Name : Naufal Hanif Al Habib

NIM : 2201420080

Idioms 5
Directions: Read each idiom and determine the meaning.
Idiom: A common expression understood figuratively, as the literal definition makes no sense.

1. The mystery novelist decided at the last minute to include an ex-convict, who would later prove to be
innocent, as a suspect in her story; she was using this new character as a red herring.

What is the meaning of this idiom?

Answer :
A red herring is a distraction or an attempt to misdirect attention to something that is not important. It may
refer to the idea of a criminal using a red herring or fish to mislead bloodhounds.

2. I don’t like the new font that you used on the website, but there is no need to throw the baby out with the
bathwater: just change the font back to the original and I’ll approve the design.

What is the meaning of this idiom?

Answer :
To throw the baby out with the bathwater is to discard something valuable or useful along with something
disagreeable or unusable.

3. If Frank hears that Mandy is going to the dance with Curt, Frank is going to do something regrettable, so let’s
just keep it under wraps for now.

What is the meaning of this idiom?

Answer :
Something that is under wraps is kept a secret or not made public. It may refer to a canvas covering a new
display. When the covering or wrap is removed, the display is made available to the public.

4. Many times the great inventor’s wife would beckon him to return to his room for sleep, but he had a fire in
his belly.

What is the meaning of this idiom?

Answer :
To have a fire in one's belly is to have a strong desire to accomplish difficult or creative tasks.

5. Even though the advertised prices at Bork’s Motor-Works were very low, the salesmen will attempt to nickel
and dime you as you attempt to checkout.

What is the meaning of this idiom?

Answer :
To nickel and dime someone is to pursue small amounts of money with a fastidiousness that appears petty. It is
an attempt to acquire a small financial advantage or gain.

6. When I become a rich and famous rapper, all of the people who made fun of me and said that I couldn’t rap,
dance, or match my clothing are going to eat their hearts out.
What is the meaning of this idiom?

Answer :
Contrary to the brutal literal definition, to eat one's heart out is to become very jealous or resentful of another's
success.

7. Ever since John missed a week of school due to illness, his grades have been slipping and he has felt behind
the eight ball.

What is the meaning of this idiom?

Answer :
To be behind the eight ball is to be stuck in a difficult situation. This idiom probably refers to the game of pool,
in which mismanaging the number eight ball can result in the immediate loss of the game.

8. Candy really left me holding the bag when she didn’t do her part of the project and was absent on the day of
the presentation.

What is the meaning of this idiom?

Answer :
When one is left holding the bag, he or she receives the blame or responsibility for the actions of another.

9. After losing another match, Kiki asked Douglass if she was getting any better at the video game that they
were playing and Douglass just sort of nodded and bit his tongue.

What is the meaning of this idiom?

Answer :
When someone bites their tongue, that person is refraining from saying something because of the feelings of
another person.

10. After 40 years of working at the post office and living frugally, Mr. Luther had built up quite a nice nest egg
for his retirement.

What is the meaning of this idiom?

Answer :
A nest egg is the total savings or material value possessed by a person or company.

11. If the new kid crosses Big Buck during the train car robbery, the kid is going to be pushing up daisies.

What is the meaning of this idiom?

Answer :
To push up daises is to no longer be of this world, to have passed away or perished. This expression probably
refers to being buried.

12. Mr. Walker didn’t trust his daughter’s new boyfriend because he wore suits and used ten dollar words.

What is the meaning of this idiom?

Answer :
Ten dollar words are large or difficult vocabulary words that most people would not understand. The
expression is also used with different monetary denominations, such as fifty cent words and twenty dollar
words.

13. Ever since her dog Pookie went missing, Janine has been a real basket case.

What is the meaning of this idiom?

Answer :
A basket case is a person who is not emotionally fit to function. The origins of this expression are dark as it
may have once referred to a soldier who returned from battle with no limbs and hence had to be transported in
basket.

14. In the last issue of the school paper, Jamie wrote an article uncovering the practice of serving horse meat in
the cafeteria, and now the principal is trying to bring her before a school council kangaroo court to have her
removed from the journalism club.

What is the meaning of this idiom?

Answer :
A kangaroo court is a trying body that judges people unfairly or without proper authority.

15. As the teacher reprimanded Eric, we all expected that he would reply with something smart or witty, but it
seemed as if the cat had gotten his tongue.

What is the meaning of this idiom?

Answer :
When the cat has someone's tongue that person is uncharacteristically quiet in the face of charges or criticism.