Intermediate

Idioms – some interesting meanings and histories

be out of your depth (Unit 51)
If you are swimming in the sea or a swimming pool
and the water is too deep for you to put your feet on the
bottom, you are out of your depth. The expression is
used figuratively to refer to a situation that has become
too complex for you to manage or understand.
break the ice (Unit 26)
Over the centuries this expression has been used both
literally–in reference to ships breaking through the
ice on frozen seas–and figuratively, meaning to make
a start on a new activity or undertaking (we also say
break ground in this sense). Now, if you do something
that breaks the ice, you say or do something that makes
people feel more relaxed at the beginning of a meeting
or party.
get off on the wrong foot (Unit 11)
Over the centuries the word foot has been used
in reference to walking or running. In figurative
use, it refers to general progress: if something
gets off on the right or wrong foot, it starts well or
badly. It is often used in reference to meeting someone
new, when if things don’t go well the relationship can
get off on the wrong foot.
in your element (Unit 11)
An element is a part of a whole. In the past, before
the scientific study of chemistry, people believed that
everything in life was made from the ‘four elements’: earth,
fire, wind and water. So if something was in its element,
it was in its most natural state. From this developed the
modern figurative sense: if you are in your element, you
are somewhere where you are happy, or doing something
that you are good at and enjoy.

Activity

Complete the sentences with the idioms above.

1. You’ll be when you go to university–you’ll meet loads of new people
with similar interests and make lots of new friends.
2. What can I do to at my dinner party? None of my friends know each
other and I’m worried they’ll be too shy to start chatting.
3. Try not to with the new boss. So, no silly jokes, OK?
4. If you want my advice, don’t do it. You’ll in that kind of situation.

4. If you want my advice, don’t do it. You’ll be out of your depth in that kind of situation.
3. Try not to get off on the wrong foot with the new boss. So, no silly jokes, OK?
I’m worried they’ll be too shy to start chatting.
2. What can I do to break the ice at my dinner party? None of my friends know each other and
similar interests and make lots of new friends.
1. You’ll be in your element when you go to university–you’ll meet loads of new people with
Answers