The World of Words: Vocabulary for College Success ... - eLibrary

Insight into Idioms 203I NSIGHT INTO I DIOMSExpressions About the BodyMany idioms are related to the human body. Some describe howwe feel when the experiences of our minds cause reactions in ourbodies. Have you ever felt that you had butterflies in your stomach?Not surprisingly, this idiom means to be nervous. Other idiomsrefer to imaginative uses of our bodies. If you’ve everlistened to someone who needed to talk, you lent them an ear.a. Gave her the cold shoulder means ignored her.b. A person who gets cold feet becomes so nervous that he or sheloses the courage to do something.c. When people refuse to honor a promise or commitment, theyback out.d. Something that scared a person made his blood run cold (ormade his hair stand on end).e. If people wait until they calm down, they cool their heels.f. If you listen to something, you lend an ear.g. If you did not listen to something, the information went inone ear and out the other.Practice chapter words one more time by filling in the letterof the correct idiom into the blank before each sentence.1. The people in the mayor’s office were in a state of pandemonium,so she made them _________ before shewould see them.Copyright © Cengage Learning. All Right Reserved.2. Elroy wants to ask the vivacious waitress out, but he_________ because he thinks she will reject him.3. As the gargantuan monster came toward Gerald, it_________.4. Anna’s psyche would be injured if her friend _________at a party.5. It is vital that you don’t _________ out of your promiseto babysit, for I must go to this meeting.Links to more lists of English idioms and their meanings can be found at the StudentCompanion Website for this book: www.cengage.com/devenglish/richek8e.