Name: ______________ Class: _________
12MOET – IDIOMS – PART 1
Idioms are often put in different categories as below. Guess the meaning of each idiom based on the context.
I – ANIMALS
IDIOMS
1. like a bat out of hell = move very quickly
2. kill two birds with one stone = to succeed in doing
2 things at the same time
3. as the crow flies = refer to distance measured in a
straight line
4. let the cat out of the bag = reveal a secret, often not
intentionally
5. raining cats and dogs = raining very heavily
6. work like a dog = work very hard
7. eat like a horse = eat a lot
8. eat like a bird = to always eat a small
amount of food
9. have kittens = to be very anxious, angry or upset
about something
10. sound or smell fishy = you think that someone is
lying
11. mouse potato = a person who spends too much time
using a computer
12. pigs might fly =
- used to show that you do not believe something will
ever happen
- the idea that miracles might happen but are extremely
unlikely
13. a snake in the grass = a person who pretends to be
your friend while actually betraying you
II – BODY PARTS
IDIOMS
1. two-faced: someone deceitful or insincere
2. take the words out of somebody's mouth = to say
exactly what someone else was going to say
3. catch somebody's eye = to get someone’s attention
4. all ears = you are listening very attentively
5. turn up one's nose at something = sth you reject
because you think it is not good enough for you
6. a pain in the neck = a person who is very annoying.
7. to get cold feet = to feel too frightened to do
something that you had planned to do.
8. foot the bill = pay for sth
9. keep someone on their toes = make them stay alert
and ready for action at any time
10. give sb the cold shoulder = to ignore sb
11. pull sb’s leg = teasing sb by telling them something
that is not true
EXAMPLES
She was driving like a bat out of hell.
So, I welcome this opportunity to kill two birds with one stone (study
for my exam and develop self-discipline).
I live at Mesa, Washington, about 10 miles as the crow flies from
Hanford.
Some idiot's let the cat out of the bag -- Mrs Simpson realizes there's
something going on.
We'll have to cancel the match, it's raining cats and dogs.
I've been working like a dog recently.
She's very thin but she eats like a horse.
You eat like a bird – I don't know how you stay healthy.
My mum'll have kittens if I'm not home by midnight.
His story sounds a bit fishy to me.
You should try to walk more or else you will become a
mouse potato.
- ‘With a bit of luck, we'll be finished by the end of the year.’ ‘Yes, and
pigs might fly!’
- My uncle gave me money! Pigs might fly!
Don't trust him, he looks honest but he's a snake in the grass.
EXAMPLES
She is two-faced, friendly at first; then she says bad things about
you behind your back.
I entirely agree with you. You took the words out of my mouth.
It was the unusual colour of his jacket that caught my eye.
A: ‘Do you know what he said?’
B: ‘Go on—I'm all ears.’
She turned up her nose at the job because of the low rate.
Don't tell me Christopher is coming, wherever he goes he's a pain
in the neck.
I was going to try bungee jumping, but I got cold feet.
You order the dishes and I'll foot the bill.
Surprise visits help to keep the staff on their toes.
He's given me the cold shoulder for three days.
Stop pulling my leg – you didn’t have lunch with Bono!
12. on the tip of sb’s tongue = a word or an answer that I know her - her name is on the tip of my tongue, but it won't
you're sure you know but have difficulty finding it come to me.

13. have your hands full = you are very busy or you I'm sorry I can't help you -- I have my hands full right now.
have a lot to do
14. keep your fingers crossed = to hope strongly that We're keeping our fingers crossed that he'll be healthy again very
something will happen soon.