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IDIOMS IN CONTEXT
All languages have certain expressions, or idioms, that cannot be understood literally.
English has many thousands of idiomatic expressions. That’s why understanding
idioms is an important part of vocabulary development.
• Circle a letter to show the meaning of each boldface idiom.
1. Some very successful people were born on the wrong side of the
tracks.
a. in small towns b. into poverty c. to beat the odds
2. That rookie can’t hold a candle to the seasoned veteran.
a. be as skillful b. have confidence c. earn as
and powerful and trust in much money
3. We’ll be all right as long as no one rocks the boat.
a. gets nervous b. causes trouble c. makes a mistake
4. Instead of using a prepared mix, she made that cake from scratch.
a. over the b. with c. using basic
campfire professional help ingredients
• Now use each of the above idioms in an original sentence. Make sure the context of
your sentence makes the idiom’s meaning clear.
1. ________________________________________________________________
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2. ________________________________________________________________
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3. ________________________________________________________________
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4. ________________________________________________________________
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