Christmas

Idioms
Activity 1: Read the Christmas idioms and match them with their definitions.

A. The more people you invite, the more

1. Deck the halls
enjoyable a party or celebration will be.

2. The proof is in the pudding B. To decorate your house for Christmas.

C. The real value of something can

3. A white Christmas only be judged from results, not
physical appearance.

4. Tis the season to be jolly! D. If it snows on Christmas Day.

E. Big presents aren’t necessarily the

5. It’s the thought that counts
best ones.

6. Like turkeys voting for F. To encourage people to be happy

Christmas during the festive period.

7. Good things come in small G. Good intentions are more important

packages than the size of a gift.

H. When someone makes a decision that

8. Eat, drink and be merry!
will have a negative outcome for them.

9. Christmas came early this year I. To enjoy yourself and have fun.

J. When someone experiences good

10. The more the merrier
fortune before the festive season.

This resource has been made for the purpose of teaching English language learners. We know that students can be learning English in many different places, in
many different ways and at age, so we try to keep these resources as general as possible.

There are many acronyms associated with English language teaching. These include (but are not limited to) ELT, TEFL, EFL, ELL, EAL and ESOL. While the term ESL
may not fully represent the linguistic backgrounds of all students, it is the most widely recognised term for English language teaching globally. Therefore, we use
the term ‘ESL’ in the names of our resources to make them easy to find but they are suitable for any student learning to speak English.

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 Christmas Idioms

Activity 2: Read the sentences and fill in the gaps

with one of the idioms from the table in Activity 1.

1. Finally, it’s snowing! It looks like this year we’ll have

a .

2. Why are you so sad on Christmas Day? Tis

3. Dad, why don’t you invite your cousins to our Christmas party? There’ll be a lot of

people there, !

4. I don’t really like the present my Grandma bought me, but I know it’s
.

5. Dale shouldn’t have accepted the invitation, lots of people he doesn’t like will be at the
event. That’s like .

6. The baby was born on 30th November and the whole family is so happy. Christmas

7. My Christmas present is small but I really like it. It’s true that big presents aren’t

always the best, and that .

8. Mum’s decided to this weekend and decorate the

house before Christmas!

9. John: I’ve fixed the TV.
Miranda: Are you sure?
John: Yes, go and turn it on! The proof , you’ll see it

works perfectly.

10. There are only three things to do during the festive season: Eat, and

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 Christmas Idioms

Activity 3: Answer the following questions.

1. Have you ever seen a white Christmas? If so, when?

2. Do you deck the halls in your house to celebrate Christmas? What decorations do you use?

3. Do you prefer to receive small gifts or large gifts at Christmas? Why?

4. Do you agree with ‘the more the merrier’ or do you prefer to have small parties? Why?

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 Christmas Idioms Answers
Activity 1: Read the Christmas idioms and match them with their definitions.

1. B 5. G 9. J

2. C 6. H 10. A

3. D 7. E

4. F 8. I

Activity 2: Read the sentences and fill in the gaps with one of the idioms from the table in
Activity 1.

1. Finally, it’s snowing! It looks like this year we’ll have a white Christmas.

2. I don’t really like the present my Grandma bought me, but I know it’s the thought that
counts.

3. Dad, why don’t you invite your cousins to our Christmas party? There’ll be a lot of
people there, the more the merrier!

4. Dale shouldn’t have accepted the invitation, lots of people he doesn’t like will be at the
event. That’s like turkeys voting for Christmas.

5. Why are you so sad on Christmas Day? Tis the season to be jolly!

6. The baby was born on 30th November and the whole family is so happy. Christmas came
early this year.

7. My Christmas present is small but I really like it. It’s true that big presents aren’t
always the best, and that good things come in small packages.

8. Mum’s decided to deck the halls this weekend and decorate the house before Christmas!

9. John: I’ve fixed the TV.

10. Miranda: Are you sure?

11. John: Yes, go and turn it on! The proof is in the pudding, you’ll see it works perfectly.

12. There are only three things to do during the festive season: Eat, drink and be merry!

Activity 3: Students’ own answers

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