This is “straight from the horse’s This is “straight from the horse’s mouth”.mouth”.

A Study of IdiomsA Study of IdiomsLA.D.1.3.4.8.1

IndexIndex Definition of IdiomDefinition of Idiom Idiom examplesIdiom examples

– Straight from the horse’s mouthStraight from the horse’s mouth– Flash in the panFlash in the pan– Down to the wireDown to the wire– Show your true colorsShow your true colors– Face the musicFace the music

AssignmentAssignment Different websitesDifferent websites

You can begin the activity, leave it and return. To go to a specific You can begin the activity, leave it and return. To go to a specific section, simply click on the different index item.section, simply click on the different index item.To return to the index, after each slide you simply click on the horse’s To return to the index, after each slide you simply click on the horse’s picture.picture.

An idiom can be defined as…An idiom can be defined as…

A speech form or an expression of a given language that is peculiar to itself grammatically or cannot be understood from the individual meanings of its elements, as in keep tabs on.

What does that mean? Can you figure out what “Flash in the pan” means? No? Then it is an expression that cannot be understood from the meanings of its elements.

Straight from the horse’s mouthStraight from the horse’s mouth

Example: When asked how he learned that Example: When asked how he learned that Britney Spears and Justin Timberlake were getting Britney Spears and Justin Timberlake were getting married, the National Inquirer reporter said, married, the National Inquirer reporter said, “Straight from the horse’s mouth.”“Straight from the horse’s mouth.”

What do you think it means?What do you think it means?

Definition: Directly from the source.Definition: Directly from the source.

History: This is a boast of confidence from a History: This is a boast of confidence from a racetrack tipster, who says he gets his information racetrack tipster, who says he gets his information from the horses themselves—thereby assuring the from the horses themselves—thereby assuring the bettor that the info is the correct.bettor that the info is the correct.

Flash in the panFlash in the pan

Example: Some people thought that Creed would Example: Some people thought that Creed would be a “Flash in the pan” musically. Boy, were they be a “Flash in the pan” musically. Boy, were they wrong!wrong!

What do you think this means?What do you think this means?

Definition: Something that shows great promise, Definition: Something that shows great promise, then disappoints by being over too quickly.then disappoints by being over too quickly.

History: Flintlock muskets have small pans to History: Flintlock muskets have small pans to hold the gunpowder fuse. Sometimes the hold the gunpowder fuse. Sometimes the gunpowder in the pan would flare up without gunpowder in the pan would flare up without firing the gun. That would be a "flash in the pan". firing the gun. That would be a "flash in the pan". 

Down to the wireDown to the wire

Example: Example: When George Bush and Al Gore were When George Bush and Al Gore were running for reelection, the results were down to the running for reelection, the results were down to the

wire.wire.

What do you think it What do you think it means?means?Definition: Undecided until the end, at the last minute.Definition: Undecided until the end, at the last minute.

History: Refers to races where the winner is History: Refers to races where the winner is determined by whoever crosses the finish line first.  A determined by whoever crosses the finish line first.  A string is stretched across the finish to help the judges string is stretched across the finish to help the judges see clearly who crosses first in a close race.  That string see clearly who crosses first in a close race.  That string is called the wire or tape, the winner is the one who is called the wire or tape, the winner is the one who breaks the wire first. breaks the wire first. 

Show your true colorsShow your true colors

Beth showed her true colors when she revealed she secretly Beth showed her true colors when she revealed she secretly enjoyed country music.enjoyed country music.

What do you think it means?What do you think it means?

Definition: To reveal your true intentions, personality, or Definition: To reveal your true intentions, personality, or behaviorsbehaviors..

History: Early warships often carried flags from many nations on History: Early warships often carried flags from many nations on board in order to elude or deceive the enemy. The rules of civilized board in order to elude or deceive the enemy. The rules of civilized warfare called for all ships to hoist their true national ensigns before warfare called for all ships to hoist their true national ensigns before firing a shot. firing a shot. 

Someone who finally "shows his true colors" is acting like a warship Someone who finally "shows his true colors" is acting like a warship which hails another ship flying one flag, but then hoisted their own which hails another ship flying one flag, but then hoisted their own when they got in firing range. when they got in firing range. 

Face the musicFace the music

After she lied to her parents about her bad grades, After she lied to her parents about her bad grades, Kim had to face the music when they found a copy Kim had to face the music when they found a copy of her report card.of her report card.

What do you think it means?What do you think it means?

Definition: To accept the truth.Definition: To accept the truth.

History: Comes from the British military. When History: Comes from the British military. When someone was court marshaled, there would be a someone was court marshaled, there would be a military drum squad playing, hence face the music.military drum squad playing, hence face the music.

Your assignmentYour assignment

1. Search on the Internet and find a site 1. Search on the Internet and find a site with idioms that you understand and enjoy.with idioms that you understand and enjoy.

2. Research and find three idioms that you 2. Research and find three idioms that you have heard about.have heard about.

3. Write down the actual definition of this 3. Write down the actual definition of this idiom, an example of how the idiom can be idiom, an example of how the idiom can be used, and the history of the idiom.used, and the history of the idiom.

4. Use each idiom in a new sentence. 4. Use each idiom in a new sentence. 5. Share idioms with students.5. Share idioms with students.

Extra, Extra, Read All About It!

Extra, Extra Read All About ItExtra, Extra Read All About It

Can you think of any new idioms that are Can you think of any new idioms that are new to our history?new to our history?

Example, “Boy, he went postal yesterday in Example, “Boy, he went postal yesterday in Mrs. Capes’ classroom.” Mrs. Capes’ classroom.”

Likely definition: Going crazy.Likely definition: Going crazy. Likely history: When so many mail carriers Likely history: When so many mail carriers

were going crazy on the job, people began were going crazy on the job, people began to say they were going “postal”.to say they were going “postal”.

Website examples

Different websites you can use.Different websites you can use.

http://www.http://www.etanewsletteretanewsletter.com/idioms..com/idioms.shtmlshtml http://members.aol.com/MorelandC/HaveOrhttp://members.aol.com/MorelandC/HaveOr

igins.htmigins.htm http://members.tripod.com/http://members.tripod.com/

~towerofenglish/idioms.html~towerofenglish/idioms.html

What’s next?

Let’s Share!Let’s Share!

Read each one of your idioms, give us a Read each one of your idioms, give us a chance to figure out what it means, then chance to figure out what it means, then share the definition, history and example.share the definition, history and example.

Are we done yet?

You’re All Done!You’re All Done!