Question 1
When Susan was having trouble lifting her heavy mixer, Bob offered to lend a _____.
To lend a hand means to help someone, often with a physical job. Example: Can you lend me a hand with these boxes? We say hand, not finger or foot, in this idiom.
Question 2
Nicole used to play the piano, but she hasn't practiced in five years. She's really _____ practice.
If you are out of practice, you are not as good at something as before because you haven't done it for a long time. The clue is hasn't practiced in five years. Not into: be into something means to like it a lot.
Question 3
You've been working in the kitchen for hours. Why don't you go and _____ a break?
We say take a break, meaning stop working for a short time to rest. Not give or do, because they don't go with break in this meaning.
Question 4
Amber picked up many _____ of the trade while working at Mrs. Field's Cookies in the Stamford Mall.
Tricks of the trade are clever, useful ways of doing a job that you learn from experience. Example: She taught me a few tricks of the trade. The idiom is fixed, so bits and pieces are not used.
Question 5
Your shoulder massages are still the best. You haven't _____ your touch.
If you haven't lost your touch, you are still as good at something as you were before. The clue is still the best. Not found: we don't say find your touch in this idiom.
Question 6
After two weeks in Italy, Tom started to pick _____ a few words of Italian, including cappuccino and pizza.
To pick up a language or words means to learn them easily, just by hearing them, without studying. Example: Kids pick up languages fast. Not pick out, which means to choose something from a group.
Question 7
When Jill got tired of chopping the onions, Jack took _____.
To take over means to start doing a job that someone else was doing. Jack continued chopping when Jill got tired. Not took off, which means to leave suddenly or (for a plane) to leave the ground.
Question 8
Whenever we need financial advice, we call Suze Orman. She really knows her _____.
If someone knows their stuff, they know a lot about their subject and are good at it. Example: Ask Tom about computers; he really knows his stuff. The idiom always uses stuff, not things or matter.
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Free worksheets for class or home
LESSON 13 – Amber Comes Over to Bake Cookies
AMBER COMES OVER TO BAKE COOKIES
Ted’s girlfriend Amber comes over to help with the cookies. Amber has experience baking cookies from a former job. Susan leaves the kitchen so they can work better.
Ted: Mom, Amber is here to lend a hand with the cookies.
Susan: Hi Amber. Nice to see you again.
Amber: Good to see you too, Mrs. Johnson.
Susan: That’s an interesting hairstyle.*
Amber: Thanks. I’m glad you think it’s cool. Blue hair is all the rage this season.
Susan: Well, I’m going to take a break now and let you kids take over.
Ted: Don’t worry, Mom. Your business is in good hands with Amber. She really knows her stuff.
Amber: That’s true. I used to work at Mrs. Field’s Cookies** in the mall.
Susan: You don’t work there anymore?
Amber: No, I got fired. I have a real sweet tooth, and they told me I was eating too many cookies.
Susan: Well, I’m sure you haven’t lost your touch.
Amber: I might be a bit out of practice.
Ted: Mom, you can watch Amber bake if you want. You might pick up a few tricks of the trade.
Amber: Yes, feel free. As a singer, I’m used to performing before an audience!
Susan: Thanks, but I’m going to get out of the way. You know what they say: too many cooks spoil the broth!
Amber: Will I see you later tonight?
Susan: Yes, I’ll be back in a few hours.
Ted: Mom, why don’t you just call it a night and go to bed. You’ve been working your tail off all day.
* When somebody says something is “interesting” it often means they don’t like it, but they want to be polite.
** Mrs. Field’s Cookies are gourmet cookies that are sold in malls across the United States.
IDIOMS
- all the rage
→ the latest fashion; popular right now
EXAMPLE 1: Have you seen those new alligator-skin cowboy boots? They’re all the rage this season!
EXAMPLE 2: At Nate’s high school, salsa dancing is all the rage this year.
- (to) call it a night
→ o stop an activity for the rest of the night
EXAMPLE 1: We spent a few hours walking around downtown Chicago. It was so cold that we were ready to call it a night by nine o’clock.
EXAMPLE 2: Let’s call it a night and meet back at the office at seven o’clock tomorrow morning to finish preparing our report.
NOTE: There is also the expression “to call it a day” which means to stop activity for the day.
- feel free
→ go ahead and do something; don’t hesitate (to do something)
EXAMPLE 1: “Feel free to interrupt me and ask questions during my lecture,” said the professor to his students.
EXAMPLE 2: If you need legal advice, feel free to call my cousin Fred. He’s a lawyer.
- (to) get out of the way
→ to move out of the way; to stop interfering with someone’s plans or activities
EXAMPLE 1: If you’re not planning on helping us prepare dinner, please get out of the way. The kitchen is crowded.
EXAMPLE 2: Get out of the way! That truck is backing up and it might run you over.
- (to be) in good hands
→ in good, competent care
EXAMPLE 1: Don’t worry — your dog will be in good hands while you’re on vacation. We’ll take her to the New York Dog Spa & Hotel.
EXAMPLE 2: You’re in good hands with Tony. He’s an excellent driver.
- (to) know one’s stuff
→ to have an expertise in a field
EXAMPLE 1: Steve has been an auto mechanic for 25 years. He really knows his stuff.
EXAMPLE 2: When it comes to cooking, Kristen knows her stuff. She spent two years studying at the Culinary Institute of America.
- (to) lend a hand
→ to help
EXAMPLE 1: When Amber saw Susan washing the cookie sheets, she offered to lend a hand.
EXAMPLE 2: Would you mind lending a hand in the garden? We need to finish planting these flowers before it starts raining.
- (to) lose one’s touch
→ to no longer be able to do something well
EXAMPLE 1: I used to make delicious pies, but this one tastes terrible. I think I’ve lost my touch.
EXAMPLE 2: Dr. Stewart used to be a very good doctor, but recently several of his patients have died. He seems to have lost his touch!
- (to be) out of practice
→ no longer good at doing something
EXAMPLE 1: Susan studied French in high school, but she hasn’t spoken it since. She’s really out of practice.
EXAMPLE 2: I used to play tennis every day, but I haven’t played in years. I’m out of practice.
- (to) pick up
→ to acquire; to learn
EXAMPLE 1: Bob picks up languages quickly. After two weeks in Spain, he was already speaking Spanish.
EXAMPLE 2: Diana picked up some great new ideas at the workshop.
NOTE: “Pick up” has several other meanings, including:
-
- To take from the floor or ground. Pick up the pen you dropped.
- To buy. I’ll pick up some burritos on my way home.
- To clean up. Let’s pick up the bedroom before the guests arrive.
- To retrieve someone. I’ll pick you up at seven for our date.
- sweet tooth
→ an enjoyment of sugary foods
EXAMPLE 1: Amber’s got a real sweet tooth. Last night, she ate a whole box of Godiva chocolates.
EXAMPLE 2: No wonder Liz is so overweight. She’s got such a sweet tooth!
- (to) take a break
→ to stop and rest from an activity
EXAMPLE 1: Bob always worked 10 hours straight, never taking a break.
EXAMPLE 2: Let’s take a break from our work and go get some ice cream.
- (to) take over
→ to assume control
EXAMPLE 1: After 11 hours of driving, I was getting tired. Fortunately, my friend offered to take over.
EXAMPLE 2: My new boss will be taking over some of my projects.
- too many cooks spoil the broth
→ too many people involved in an activity can ruin it
EXAMPLE 1: After Bob and Susan edited Nicole’s college applications, they were worse than when she started. Too many cooks spoil the broth.
EXAMPLE 2: You don’t need to help us. We have enough people helping already, and too many cooks spoil the broth.
NOTE: Broth is a clear liquid that forms the base for soups.
- tricks of the trade
→ clever shortcuts gained by experience
EXAMPLE 1: The new teacher learned some tricks of the trade from Mrs. Blackstone, who’d been teaching at the school for 40 years.
EXAMPLE 2: My new job will be easier once I learn some tricks of the trade.
- (to) work one’s tail off
→ to work very hard
EXAMPLE 1: Don worked his tail off to save money for his son’s education.
EXAMPLE 2: Bob worked his tail off at the furniture store, but his boss fired him anyway.