Activity Sheet, Lesson 1: What Reading Is - Mark Fullmer

Activity Sheet, Lesson 15A: Idioms
Developmental Reading
Task 1: Study the following list of idioms used in sentences, then guess their meanings
Sentence with Idiomatic Expression (underlined)
Life is good. Everything is A-OK!
You seem to be thinking. A penny for your thoughts?
My father always advised me that a penny saved is a penny earned.
Stop trying to explain in words. A picture is worth a thousand
words.
I bought a poor man's version of a videoke machine and now it's
broken.
That Gucci dress cost me a pretty penny.
Don't worry. I'll help. A problem shared is a problem halved.
The Achilles heel of Mano Renie was his love for gambling at cock
fights.
The true acid test of whether you understand English is if you can
speak.
The committee made across the board changes to the budget.
Only an act of God can save us from this horrible storm now.
Don't trust that speaker. Actions speak louder than words.
I have no preference for dinner tonight. The ball is in your court.
If you don't know the exact population, can you give a ballpark
figure?
I learned how to swim through trial by fire.
I am exhausted. Let's call it a day and go home.
Minutes before the angry debate, there was a calm before the
storm.
We shouldn't pass the RH Bill. It is opening a whole can of worms.
The president was something of a dark horse before the election.
I was interviewed on television finally. I've had my day in the sun.
If you keep smoking, your days are numbered.
Thanks for the 50 pesos, but it's only a drop in the bucket for my
debts.
If you argue with him about the budget, it will only add fuel to the
fire.
The principal seems mean, but he is all bark and no bite.
If you think you might say something offensive, bite your tongue.
He never came on time. This morning, as usual, he was late
At last, my son made it to the top ten.
To achieve his goal, he prayed to St. Augustine over and over.
The Philippines will take part in the next global summit.
The president assigned secretary Diaz to be in charge of the
conference
The cancer cells in her body are killing her little by little
At times, I think about why I broke up with my girlfriend.
Mrs. Martin visits her parents in Manila once in awhile.
Meaning
things are absolutely fine
a way of asking someone what they are thinking.
we shouldn't spend or waste money but should
try to save it
visual images can oftentimes explain things better
than writing
a version of something that is not as good, or low
quality
very expensive
if you talk about your problems it will make you
feel better
a person's weak spot, or vulnerability
a way of proving whether something is good or
real
something that applies to everybody
something that happens that no human can
control
what people do is more important than what they
say
the decision is up to you
an estimate or approximate answer
learning something by doing it directly, usually in
a difficult situation
another way of saying you're finished
a peaceful time right before something goes
wrong
a big problem or challenge
someone who is mysterious
a moment of fame and attention
expected to die soon
something that only contributes a little to a very
big problem
to make a bad situation even worse
someone who seems mean but really has no
power
avoid talking
as always, customarily
finally
repeatedly
participate
to lead or supervise
gradually, slowly
sometimes/occasionally (usahay)
sometimes/rarely (talagsa)