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Idioms and ClichesUse and Avoiding Use in

Formal Writing and Creative Writing

Literature 8 -- Mrs. Munnier

Literature 8 -- Mrs. Munnier 2

An IDIOM is a phrase that cannot be translated literally. For example, if you are told to “keep an eye out” for someone, we am not suggesting that you harm yourself; we are simply suggesting that you should be watchful for someone or something.

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A CLICHÉ is an over-used word or phrase, one whose meaning has been diluted by over-use. When you write formally, you should AVOID using cliches.

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Let’s focus first on IDIOMS. Number your paper from 1 to 18.

You will read each idiom and write the letter of the answer that best represents your choice.

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1. “Burning the midnight oil” is an idiom that means:

a. Staying up late to study;b. Ready or prepared; orc. Angry

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2. To “beat one’s brains out” is an idiom that means:

a. Angry;b. Getting information from an expert; orc. Work vigorously – very hard

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3. A “dirty look” is a idiom that involves:

a. A homeless person;b. An angry or displeased facial expression; orc. Something unclean.

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4. “To get away with” is an idiom that means:

a. To disappear;b. To go unpunished; orc. To travel somewhere with someone.

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5. “Vanish into thin air” is an idiom that means:

a. To stay up late studying;b. To disappear suddenly; orc. Cannot breathe.

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6. To be “all ears” is an idiom that means:

a. To listen attentively; b. To be careful; orc. To get ready.

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7. To “make no secret of” is an idiom that means:

a. To reveal or share openly;b. To listen attentively; orc. To give someone a chance.

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8. To “beat around the bush” is an idiom that means:

a. In a similar situation;b. Too many details; orc. To be indirect – not to say exactly what is on your mind.

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9. If we refer to someone as a “man of his word,” we are using an idiom that means:

a. A salesperson;b. Someone who keeps promises;c. Someone who tells a story.

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10. If we say we’re going to “check up” on something, we’re using an idiom that means:

a. To make sure;b. To investigate; orc. To be ready or prepared.

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11. If we say we’re “in the same boat” as someone or something, we’re using an idiom that means:

a. We want to be pals;b. We’re in a similar situation; orc. We happen to be a neighbor.

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12. If we say Charlie is in “over his head,” we’re using an idiom that means:

a. He is in a situation beyond his capacity;b. He is quite experienced; orc. He is a very important person.

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13. If we agree to “put our heads together” on something, we’re using an idiom that means:

a. We are going to share ideas;b. We can’t possibly understand, no matter how hard we try; orc. We just want to be friends.

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14. If Erin says she has to “face the music,” she is using an idiom that means that she must:

a. Meet with an expert;b. Face a difficult situation with courage; orc. Quit music lessons entirely.

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15. To “give the cold shoulder” is an idiom that means:

a. To be a loyal friend;b. To ignore or treat someone in an unfriendly way; orc. To help pay for something.

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16. To “give someone a piece of your mind” is an idiom that refers to:

a. Expressing an opinion in an honest and often angry manner;b. Sharing an anecdote; orc. Telling a lie.

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17. If you refer to someone as “two-faced” you are using an idiom that means:

a. Disloyal or untrustworthy;b. A twin; orc. Someone who constantly changes her mind.

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18. If you are determined to “catch someone’s eye,” you mean:

a. You think he’s attractive;b. You intend to get his attention; orc. You are furious with him.

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Back to cliches, those over-used words or phrases that we should AVOID in formal writing or formal speech…

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Turn your paper over. Put CLICHES at the top of that side of the paper. Number your paper from 1 to 10.

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Read each cliché and beside its number, briefly describe what that cliché means. If you do not have time to think your answer through, leave it blank and we will come back to it once we go through each cliché.

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1. Lauren “thinks she’s all that.”

What does this cliché mean?

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2. Mrs. Munnier’s “bark is worse than her bite.”

What does this cliché mean?

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3. We often accuse Grandma of being senile, but in reality, her mind is as “clear as a bell.”

Explain what this cliché means.

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4. There’s just nothing my husband can’t do. He is a regular “jack of all trades.”

What does this cliché mean?

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5. Jamie recognized me right away, but until I heard his voice, I “didn’t know him from Adam.”

Explain what this cliché means.

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6. If being lazy ever becomes an Olympic sport, Eddie will bring home the gold. He is such a “lounge lizard” – a real “couch potato.”

Explain what these cliches mean – they mean the same thing.

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7. Kris cried and cried when Bill broke up with her. Nancy told her not to be upset, that there are “plenty of fish in the sea.”

Explain what this cliché means.

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8. Amanda had to walk home from the dance in the storm. Her grandma laughed and said that she “looked like something the cat dragged in.”

What does Grandma’s cliché mean?

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9. Cricket had black hair, dark eyes, and olive skin when she was born – the “spitting image” of her dad.

Explain this cliché.

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10. We never see Jonathan without Andrea, or Andrea without Jonathan. They are “as thick as thieves.”

Explain this cliché.

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If you have a cliché or two that you have not had time to think through and explain, ask me to repeat that number, you jot down the cliché on your paper, and you may turn in your paper tomorrow at the beginning of the period. If you have finished, pass your paper to the front of the row now, please.