Body Part Idioms: Explanation

Body Part Idioms

• Details

Name of Item	Idioms Are A Pain In The Neck
Activity Type	Vocabulary / Discussion
Student Level	Intermediate / Upper Intermediate
Time Allowance	15 - 25 minutes
Preparation Required	Preparing to explain various words / idioms if required
Other Items Needed	None
Vocabulary	flower arranger / world leaders / funeral / (plus the idioms themselves)
Grammar	Nothing special

• Instructions

Individually, or in small groups, the students should read the sentences and make guesses of the probable meanings of the phrases in bold letters. Impress upon them that any guess - even a wrong one is better than nothing at all.

When this has gone on as long as you think best, stop the proceedings and compare answers as a whole group. Where guesses differ wildly from the actual meanings, this should serve as a timely warning as to the treacherous nature of English idioms.

Some basic definitions follow, but don't take my word for it. If you don't agree, stick to what you think.

able to do accurate / detailed work with few mistakes
take an interest in things that do not concern you
help somebody with a difficult or long task
start having a certain ambition / dream for the future
not be upset / complain in a bad situation
agree with somebody
struggling to remember or think of something
be a nusiance / be an annoyance
make a gesture to indicate not knowing an answer (and possibly not caring)
cause other people to be surprised / shocked
be successful after a major problem / set-back
put a lot of energy into a job