Learning about Idioms using a clever Vimeo – Senior Classes, Primary School

This is a clever Vimeo that features the imaginative use of idioms. I think it would be suitable for fifth or sixth class, but would recommend that you would check it out first before using it.

Confessions of an Idiom from Amanda Koh on Vimeo.

We enjoy learning about idioms and have done other work including a quiz about them here.

Answers to the Idiom Quiz

We wrote a Picture Quiz on idioms HERE.

These are the answers:

 

1. Hit the nail on the head – Be exactly right.

2. Tying the knot – Getting married.

3. In the loop – included.

Perhaps information has been shared with him.

 

4. He’s not in the loop – He is not included. (He is in the dark ;))

I Love You To The Moon and Back
Photo Credit: Luz Adriana Villa via Compfight

5. That is Greek to me – I do not understand it.

6. You are driving me up the wall – You are driving me mad.

7. That rings a bell with me – I recognise or remember that.

8. Sitting on the fence – Not making a decision one way or the other.

9. Grasp the nettle – Do something that will not be pleasant.

10. Tick all the boxes – It meets all the criteria,

so will be the best thing to do.

11. A piece of cake – Very easy

Picture this! Can you work out what these idioms are?

You've hit the nail on the head
Creative Commons License Photo Credit: eltpics via Compfight

They decided to tie the knot next year
Creative Commons License Photo Credit: eltpics via Compfight

In the loop
Creative Commons License Photo Credit: eltpics via Compfight

Out of the Loop
Creative Commons License Photo Credit: eltpics via Compfight

It's all Greek to me!
Creative Commons License Photo Credit: eltpics via Compfight
You're driving me up the wall, you are!
Creative Commons License Photo Credit: eltpics via Compfight
This place rings a bell
Creative Commons License Photo Credit: eltpics via Compfight

He always sits on the fence
Creative Commons License Photo Credit: eltpics via Compfight

grasp the nettle 1
Creative Commons License Photo Credit: eltpics via Compfight

Ticking all the boxes. #idioms
Creative Commons License Photo Credit: eltpics via Compfight

You can't have your cake and eat it! Part 1
Creative Commons License Photo Credit: eltpics via Compfight

You can find the answers here.

Fourth Class: Learning about idioms: A Letter Home (Visitor to Ireland confused by idioms!)

catnap
Photo Credit: jenny downing via Compfight

Dear Mum,

 

Though the family I am staying with are very kind,

I am finding it very strange here in Ireland.

When I arrived they told me not to 

let the cat out of the bag but that 

there would be a surprise party

for their Grandmother.

But they didn’t HAVE a cat.

Perhaps it didn’t like being in a bag

and had run away. 

 

Then they said that Mum had already

spilled the beans

and that Granny was all ears.

She sound like an alien to me.

Then I counted and Granny

only had two ears, like you and me.

 

Then Dad gave Mum a ring to say that

he would be late because

he was tied up in traffic.

I asked would I call the Police

but they said it was ok,

that the traffic was very heavy

because it was raining cats and dogs.

 

This is a crazy country

but it is fun. There is never a dull moment!

A short paragraph using idioms, written by 6th class: ‘The soldier was armed to the teeth.’

41 Teeth, 6 Stacks and 1 eye
Creative Commons License Photo Credit: Brave Heart via Compfight

The soldier was armed to the teeth.

He had his heart in his mouth.

He was in hot water.

It was time to face the music.

He put his best foot forward.

He hoped to strike while the iron was hot

even though his heart was in his boots.

You could hear a pin drop,

when suddenly he turned a corner

and found his brother hiding in the long grass.

‘I’ve got your back,’ his brother whispered.

Fourth Class are learning about idioms. They say they are ‘a piece of cake’!

Gâteau mousse de Framboise
Photo Credit: Rubyran via Compfight

We are learning about idioms.

They are phrases,

interesting ways of sayings things.

Fourth class said:

 

‘It is not helpful, to be a wet blanket.

We are all in the same boat, here in school.

There’s no need to get carried away

but we should make the best

of our time here in school.

 

So pin back your ears,

pull up your socks

and put on your thinking hat.’

 

(I wonder what ‘a thinking hat’ looks like!)