Sunday, January 31, 2010

More Idioms - Understanding and Using Idioms in North American Speech by Liz Niergarth

Learning More Idioms

Setting: Two acquaintances meet in a supermarket. They haven't seen each other for a long time.

A. Hey, Ron, What's Up? How is life?

B. Everything's good. Haven't seen you in a while.

A. Guess who I ran into last week at the post office? Sarah Evans.

B. Really? I haven't seen her in ages. Is she still going out with your brother?

A. Heck, no. He fell in love with someone he met last summer on vacation. Right now they're planning on getting married next April. In fact, they're dropping by my apartment soon and I'm all out of snacks, coffee, and........

B. You'd better hop to it then...get your shopping done and not show up late!

Did you under stand these idioms? Is this a friendly conversation? What do the idioms mean?

Use different words in the conversation to paraphrase the idiom.

Example: Hey, Ron, what's new?

B. Not much. Haven't seen you in a while.

A. Guess...........................................

B. Really? I haven't seen her in ages. Is she still...

A. Heck, no...............................................................

B. You'd better.......................................get your shopping done and............................................

Explanations of idioms used in the above conversation.

What's Up - What is new with you?

Run into - meet unexpectedly

going out with - dating

fall in love - begin to love romantically

to drop by - visit someone informally

out of - lacking (without)

hop to it - hurry

show up - arrive

MORE PRACTICE: Answer the questions below, using the idioms above.

1. What are you lacking for the party?

2. When was the last time you met an old friend?

3. Are you dating anyone special?

4. Do people often visit you announced?

5. Does Jean always arrive late?

Good Luck! Next time, More Idioms!

Do you want to learn how to speak English naturally and confidently NOW?
Click HERE.

0 comments: