Explain the Idioms
Run for cover
What is to 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.”
What is 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.
What is 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.
What is the 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.
What is the Caribbean Sea? The Caribbean Sea consists of more than 7,000 islands, and temperatures stay right around 81ºF (27ºC) year-round.
This singing duo is known for performing “The Beat Goes On” on their TV variety shows.
Who are Sonny and Cher? Their first TV show was The Sonny and Cher Comedy Hour. They also performed the song on The Carol Burnett Show and American Bandstand, among others.
Cry over spilled milk
What is to 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.
Who is Bob Hope? He entertained legions of troops for 40 years, starting with World War II and culminating with Desert Shield.
Robin Leach gave us a glimpse into the lives of these people on his TV show.
Who are the rich and famous? Before the Lifestyles of the Rich and Famous, Leach worked for the Daily Mail as the youngest editor when he was 18 years old. He launched his TV career on AM Los Angeles with Regis Philbin and Sarah Purcell.
This race took place from the 1950s to the 1970s between the United States and Russia.
What is 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.
What is the 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.
This state is still on our minds, thanks to Ray Charles.
What is Georgia? Charles’ rendition of “Georgia on My Mind” is considered the definitive version and is the state song of Georgia.
Born with a silver spoon in the mouth
What is to be born into a wealthy family? The idiom reflects the advantages of having money from birth.
This civilian organization advocates for American veterans.
What is the American Legion? It was founded after World War II by an Act of Congress. Many veterans belong to the organization.
An old-fashioned word for women’s hose that indicated the material used to make them, they were rationed during World War II.
What are nylons? Nylon and silk were both rationed. Back then, hose had a dark seem running up and down the back, so women drew that line on their painted legs, giving the look of hose.
In the 1970s, she was “king” of the tennis courts.
Who is Billie Jean King? She won 31 Grand Slam titles, including 20 Wimbledon titles. In 2009, she was awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom.
The Bering Strait separates Russia from North America and connects the Bering Sea to this body of water.
What is the Arctic Ocean? At their closest point, only 55 miles separate Russia and Alaska.
“Somewhere over the Rainbow” is forever etched in our minds as sung by this singer and actress when she was a young girl.
Who is Judy Garland? It is part of the soundtrack for The Wizard of Oz.
Gray matter
What is the brain? The brain is comprised of gray and white matter.
Her orchid-colored eyes are as legendary as she is.
Who 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. Taylor was married to a “legion” of men; she had eight marriages and seven husbands. (She married Richard Burton twice.)
These two actors play polar opposites in the 1970s sitcom The Odd Couple.
Who are 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.
On November 4, 1979, the American embassy in this city was overtaken.
What is 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 in the northern hemisphere touches more countries than any other sea.
What is the Mediterranean Sea? It washes up on the shores of more than 20 countries in Europe, Africa, and the Middle East.
The world said “Hello, Dolly” to this iconic actress when she originated the role of Dolly Gallagher Levi on Broadway in 1964.
Who is Carol Channing? Channing won the Tony Award for Best Actress in a Musical for her performance.
Bag and baggage
What is all a person’s belonging? 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.
An eight-letter word, beginning with F, for legends or tales that often have a moral and are handed down from generation to generation.
What is 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.
What are lion and human? The Great Sphinx has the head of a human on the body of a lion.
California’s Proposition 13 tax revolt was in response to these taxes.
What are 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.
This sea near the Arctic Ocean is known for its semiprecious amber.
What is the 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.
The love theme from the film Casablanca was written for the characters Rick and this woman.
Who is Ilsa? When Rick says, “Play it, Sam,” the love theme “As Time Goes By” is the song Sam plays on the piano.
Nepo baby
What is baby born to a famous person? Nepo is an abbreviated form of nepotism.
According to Greek legend, Artemis was the daughter of this mythological figure.
Who is Zeus? Artemis was the goddess of wild animals. Zeus was the supreme deity of ancient Greece.
This 20th-century pope had a rose named for him.
Who is Pope John Paul II? The rose is pure white, signifying his attire.
When it opened in 1942, the presidential getaway now known as Camp David was originally known as this.
What is Shangri-La? President Eisenhower changed the name to Camp David because he felt Shangri-La was a bit too fancy for what was then a rustic retreat.
Lying between Great Britain and Scandinavia, this sea is known for its busy shipping lanes and offshore oil rigs.
What is the North Sea? Its rough waters, strong currents, and unpredictable weather make it challenging to navigate.
This celebratory song was tied up in court with copyright issues until a U.S. federal judge ruled in 2015 that all copyright claims were invalid and the song is in the public domain.
What is “Happy Birthday to You”? The copyright covers only specific arrangements, leaving you free to sing “Happy Birthday” at private or public gatherings without worrying about copyright infringement.