Brainstorm Idiomatic Expressions

The only materials needed to prepare the activity are blank index
cards and a list of idioms. (A list is included below to fire the
imagination.) Write one idiom, with its explanation, on each index
card.

1. To hit someone "below the belt." (To do something unfair to

someone.)

2. To be "broke." (To be without money.)

3. To be "a couch potato." (To spend too much time on the sofa,
watching TV.)

4. To "drive someone up the wall." (To irritate someone, to make

them crazy.)

5. "Dirt cheap." (Extremely inexpensive.)

6. To "jump the gun." (To do something prematurely, before it is

time to do it.)

7. To "kick bucket." (To die.)

8. To be "fed up with" something/someone. (To be sick and tired

of circumstances.)

9. "Once in a blue moon." (Very rarely.)

10. To "spill the beans" OR to "let the cat out of the bag." (To tell
or reveal a secret.)

11. To "miss the boat." (To miss an opportunity.)

12. "Cool as a cucumber." (Someone who stays very calm.)

13. To be a "chicken" or " 'fraidy/scaredy' cat." (Someone who is

a coward or easily scared.)

14. To feel/be blue." (To be sad.)

15. To be "caught red-handed". (To be discovered in the middle

of the crime, or in a way that proves guilt instantly.)

16. "Until Hell freezes over" OR "When pigs fly." (Until forever,
until the end of time OR never.)

17. To "put your foot in it" OR to "step in it." (To make an

embarrassing mistake.)

18. To be a "social butterfly." (To be gregarious and enjoy

talking to anyone and everyone.)

Perform Idiom Skits

Students will illustrate an English idiom by acting out a small skit
of their creation. This activates language acquisition through the
imagining and writing of a short script and the physical movement
of performing in English.

Divide the class into groups of 3-4. If the class is small, skits can
be done between partners. Tell them they are going to create a
scenario that will illustrate an idiom for the rest of their
classmates. Give at least 3 index cards to each group, letting
them choose the idiom they think will best lend itself to acting out.
Let them work together for at least 15 minutes to prepare. Assist
individual groups with suggestions or additional vocabulary as
needed.

Then have each group come up and act out their skit in front of
the class. Make sure they announce the idiom after their skit, and
write it and its explanation on the board for the class to copy
down. Sometimes, it is best to have each group run their skit
twice. After all skits have been presented, have the class vote on
the best skit and offer a reward to the winning group.

Just as funny TV commercials often remain imprinted in people's

memories, these skits will do the same for students. The results
are always hilarious and not easily forgotten. For a great warm-up
activity that serves as a lead-in to Idiom Skits, see Idiom Couples.