Lesson 8
English Idioms
| Idiom | Meaning |
| A blessing in disguise | A good thing that seemed bad at first |
Example: The lockdown in 2020 proved to be a blessing in disguise. It gave me lots of time to spend with my family
| Idiom | Meaning |
| A drop in the ocean | a very small amount compared to the amount needed |
Example: I always try to give money to the charity, but sometimes I feel it is just a drop in the ocean.
| Idiom | Meaning |
| It’s a piece of cake | It’s easy |
Example: This job interview will be a piece of cake for you.
| Idiom | Meaning |
| Actions speak louder than words | Believe what people do and not what they say |
Example: Politicians are all the same, all talk but no work; do they realize that actions speak louder than words?
| Idiom | Meaning |
| Costs an arm and a leg | Very expensive |
Example: I will not buy a new Apple iPhone as it costs an arm and a leg.
| Idiom | Meaning |
| Once in a blue moon | Rarely |
Example: My Dad is working in Scotland and he visits home once in a blue moon, every couple of years.
More idioms
| Person 1: My uncle has just offered me a position in his company, but I don’t like it.
Person 2: If I were you, I would accept the job. It might not be the best job for you, but a bird in the hand is worth two in a bush. |
| Person 1: I want to buy this car. It looks really great!!
Person 2: Oh. I suggest you have a test drive with someone who knows cars well before you decide. Never judge a book by its cover |
| Person 1: I love this house. I guess I’m going to buy it.
Person 2: Be careful, you know all that glitters is not gold Just because something appears valuable does not mean that it really is. |
| Person 1: I don’t believe those rumors about Ted and Liza, but apparently they’re dating since June.
Person 2: Oh, please. Don’t be so naive!! You know perfectly well what they say, Where there’s smoke, there’s fire. |
| Person 1: Honey, here’s the list of the things I’m going to buy next month when you get that money back.
Person 2: OK, darling. I know you would love to buy all those new things, but please don’t count the chickens before they hatch. |
usage of “Would”
Examples:
| Affirmative | Interrogative | Negative |
| I would travel around the world. | Would you buy a car? | Would you buy a car? |
Second Conditional
The second conditional is a structure used for talking about unreal situations in the present or in the future.
This is how second conditional is structured:
| If | past simple | would | infinitive |
| If | I had her number | I would | Call her |
The second conditional is a structure used for talking about unreal situations in the present or in the future.
We can use it to talk about things in the future that are probably not going to be true. Maybe I’m imagining some dream for example:
- If I won the lottery I would buy a huge crib
- If I met Jennifer Lopez I would say hello
- We would travel all over the world If we were rich
- He would pass the test if he studied
- If I were you I wouldn’t go out with that man
- If I had his number I would call him (I don’t have his number now, so it’s impossible for me to call him).
Questions using second conditional:
What would you buy if you had a million dollars?
Would she pick me up if I talked to her?
Negative sentences using second conditional:
If she studied for the test she wouldn’t fail.
Roleplay
Person 1: Look at this. a guy found $500,000!! He returned it and the owner thanked him with a phone call.
Person 2: You got to be kidding!! If I found $500,000, I wouldn’t return it. So quickly.
Person 1: Why? What would you do?
Person 2: Well, I’d go straight to Las Vegas and try my luck in the casinos. I could double the money in a day and keep $500,000 for myself.
Person 1: You could also lose it all in a day and go to jail.
Person 2: Hmm. You have a point there. So, what would you do if you
found a lot of money?
Person 1: Oh, you know me, Karen. I’m so honest I scare myself sometimes. I’d take the money straight to the police.
Person 2: I guess that wouldn’t be such a bad idea. Maybe the owner of the money would give you a big reward.
Person 1: Well, they say “Honesty Pays”, right?