Body Idioms
The Berg family was very excited. They were going on a trip to Japan. Everyone was ready and they were waiting for the cab to take them to the airport. Mrs. Berg couldn't sit still because she was so excited and nervous. "I can't wait to get on the plane. I have butterflies in my stomach!"
Being very excited and nervous.
The carpenters worked on the Nelson's new garage for 2 days and had finished most of the work. During the night while they were asleep, a fire started and burned the garage to the ground. All of the work that had gone into the building went down the drain, and they would have to start all over.
Wasted or lost.
When Mrs. Landers entered the classroom, she was very upset. Some of the children were running around, some of them were squirting water out of the water fountain, and others were throwing paper airplanes. "Please stop horsing around."
Playing when you should be working.
Mike and his father went shopping for some football equipment. "Look at the price of these shoulder pads!" said Mike. "And, these knee pads are much too expensive. Even the helmets cost too much. Boy, these prices are really a rip-off. I can get everything cheaper at the first store we went to."
Not fair.
"Every student in this room needs to complete a special project," said Ms. Richards. "You will be creating a new city. This is a big task that will require a lot of work, so you may work in teams. I think that you will like working together because two heads are better than one."
Ideas from 2 people are often better than from one person.
The women worked hard to finish their magazine on time. They stayed up late many nights trying to write their articles and make sure everything would fit into the pages they had. Everyone completed her work on time except Sarah, who just ran out of steam at the end and could not finish her last assignment.
Become too tired and cannot finish.
Dan found out there was going to be a science fair at his school. He liked to make electrical circuits and do other kinds of experiments. Science was Dan's favorite subject, and his science teacher said, "Dan I think you should make something to enter the science fair because it is right up your alley."
Something you like to do.
Jerry and Tony were building a model railroad layout. Jerry was anxious to finish. He was always trying to put in a part before the layout was ready for it. Tony was getting angry because Jerry was making the work go slower. Every time Jerry went ahead, they had to stop and take it apart again. Finally, Tony said, "Jerry, you are making extra work for us by always trying to go ahead before we are ready. Please, don't jump the gun anymore."
Go ahead before you are ready.
Jill's teacher gave her students directions on what to do next. Jill just sat in her chair and did not move.
"Why aren't you working, Jill?" asked the teacher. "I told you want your work is for today."
"I know you did," said Jill, "but I can't remember what you said. I was listening, but it went in one ear and out the other!"
You do not remember what someone told you.
"Do you know how this thing works?" said Jim. "First you connect it here, then you put the end through that hole. After you turn on the switch, you plug this thing in there, and then you have power to run the other thing. Do you understand?"
"Oh sure!" said Bob. "That was clear as mud!"
You don't understand.
The orchestra leader was trying to zero in on what was wrong with the way the orchestra sounded. Was it the way the violins sounded? Did the drummer forget a note? Could the trumpet be off-key? Something was wrong, and she needed to know so that she could correct it.
Give your full attention to something.
Mr. Lee put a very difficult math problem on the blackboard. The children were stumped. Each child tried to work out the problem, but no one could get the right answer. After a few more minutes, Melissa raised her hand. "I think I solved the problem. Is the answer 7,692.5?"
"You hit the nail on the head!" said Mr. Lee.
You are exactly right.
"I like Jim Carter for Senator. I think he is honest and is doing a good job for poor people," said Mr. Tucker.
"I guess we see eye to eye," said Mr. Brown. "I like him, too. He has been a good Senator and has done many good things for our state. I am going to vote for him again."
Agreeing on something.
Mr. Stein's car was getting old. He had fixed it many times, and it was working all right, but things kept breaking and needed to be repaired. He had looked at new cars, but they were too expensive for him to buy. Mr. Stein decided to keep his old car and just run it into the ground before considering a new one.
Use something until it doesn't work anymore.
John can buy anything he wants. He never has to worry about money. Last week he bought a fancy car. Yesterday he bought a motor home. Tomorrow, he is leaving on a trip around the world. He really has money to burn!
Having a lot of money.
Aaron was in a minor car accident. He had a few small cuts which needed to be cleaned and bandaged at the hospital. While Aaron was waiting for the doctor to finish working on him, he thought about the accident and started to shake badly. "Get a hold of yourself," said the doctor. "You are not hurt badly, and your car can be fixed. I know it was scary, but you are going to be alright."
Calm down.
Louis, Fran, and Ann were having a banana split and watching people go by the ice cream store. Fran said, "Look at that fat woman crossing the street. She would look so much better if she lost about 400 pounds."
"You really put your foot in your mouth this time," said Louis. "That woman is Ann's sister!"
Say something that will hurt someone's feelings/something you should not have said.
"Next week I want to wash windows, wax the floors, clean all of my closets, wash curtains, polish the silverware..."
"Cool it, Mom. You don't have time for all of that in one week. Maybe you can do it slowly over 2-3 weeks.
Slow down.
Gary had a bad day. He was late getting up for school, there was no milk for his cereal, he missed the bus, and he forgot to bring his books to class. Gary was feeling very upset and was glad that it was finally lunchtime so he could relax. When he opened his locker to get his lunch, he yelled, "This is the last straw! I forgot my lunch!"
The last of many problems.
"What's eating you today?" asked Janice's brother. "You look very angry with everyone, and you have been very cold with me. I know something is wrong, but I don't know what it is."
What is bothering you?