Free time and entertainment idioms
Click on the topics to learn the idioms then scroll down to do the tasks.
Summer free time idioms
one swallow doesn’t make a summer = one good thing is not enough to make a change
to summer and winter sb. = watch over this person all the time
A summer body is earned in the winter. = start getting in shape early
midsummer madness = foolish behaviour that peaks in the summer
summer complaint = diarrhea in summer time
the dog days of summer = the hottest days
a summer fling = a short romance
Indian summer = the return of summer weather in autumn
soak up some sun = enjoy the rain of the sun on your skin
a touch of the sun = a slight sunstroke
Movie and entertainment idioms
steal the show = be better than the others
show stopper = breaking event, unaccepted event
The show must go on. = Life must continue whatever happened.
popcorn movie = entertaining, light movie
bomb = unsuccessful movie
blockbuster = very successful movie
flick = movie
get the show on the road = launch a project
plug sg. = advertise
be in the limelight = appear in the foreground, in camera
run the show = organise, arrange things
That’s show business for you. = That’s life as it is./Life is such.
Fun and enjoyment idioms
guilty pleasure = a pleasure that you shouldn’t enjoy
paint the town red = go out and have fun
Take it easy! = Don’t worry!
The world is your oyster. = The world offers all its treasures to you.
have a whale of a time = have a great time
have the time of one’s life = never had a better time
let one’s hair down = just relax and enjoy yourself
as happy as a clam = very happy
be in one’s element = you like doing sg. because you are good at it
footloose and fancy –free = you can do what you want because you don’t have responsibilities
happy-go-lucky = doesn’t plan much, likes what life brings
life and soul of the party = the most amusing person at the event
Entertainment and arts
and all that jazz = etc.
face the music = accepth the negative consequences
class clown = pupil who always make jokes in the class
make a clown of yourself = make yourself appear stupid
museum piece = old-fashioned, should be no longer used
The show must go on. = The activity must continue.
for a song = very cheaply
It takes two to tango. = Both of you must be responsible for the bad situation.
steal the show = be more outstanding than anyone else.
blockbuster = a very successful film
take centre stage = be the centre of attention
star in sg. = play a part in a play or movie
Dance idioms
dance to sb’s tune = always do what he tells you to do
dance with death = do sg. which is very risky
go into a song and dance about = invent a story and tell it for long to make it more believable
Cinderella dance = party till midnight
a song and dance = long, complicated but untrue story
all-singing, all-dancing = very modern, cool, advanced
tap-dance like mad = talk or move in order to distract attention
put on your dancing shoes = get redy for dancing
be out of step with = not up-to-date, not in agreement
dance on air = be very happy
dance to a different tune = quickly change one’s behaviour, attitude
Book idioms
can’t judge a book by its cover = can’t rely on appearance
take a leaf/page from someone’s book = imitate sb.
throw the book at sb. = convict sb. with as many crimes as possible
close the books on sb. = declare that the case is finished
coffee table book = picture album
That’s one for the books! = We must remember this!
cook the books = keep false financial records
hit the books = study hard
(life is) an open book = none of the details are kept secret
little black book = telephone notebook with the ex-lovers
book in = check in
every trick in the book = every way possible