Idioms
I'm tired. I'm going to hit the hay.
What do you think hit the hay means?
Go to bed/sleep
I walked outside and the air felt as cold as ice.
What does this simile help you understand about the air?
The air was extremely cold.
Sam walked into class with his head down. Anyone could tell that he was feeling blue.
What do you think the metaphor, he was feeling blue, means?
someone is feeling sad or upset
The story jumped off the page.
What do you think this example of personification means?
The story was exciting/really good.
I was about to perform my song on stage when my friend told me to break a leg.
What do you think break a leg means?
good luck
The two girls were like two peas in a pod.
What does this simile help you to understand about the girls.
The girls are best friends. The girls do everything together.
Bill is an early bird. He wakes up at 6 A.M. every day.
What do you think the metaphor, Bill is an early bird, means?
Someone who enjoys waking up early. Someone who wakes up early every day.
The stairs groaned as we walked on them.
What do you think this example of personification means?
The stairs was noisy/creaky/old.
Josh really wanted to play the video game, but his big brother, Andre, wouldn't give him a turn. "When can I play?" asked Josh. "When pigs fly," answered Andre. Then Andre just kept right on playing. He looked to be having barrels of fun. It felt like Andre was taunting him. Josh was about to call it a day, when their dad walked into the room. "Andre, you need to finish mowing the lawn this instant," Dad said. Andre left, and Josh finally got his turn. Josh wouldn't have to wait until pigs could fly after all.
What do you think when pigs fly means?
something that will never happen
Makayla woke up in the morning as hungry as a lion. It was Saturday, which meant that her dad would make pancakes, her favorite! She went into the kitchen, and sure enough, there was her dad, standing at the stove. "Do you want some milk?" he asked. "Yes, please," Makayla said. Her dad poured her a glass of liquid that was as green as grass. Makayla stared at it, speechless. "Three pancakes, coming up!" he said. A minute later, he gave her a plate with three giant green pancakes on it. What was going on? "Happy St. Patrick's Day!" her dad said, beaming.
Find a simile that mentions something you see outdoors.
Her dad poured her a glass of liquid that was as green as grass.
Hank Hound and Pam Poodle were on a date. "Your eyes are two twinkling stars gracing the night sky," said Hank. "Your fur is puffy clouds floating in the heavens." Blushing, Pam said, "You have such a way with words, Hankie. You're a regular book of poetry." The waiter set down their doggie bowls. Suddenly, Hank kneeled, a golden collar clutched in one paw and asked, "Will you be my doggie bride?" But before Pam could answer, a car drove past the restaurant. Hank rushed outside and chased down the street, barking, "Woof, woof, woof!"
Find a metaphor about a facial feature.
Your eyes are two twinkling stars gracing the night sky.
Vivian and her family were going on vacation. This would be Vivian's first time ever on an airplane. The night before, she was so excited she could hardly sleep. But on the way to the airport, they hit heavy traffic. Her dad stepped on the brake, and the car sighed as it came to a stop. "Oh, no!" Vivian shrieked. "Are we going to miss our plane?" Soon the cars began their march down the highway again. They made it to the airport in plenty of time. Vivian would soon be 30,000 feet in the air. She couldn't wait!
Find an example of personification related to the other cars on the highway.
Soon the cars began their march down the highway again.
Brother Pedro and Tomas were supposed to go fishing. Pedro got up at 6 A.M. When he checked, his brother was still fast asleep. Pedro shook Tomas awake. "Let me sleep," grumbled Tomas. So Pedro went back to his room feeling angry and bored. He was really bent out of shape. After a while, he picked up a book. He quickly became engrossed. Then, he heard thunder, and it began pouring rain. Tomas refusing to get out of bed turned out to be a blessing in disguise. Today, Pedro would enjoy his book. The brothers could go fishing tomorrow.
What do you think bent out of shape means?
upset about something
When Miguel woke up, the wind was blowing. "This weather is ideal," he said happily. Miguel loved windy days because then he could fly his kite at the open field near his house. Miguel loved his kite, which was as yellow as the sun. By the time he arrived at the field, the wind had died down. That made the kite fall to the ground. But soon the wind grew strong again. It lifted the kite higher and higher. The kite moved this way and that, like a dancer in the sky. Wow! Miguel loved flying his kite!
Find a simile about how something moves.
The kite moved this way and that, like a dancer in the sky.
One hot summer day, my family decided to escape the scorching temperatures and go to the beach. The ocean breeze was a giant fan that cooled us off in no time flat. For my little brother, Ty, the beach is a great big sandbox. He brought his pail and shovel and played for hours! My older sister loves the beach, too. She spent the whole time jumping over the waves as they rolled into the shore. As for me, the beach is my favorite library. I sat in a beach chair under our umbrella and read my favorite books all afternoon. It was the perfect summer day.
Find a metaphor that tells how Ty views the beach.
For my little brother, Ty, the beach is a great big sandbox.
Snorg was a shy young monster. At sunset, he peered out his window. The sun slipped below the horizon to sleep for the night. The moon gazed down. Soon, ghosts, zombies, and witches filled the sidewalk in front of his house! Suddenly, the doorbell screamed, "DING-DONG!" Snorg felt terrified. "It's Halloween," explained his monster mommy. "Tonight, the humans dress up like spooky creatures." Snorg whimpered, "What do I do?" His mother answered, "Just give them treats." Snorg opened the door. All evening, he handed out sweet treats. He even doled out goodies to some humans dressed up as monsters!
Find an example of personification related to the moon.
The moon gazed down.
LuAnn woke up feeling under the weather. She had a slight headache and a runny nose. So she stayed home from school. Her mother tucked her under her cozy covers and brought her a warm cup of tea. Soon LuAnn felt well again. She watched her favorite movie. She read a great book. After school, her older brother came home. "How was your day?" he asked. "Great," LuAnn blurted, then she caught herself. "It was not so good," she said. "I had to stay home sick." Her brother grinned. "Sounds like you had a rough day," he laughed. "I sure hope you get back on your feet soon."
What do you think under the weather means?
ill or sick
Same feels a chill in the air, and he starts to prepare for winter. Soon all the acorns will be gone, and the trees will be as bare as an empty cupboard. He gathers as many acorns as he can and buries them in spots around the forest. When winter comes, the air turns as icy as a freezer. But when Same goes to look for his acorns, he can't remember where he buried them. He sees his friend Sadies, who has an abundance of nuts, more than she can eat. She tells him she'd be happy to share, and so Sam has plenty to eat the whole winter long. Hooray for Sadie!
Find a simile about the landscape in winter.
Soon all the acorns will be gone, and the trees will be as bare as an empty cupboard.
Jorge forgot to study for the test. Luckily, when he arrived at class, there was a substitute teacher. The test has been postponed until the next day. During gym, Jorge played basketball. He missed an important late-game shot. But a player on the other team also missed. Then Jorge made the winning shot. He was king of the world! After school, Jorge missed the bus and had to walk home. He felt sad and stared at the ground. He saw a $10 bill lying there. When he got home, his mother asked, "How was your day?" Jorge answered, "It was a real roller coaster."
Find a metaphor related to Jorge's entire day.
It was a real roller coaster.
Zoey Powers was an actor. She took herself very seriously. today, Zoey tried out for a movie. To show off her skills, she made a serious face and a funny face. Then, she puckered up her lips to look romantic. "This is great stuff," said the movie director. "The camera loves you." By now, Zoey felt very confident. She decided to show off her dance moves. As she shimmied, she stepped on a banana peel and flipped up in the air. Lying on the ground, Zoey thought, "The camera may love me, but that banana peel hates me."
Find an example of personification related to a camera.
The camera loves you.