Shakespeare’s idioms

Idioms used or invented

by Shakespeare
Warmer – What is an idiom?

Meet Franz.
Your teacher will tell you about him.

Which phrase do you think could describe Franz?

a) a dark horse
b) a night owl ✓
c) a cash cow

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Warmer – What is an idiom?

A ‘night owl’ is an idiom.

If we say that Franz is a ‘night owl’, we don’t mean that he actually is an owl!

night
owl

the words in the idiom the meaning of the idiom

An idiom is a group of words that have a special meaning when used together. The
meaning of the idiom is different from the meaning of the individual words.
Shakespeare used and invented lots of idioms.

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Task 1 – the words in the idioms

Match the idioms with the pictures.

•at a snail’s pace
•send someone packing
•a night owl
•break the ice
•lie low

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 Task 2 – the meanings of the idioms
Match the pictures showing the words in the idiom (left)
with the ones showing the meanings (right).

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 Task 2 – the meanings of the idioms
Match the pictures showing the words in the idiom (left)
with the ones showing the meanings (right).

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 Spare slides
• The following slides (8–17)
are included for the
teacher’s optional use,
either projected or printed.
• Slides 8–12 (left) show the
wording of the idioms.
• Slides 13–17 (right)
demonstrate the meaning.

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