Introduction to several idioms starting with the letter “L”, with explanations and a worksheet to practice giving advice with these idioms.
Idioms: “L”
Laughter is the best medicine
– Laughing is good for health and healing
Learn the ropes
– We say this when we hope or wish for something to happen. (We cross our fingers when we hope or wish for a positive result – in a baseball game, in the lottery, or on a test, for example.)
Let sleeping dogs lie
– Don’t bother/mess with a situation, because if you do, it will probably get worse or cause trouble.
(The) left hand doesn’t know what the right hand is doing
– This is used to describe a situation in which the communication is very poor, and people (within a company, office, or government, etc.) don’t know what each other are doing.
Let the cat out of the bag
– To (accidentally) reveal secret information.
Let your hair down
– This is used to tell someone to “relax.”
Light at the end of the tunnel
– If there is “light at the end of the tunnel,” this means that, although a situation is bad right now, there is reason to hope that it will get better in the future.
Advice and Answers
Using the idioms above, give advice or answers to these people:
Lily: I asked my supervisor for a raise, and he told me to ask the boss. When I asked the boss, he told me to ask my supervisor.
Answer:_____________________________________________
Luke: There’s Mike! The last time I talked to Mike, we had a big fight about politics. I should go talk to him!
Advice: _____________________________________________
Laura: I’m so glad I’m finally off work! I had so much stress today at my job!
Advice: _____________________________________________
Now, fill in the blanks with suitable idioms:
Lyle is still _______________________ at his new job, but I heard that his boss already wants to fire him. Last night we went out to dinner and let our hair down, and I accidentally ______________________. At first, he was very angry. After awhile, we talked about it and he felt better. I suggested that we go see a new comedy movie. “______________________________!” I told him.
Lyle can get a job in his brother’s company, so even though he is getting fired, there is a ____________________________.
