Idioms – B

Back to square one

-      start over; back to the beginning

Bark up the wrong tree

-      Looking for information in the wrong place; asking the wrong person

Be careful what you wish for

-  When you wish (or hope) for something, it may not be as good as you think – there may be negative consequences that you hadn’t thought of.

Beggars can’t be choosers

-      If you beg (or ask) for a thing or a favor, then you shouldn’t complain about what you get.

Better late than never

-      It’s better to do something late than to not do it.

Better safe than sorry

-      It’s better to be cautious (careful) than to take a risk that you might regret.

Bite your tongue!

-  Don’t say something that might be rude or inappropriate – keep the words in your mouth, and don’t let them out!

Break a leg!

-      This is a (funny) way to say “Good luck” – we usually say it to someone before a performance or contest.

Idiom Advice

Using the idioms, give advice to these people:

Tom: I really want to drive to my girlfriend’s house, but there’s a typhoon right now and it’s quite dangerous outside.

Advice:_________________________________________________

Julie: My brother is so mean! He just kicked me and threw water in my face! I hope he gets hit by a car!

Advice:_________________________________________________

Iris: Mom, can I have 20 dollars?

Mom: Absolutely not.

Iris: Pleeeeeease! I need to buy a new cell phone!

Mom: No way.

Iris: But Mommmm. . . all my friends have new cell phones!

Mom: Too bad.

Advice to Iris_____________________________________________________

Now, look at the advice given, and think of a situation that would cause someone to give that advice:

William: _______________________________________________

_____________________________________________________

_____________________________________________________

Advice: It’s better late than never!

Rita: _________________________________________________

_____________________________________________________

_____________________________________________________

Advice: Break a leg!

David: ________________________________________________

_____________________________________________________

_____________________________________________________

Advice: Bite your tongue!