Share Identifying the Meaning of Idioms Within Context
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"Well, I forgot my homework. I guess it's time to tell my teacher and face the music." What does face the music mean?
To accept unpleasant consequences.
Dad had a hard time figuring out how to use his new phone. "You can't teach an old dog new tricks." He said after unsuccessfully trying to change his ring tone for 30 minutes. What does can't teach an old dog new tricks mean?
A person who is old or is used to doing things in a certain way cannot learn or does not want to learn a new way.
Jamie wants to sign up for basketball, chess club, speech team, and the school newspaper. Her mother said, "Make sure you don't bite off more than you can chew!" What does don't bite off more than you can chew mean?
To take on more work or a bigger task than one can handle.
Penny explained to her dad that her science project would take her all weekend to finish. Her dad said, "Remember, Rome wasn't built in a day." What does Rome wasn't built in a day mean?
It takes a long time to do a job or task properly, and you should not rush it or expect to do it quickly.
Sheldon heard from his sister that his mom was planning a surprise party for him tomorrow. When he asked his mom about it, she said: "Who let the cat out of the bag?" What does let the cat out of the bag mean?
To reveal a secret carelessly or by mistake.
Joey and Madison both guessed the correct number of jelly beans in the teacher's jar. Mrs. Phillips said: "Great minds think alike!" What does great minds think alike mean?
Used to say that that you are both very clever when you and another person have the same idea.
Grandpa smiled when he saw the picture of himself with his brother when they were young. "This was one of the best days of my life! Sometimes a picture is worth a thousand words." What does a picture is worth a thousand words mean?
Pictures are far more descriptive than words.
James was already planning what he would earn from his lemonade stand next weekend. His friend said: "Don't count your chickens before they're hatched!" What does don't count your chickens before they're hatched mean?
That someone should not depend on something hoped for until he or she knows for certain that it will happen.
Maria found it hard to keep a straight face when her brother kept making funny faces at her from across the room. What does keep a straight face mean?
Trying to to not smile or laugh.
Jose worked against the clock to finish his art project in time for the art fair at school. What does work against the clock mean?
To work in a great hurry or as fast as possible,
Rashad blamed his sister for spilling water all over his homework. She said: "It wasn't me! You are barking up the wrong tree." What does barking up the wrong tree mean?
To be wrong about the reason for something or the way to achieve something.
After spending hours trying to learn exponents, Jayden closed his math book with a sigh and said: "It's all Greek to me!" What does it's all Greek to me mean?
Something that is difficult to understand.
After working on his curveball all day without much success, David wanted to throw in the towel, but he kept practicing for the big game on Friday. What does throw in the towel mean?
To quit or to give up.
Ben didn't want to practice playing the guitar even though he had a concert next week. His mom told him: "Don't you want to do a good job at the concert? Remember practice makes perfect!" What does practice makes perfect mean?
It's used to say that people become better at something if they do it often.
The teacher said, "That is enough monkey business class! It's time to settle down and get to work." What does monkey business mean?
To do something mischievous.
While on vacation, Tyler and his family saw his neighbors. His dad said: "Wow it is such a small world." What does it's a small world mean?
To show surprise when one meets someone one knows at an unexpected place or finds out that one shares a friend, acquaintance, etc., with another person.
