Explain the Idioms
Run for cover
seek shelter
If you’re outdoors during a thunderstorm, you should run for cover—inside, not under a tree.
Legions of people around the globe are fans of this TV show, which takes us “where no man has gone before.”
Star Trek
Fans today still dress in costume and wear Mr. Spock’s pointed ears to Trekkie gatherings and conventions in honor of the beloved show.
This long form of the word perp is used by law enforcement.
perpetrator
The perpetrator is the culprit, or the one who commits a crime.
This summary of the investigation into President John F. Kennedy’s assassination was made public in 1964.
Warren Report
President Lyndon Johnson and members of the Kennedy family privately disagreed with the findings of the report, as do many Americans today.
This sea is named after the Caribs, the Indigenous people who lived there when Europeans landed in the 15th century.
Caribbean Sea
The Caribbean Sea consists of more than 7,000 islands, and temperatures stay right around 81ºF (27ºC) year-round.
Cry over spilled milk
cry over past events that cannot be undone
Rather than dwelling on past events that didn’t turn out as expected, learn from mistakes, if applicable, and concentrate on the present and the future.
His USO Christmas shows for troops in war zones are legendary.
Bob Hope
He entertained legions of troops for 40 years, starting with World War II and culminating with Desert Shield.
An old-fashioned word for women’s hose that indicated the material used to make them, they were rationed during World War II.
nylons
Nylon and silk were both rationed.
This race took place from the 1950s to the 1970s between the United States and Russia.
the space race
The Cold War competition was fierce and led to advances that might not otherwise have occurred so quickly. The first launch was the Soviets’ artificial satellite, Sputnik.
Nine times saltier than the Mediterranean, this is the world’s saltiest sea.
Dead Sea
It’s so salty that it’s difficult to swim in. Don’t shave before dipping into it because irritated areas of the body are in for a serious sting.
Born with a silver spoon in the mouth
to be born into a wealthy family
The idiom reflects the advantages of having money from birth.
Her orchid-colored eyes are as legendary as she is.
Elizabeth Taylor
Taylor could change the color of her eyes by changing the color of her accessories and eye makeup. She also had a rare eye disease that contributed to her changing eye color.
These two actors play polar opposites in the 1970s sitcom The Odd Couple.
Tony Randall and Jack Klugman
Felix Unger (Randall) is a compulsive neat freak, and Oscar Madison (Klugman) is a slob who works as a sportswriter.
In the 1970s, she was “king” of the tennis courts.
Billie Jean King
She won 31 Grand Slam titles, including 20 Wimbledon titles. In 2009, she was awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom.
This sea in the northern hemisphere touches more countries than any other sea.
Mediterranean Sea
It washes up on the shores of more than 20 countries in Europe, Africa, and the Middle East.
Gray matter
the brain
The brain is comprised of gray and white matter.
An eight-letter word, beginning with F, for legends or tales that often have a moral and are handed down from generation to generation.
folklore
Many of the fairy tales you remember are still told to children today. Examples include “Little Red Riding Hood,” “The Boy Who Cried Wolf,” and “The Emperor’s New Clothes.”
The Great Sphinx at Giza, the site of the Egyptian pyramids, is a combination of these two beings.
lion and human
The Great Sphinx has the head of a human on the body of a lion.
On November 4, 1979, the American embassy in this city was overtaken.
Tehran, Iran
The occupants of the embassy were held hostage for 444 days until finally being released the day of President Ronald Reagan’s inauguration in 1981.
This sea near the Arctic Ocean is known for its semiprecious amber.
Baltic Sea
Its amber is also called Baltic gold. It comes from the resin of ancient trees that are now covered by the water of the Baltic Sea and is used for jewelry and interior design of palaces and other buildings.
Bag and baggage
all a person’s belongings
For example, “When I moved to take a new job, I left bag and baggage behind.” This is not to be confused with someone’s emotional baggage.
This civilian organization advocates for American veterans.
American Legion
It was founded after World War II by an Act of Congress. Many veterans belong to the organization.
This 20th-century pope had a rose named for him.
Pope John Paul II
The rose is pure white, signifying his attire.
California’s Proposition 13 tax revolt was in response to these taxes.
property (or house) taxes
Some local property taxes had risen around 300 percent. The proposition passed, making it more difficult for communities to raise those taxes.
Lying between Great Britain and Scandinavia, this sea is known for its busy shipping lanes and offshore oil rigs.
North Sea
Its rough waters, strong currents, and unpredictable weather make it challenging to navigate.