Idioms and other expressions

This year we are working with 'idioms'. Idiom is a false friend and it is used to express something in a figurative way. Do you remember false friends? Could you give an example? Well, from now on we are using idioms in class, a very good approach to the English language and culture. Click on read more to continue...


29. Saved by the bell. What does it mean? Could you find a similar expression in Spanish?
Answer: Salvado por la campana (Many thanks to David, 6th)

28. Bite off more than you can chew. What does it mean? Could you find a similar expression in Spanish?
Answer: El que mucho abarca poco aprieta (Many thanks to Lorena, 6th)

27. Bury the hatchet. What does it mean? Could you find a similar expression in Spanish?
Answer: Enterrar el hacha de guerra (Many thanks to Elena, 6th)

26. Face the music. What does it mean? Could you find a similar expression in Spanish?
Answer: Dar la cara (Many thanks to David, 6th)




25. Hold your horses. What does it mean? Could you find a similar expression in Spanish?
Answer:  Para el carro (Many thanks to Lucía, 6th)

24. The icing on the cake. What does it mean? Could you find a similar expression in Spanish?
Answer: La guinda del pastel (Many thanks to Nerea, 6th)  

23. Speak of the devil. What does it mean? Could you find a similar expression in Spanish?
Answer: Hablando del rey de Roma (Many thanks to Lorena, 6th)   

22. Better safe than sorry. What does it mean? Could you find a similar expression in Spanish?
Answer: Más vale prevenir que curar (Many thanks to Elena, 6th)


21. Don't count your chickens before they hatch. What does it mean? Could you find a similar expression in Spanish?
Answer: No vendas la piel del oso antes de cazarla (Many thanks to Luis, 6th)

20. Cut to the chase. What does it mean? Could you find a similar expression in Spanish?
Answer: Ve al grano (Many thanks to Gabriel, 6th)


19. To shake like a leaf. What does it mean? Could you find a similar expression in Spanish?
Answer: Estar hecho un flan (Many thanks to Nerea, 6th)

18. To be in the seventh heaven. What does it mean? Could you find a similar expression in Spanish?
Answer: Estar en el séptimo cielo (Many thanks to Luis, 6th)

17. He's worth his salt. What does it mean? Could you find a similar expression in Spanish?
Answer: Ganarse el pan (Many thanks to Elena, 6th)
 
16. I am under the weather. What does it mean? Could you find a similar expression in Spanish?
Answer: Estoy pachuco (Many thanks to Sergio, 6th)


15. Stop pulling my leg. What does it mean? Could you find a similar expression in Spanish?
Answer: Deja de tomarme el pelo (Many thanks to Nerea, 6th)
 
14. I have a bone to pick with you. What does it mean? Could you find a similar expression in Spanish?
Answer: Tenemos que ajustar cuentas (Many thanks to David, 6th)


13. It's not my cup of tea. What does it mean? Could you find a similar expression in Spanish?
Answer: No es lo mío (Many thanks to María José, 6th)
 
12. The apple doesn't fall far from the tree. What does it mean? Could you find a similar expression in Spanish?
Answer: De tal palo tal astilla (Many thanks to Sergio, 6th)

11. You made your bed; now lie in it. What does it mean? Could you find a similar expression in Spanish?
Answer: Que cada palo aguante su vela (Oops; nobody got that right, though Sofiane got quite near it...)

10. To be over the moon. What does it mean? Could you find a similar expression in Spanish? (Lucía from 6th suggested this one; thanks)
Answer: Estar loco de contento (Oops; nobody got that right, though Gabriel got quite near it...)

9. He can't hold a candle to you. What does it mean? Could you find a similar expression in Spanish?
Answer: No te llega a la suela de los zapatos (Oops; nobody got that right)

8. You are a basket case. What does it mean? Could you find a similar expression in Spanish?
Answer: "Eres un caso perdido" (Many thanks to Sergio, 6th)
 
7. Don't spill the beans. What does it mean? Could you find a similar expression in Spanish?Answer:"No descubras el pastel" (Many thanks to Claudia, 6th)

6. I know it by heart. What does it mean? Could you find a similar expression in Spanish?
Answer: "Me lo sé de memoria" (Many thanks to Álex, 6th)

5. You are barking up the wrong tree. What does it mean? Could you find a similar expression in Spanish?
Answer: "No van por ahí los tiros" (Oops; nobody got that right)


4. It doesn't take a rocket scientist to... What does it mean? Could you find a similar expression in Spanish?
Answer: "No hace falta ser un genio para..." (Many thanks to Álex, 6th)

3. Piece of cake!  What does it mean? Could you find a similar expression in Spanish?
Answer: "Es pan comido" (Many thanks to Gabriel, 6th)

2. You're a wet blanket. What does it mean? Could you find a similar expression in Spanish?
Answer: "Eres un aguafiestas" (Many thanks to Lucía, 6th)

1. It's raining cats and dogs. What does it mean? Could you find a similar expression in Spanish?
Answer: "Caen chuzos de punta" (Students from 6th level; thanks!!!)