Lesson goal: Students can understand common English idioms and use them naturally in conversation.
Add the lesson to get your own copies of the word set and exercises; the lesson opens in the builder, where you can adjust the steps and teach it.
Lesson plan
- 1
Warm-up
Questions to get the student talking and lead into the topic.
- Can you think of an idiom in your language that would sound strange if translated word for word?
- Why do you think native speakers use so many idioms?
- Which English idioms do you already know? Where did you pick them up?
- Is it important for a learner to use idioms, or is understanding them enough?
- 2
New words
Meet the words and practise them in games.
MemoryFill the gapa piece of cake · break the ice · hit the nail on the head · under the weather · once in a blue moon · cost an arm and a leg · let the cat out of the bag · sit on the fence · the last straw · call it a day · cut corners · beat around the bush
All words in the set - 3
Exercises
The lesson's words in context. Only you see the answers.
- Fill the gap
We've been working on this report for ten hours. Let's call it a ___ and finish it tomorrow.
Answer: day - Fill the gap
My cousins live in Australia, so I only see them once in a blue ___.
Answer: moon - Fill the gap
Stop beating around the ___ and tell me what actually happened.
Answer: bush - Multiple choice
'That new phone must have cost an arm and a leg.' What does the speaker mean?
It was very expensive.It was dangerous to use.It was hard to find in the shops.It was a bargain. - Multiple choice
Which idiom best completes the sentence? 'He's been late every day this week, and today he didn't turn up at all. That's ___!'
the last strawa piece of cakeunder the weatheronce in a blue moon - Multiple choice
'The builders cut corners on the new office.' What happened?
They did the job cheaply and badly to save time or money.They finished the job ahead of schedule.They changed the shape of the rooms.They refused to do the work. - Multiple choice
Which situation is an example of 'breaking the ice'?
Telling a funny story at the start of a meeting with strangersEnding a long argument with a friendTelling someone a secret by accidentRefusing to take sides in a debate - True / false
Read: 'At the team meeting, Jack asked what everyone thought of the new plan. Sarah said it was far too expensive, and Jack said she had hit the nail on the head. Tom, as usual, sat on the fence.' Jack disagreed with Sarah.
Answer: False - True / false
Read: 'At the team meeting, Jack asked what everyone thought of the new plan. Sarah said it was far too expensive, and Jack said she had hit the nail on the head. Tom, as usual, sat on the fence.' Tom didn't clearly support or oppose the plan.
Answer: True - Discussion question
Tell a short story of four or five sentences using at least three idioms from today's lesson.
Sample answer: Last Friday I was feeling a bit under the weather, so I decided to call it a day early. On the way home my sister phoned and accidentally let the cat out of the bag about my surprise birthday party. I had to pretend I knew nothing all weekend, which was no piece of cake!
- Fill the gap
- 4
Speaking
The student answers using the new words.
- Can you overuse idioms? When might they sound unnatural or confusing?
- When did you last have to break the ice with strangers? What did you do?
- Is it ever acceptable to cut corners at work or in your studies?
- Is sitting on the fence a sign of wisdom or of weakness?
- Think of something you gave up on — a job, a habit, a brand. What was the last straw?
- 5
Review
A quiz on the lesson's words. With a student, it's homework on their link.
Quiz