Question

An idiom is a phrase that we can’t understand from the meaning of each word. For example, if an American boy asks his mom what’s for dinner tomorrow, she may say “I’ll play it by ear”, that means she doesn't have plans for dinner and she will decide later.

“Play it by ear” used to mean playing music without using the sheet music(乐谱), but now people often use it when they’re not talking about music!

There are many idioms in English. If you learn to use them, your English will be much more vivid(生动的)and colourful.

Have you ever heard the idiom “He bought the farm”? It means he died. Do you know how it became popular? It was first used during World War I. When a soldier died, the government gave his family enough money to buy a farm.

In the early 1930s, people in the U.S. often did not know when or where their next meal was coming from. So as soon as they got something in their hand that could be eaten, it would go into their mouth. That was how people began to use the idiom “living hand to mouth” to mean “living a poor life”.

And don’t be angry if your English friend says this to you, “Break a leg in your game!" In fact, he is wishing you good luck! Hundreds of years ago, people believed in sprites. Sprites enjoyed causing trouble. If the sprites heard you ask for something, they would make the opposite take place. Tell someone to “break a leg” and the sprites would make something good take place.

Aren’t English idioms interesting? And break a leg in your next football match!

1.The idiom “play it by ear” means“________”

A.have no plans for dinner today. B.have no plans for dinner tomorrow.

C.play music with sheet music. D.have no plans and will decide what to do later.

2.If someone is very poor, we can say he_________.

A.buys the farm. B.lives hand to mouth.

C.breaks a leg. D.plays it by ear

3.We can infer(推断)that in the early 1930s common American people________

A.loved buying farms. B.lived a hard life.

C.had meals at different places and times. D.liked eating from their hands.

4.British people used to believe the sprites liked to________

A.make something good take place. B.break a leg.

C.make trouble. D.make bad things take place

5.If your friend is having a basketball match, you can say all of the following excpt “_______”.

A.Bad luck B.Good luck C.Have fun D.Enjoy the game

Answer 1