw it. Right at the mad goat. The apple hit it with great precision, and surprisingly, the goat stopped in its tracks. It bent down and started munching on the apple. For a moment, no one spoke. Silence.
As John and Peter returned, their heads were low, knowing that the whole thing would be a red rag to a bull. The scout’s master towered over them and thundered, “You two boys, what kind of scouts are you? For goodness sake, let sleeping dogs lie!”
April 11th, 2007 at 9:04 am
In the first plce I did not know why I had followed John in the first place. If I had known he was about to commit this stupid act, I would rather listen to Scout Master Alex bragging on for a whole day! The stick hit the goat squarely on the head. John only did this to amuse himself and perhaps the goat, but the goat made a mountain out of a mole hill. The goat eyed us with a hint of anger. Then it snorted and all hell broke loose. The goat charged with all its might and the fence broke into smithereens. When it rains, it pours. Everyone’s eyes were on us now; not only John, but on me! The only innocent boy in class was no more that day on. I ran immediately, bearing in mind what my mother told me a few years back,”Keep well clear of wild animals, darling. You might get hurt.” I have not so far, and I was not to be about to. I needed a place to hide and defend myself from the berserk animal. True to my instincts, every cloud has a silver lining. An apple tree! Time to put my climbing skills to the ultimate test.
April 11th, 2007 at 9:43 am
Tom and John were running hell for leather away from the angry goat, which was making all sorts of weird noises. Then, with a burst of speed, it caught up with the two boys, ramming into Tom’s buttock. He screamed blue murder, scrambling up a tree without a moment to lose. I shouted to Mr. Lim, who whirled around, shouting, “You two are really dead from the neck up! Why do you always get yourselves into trouble?” Stopping only to take a rope, he dashed to the goat and stopped it in the nick of time. Tom slid down the tree and stood next to John, panting. “Thanks for saving us, Mr. Lim. That goat scared the living daylights out of us!”
April 11th, 2007 at 10:30 am
Angry goat
Pawing and stamping the ground furiously, the goat, armed to the teeth, charged at Tom. At that very moment, hell broke loose. Tom screamed and yelled blue murder. The scout master was startled and fell flat on his face. The other obedient children started running all over the place. To add insult to injury, Sam tore up a tree, leaving Tom helpless. Tom tried to negotiate with the goat. “Let’s bury the hatchet. I promise that I will never disturb you again,” Tom plead.
April 12th, 2007 at 4:42 am
mr grosse, i know we are supposed to insert at least 5 idioms into a paragraph from our composition of the angry goat but what do you mean by; ‘rewrite the story making as effective use of the same idioms as possible.’ does it mean that we have to post the whole composition with the edited paragraph?
April 12th, 2007 at 6:30 am
Suddenly, a shrill shriek pierced the air. John and Jim came running from behind the tents, screaming blue murder at the top of their lungs. A mad goat was chasing them! John’s feet flew as he ran to the nearest tree and scrambled up in the nick of time, leaving his brother in the lurch. Jim knew he couldn’t skin a tree like his agile as a monkey brother and he knew that if his running was going to be a flash in the pan, his salad days would soon be over and he would be swimming with the fishes. Immediately, Matt knew he had to nip it in the bud and he snapped into action. In a flash, he tore open a small bag of dried fruits he had in his pocket, and with nerves of steel, poured its contents in front of the goat. Pausing, the goat reached down to gobble up the fruits, eating like a pig. And as quiet as a mouse, Matt crept near the goat and grabbed it firmly by the scruff of its neck, leading it away.
April 12th, 2007 at 6:54 am
Angry goat compo-5 idioms
Mr. Tan obviously did not know what to do. He stood there wondering and then caught sight of the farmer and called on him. By then, we heard a distant scream “Aaaahhh!!!” Sam had been chased one round already. The farmer instinctively grabbed a lasso, spun it once, and grabbed onto the goat’s neck. In a swift motion, he saved Sam’s bacon by dragging the goat back to the farm and . Sam, who had cheted death was oblivious to what had happened and he continued running. “Sam! It’s okay! You’re now safe and sound!” Tom yelled, but Sam was still screaming his lungs out, and did not hear Tom. Only when he ran another round and saw the goat in the farm did he turn around and stop screaming. Jerry climbed down the tree and joined us, and Sam walked back to join us. Maybe shooting himself in the foot and as a result, getting chased by a goat, had made him not so daring, and more obedient…
April 12th, 2007 at 8:09 am
No Jodie. When you ‘inert’ so many idioms in a narrative as seen in the one I posted in the Blog – “Step right up. something happpens to the narrative. Anybody care to comment what?
What you should do is using the same idioms, can you use them mor effectively in teh story, enhancing it?
Hint – dialogue mode… BIG hint!
April 12th, 2007 at 9:22 am
Step right up!
It was Sunday night and Allison was going to bed to SLEEP when she STOPPED AND REMEMBERED SOMETHING. She remembered that her project was due the very next day. Since this project was a major part of her grade, she knew that it was going to have to AMAZE HER TEACHER WITH HER GRADE.
Allison’s FEET MOVED VERY QUICKLY as she raced to her mom’s room. She KNELT DOWN IN FRONT OF HER MOTHER begging for help. Her mother replied that sooner or later she would have to BE IN DEPENDENT AND SOLVE HER OWN PROBLEMS HERSELF. Allison knew that she had BEEN WRONG starting so late and that she would have to SPEED UP WITH HER WORK if she wanted to finish this paper. Then she knew that next time a paper was assigned she would have to TAKE ONE STEP FORWARD/PLAN EARLY and BE MORE ORGANISED/PLAN A METHOD to prevent this from happening again.
It is quite interesting to note that mine is quite similar to all of our meanings. This is due to the fact that idioms usually only have one meaning in a context. Or is it???
April 12th, 2007 at 10:32 am
“Aargghh! Help!” tom cried. Mr. Lim shot in the dark at throwing a lasso around the goat. An angry goat was just a stone’s throw away from Tom, and he was getting tired and about to throw in the towel, when a voice cried, “Hold on! I’m coming to tame the goat!”. A kind farmer from the nearby farm led the angry goat away. “Oh no! This is when i have to face the music!” Tom thought to himself. “Do you have a screw loose!?” Mr.Lim yelled at Tom, “why did you have to go and disturb that goat? I already warned you no to do that. See what you get from not listening to instructions?” Tom felt like he had an egg on his face and he had to eat humble pie.
April 13th, 2007 at 11:03 am
Step right up!
It was Sunday night and Allison was going to bed to RELEASE THE DAY”S TENSION when SHE FROZE IN MID-STEP. She remembered that her project was due the very next day. Since this project was a major part of her grade, she knew that it was going to have to LEAVE HER TEACHER WITH A STRONG IMPRESSION.
Allison’s FEET BARELY TOUCHED THE FLOOR as she raced to her mother’s room. She WEPT AND PLEADED her mother for help. Her mother replied that sooner or later she would have to learn to BE INDEPENDENT. Allison knew that she had MADE A HUGE MISTAKE by staring so late and that she would have to QUICKEN HER PACE if she wanted to finish this paper. Then she knew that next time a paper was assigned she would have to START IMMEDIATELY TO PREVENT SUCH A CASE FROM HAPPENING AGAIN and TAKE MEASURES to prevent this from happening again.
April 14th, 2007 at 5:27 am
It was Sunday night and Allison was going to bed to GET A GOOD NIGHT’S REST when she STOPPED SUDDENLY . She remembered that her project was due the very next day. Since this project was a major part of her grade, she knew that it was going to have to AMAZE AND IMPRESS HER TEACHER.
Allison’s feet MOVED SWIFTLY as she raced to her mom’s room. She threw herself at her mother’s feet begging for help. Her mother replied that sooner or later she would have to learn to BE INDEPENDENT. Allison knew that she already COMMITTED A MISTAKE IN starting so late and that she would have to START RIGHT AWAY if she wanted to finish this paper. Then she knew that next time a paper was assigned, she BETTER NOT PROCRASTINATE AND TAKE PRECAUTIONS to prevent this from happening again.
April 14th, 2007 at 5:44 am
I laid my head down to take a power nap, only to be rudely awakened again by a commotion as loud as ten thousand screaming banshees just outside in the farm. Slowly, I stood like a new-born baby taking his first few steps and stretched my weary limbs.As i looked out of the ancient and dilaphidated otherwise cosy farmhouse which seemed as if it was left unkept for a decade,my worst fears were realized, there, running and shouting, was a group of young terrors. Why couldn’t they just stay at home and be couch potatoes rather than coming here and offering me another round of terrorising entertainment? Little did I know that this time, the fun and entertainment will sit on my crown in the presence of glittering rubies,(which basically means that i will have my own share of fun).
April 14th, 2007 at 8:45 am
It was Sunday night and Allison was going to bed to REST when she stopped AND DID NOT MOVE. She remembered that her project was due the very next day. Since this project was a major part of her grade, she knew that it was going to have to IMPRESS HER TEACHER.
Allison RAN as she raced to her mom’s room. She KEELED TO HER MOTHER begging for help. Her mother replied that sooner or later she would have to learn to SURPPORT HERSELF. Allison knew that she had GOTTEN BEHIND THE REST starting so late and that she would have to SPEED UP if she wanted to finish this paper. Then she knew that next time a paper was assigned she would have to LEARN FROM HER MISTAKES and take steps to prevent this from happening again.
April 14th, 2007 at 8:57 am
“when we are being chased by the goat, climb up a tree to SAVE YOUR BACON”
” What if I can’t make it in time and can’t SAVE MY OWN SKIN?”
“thenSCREAM BLUE MURDER as if you HAVE A SCREW LOOSE, that will help”
“How about the fact that we were AWOL?’
Don’t worry, I can take the rap, any way, I am wont
April 14th, 2007 at 9:01 am
sorry com/blog error part of the last bit was not posted
I am wont
April 14th, 2007 at 9:04 am
sorry, com/blog error part of the last bit was not posted (again)
to it”
“I just cannot stand your cant”
note that tere are no spelling errors
April 14th, 2007 at 9:05 am
There I mean
WONT means used to
CANT means hypocricy
April 15th, 2007 at 2:55 am
One minute. Two minutes. Thirty minutes. Thirty minutes had passed and they were still not back yet. Then, we heard a roar from inside our stomachs.
Julie pleaded impatiently, “Mr. Tan, can we eat already, please? Waiting for John and Pete is like WATCHING PAINT DRY!”
Just then, we heard bewildered screams. We did not have to look at them to know that they were John and Pete.
“Help!” John and Pete screamed wildly. Tom gasped, “Look at the FEAR WRITTEN ALL OVER HIS FACE! I wonder what happened!”
Then, we saw it. It was the largest and fiercest goat I had ever seen in my life! Pete hauled himself up the nearest tree and heaved a sigh of relief as the goat did not stop for him.
He yelled at the top of his voice, “John! Climb that tree, quick!”
John panted, “NO CAN DO, Pete! Climbing trees is my ACHILLES’ HEEL!”
John’s energy was draining and he could run no more. He slowly stopped, and was backed into a tree by the goat.
I’M TOAST, John thought.
April 15th, 2007 at 2:56 am
oops. i wrote 178 words.
April 15th, 2007 at 3:15 am
It was Sunday night and Allison was going to bed to SLEEP when she FROZE. She remembered that her project was due the very next day. Since this project was a major part of her grade, she knew that it was going to have to IMPRESS HER TEACHER THOROUGHLY.
Allison’s FEET MOVED SWIFTLY as she raced to her mom’s room. She KNELT, begging for help. Her mother replied that sooner or later she would have to learn to BE INDEPENDENT. Allison knew that she had ALREADY BEEN WRONG in starting so late and that she would have to WORK FASTER if she wanted to finish this paper. Then she knew that next time a paper was assigned she would have to START EARLIER and PLAN HER WORK to prevent this from happening again.
April 16th, 2007 at 5:14 am
It was Sunday night and Allison was going to bed to HAVE A GOOD REST when she SUDDENLY STOPPED, FROZEN. She remembered that her project was due the very next day. Since this project was a major part of her grade, she knew that it was going to have to IMPRESS HER TEACHER.
Allison’s FEET RAN AS QUICKLY AS POSSIBLE as she raced to her mom’s room. She KNEELED SOBBING AT HER MOTHER’S FEET, begging for help. Her mother replied that sooner or later she would have to learn TO BE INDEPENDENT. Allison knew that she had STARTED OF TOO late and that she would have to HURRY if she wanted to finish this paper. Then she knew that next time a paper was assigned she would have to HASTEN and TRY to prevent this from happening again.