IDIOMS

Prepared by: Marites B. Villamayor

Teacher II
 WHAT IS AN IDIOM?
An idiom is a common word or phrase with a culturally
understood meaning that differs from what its composite words' denotations
would suggest. For example, an english speaker would understand the phrase
"kick the bucket" to mean "to die" – and also to actually kick a bucket

Prepared by: Marites B. Villamayor

Teacher II
 JOHN’S KEY TO SUCCESS

• Let’s understand John’s story by understanding

the meaning of the idioms used.
• Try to give your own interpretation.
 JOHN’S KEY TO SUCCESS

John is an incredibly accomplished and successful businessman.

As such, he is quite popular as a mentor. He enjoys showing young
professionals the ropes.

show someone the ropes = to explain and show by example

how something is done properly
 JOHN’S KEY TO SUCCESS

The first thing he says is that his career has certainly not
always been smooth sailing.

smooth sailing = an easy life with no problems

 JOHN’S KEY TO SUCCESS

In fact, he learned a number of lessons along

the way. "First and foremost," John said "don't
believe that success is ever mana from heaven."

mana from heaven = surprise riches

 JOHN’S KEY TO SUCCESS

He said that everyone he had met had a

similar rags to riches story, and that a lot of hard
work had gone into the success.

from rags to riches = from poor to rich

 JOHN’S KEY TO SUCCESS

"If you have too many irons in the fire, you'll

certainly miss out on real opportunity" he
continued.

have too many irons in the fire = to do too many things

 JOHN’S KEY TO SUCCESS

"I've seen people as busy as a bee who never

really seem to do anything" he pointed out. The
more I thought about this advice, the more I
understood what he was saying.

as busy as a bee = very busy (also busy as a beaver)

 JOHN’S KEY TO SUCCESS

If you put on your thinking cap, you'll realize that it's

impossible to really concentrate if you have to worry about fifty
different things.

put on one's thinking cap = to concentrate

 JOHN’S KEY TO SUCCESS

Another important lesson was that it's important to know

which side your bread is buttered on

know which side = to understand what is most

one's bread is important for oneself
buttered on
 JOHN’S KEY TO SUCCESS

• and make sure to give that activity your full attention. In

other words, you need to ride the gravy train.

ride the gravy = to make money by doing

train something that is already proven
to be successful
 JOHN’S KEY TO SUCCESS

• Don't start looking for new challenges if everything is

working out for the best!

work out for the = to end with the best possible

best result
 JOHN’S KEY TO SUCCESS

• John stressed that the most important ability of any

successful entrepreneur was to have the presence of mind to
not only take advantage of an opportunity

have the presence of = to be aware and able to grasp

mind to do something an opportunity
 JOHN’S KEY TO SUCCESS

• but also to keep your eye on the ball.

keep one's eye on = to concentrate and continue

the ball doing well
 JOHN’S KEY TO SUCCESS

• Some people are quick on the uptake, but then they get
bored.

quick on the uptake = to understand very quickly

 JOHN’S KEY TO SUCCESS

• It's important to be consistent, but not spread yourself

too thin.

spread oneself too = to do too many things

thin
 JOHN’S KEY TO SUCCESS

• Finally, make sure to never show your hand to your

opponents. In any case, that's how to be successful according
to John.

show one's hand = to show others what advantages

you have in a situation
Let’s remember. Idioms Used in the Story
• smooth sailing = an easy life with no problems
 know which side one's bread is buttered on = to understand
what is most important for oneself
 ride the gravy train = to make money by doing something that is already
proven to be successful

 keep one's eye on the ball = to concentrate and continue doing well
 mana from heaven = surprise riches
 from rags to riches = from poor to rich
 show someone the ropes = to explain and show by example how something
is done properly
 as busy as a bee = very busy (also busy as a beaver)
Let’s remember. Idioms Used in the Story
• work out for the best = to end with the best possible result
 quick on the uptake = to understand very quickly

 have the presence of mind to do something = to be aware

and able to grasp an opportunity
 show one's hand = to show others what advantages you have in
a situation
 put on one's thinking cap = to concentrate
 spread oneself too thin = to do too many things
 have too many irons in the fire = to do too many things
 Idioms Quiz
• Fill out the blanks with idioms to complete
the sentences.
1. My friend is as ________________ these days. He never gets time to
relax.
2. We've been lucky in life. It's been _____________ since the very
beginning.
3. I'm sure the situation will improve. It will _________________.
4. You need to ____________________ for this problem. It requires a lot
of concentration.
5. Alan ___________________ during the negotiations for the business
deal.
6. Franklin went from ________________ in his life. He started with
nothing and ended up a very rich person.
7. Some artists are lucky and have a huge hit early in life. Then they
______________________ for many years afterwards.
8. My boss _________ me ______________ at work because it was my
first week.
QUIZ ANSWERS
1. busy as a bee
2. smooth sailing
3. work out for the best
4. put on your thinking cap
5. showed his hand
6. rags to riches
7. ride the gravy train
8. showed me the ropes
CONGRATS!