Use this phrase in a sentence
"No way" & "There is no way"
There is no way you just saw a UFO because aliens aren't real!
I am fenced about whether I should buy a new car or not.
Incorrect: I am fenced
Correct: I am on the fence
“Break the ice”
"At the party, Sarah told a funny joke to break the ice, and soon everyone was chatting and laughing."
To ease tension, to ease the awkwardness, to initiate conversation.
Which idiom that we've learned today is your favorite?
To make up your mind!
"On the fence"
I'm on the fence about whether I should buy a new car or not.
I need to made up my mind.
Incorrect: I need to made up my mind
Correct: I need to make up my mind
“Hit the nail on the head”
When Mark said that we needed better communication to solve the problem, he really hit the nail on the head. That was exactly the issue!"
Which idiom that we learned today is your least favorite? Is there one that doesn't make any sense?
On the fence. What does a fence have to do with making a decision?
"To make up your mind"
You need to make up your mind soon.
I just finalized my decision to go to college, so I am still on the fence.
I just finalized my decision to go to college, so I am still on the fence.
If you have already made your decision, you are no longer on the fence or currently deciding.
“Let the cat out of the bag”
"Sally was planning a surprise party for Jim, but her little brother let the cat out of the bag when he mentioned it during dinner."
A surprise has been ruined, something that was meant to be kept a secret has now been revealed.
Create your own idiom. Be as silly and creative as you want!
"Chasing squirrels in a snowstorm"
Wasting time on something pointless or trying to achieve something that is impossible or impractical.
"To let someone down"
I let someone down by not helping them when they needed me.
She is still deciding whether or not to go to the party, so she has made up her mind.
She is still deciding whether or not to go to the party, so she has made up her mind.
If she is still deciding, she has NOT made up her mind yet, or she has NOT made a decision.
“The ball is in your court”
"We’ve given you all the information you need, so now the ball is in your court. It’s up to you to decide what happens next."
To wait for the other person to take action or make a move.
The idea of a "court" implies a game where each player has a turn, so it's clear that the responsibility has shifted to the other person.
What song did we listen to today? Why is it popular among English speakers?
The Rickroll is an Internet meme involving the unexpected appearance of the music video to the 1987 hit song "Never Gonna Give You Up" by Rick Astley.
"Give me a break."
Used when somebody wants somebody else to stop doing or saying something that is annoying.
Son: Mom, I can't go to school this morning, I feel sick.
Mom: Oh, give me a break! You were fine just a second ago.
I bought my mom shoes for her birthday, but they weren't the correct size. I let her down by not buying the correct size.
To let someone down ≠ a general disappointment
To let someone down = to fail someone, to break a promise
“Bite the bullet”
"After weeks of procrastination, Peter finally bit the bullet and started working on his project."
To complete something you don't want to complete, you must endure discomfort to accomplish it.
What new idiom has Mrs. Knutson been saying this entire class?
Hint: She said it every time she called on a student
"To pick on"
To pick on is typically used to mean you are not being nice to someone, you are bullying them.
It is also used as a joke, to tease someone in a friendly way.