Feature: Idioms and Slang

Copyright © by McDougal Littell, a division of Houghton Miffl in Company.
Name Date
Feature: Idioms and Slang
WHAT IS IT?
An idiom is an expression whose overall meaning is different from the literal
meaning of its individual words. Read the two sentences below. One uses an idiom
and one uses literal language, but both have the same meaning.
You hit the nail on the head.
You are absolutely right.
Here are some other examples of idioms and their meanings:
Idioms Meaning
under the weather tired and sick
all thumbs very clumsy, especially with one’s hands
get cold feet become timid, afraid of doing something new
Slang is informal language in which made-up words and ordinary words are used to
mean something different from their meanings in formal English. Slang can change
quickly, so it often becomes outdated. Listed below are some slang terms for friend,
with their origin:
bff: email or instant messaging
pardner: the western United States
mate: England
WHY IT MATTERS
Idioms make language more colorful and can add interest to your writing. People
often use slang in speaking to show that they are part of a certain group, such as
teenagers or sports fans. Using a dictionary of slang or idioms can help you fi nd the
meaning of unfamiliar phrases. However, be aware that you should not use slang in
formal writing.
A. Identify Idioms
Read the words and phrases below and the sentences that follow. In the space
provided, write the letter of the word or phrase that has the same meaning as
the boldface idiom.
a. wrong b. irritates me c. greatly impress d. became furious
1. My mother hit the ceiling when she found out that I missed my dental appointment.
2. I think you will knock the socks off the contest judges. c
3. My answer to the last quiz question was completely off the mark. a
4. The noise of blaring car alarms gets on my nerves. b
Unit 5, Grade 8
Word Wise: Vocabulary and Spelling
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UNIT 5

UNIT 5
102
Name Date
B. Identify Slang
Circle the slang word or expression used in each sentence below. Then define each
one, using the context of the sentence to help you.
1. At the end of the movie, the police captured the criminal and put him in the slammer.
meaning:
2. Ken took his boombox to the beach to provide music for the party.
meaning:
3. The pickpocket spotted his mark by looking for someone who stored his wallet carelessly.
meaning:
4. Bert makes a hoagie with a long roll, ham, salami, cheese, tomato, onion, and mustard.
meaning:
5. Bill watches a lot of television, and once again, he’s in front of the tube.
meaning:
6. The home-run hitter won the baseball game by going yard.
meaning:
7. When I had the fender-bender, the mishap ruined my safe driving record.
meaning:
8. The action movie was hair-raising.
meaning:
jail
portable stereo
victim
long sandwich
the television
hitting a home run
slight accident
C. Make Words Your Own
On the lines provided, rewrite each sentence by replacing the boldfaced words with
an idiom or slang term that conveys the same meaning. Label it as idiom or slang.
Check your answers in a dictionary. Sample answers provided.
EXAMPLE She was really very angry. She went ballistic. SLANG
1. Julio fell in love. ________________________________________________________
Julio lost his heart. IDIOM
2. Sue is very beautiful. ___________________________________________________
Sue is a knockout. SLANG
3. Hans does more than expected. ___________________________________________
Hans goes the extra mile. IDIOM
4. The math test was very easy. ______________________________________________
The math test was a piece of cake. SLANG
Unit 5, Grade 8
Word Wise: Vocabulary and Spelling
causing excitement, terror, or thrills
Copyright © by McDougal Littell, a division of Houghton Miffl in Company.