 |
Idioms use language metaphorically rather than literally. If you 'see red', it means you are very angry (the metaphorical meaning) not that you look at something or someone and see the colour red (the literal meaning).
Idioms are also fixed groups of words so you can't change the wording of an idiom. For example, you can say 'I'm at the end of my tether' to say you have reached the limits of your tolerance but you can't say 'I'm at the end of my rope'.
|
|
|
I lost my rag when the traffic warden gave me a ticket.
I blew my top when the traffic warden gave me a ticket.
I lost my temper in a dramatic way when she gave me a ticket.
|
I saw red when he refused my request for a pay rise.
I got angry. (Red refers to the blood rising in your eyes!)
Noisy children make the teacher hot under the collar.
Noisy children make his blood boil.
He gets angry when children are noisy. (Both these idioms refer to the idea of being angry and getting hot.)
I'm at the end of my tether. If those children don't shut up, I'll ...
I have reached my limit, I am about to lose my temper.
Right! That's the last straw. Be quiet now!
Something has happened to finally push me over my limit. I won't tolerate this noise anymore.
|
He is such a pain in the neck. He's always asking for money.
He really winds me up. He's always asking for money.
He drives me up the wall. He's always asking for money.
He irritates or annoys me, usually because he does something repeatedly.
|
|
|
|
|
to fly off the handle (v, informal):
to be very angry
It's a pain in the neck (idiom):
It's very annoying
I'm starving (informal):
I'm very hungry
To put an animal down:
To kill an animal, usually because it is old or ill
A daddy's girl:
A woman who isn't independent but is spoilt and looked after by her father (or other father-like figure)
|
|
|
|
Last 3 episodes
Last 3 language points
Last 3 quizzes
|
|
