Idiom List 2

Activity 2

Listening:

Directions: Click on the link below to here the passage. As you listen, fill in the idioms that you here. Check your answers when you are finished.

PART ONE:

Every there is a chance for a person to shine in front of others. Well, I had my opportunity at a staff meeting at work last week. The boss called us all together to discuss how to deal with all the involved with getting things done. Now, my boss always thought I cared more about partying and than about work, so I was to have this chance to . However, when I got to the meeting, everything started to go badly. my boss asked me why my department couldn’t seem to do anything right. Now, I thought that was the since our company has been in the red under his leadership for a year.

PART TWO:

In any case, afraid of a and being out on the street, I decided to throw out a . To change the subject, I told a colorful joke about how business executives are always very bitter people. Unfortunately, my boss thought the joke was and started to yell at me. I just wanted to get out of that meeting as fast as I could, so I told a little and said I had an important business call to make. When I left the meeting I felt pretty bad, but later that day one of my co-workers made me feel better by telling me that in the next meeting I would impress the boss and succeed .

Now, check your answers.

once in a blue moon

red tape

painting the town red

tickled pink

show him my true colors

out of the blue

pot calling the kettle black

pink slip

red herring

off-color

white lie

with flying colors

Meaning from Context:

Read each sentence and guess the idiom’s meaning based on the context. Check your answers by clicking on the arrows in the drop boxes after each guess.

1. My husband and I go out only once in a blue moon because we are both so busy with work.

2. My brother always tells off-color jokes that offend and hurt the feelings of others.

3. I was worried about getting a good grade on the test, but I passed it with flying colors!

4. When her boyfriend asked her to marry him she was tickled pink because she was very in love with him.

5. We were talking about going to the restaurant, and then out of the blue, she told me she was angry with me. I had no idea why!

6. Trying to deal with the government is impossible. There is always so much red tape you have to get through to get anything done!

7. I thought Jane was so nice, but when she stole my sweater, she showed me her true colors.

8. My sister, who always screams and yells, told me I yell too much when I get angry. Now isn’t that the pot calling the kettle black.

9. I had to make up an excuse so I told a white lie and said I was busy that evening.

10. We hadn’t finished the project yet, but we didn’t want to boss to know. So we threw the boss a party in honor of his birthday as a red herring. He forgot all about the project’s deadline!

11. She came in late to work for an entire week, so they gave her the pink slip.

12. I am in a great mood tonight. I want to go out and have a great time. Let’s paint the town red!

once in a blue moon

red tape

painting the town red

tickled pink

show him my true colors

out of the blue

pot calling the kettle black

pink slip

red herring

off-color

white lie

with flying colors

Now that you have guessed the meanings to the words, match the idioms from the list above with the pictures and the situations below.

11. She had no idea that she was in trouble at work, but the boss came in and fired her today.

12. That joke is really offensive to women. You shouldn’t tell it.

Now view your answers:

1. red tape

2. paint the town red

3. in the pink

4. once in a blue moon

5. white lie

6. red herring

7. show her true colors

8. passed with flying colors

9. the pot calling the kettle black

10. out of the blue

11. she got the pink slip

12. the joke is off-color

Heather Meloche home page | ESL 2011 Activities | Idiom List 2

Please e-mail me with questions or concerns: mailto:hsmeloch@oaklandcc.edu