Língua Inglesa Independente Unidade IV

Prévia do material em texto

Língua Inglesa V
Material Teórico
Responsável pelo Conteúdo:
Profa. Ms. Silvana Nogueira da Rocha
Revisão Textual:
Profa. Ms. Sandra Regina F. Moreira
Idioms
5
• Idioms - Concept
 · To study deeply the subjects related to cultural and colloquial aspects of the English 
language, highlighting its daily peculiarities, and emphasizing the main differences 
between the mother and the target language.
In order to have a good performance at the topic studied, it is important to follow the 
next steps: read all the theoretical contents presented in the unit, pay a lot of attention to the 
examples given, do all the exercises that are suggested in the systematization and reflection 
activities, also read the extra material very carefully. All this will help you to improve and 
enrich your knowledge about English. There are also some additional exercises with key 
answers for you to practice! By doing them you may check your progress day after day and 
see you have been learning a lot of things lately!
Idioms
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Unidade: Idioms
Contextualização
Let’s analyze the following image:
Fonte: iStock / Getty Images
It shows us a person falling off a horse, right? But we also know that “cair do cavalo” in 
Portuguese may have another meaning, which is something like “dar-se mal” (“to end badly”). 
So, when an expression is used to mean a thing different from the words that compound it, 
we are dealing with “idioms” or “idiomatic expressions”. 
This is a very peculiar and interesting topic when studying a second language because it says 
much about a country, its population and life style. However, for beginners, it may represent a 
real “challenge”, for the intention is always trying to translate the expression literally in order 
to get a meaningful idea of it, but unfortunately, this is not the right way. We will see that most 
of the times, it is not possible to do it. 
And more! People of all languages often make use of idioms to mean a series of situations 
(much more than we think!) and, as they are part of their culture, it is necessary to get familiarized 
with them when we start learning a second language, otherwise we won’t understand well the 
“real” language of a country. 
Are your ready to start this fantastic adventure? 
7
Idioms - Concept
If you read carefully the notice above, you´ve realized that most of it can´t be translated 
literally to be understood.
This happens because the text is written making use of a great deal of idiomatic expressions. 
“Fly off the handle”, “run down the boss”, “knife friends in the back”, “dodge responsibilities”, 
and “push someone’s luck” cannot be understood if we translate the words separately. 
Idioms, also known as idiomatic expressions, are words or expressions that have a figurative 
meaning and that are understood by the native speakers of a language.
Have you ever heard the expressions in Portuguese “bater com as botas”, “bater com as 
dez”, “vestir o pijama de madeira”? Of course you have! They all are idiomatic expressions 
and mean “morrer”. There are many of them! We could spend hours and hours listing some 
idioms here. 
When studying the idiomatic expressions of a language, it is fundamental not to translate 
them literally (word by word) because they are intrinsically linked to cultural aspects. So, what 
makes sense to us may not do to others and vice versa.
According to Leaney (2005), there is an estimate that the English language has, at least, 
25 thousand idioms. Fabulous, isn’t it?
The idioms may be considered a very delicate and complex topic in the learning of a second 
language, for it is necessary a wide experience and a high level of understanding in order to 
extract their correct meaning.
In Linguistics, the idioms are normally called “figures of language”.
In Phraseology, they are defined as something whose meaning is not the mere regular sum 
of the meanings of their compounds, for the words develop a specific meaning as a whole. 
Example:
Idiomatic expression:
To beat around the bush = speak or argue not directly
In Portuguese, we say: “falar com rodeios”, “não ir direto ao ponto”, and not literally “someone 
beating in a bush” (“alguém batendo em um arbusto”), as their words may suggest.
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When a speaker makes use of an idiomatic expression, the listener may not understand its 
real (or true) meaning if he/she has not gotten in touch with it yet.
The idiomatic expressions usually do not have a good translation. In some cases, when an 
idiomatic expression is translated into another language, it is possible to notice a change of 
meaning, or even the total absence of meaning.
So, as it is a very complex and interesting subject, we are going to study some of the most 
known idiomatic expressions in English, trying to put them in a context in order to understand 
exactly their meaning and in which situation(s) it is possible to make use of them. All of 
them bring pictures in order to make easier their understanding. The examples given are 
also contextualized and their meanings in our language are present to ensure you will have a 
complete definition and right use of them. 
Do not forget! The study of idioms is a hard task, but it is fantastic! So, do not be frustrated when 
you come across an idiom and you do not know its meaning. It takes time and a lot of patience. 
Important!
Do not be satisfied in memorizing only the expressions brought here for your studies.
You must enrich your studies by looking for others in books and extra readings. It is 
fundamental to enlarge your vocabulary and upgrade your level of English day after day. 
So, do not forget! When studying idioms, do not translate the words separately!
Take a look at some of them. They are listed in alphabetical order.
A
Fonte: iStock / Getty Images
A bad hair day
It refers to a day in which everything goes wrong. It is a very 
popular expression in informal contexts. 
I was already having a really bad hair day and then I missed the bus home.
(Eu já estava tendo um dia péssimo e ainda perdi meu ônibus para 
casa)
Fonte: iStock / Getty Images
A blot on the landscape
It refers to something very ugly and unpleasant that spoils the appearance 
or the scenery of what is around. In Portuguese, it is common to say 
“patinho feio” to illustrate this situation. 
This would be a very pretty area of town if it were not for that new block of 
flats; it’s a real blot on the landscape. 
(Esta seria uma área muito bonita da cidade se não fosse aquele novo 
quarteirão de apartamentos; é um verdadeiro patinho feio) 
9
Fonte: iStock / Getty Images
A shoulder to cry on
It is a person who patiently listens to someone else’s problem. There 
is another possibility here, using another idiom: “a sympathetic ear” 
(um ouvido solidário). In Portuguese, people normally say: “um ombro 
amigo”. 
This expression is easily understood because its literal translation is not so 
strange to our ears, once the words mean “um ombro sobre o qual se 
chora”. Therefore, it is possible to take some conclusions by hearing it.
I’m all right now; I just needed a shoulder to cry on when I first heard I’d lost 
my job
(Estou bem agora; apenas precisava de um ombro amigo quando ouvi 
que perderia meu emprego)
Fonte: iStock / Getty Images
Add fuel to the flame
When somebody does something that worsens a situation that is already 
bad. Sometimes we can find a variation for this expression: “add fuel to 
the fire”, which means the same. In Portuguese, we’ve got an equivalent 
expression: “botar lenha na fogueira”. 
Sarah had had a bitter quarrel and Rob’s late arrival added fuel to the flames
(Sarah tinha tido uma briga feia e Rob ter chegado atrasado só piorou 
a situação)
Fonte: iStock / Getty Images
At the cutting edgeIt refers to something extremely modern. Another possibility here is the 
expression “state-of-the-art”. 
The equipment in the factory is at the cutting edge of technology. 
(O equipamento na fábrica é de última geração)
B
Fonte: iStock / Getty Images
Burn the midnight oil
In a situation when somebody stays awake until late studying or working. 
The expression has its origin at the time when there was no electricity, 
and people needed to light up the gas lamps. In a literal translation we 
have “queimar o óleo da meia-noite”. 
Mary has been burning the midnight oil all week writing her annual sales 
report; she never gets time to work on it in the office. 
(Mary tem ficado acordada até tarde escrevendo seu relatório anual 
de vendas; ela nunca tem tempo para trabalhar nisso no escritório)
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C
Fonte: iStock / Getty Images
Carry the can
It is the same as “to be blamed for something, being or not the guilty”. 
The expression is used in informal contexts. In Portuguese, we say: 
“levar a culpa”, and in a literal translation of the expression, we have 
“carregar a lata”. It can be replaced by “to get the blame” or “to take 
the blame”. 
It was actually the manager of the department who made the mistake, but it was 
his assistant who was made to carry the can when the customer complained.
(Foi, na verdade, o gerente do departamento que errou, mas foi o seu 
assistente que levou a culpa quando o cliente reclamou)
Fonte: iStock / Getty Images
Chalk and cheese
The expression refers to things that are completely different. It is used in a wide variety 
of situations in order to emphasize the difference, normally, observed among people.
The words translated into Portuguese mean “giz e queijo”, which give us an idea of 
how different these two things are! 
Beth and Grace have been best friends since their schooldays and yet they’re 
chalk and cheese.
(Beth e Grace são amigas desde os tempos de escola e, contudo, são 
completamente diferentes uma da outra)
F
Fonte: iStock / Getty Images
Face the music
It is used to mean that someone accepts the responsibilities for having 
done something disapproving and is ready to face the consequences of 
that, whether they are punishments or accusations. In a literal translation, 
it means “encarar a música”, “encarar a orquestra”, for it refers to a 
singer facing the big orchestra while singing in a concert or opera. There 
is, however, another possible explanation about its origin. It may also be 
related to a very ancient military practice when the tambourines used to 
be played announcing that a soldier was dismissed from Army, showing 
the punishment received. In Portuguese, the expression is equivalent to 
“arcar com as consequências”.
Tom was caught playing truant by the principal and is now going to have to 
face the music.
(Tom foi pego cabulando aula pelo diretor da escola, e agora vai ter que 
arcar com as consequências)
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Fonte: iStock / Getty Images
Few and far between
It is used to refer to something that doesn’t happen very often. That’s why the picture 
of a solar eclipse
Tom claims to be religious, but his visits to church are few and far between. 
(Tom se diz religioso, mas suas visitas à igreja são raríssimas)
Fonte: iStock / Getty Images
From the cradle to the grave
It means “all your life”, “throughout your lifetime”. Literally, the meaning is “do berço 
até a sepultura”, for it refers to the moment when you are born until the time you 
are buried
When the welfare state was introduced in Britain, it was thought that the state 
would take care of people from the cradle to the grave. 
(Quando o seguro social foi introduzido na Grã-Bretanha, pensava-se que o 
estado tomaria conta das pessoas durante toda a sua vida) 
G
Fonte: iStock / Getty Images
Gobsmacked
This very common and colloquial expression is used as an adjective to mean “extremely 
surprised”. It is used in very informal contexts and it is considered some kind of slang. 
There are other words that have the same meaning, such as: “flabbergasted” and 
“astounded” 
We were all gobsmacked when Lucy failed the exams; all the teachers said she 
was brilliant. 
(Nós todos ficamos boquiabertos quando Lucy reprovou nas provas; todos 
os professores diziam que ela era brilhante)
J
Fonte: iStock / Getty Images
Jump the gun
An expression used to refer to an act that happens hastily or before the expected 
moment. It is used in very informal contexts and its origin comes from the expression 
“queimar a largada”, which is very popular in races, when someone starts running 
before the starting gun is done
Carol jumped the gun by moving her belongings into the flat before the others 
had all agreed that she could live there for a while. 
(Carol agiu precipitadamente ao mudar suas coisas para o 
apartamento, antes, ao menos, que os outros tivessem concordado de 
que ela podia morar lá por um tempo) 
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L
Fonte: iStock / Getty Images
Leave no stone unturned
An expression used to emphasize how thorough an investigation or search is. In 
Portuguese, we say: “não deixar pedra sobre pedra”. In this case, the translation 
word by word is not so weird! It can also be replaced by “explore every avenue” 
(“explorar todas as avenidas”), which mean that nobody will measure efforts to find 
out something. 
The police said that they would leave no stone unturned in their search for the 
missing children
(A polícia disse que não mediria esforços na busca para achar as crianças 
desaparecidas)
Fonte: iStock / Getty Images
Leave someone high and dry
It is used to mean that somebody is left in a very difficult situation (with no kind of 
help).
Dad was meant to pick me up at the station, but he forgot and I was left high 
and dry.
(Era para o pai me buscar na estação, mas ele se esqueceu e eu fiquei sem 
nenhuma ajuda)
Fonte: iStock / Getty Images
Let your hair down
An expression used to refer to a very relaxing way of behaving or having fun. 
Mr. Miles always seems so stiff and proper in the office, but he really let his 
hair down at the Christmas party
(O senhor Miles parece tão rígido e correto no escritório, mas ele relaxou 
e se divertiu muito na festa de Natal)
Fonte: iStock / Getty Images
Life is a bowl of cherries
Expression used to show that life is full of good and pleasant things. It is often used in 
negative or ironic sentences, such as “Life is not a bowl of cherries”. Literally it means 
“A vida é / não é uma tigela de cerejas”. In Portuguese, we say “A vida é / não é 
um mar de rosas”.
Life was not a bowl of cherries when I was attending university lectures all 
day and working as a waitress until late every evening
(A vida não era um mar de rosas quando frequentava palestras na 
universidade o dia todo e trabalhava como garçonete até tarde todas as noites)
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N
Fonte: iStock / Getty Images
No picnic
An expression used to emphasize how difficult something is, or how much effort is 
necessary to do something. It explains that the situation may bring certain difficulties 
and, therefore, it is not “any picnic”, in case of a literal translation 
Driving on these narrow mountain roads is no picnic. 
(Dirigir nessas estradas montanhosas estreitas é bastante difícil)
O
Fonte: iStock / Getty Images
Out of the blue
Expression used to refer to something that happens without being expected. It can 
be replaced by other words or expressions, which cause the same effect, such as: 
“all of a sudden”, “without warning”, “unexpectedly”. In Portuguese, they mean, 
respectively: “de repente”, “sem aviso”, “inesperadamente”.
The news that the factory was closing came out of the blue and all the 
workers were devastated.
(A notícia de que a fábrica estava fechando chegou inesperadamentee 
todos os funcionários ficaram arrasados)
P
Fonte: iStock / Getty Images
Pie in the sky
Expression used to refer to something or promise that will never happen or be 
successful. Originally, it is an American expression, but it is widely used in the British 
English in informal contexts. The expression “pie in the sky” (“torta no céu”) is a 
quotation of the song “The preacher and the slave” (“O pregador e o escravo”), 
sung by an organization known as “the workers of the world” (“os trabalhadores do 
mundo”), who claimed for reasonable wages and better conditions of work.
Here follows the song: “You will eat by and by in the glorious land above the sky. 
Work and pray. Live on hay. You’ll get pie in the sky when you die.” 
Jean’s father talked of one day owning a whole chain of restaurants, but it was 
just pie in the sky; when he died all he owned was the local fish-and-chips shop
(O pai de Jean falava sobre possuir uma rede completa de restaurantes, 
mas era tudo papo furado; quando ele morreu, tudo que ele 
possuía era a lojinha de peixe e batatas fritas) 
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Unidade: Idioms
Fonte: Thinkstock / Getty Images
Pull yourself together
It is the same as “to regain the self-control”. It is normally used in an Imperative 
Mood because the intention is to show to people who are depressed or deeply sad 
because of something that happened that they need to regain their energy and joy. 
After all, life is beautiful!
I’m sorry that Ron has left you, but for goodness’ sake stop weeping and pull 
yourself together! 
(Sinto muito que Ron tenha te largado, mas, pelo amor de Deus, pare de 
choramingar e se recomponha!) 
Fonte: iStock / Getty Images
Put money where your mouth is
Expression used in a situation in which it is necessary to give practical support 
(specifically “money”) instead of only speaking. It means that actions are worth 
more than words.
The rich man has said frequently how much he sympathizes with homeless 
people, but he refused to donate money towards building a hostel for the 
homeless; he should put money where your mouth is.
(O homem rico tem dito frequentemente o quanto simpatiza com os 
desabrigados, mas ele se recusou a doar dinheiro para a construção de 
um albergue; ele deveria dar apoio financeiro em vez de falar) 
Fonte: iStock / Getty Images
Put something on the back burner
Expression that refers to postponing something because there are many other things 
considered to be much more important to be accomplished. In a literal translation, 
it means “colocar algo no acendedor traseiro do fogão”, for the back burners are 
normally less powerful and food takes much more time to be cooked. There are, 
however, other options to mean the same, such as the verbs “postpone”, “put off”, 
and “shelve”.
We are putting our holiday plans on the back burner because my husband is 
waiting to go into hospital for an operation. 
(Estamos adiando nossos planos de férias porque meu marido está 
esperando para dar entrada no hospital para uma cirurgia)
S
Fonte: iStock / Getty Images
Sell like hot cakes
Literally it means “vender como bolos quentes”. In Portuguese, we say: “vender 
como água” when we mean that something is “sold in great quantities and very fast”, 
such as tickets for some famous concert, for instance. 
The college ball is next week and dance dresses are selling like hot cakes in the 
town shops. 
(O baile da faculdade é semana que vem e os vestidos de festa estão 
vendendo como água nas lojas da cidade)
15
Fonte: iStock / Getty Images
Separate the sheep from the goats
The expression is used when it is necessary to know how to distinguish good or 
intelligent people in a group formed by bad or incompetent ones. Literally, it means 
“separar as ovelhas das cabras”. In Portuguese, we say: “separar o joio do trigo”. 
All the applicants for the post have to fill in an application form which, according to 
the human resource manager, will separate the sheep from the goats
(Todos os candidatos ao posto têm que preencher uma ficha que, segundo 
o gerente de recursos humanos, vai separar o joio do trigo)
Fonte: iStock / Getty Images
So far, so good
It implies that the whole process of an activity has been good and positive until the 
present moment, although it can suggest that there is still much to be done. We can 
translate it into Portuguese as: “até agora, tudo bem”.
This narrow mountain road is difficult to drive on, but so far, so good; we’ve 
reached halfway. 
(É difícil de dirigir nessa estreita estrada, mas até agora, tudo bem; nós 
já alcançamos metade do caminho)
T
Fonte: iStock / Getty Images
Teething problems
It is used to refer to the problems we face in unusual situations when we don’t have 
much experience to deal with something. Literally it means to the painful teething 
problems that babies suffer at this stage of life.
We had some teething problems with the central heating system when we 
moved into our new house, but it was soon put right. 
(Nós tivemos alguns problemas iniciais com o sistema de aquecimento 
central quando nos mudamos para a nossa nova casa, mas logo foi 
resolvido)
Fonte: iStock / Getty Images
To hear something on the grapevine
Expression used to refer when we know something in an informal way; something 
that is transmitted from one person to another instead of being taking from an official 
source. In Portuguese, we say: “Um passarinho me contou”. 
As you can see, the translation is almost never done word by word! Otherwise, 
we won’t find any sense. If we translate the words of the expression, we will have 
something like: “Escutar alguma coisa na plantação de uva”. It sounds rather 
strange to our culture, doesn’t it? However, it is necessary to mention that this makes 
sense to their culture anyway! All expressions have a reason to be the way they are!
The students heard about the closing of the college on the grapevine, long before 
they were told officially by the college authorities.
(Os alunos ouviram de fontes não oficiais sobre o fechamento da 
faculdade bem antes de serem avisados pelas autoridades da faculdade)
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Unidade: Idioms
This expression is so popular that it is possible to find it in the lyrics of some songs in 
English. Check it out the song “I heard it through the grapevine”, by Marvin Gaye. What you 
do not understand about the lyrics, make use of a good dictionary or look for its translation in 
the internet to help you. 
Text 1 – Lyrics: I heard it through the grapevine (Marvin Gaye)
Ooh, I bet you’re wondering how I knew
‘bout you’re plans to make me blue
with some other guy that you knew before.
Between the two of us guys
you know I love you more.
It took me by surprise I must say
when I found out yesterday
Don’t you know that...
[Chorus]
I heard it through the grapevine
not much longer would you be mine.
Oh I heard it through the grapevine
Oh and I’m just about to lose my mind.
Honey, honey, yeah.
I know that a man ain’t supposed to cry
but these tears I can’t hold inside.
Losin’ you would end my life you see
cause you mean that much to me.
You could have told me yourself
that you love someone else.
Instead...
[Chorus]
People say believe half of what you see
son, and none of what you hear.
I can’t help bein’ confused
if it’s true please tell me dear?
Do you plan to let me go
for the other guy you loved before?
Don’t you know...
[Chorus]
http://www.azlyrics.com/lyrics/marvingaye/ihearditthroughthegrapevine.html
Fonte: iStock / Getty Images
Turn a deaf ear
It means “ignore” or “not pay attention to something or someone”. Literally, in 
Portuguese, we have “ligar o ouvido de surdo”, but we really don’t use these 
words to mean it. 
The authorities turned a deaf ear to those who were protesting in favor of 
human rights.
(As autoridades ignoraram aquelesque estavam protestando em favor 
dos direitos humanos) 
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W
Fonte: iStock / Getty Images
With all the trimmings
Expression used in a situation in which there are all the extra things that are traditionally 
associated with it. In Portuguese, we say: “tudo a que se tem de direito”. 
I’m going to forget about my diet and have Christmas supper with all the trimmings
(Vou esquecer minha dieta e ter minha ceia de Natal com tudo que 
tenho direito)
Well, there are much more expressions to be shown, but it is impossible to write all of them 
here. As you could see, they are a very complex and thorough subject of a culture. We know 
that studying idioms demands much time, effort, patience and experience. However, they are 
fascinating, aren’t they? We can open our minds to differences and prove these differences 
only enrich our knowledge. We study the language and the culture of a nation, and this is great!
Check some more examples to enrich your vocabulary studying by yourself and reading the 
tips and more information available in the Extra Material (“Material Complementar”).
Do not forget: idioms are present in every language and in every culture. Even in ours, 
aren’t they?
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Material Complementar
As it was mentioned before, idioms are a very rich topic in every language. So, it is necessary 
to read exhaustively to get in touch with them and understand their meanings and appropriate use.
Here is an extra list for you to enjoy! They are all in alphabetical order. After reading the 
expressions listed below, you’ll find another list of expressions (not studied so far) for you to 
discover their meanings. Make use of a good dictionary or even search for them in the internet. 
Then compare your answers to our answer key. It will be nice and funny! 
There are also some books and articles suggested for you to research and read in order to 
enrich more and more your knowledge about this incredible topic. 
A
A big hand = a loud and enthuasiastic applause
Last night, Fiona was given a big hand at the end of her wonderful performance. Fiona was 
overjoyed, of course! The newspapers say that Fiona performed very well and received a big 
hand for her role in the play.
A lame duck = helpless, powerless
Meaning “helpless”:
Shirley is such a lame duck. She can’t do anything without being supervised. 
Meaning “powerless”: 
Harry’s term of office ends next year. Meanwhile, he’s a lame duck president and none of his 
plans stands a chance of being acted up. 
A peeping Tom = a curious person
The neighbors are convinced that we have a peeping Tom in the area
A rainy day = to live financial difficulties
Bill says that he’ll just have to hope that he never encounters a rainy day because he earns just 
enough to live on and has no savings. 
A walking encyclopedia = have a wide range of information about many subjects
“By the time I finish college, I suspect I will be a walking encyclopedia”, Melissa said as she 
returned to her studies.
A whipping boy = scapegoat (someone who takes the blame in the place of another person)
Jenny has yet another new assistant; they never stay very long because she uses them as 
whipping boys for the many mistakes which she makes herself.
Alguém que é punido de alguma maneira pelos erros de outra pessoa. Uma alternativa para 
essa expressão é “scapegoat”, que se aproxima mais da nossa expressão “bode expiatório”. A 
origem da expressão vem do costume de castigar um garoto que era educado juntamente com um 
príncipe, mas que levava sempre a culpa pelos erros cometidos pelo príncipe, uma vez que não 
era permitido que ninguém batesse em um membro da família real. 
19
All keyed up = be nervous, tense or excited
Teddy has had a terrible day. It began when he overslept and was late getting to school. Then 
it rained and he got all wet coming home from school. Not only that, he forgot to study for a 
history quiz! “Now you know why I returned home all keyed up,” he explained
All thumbs = clumsy and awkward
Anne: Hey, Bea. Can you help me out? I don’t seem to be able to button up the back of my 
dress.
Bea: Sure. Let’s see if I can do it for you.
Anne: I guess I’m all thumbs because I’m so nervous. I’m already late for my date.
Answer the call of nature = go to the bathroom
Teddy was on a walk in the forest when suddenly -- and without warning -- he had to answer 
the call of nature. “I really must obey the call of nature.” he whispered. Fortunately for Teddy, 
there was a WC nearby. 
At each other’s throats = quarrel, discuss, fight
Ian and Alfonso have never gotten along together. As long as I can remember they’ve been at 
each other’s throats. 
B
Be on the safe side = take extra precautions to reduce or eliminate the possibility of a mistake, an error 
or even danger
To be on the safe side Felix always makes certain his valuables are kept in a secure place
Bend over backwards = try very hard to help someone
When Joan first started teaching she was afraid that she would have a lot of trouble getting 
used to the kids and to the faculty. Her fears turned out to be unfounded, since everybody bent 
over backwards to help her
Bite the dust = go down in defeat
Andy did exceptionally well in all of the track events, but he bit the dust in the high jump competition. 
Break the ice = do something friendly to overcome shyness or to ease tension
Our Eskimo in the illustration doesn’t seem to understand that to break the ice doesn’t mean to 
knock someone’s house down. It means to do something friendly in order to overcome shyness or to 
ease tension in a social situation.
Brush up on = refresh one’s knowledge
Professor Oxbridge has been invited to give a talk on the history of his school. He hasn’t read 
anything about it for so long that he’ll have to brush up on it. 
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Unidade: Idioms
C
Call it a day = stop doing something
“Let’s call it a day and go home,” Teddy said. Because the person he’s addressing doesn’t 
understand the expression, it’s up to me to explain that when we call it a day, we stop 
whatever we are doing, regardless of the time. 
Cat got your tongue? = keep quiet
George: Come on, Connie! Tell us what you think about our little ride down the rapids 
yesterday.
Connie: Well, uh...
George: Wasn’t it exciting?
Connie: I, uh...
George: What’s the matter? Cat got your tongue?
Catch-22 = unreasonable and unfair, with no chance of winning or succeeding 
If I study medicine, I’ll be unhappy. If I study art, my parents will be unhappy. I’m in a 
catch-22 situation.
Chew the fat = have a casual or nice talk 
After a hard day Nancy and her friend like nothing better than sit around a nice warm fire 
chewing the fat.
Child’s play = too easy to do or perform 
Jaime truly enjoys his new job. It’s so easy that he has been able to make child’s play of it. 
Come clean = confess or reveal all the facts, especially after telling lies or hiding the truth
“We have ways to make you talk,” Officer Mutt grinned. “If you don’t tell us the truth, I will 
find a way to make you come clean.” Officer Mutt’s dog ground his teeth together and agreed. 
Cost an arm and a leg = very expensive
It cost me an arm and a leg to get my car repaired.
Cough up = give something to someone with a lot of difficulty
Bob: Say, Greg. Did you finally get that computer that you wanted so much?
Greg: Not yet. I needed to raise a couple of hundred dollars more.
Bob: Is it going to take you a while to raise the money?
Greg: It would have taken me forever, but dad said he’d cough up the money I need 
since I’m going to be using the computer for my school work.
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D
Daylight robbery = a very high price
One day Malcolm went shopping. He was so shocked at the cost of things that he got angry. 
“These prices are absurd!” he shouted. “It’s daylight robbery to chargesuch prices!” 
Deliver the goods = have the expected or hoped results
Meaning “hoped results”:
Now that I’ve had my car repaired, it’s running fine and delivering the goods.
Meaning “expected results”:
“I knew Sam would deliver the goods once he understood his job. That’s why I promoted 
him.” the boss said
Do things by halves = do things in a careless and incomplete way
I don’t know what’s wrong with Mr. Long. He’s either lazy or disorganized, for he always does 
things by halves. 
Double talk = clear and meaningful but, on close examination, proves to be ambiguous and nonsense
“I thought I understood you, but now I’m not sure.” Patrick complained. “You’re speaking 
double talk!” 
Drink like a fish = drink great quantities of alcoholic beverage
I don’t know if people are aware of it, but Tim drinks like a fish. 
Drive someone up a wall = annoy someone and get someone angry
Anthony: Wow! What a great set of drums!
Bob: Yeah, they’re great, but I can’t play on them when my folks are at home. They say 
I drive them up a wall with all the loud banging.
E
Eating someone = bother or upset someone
Bob: Hey, Alice. What’s been eating you lately? Don’t you realize how rude and irritable 
you’ve become?
Alice: I know. I’m really sorry for the way I’ve been acting.
22
Unidade: Idioms
F
Feel like a million dollars = feeling wonderful
Bob: I bumped into Nick at the salon yesterday. He looked great, but I noticed that he 
had a slight limp when he walked.
Paul: I guess you didn’t know that he had an operation on his knee.
Bob: No, I didn’t. How’s he feeling?
Paul: He says he’s feeling like a million dollars now. Apparently the pain in his knee 
is all gone.
Fishy = strange and suspicious
When the security guard saw a light in the store after closing hours, it seemed to him that there 
was something fishy going on. 
For the birds = totally uninteresting and meaningless
They went to a poetry reading, but they got bored and restless. As far as they were concerned, 
it was for the birds
G
Get in someone’s hair = bother and make someone very angry
Clara: Children! Would you please stop making so much noise! And for heaven’s sake, 
pick up your clothes and toys! It’s hard enough trying to keep this house clean 
without your throwing your things all over the place!
Betsy: Clara, I know that the children get in your hair, but you should try not to let it 
upset you so much.
Get off someone’s back = stop bothering
Charlie: Hey, John. I’m bored. Come on, let’s go out and do something.
John: Sorry, I’m right in the middle of studying for a physics exam. I won’t be able to make 
it tonight.
Charlie: You’ve been studying for a long time. Why don’t you take a break? Come on! Let’s go! 
Forget studying for a while!
John: Look! Get off my back! I can’t go anywhere!
Get hitched = get married
Trevor and Janet have known each other since they were children. “You love me and I love 
you.” Janet said one day. “Isn’t it time we got hitched?” Trevor resisted a little, but in the end 
he and Janet did get hitched. 
Get up someone’s nose = make a nuisance*
Hubert is unhappy. He’s annoyed, too. The cause of it all is Franklin who has got up his nose. 
*incômodo
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Give someone the cold shoulder = be unfriendly, usually by ignoring someone 
I’m going to give Donald the cold shoulder for not inviting me to his party.
Go Dutch = share the cost of something 
Hans invited Debby to join him for lunch. Knowing he hasn’t much money, Debby has insisted 
that they go Dutch
Go over someone’s head = difficult to understand 
Poor Penelope, Mathematics has never been one of her favorite subjects. She simply isn’t able 
to comprehend it. She often complains that most of what her teacher says goes over her head. 
Go to the dogs = become run-down and in serious need of repair
Have you seen their house lately? It’s really gone to the dogs.
Gut feeling = a feeling or impression that comes from one’s innermost self
“I have a gut feeling I shouldn’t be here.” Wilbur said to himself. 
H
Hands are tied = unable to do something
Angela and Bruce would like to be free to do as they wish. Unfortunately they can’t for their 
hands are tied! 
Hang on = manage to persevere until things get better
During the depression years the Smiths had a great deal of trouble with their business, but 
somehow or other they were able to hang on. 
Horse around = without proper supervision
Susan: Did you hear about Dave’s back injury?
Patrick: No. How did he get hurt?
Susan: Well, after the coach left the gym he decided to stay and horse around on the 
parallel bars. He somehow lost his grip and fell on his back
I
In black and white*
I never sign a contract without first looking carefully at the conditions in black and white.
*nessa expressão idiomática, “black” se refere às palavras e “white” ao papel no qual elas são escritas.
J
Jump down someone’s throat = get angry
Dad: That’s it, Greg! You’d better not come in after midnight again tonight!
Greg: I know, dad. You don’t have to jump down my throat! I told you that I’d make it 
home around 11:30. I don’t intend to be late!
24
Unidade: Idioms
K
Kick the bucket = die
It’s been said that the old man knew of a buried treasure, but he kicked the bucket before 
telling anyone where it was. 
Knock someone’s socks off = get enthused* and excited
Frank: Hi, John. What’s new?
John: Oh, nothing too much with me, but you ought to see Fred’s new car. It’ll knock your 
socks off!
Frank: So, he finally got that Italian sports car he’s been dreaming about.
*entusiasmado.
L
Leave someone high and dry = leave someone alone without any help
George: Say, Jill. I thought that John was going to help you do the dishes tonight.
Jill: So did I. But he left me high and dry.
Lemon* = something defective 
Brian: Have you seen Joe’s new car yet?
Nicholas: Yeah. It looks good, but she’s had nothing but problems with it.
Brian: That’s too bad. It sounds like she got a real lemon.
*em português, usa-se a fruta “abacaxi”
Let the cat out of the bag = to tell someone a secret (before the official presentation)
Bob was going to retire from teaching in June, and the foreign language department was 
planning on presenting him with some luggage at his retirement dinner. He wasn’t supposed 
to know about it, but someone let the cat out of the bag. 
Look daggers* at someone = glare at someone with mean, hostile, angry eyes. 
She is looking daggers at a cat who is threatening her young. 
*arma com uma lâmina curta e pontiaguda
Lose one’s shirt = lose a great deal of money 
David: I happened to bump into Dole at lunch yesterday afternoon.
Brian: What’s new with Dole these days?
David: He wasn’t doing so well. For one thing, he told me he lost his shirt at 
the races.
M
Make a splash = do something that attracts attention
For several years Gilbert has been studying acting. At last he’s ready to appear in a play and 
make a splash as an actor. 
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Money talks = money has the power 
Andy: We’ve been waiting for three months to get delivery on our car, and people who put in 
their order after us have already gotten theirs.
Fred: Well, money talks. Why don’t you try giving the dealer a little something extra to move 
things along?
O
On pins and needles = either very excited or very anxious
Meaning “very excited”:
The children are on pins and needles thinking about their trip to the zoo tomorrow.” 
Meaning “very anxious”: 
Mr. Singh is on pins and needles wondering if the noise he heard is from his pet cobra which 
escaped. 
On the cheap = spend very little money on something
Things that are cheap are inexpensive. To do something on the cheap is to do it without 
spending much money. 
On the line = in danger of losing
Lately Tom’s been more conscientious about the accuracyand quality of his work with the 
company. He was warned that his job was on the line because of his lack of concern for his 
duties. 
Out of the woods = out of danger
Although Eric was well on his way to recovering from his bout* with pneumonia, he was still 
not out of the woods. 
*ataque
P
Pay through the nose = pay such a high price
At last Mr. Smith came upon the rare stamp he had been seeking at an auction. Since many 
other stamp collectors would also be bidding for it, he realized that he would have to pay 
through the nose in order to have it.
Play it by ear = not to know what to expect 
Anne: Let’s go to the movies, agreed?
Nathalie: Sure. And what’ll we do after that?
Anne: Oh I don’t know. Let’s play it by ear.
Nathalie: Well, I would like to have a more definite plan of action.
Pull someone’s leg = try to fool someone with a ridiculous story 
Bob: Hey, Al. I was invited to be a judge for the Miss America Beauty Pageant!
Al: Oh, really? Come on, you’re pulling my leg!
26
Unidade: Idioms
Put someone in their place = punish someone, saying their thoughts and opinions are of little importance
George made the mistake of criticizing his boss. His boss responded by putting him in 
his place. 
R
Run up an account = increase the money you owe
Instead of paying cash each time he shops, Mr. Long finds it more convenient to run up an 
account at the stores where he makes his purchases. 
S
Scratch someone’s back = return the favor
Catharine: Hey, Bea. I need some help stacking these boxes. Would you please give me a hand?
Bea: OK. And I need some help tidying up the house. How about your helping me 
out after that?
Catharine: OK. If you scratch my back, I’ll scratch yours.
Shoot off one’s mouth = give opinions without knowing all the facts
Jim doesn’t play tennis very much, but he’s always shooting off his mouth about how good 
he is. Yet he’s fooling nobody. Jim is somewhat of a braggart.
Smell a rat = notice something wrong is happening
Ted: How come the front door is open? Didn’t you close it before we went shopping? 
Berta: I’m sure I did. I can’t understand it. Frankly, I smell a rat.
Spill the beans = to ruin the surprise
Helen: Did you know that Harry was going to take Kathy on a Caribbean cruise?
Barbra: Yes, I did. He was planning on surprising her with the tickets from their anniversary, but 
someone spilled the beans.
Stick out one’s neck = take a great risk and possibly to get hurt
Brenda: How come they’re asking me to act as their guide through the jungle?
David: Evidently they think you’re the only one who can lead them to the lost temple.
Brenda: That jungle has danger lurking around every corner. Why should I stick my 
neck out for them? They didn’t pay me for my services
Straight from the horse’s mouth = from a very reliable source.
Susan: How did you find out that Jill was engaged?
Danny: That’s right. I got it straight from the horse’s mouth!
String someone along = deceive someone
Liz had high hopes of marrying Dean. When he ran off with another woman, she realized that 
he was just stringing her along
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T
Take the bull by the horns = act decisively to correct the situation
Julie had always felt that she was missing out on a lot of fun because of her clumsiness on 
the dance floor. She had been putting off taking lessons, but she finally took the bull by the 
horns and went to a professional dance studio for help. 
The early bird catches the worm = get up early to get a place 
Robert: Marc, the lines for the rock festival are going to be miles long! If you expect to get tickets 
for you and Mary, remember that old saying. “The early bird catches the worm”.
Marc: That way I’ll get the tickets I want, for sure!
The telephone is ringing off the hook = a telephone that is constantly ringing
Steve won the swimming championship, and ever since his name appeared in the newspapers 
his telephone has been ringing off the hook.
Tie the knot = get married
Peter and Elizabeth have decided to tie the knot. They make a lovely couple, don’t they?
Top off / up = fill a partly full container to the very top with liquid
Bob and Tim are celebrating. With a bottle in one hand, Tim asks: “May I top your glass up!”
“Certainly, old pal, top it off,” Bob said. 
Glug, glug, glug went the bottle as his glass was topped up.
Toy with the idea = think of one in an easy, light and speculative manner
Teddy is toying with the idea of studying to be an engineer. That, of course, will be a few 
years away so he may change his mind between now and then. 
Turn night into day = stay up at night working or playing, and sleeping during the day
Robert certainly has strange working habits! But being a genius isn’t easy, so when he is in a 
creative mood he turns night into day. “
Turn someone off = bother someone
Fred: How was your date with Marty last night?
Susan: Well, it started OK, but he really turned me off when we went for a snack after 
the movies.
Fred: Did he say or do something to annoy you?
Susan: Frankly, he disgusted me when he tried to talk with his mouth full.
U
Up and about = to get out of bed after a period of sickness
Tim was badly injured in the accident and it will be some time before he’s up and about 
again. 
28
Unidade: Idioms
Up one’s sleeve = have a concealed plan
Brenda: All right, Sara. We know that you’re planning something big for Jean’s birthday. Mind 
telling us just what you have up your sleeve?
Sara: I wanted to make his birthday a very special event.
W
Wet blanket = someone pessimistic and with no enthusiasm
James was not invited to go on the outing with the rest of the group because he’s such a wet 
blanket. It’s understandable that no one wants him around.
Whistle in the dark = guess wildly about something or keep up your courage
During the terrible storm, we sat inside the house whistling in the dark hoping it would 
quickly pass
Practice Idioms: 
1. With the help of a good dictionary or researches in the internet, try to find the meaning 
of these idioms, which were not still mentioned in our studies.
1. To cast pearls before swine 
2. To clip someone’s wings 
3.Ponytail 
4. To be a wolf in sheep’s clothing 
5. To throw someone to the wolves
6. As strong as an ox 
7. His bark is worse than his bite 
8. You cannot teach an old dog new tricks 
9. To put the cart before the horse 
10. Bookworm 
11.Cold turkey 
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12. Monkey business 
13.To cry wolf 
14. To have butterflies in your stomach 
15. To make a mountain out of a molehill 
16. Pigheaded 
17. Puppy love 
18. To play possum 
19. Zebra crossing (UK) 
20. A can of worms
Answer Key
1. Jogar pérolas aos porcos;
2. Cortar as asas de alguém;
3. Rabo-de-cavalo;
4. Lobo em pele de cordeiro;
5. Atirar às feras;
6. Forte como um touro;
7. Cão que ladra não morde;
8. Ensinar o padre a rezar missa;
9. Pôr o carro na frente dos bois;
10. Rato de biblioteca (pessoa que lê muito);
11. A verdade nua e crua;
12. Comportamento ou negócio desonesto;
13. Dar alarme falso;
14. Frio na barriga, estar nervoso;
15. Fazer tempestade em copo d’água;
16. Teimoso;
17. Amor de adolescente;
18. Fingir-se de morto;
19. Faixa de pedestres;
20. Problemas inesperados.
30
Unidade: Idioms
Livros:
KIRKPATRICK, Betty. English in Context – Popular Sayings – An Effective Aid For 
Vocabulary Development. Learners Publishing PTE Ltd, 2007. p. 3 -92.
KIRKPATRICK, Betty. English in Context – Idioms. Prim-Ed Publishing, 2003.
MCARTHUR, T. The Oxford companion to the English language. New York: Oxford 
USA professional, 1992, p. 495–96. 
SAEED, J. Semantics. 2nd. edition. Oxford: Blackwell, 2003, p. 60. 
SCHOLES, J. Why do we say that? – Por que dizemos isso? A origem das palavras 
e expressões em inglês do dia a dia. São Paulo: Campus,2009.
TORRES, N. Dicionário prático de expressões idiomáticas e phrasal verbs. São 
Paulo, Disal, 2003.
Sites:
http://www.learnenglishfeelgood.com/americanidioms/
 Acesso em 24 nov. 2014
31
Referências
Bibliografia Básica
COE, N.; PATERSON, K.; HARRISON, M. Oxford Practice Grammar-Basic. Oxford: 
Oxford University Press, 2008.
ALTANO, B. Reading themes and skills: a skill-based American culture reader. 
Michigan: Michigan University, 2007.
SOUZA, G. F. A. et al. Leitura em língua inglesa: uma abordagem instrumental. 2. 
ed. São Paulo: Disal, 2010.
Bibliografia Complementar
AZAR, B. S.; HAGEN, S. A. Understanding and using English grammar. 4. ed. 
Pearson/Longman, 2009. Disponível em: <http://ebookbrowse.com/understanding-and-
using-english-grammar-with-answer-key-and-aud-id579-pdf-d402536157>
CRYSTAL, D.; SPRES St. M. Spell it out: the singular story of English. Profile Editor. 
(E-book)
LAPKOSKI, G. A. O. Do texto ao sentido: teoria e prática de leitura em língua 
inglesa. Curitiba: IBPEX, 2011. (E-book)
LIMA, T. C. S.; KOPPE, C. T. Inglês: a prática profissional do idioma. Curitiba: 
IBPEX, 2008. (E-book)
MARQUES, F. S. Ensinar e aprender inglês: o processo comunicativo em sala de 
aula. Curitiba: IBPEX, 2006. (E-book)
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Unidade: Idioms
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