60 idioms contextualised in dialogues
The short link for this page is
http://bit.ly/maelt_idiom_dialogues
Some years ago on BBC World Service radio, there was a series of programs that illustrated
idioms by putting them into the context of dialogues about everyday things. The BBC offered the scripts free of charge. I consider them quite natural-sounding dialogues with a great many typical English communicative phrases embedded naturally in them, and their contexts are realistic and clear.I have contacted the BBC a number of times trying to obtain the recordings that must have existed at the time of their broadcast, but to no avail. I had hoped that in the process, I would be able to discover the authors and seek permission to use the dialogues. It has not even been possible to find out if they are copyright. If anyone can give me a lead on this, please contact me.
The dialogues, as presented here, are simply the scripts that were scanned. They still need some editing. Clicking the ones which are linked (underlined) takes you to the pages here which have the interactive or hypertext versions, or the worksheets.
These dialogues are now available as a corpus in the Sketch Engine: ske.li/idiom_dialogues.
TO PUT YOUR FOOT IN IT
She dropped a brick
OUT OF THE BLUE
TO FEEL THE PINCH
TO KEEP YOUR FINGERS CROSSED
Let's hope for the best.
We'll just have to hope for the best.
TO KEEP IT UNDER YOUR HAT
To keep mum. - Mum's the word.
A CHIP OFF THE OLD BLOCK
It runs in the blood.
Helen is very musical, just like her mother. It runs in the blood.
TO SET THE CAT AMONG THE PIGEONS
He's put a spanner in the works.
Trust him to put a spanner in the works.
PLAIN SAILING
It went like clockwork.
TO PULL SOMEONE'S LEG
Pull the other one.
IT MADE MY BLOOD BOIL
He really got my blood up.
Hot-blooded.
In cold blood.
TO BE IN DEEP WATER
He's in dire straits financially.
TO HAVE YOUR HEART IN YOUR MOUTH
I really had butterflies in my tummy.
LIKE LOOKING FOR A NEEDLE IN A HAYSTACK
I'll leave no stone unturned.
TO RUN BEFORE YOU CAN WALK
You can't cut corners.
TO HAVE SOMEONE EATING OUT OF YOUR HAND
She's got them in the palm of her hand.
She's got them in her pocket.
OVER THE MOON
He's on cloud nine.
WALKING ON AIR
He's in his seventh heaven.
TO HOG THE LIMELIGHT
He always plays to the gallery. - What's it like being in the limelight?
TO SEE EYE TO EYE
They get on well together, because they're on the same wavelength.
NOT OUT OF THE WOOD YET
We're still in the red.
IN THE SOUP
He's in a fine pickle.
TO GET A KICK OUT OF SOMETHING
They do it for kicks. Just for kicks.
THE PENNY DROPPED
After the teacher's long explanation it finally dawned on him.
TO HAVE ITCHY FEET
It's his wanderlust.
NOTHING TO WRITE HOME ABOUT
The plot left a lot to be desired.
TO PULL YOUR SOCKS UP
You'll have to brighten your ideas up if you want to go to university.
OFF THE TOP OF ONE'S HEAD
It was very good advice, even though it was off cuff.
TO DROWN YOUR SORROWS
He's licking his wounds.
ONE'S HAIR STANDS ON END
She was terrified.
She was rooted to the spot.
TO LAND ONE ONE'S FEET
She always falls on her feet.
She always lands on both feet.
TO FLY OFF THE HANDLE
He blew his top.
Helen's marriage hit him like a thunderbolt.
TO PAY THE EARTH FOR SOMETHING
It cost the earth.
It cost an arm and a leg.
TO TURN OVER A NEW LEAF
OVER MY DEAD BODY
Borrow my car for the weekend? Not on your life!
TO BARK UP THE WRONG TREE
We're on the wrong track.
I WOULDN'T TOUCH IT WITH A BARGE POLE
To lead someone up the garden path.
He led all his colleagues up the garden path.
TO GET TO THE BOTTOM OF SOMETHING
I won't leave a single stone unturned.
I'll leave no stone unturned.
TO TAKE THE WIND OUT OF SOMEONE'S SAILS
I pulled the rug from under his feet.
A PAIN IN THE NECK
She was a thorn in her brother's flesh for years.
She's forever complaining.
TO SHOW SOMEONE THE ROPES
HIS BARK IS WORSE THAN HIS BITE
He's got a sharp tongue.
She's got an acid tongue.
LIVING IN CLOUD-CUCKOO LAND
He's building castles in the air.
His ideas are totally impractical.
TO SWEEP SOMETHING UNDER THE CARPET
Let's forget about it. Couldn't we turn a blind eye just this once?
TO LET THE CAT OUT OF THE BAG
It was going to be a surprise, but Elizabeth gave the game away.
TO PULL THE WOOL OVER SOMEONE'S EYES
TO POUR COLD WATER ON SOMETHING
Don't be a wet blanket. - Don't be such a wet blanket.
TO GET COLD FEET
He was going to ask for a pay rise, but he lost his nerve.
LIKE WATER OFF A DUCK'S BACK
He's got a thick skin.
It doesn't matter what you say, it won't upset him: he's got a thick skin.
He's got a skin as thick as a rhinoceros.
He's got a hide like a rhinoceros.
NOT MY CUP OF TEA
I can't stomach him.
I can't stand him.
I don't like him.
TO GO LIKE A BOMB
The new book's going like a bomb.
GET IT OFF YOUR CHEST
She poured her heart out.
TO BREAK THE ICE
She's got him under her thumb.
TO GET SOMEONE'S BACK UP
It really gets on my nerves. He never stops complaining.
HE WOULDN'T HURT A FLY
He wouldn't lay a finger on anyone.
TILL THE COWS COME HOME
You can argue with Jack till you're blue in the face, but he'll never agree with you.
AS RIGHT AS RAIN
I'm in the pink. He's as sound as a bell. She's as fit as a fiddle.
RIGHT UP HIS STREET
It's in his line.
He's in his element.
He skirted around the question for too long before he got to the point.
TO TWIST SOMEONE ROUND YOUR LITTLE FINGER
He mended his ways.
TO CUT SOMEONE DEAD
Catherine gave her the cold shoulder.
TO BEAT ABOUT THE BUSH
I'd steer clear of it.