A
The coach decided they needed to "lighten up", because they were yelling too much at the team.
What do you think the idiom, "lighten up" means?
to relax
Everyone on the team was "all smiles" after they won the championship.
What does it mean to be all smiles?
To look very cheerful or happy.
I remember in 3rd grade, I "burst into tears" when I saw that I had failed my Social Studies test. From that experience, I learned that I had to study if I wanted to do well in school.
What does it mean if someone "bursts into tears"?
To suddenly start to cry.
The baseball game was canceled because it was "raining cats and dogs"!
What does it mean if it's raining cats and dogs?
To rain excessively.
I didn't want to tell anyone I was moving, but my friend, "let the cat out of the bag," and the whole school knew by Monday.
What does it mean if someone lets the cat out of the bag?
To tell a secret.
I think my son is going to "throw a tantrum" when I tell him it's time to get off his iPad and get ready for bed.
What do you think "throw a tantrum means"?
To become very angry or unreasonable
It really goes "against the grain" to lie to people. I believe that most people tell the truth.
What does it mean to go against the grain?
Do the opposite of what other people do, or prefer.
My 18-year-old daughter is on her phone 24/7! She always seems to be texting her friends or watching videos.
What does it mean if you are doing something 24/7?
You are using or doing something all the time.
When my teacher called on me, I could not answer their question. I was too busy thinking about what I was going to eat for lunch. My teacher said, "you need to get your head out of the clouds and focus"!
What does it mean if your head is in the clouds?
You are not paying attention
I was excited to fly the new kite that I created at the park; however, after the kite immediately crashed and broke into several pieces, I thought to myself, "I guess it's back to the drawing board".
What does it mean to go back to the drawing board?
Sometimes I lose my head when my favorite team, the New York Mets, lose close games. Like last year... They were so close to making it to the World Series! Ughhhhh!
To lose control of your emotions.
I "lost my temper," when animals go into my garbage and scattered trash all over my lawn! What a hard way to start the day! Grrrr!
What does it mean to lose your temper?
To become very angry.
After showing up late for work for two straight weeks, the new employee was told that they were on thin ice, and that if they did not get to work on time, they could lose their job.
What does it mean if you are on thin ice?
Someone is in a bad situation where their behavior might lead to negative consequences.
When we went on the roller coaster, my friend started panicking and screaming at the top of his lungs. I said to me, "I understand you are nervous, but you need to get a grip! This is going to be fun!"
What does it mean if someone needs to get a grip?
This idioms means, to get control over your emotions.
After sleeping for 10 hours, I "felt like a million bucks."
What does it mean if someone feels like a million bucks?
To feel very good.
My friend is good at so many things. They can program computers, play the guitar, dominate in basketball, and even fix cars!
I guess you could say my friend is a "jack of all trades".
What does it mean if someone is a jack of all trades?
Someone who is good at many different things.
"Before becoming a teacher, I had a job at the calendar factory." she explained. "But I was fired, because I took a couple of days off!"
The class laughed, and everyone relaxed.
What does it mean to break the ice?
Do or say something to remove tension or make everyone feel more relaxed.
My friend finally got a lead role in a play! Before they went on stage, I told them, "break a leg" out there!
If you tell someone to break a leg, what are you saying?
Good luck!
What does it mean if their face lit up?
They suddenly became very happy.
When I put together my lawnmower, I decided to "cut corners". I didn't follow all the instructions, and I didn't tighten all of the screws. Unsurprisingly, it fell apart the first time I tried to use it!
What does it mean if someone cuts corners?
Do something quickly, without taking all of the steps, often incorrectly.
When I feel frustrated, sometimes I "blow off steam" by going for a nice long run. After I'm, done, I usually feel much more relaxed!
To do something to get rid of stress, anger, or emotions.
Mr. Farley only misses work "once in a blue moon". So if he is out of school, you know it is because of something important!
What does once in a blue moon mean?
I tried to prank my brother by telling him that he had won the lottery; however, I couldn't keep a straight face, and he immediately knew I was not telling the truth!
What does it mean if you can't keep a straight face?
After working a grueling 12 hour shift, the construction team decided to "call it a day," and went home.
What does it mean to call it a day?
To stop working
Sometimes I feel "down in the dumps" during the summer. I miss school and can't wait to start again in September! Then I will feel super happy again!
What does it mean if you are down in the dumps?
Feeling sad or upset.