Why would someone say, Why would someone say, “It’s raining cats and “It’s raining cats and dogs.” dogs.” Its literal meaning Its literal meaning suggests that cats and suggests that cats and dogs are falling from the dogs are falling from the sky. We interpret it to sky. We interpret it to mean that it is raining mean that it is raining hard.hard.

IdiomsIdiomsIdioms are phrases which Idioms are phrases which people use in everyday people use in everyday language which do not language which do not make sense literally but make sense literally but we understand what they we understand what they mean mean

Other Examples:Other Examples: To stick your neck outTo stick your neck out is to say or do is to say or do

something that is bold and a bit dangerous. A something that is bold and a bit dangerous. A similar idiom that is used for slightly more similar idiom that is used for slightly more dangerous situations is to "go out on a limb." In dangerous situations is to "go out on a limb." In both idioms, the idea is that you put yourself in a both idioms, the idea is that you put yourself in a vulnerable position.vulnerable position.

To break the iceTo break the ice is to be the first one to say or is to be the first one to say or do something, with the expectation that others do something, with the expectation that others will then follow. Another idiom that means will then follow. Another idiom that means something similar is "get the ball rolling."something similar is "get the ball rolling."

To get long in the toothTo get long in the tooth means to means to get old. The expression was get old. The expression was originally used when referring to originally used when referring to horses since gums recede with age. horses since gums recede with age. So the longer the teeth a horse has, So the longer the teeth a horse has, the older it is said to be.the older it is said to be.

To have a chip on one's shoulderTo have a chip on one's shoulder is usually an expression to describe is usually an expression to describe a person who acts, as you say, a person who acts, as you say, rudely or aggressively, but also in a rudely or aggressively, but also in a manner that could be described as manner that could be described as "aggressively defensive." The person "aggressively defensive." The person seems always ready for a fight.seems always ready for a fight.

Food for thoughtFood for thoughtThese idioms are all about food. Can you These idioms are all about food. Can you explain what they really mean? explain what they really mean?

Taking two bits of Taking two bits of the cherrythe cherry

Selling like hot Selling like hot cakescakes

Playing gooseberryPlaying gooseberry Going bananasGoing bananas

Feel like a fish out of waterFeel like a fish out of waterBe like a fish out of waterBe like a fish out of water

Meaning:Feel uncomfortable because you are in an unfamiliar situation.

If you feel like a fish out of water, you feel awkward or uncomfortable because you are in an unusual or unfamiliar

situation.

Example:I don't like going to the big parties they have. I always feel like a

fish out of water there.

Todd is a country boy raised in a small town in Northumberland and was like a fish out of water when he visited bustling

London.

What does this mean What does this mean really?really?

And this?And this?

And what about this one?And what about this one?

Numbers upNumbers upLots of idioms are about numbers. See if you can fill in Lots of idioms are about numbers. See if you can fill in the missing numbers in these says. What do they mean?the missing numbers in these says. What do they mean?

Dressed up to the ______Dressed up to the ______

Talking ___ to the dozenTalking ___ to the dozen

One in a ______One in a ______

Playing ______ fiddlePlaying ______ fiddle

In _______ heavenIn _______ heaven

Animal CrackersAnimal Crackers

It’s raining ____ and dogs!It’s raining ____ and dogs!

I’ve got a ____ in my throatI’ve got a ____ in my throat

Those are just ______tearsThose are just ______tears

He’s taken the lion shareHe’s taken the lion share

I can smell a ___I can smell a ___

Let’s see, if you understand Let’s see, if you understand the peculiar meaning of the peculiar meaning of some common idioms!some common idioms!

So can you define So can you define ‘idiom’?‘idiom’?

Independent PracticeIndependent Practice

1. Choose 5 idioms and write 1. Choose 5 idioms and write 1 sentence using each idiom 1 sentence using each idiom correctly.correctly.

2. Choose 1 idiom and 2. Choose 1 idiom and illustrate it’s literal and illustrate it’s literal and figurative meaning. figurative meaning.