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Idioms for Intermediate Level Students

Average: 3.9 (39 votes)
Wed, 02/15/2012 - 10:24 — Chris McCarthy

English is a language that is full of many colourful idioms that describe people and situations in a more interesting way than the typical vocabulary.

For example instead of saying "he's been doing this for a long time" you can say "He's an old hat at this". This is an especially great way of improving your writing.

Here are some more idioms and their meanings:

He gave me a hand with my homework = He helped me with my homework
Batman is a loner = Batman likes to be alone
My sister is a pain in the neck = My sister is very irritating
Bill Gates is a high flyer = Bill Gates is very successful and important
You took the words out of my mouth = You said exactly what I wanted to say
My sister is a drama queen = My sister always overreacts
I know English inside out = I know English extremely well
I haven't got a clue about engineering = I don't know anything about engineering
Don't be a cry baby = Don't complain so much
My new boss is wet behind the ears = My new boss is very inexperienced

Lesson by Sebastian E’Silva, EC Cape Town English School

Now finish the sentences using the correct idiom:

  • 1. I agree with what you said completely. You really ___.




  • 2. Every time my boss has a problem, even when it's really small, she gets far too upset. She's such a ___.




  • 3. One day I hope to be a ___ and make tons of money.




  • 4. I've been an accountant for 20 years now, so I ___.




  • 5. Can you please ___, I really need some help.




  • 6. My neighbour's dog is ___, it never stops barking.




  • 7. I’ve been an English student for many years, I ___.




  • 8. All she ever does is sit alone at home, she's quite ___.




  • 9. In high school I knew a lot about maths, but I ___ about geography.




  • 10. I hate my cousin sometimes, all he ever does is complain and argue about everything. What ___!