Introduction to several idioms starting with the letter “I”, with explanations and a worksheet to practice giving advice with these idioms.
Idioms: “I”
If it ain’t broke, don’t fix it
– Don’t mess with something that is already working fine.
In a pickle
In a jam
In a fix
– These all mean “in trouble” or “in a difficult situation”.
In one ear and out the other
– This means that you forget something as soon as you hear it.
In the driver’s seat
– In charge of a situation
In the short run
– In the immediate future; in the short-term
In the long run
– In the distant future; eventually; in the end
(You’re) in over your head
– If someone is “in over his/her head,” this means that they have a problem or situation that is too difficult or complicated for them to deal with or solve.
It ain’t over till the fat lady sings
– You cannot be sure about the result (of a game or situation) until it has officially finished. (This comes from opera, in which a “fat lady” often sings at the very end of the opera.)
Advice and Answers
Using the idioms, give advice or answers to these people:
Iris: I have to finish 5 essays in the next hour! There’s no way I can do this alone!
Advice:_____________________________________________
Innis: My clothing company makes a lot of money, but I’m thinking that maybe I will start selling furniture instead.
Advice:____________________________________________
Ian: Oh no! The Yankees just hit a home run! Now the Red Sox will never win!
Advice:____________________________________________
Now, fill in the blanks with suitable idioms:
Ida is ____________________ and she doesn’t know what she should do. She has to choose a major in college this week, but she just can’t decide. ____________________, she just wants to have fun and study something interesting, but ____________________, she wants to be successful and make a lot of money. Her mother tried to give her advice, but Ida ignored it; her mother’s advice went ____________________. Ida knows that she is _____________________ and she must make the decision by herself. Luckily, Ida is a very smart girl, so she is not in over her head.