. Animals and colours - IDIOMS
The idioms in these
exercises all contain words related to animals or colours. 1 Circle the correct
animal to complete each idiom. Then match the idioms (1–6) with their meanings
(a–f).
. 1 I don’t
like to leave my team for too long. When the cat’s away, the ( mice /
rabbits /dogs) will play. ........ f
. 2 The
children fight like (bird / cat / wolf) and dog.
......
. 3 I
intend to get there before seven o’clock. The early (bird / mouse
/ cat) catches the worm. .......
. 4 He
seemed nice enough but he was a (lion / wolf / horse)
in sheep’s clothing. ………..
. 5 I
usually kill two (birds / dogs / sheep) with one
stone and do some shopping on the way to pick up
the children. .......
. 6 There’s
no point running around like a headless (chicken / horse /
dog). ……………..
.
. a to
manage to achieve two things at the same time
. b someone
who appears harmless but is in fact dangerous
. c to
fight a lot
. d moving
in a disorganized way, and not thinking calmly or achieving anything
. e People
who get up early achieve more.
. f People
behave badly when their boss is not there.
Circle the correct
colour to complete each idiom. Then match the idioms (1–6) with their meanings
(a–f).
. 1 My
mother grows all her own vegetables. She has ( green / brown /
red) fingers. d
. 2 Are you
sure you’re okay? You’re as (grey / white / pink) as a
sheet. ..........
. 3 She
gave me a (black / blue / purple) look as she left
the room, clearly furious.
...........
. 4 You can
tell her until you are (red / blue / pink) in
the face but she won’t believe you......
. 5 Carlos
is going to see my favourite band and I’m (black / green / yellow)
with envy.
..........
. 6 They rolled
out the (red / purple / blue) carpet for the
actor’s visit. ................................
.
. a again
and again, but with no effect
. b wanting
very much to do or have the same
. c gave a
very special welcome
. d is very
good at gardening
. e very
pale
. f a look
showing anger
.
For each sentence, complete the response with an idiom from exercise 1 or
2.
1. A: Get to the
market as early in the morning as you can.
2.
B: Good
idea! The early bird catches the worm.
3. A: Your
garden looks fantastic, Martine.
4.
B: Thank
you! People say....
5. A: You should
have seen how angry she was when he asked her to leave.
6.
B: I
know. She gave ......................
7. A: They
treated him so well during his last visit to the country.
8. B: Yes, they
did. They.....................................................................
9. A: He wasn’t
the nice man he seemed to be.
10.
B: That’s
true. He ....................................................
11. A: You could
drop these books off at the library while you’re shopping in the town centre.
12. B: Good idea!
Then I can .................................................
