Idioms in Context: 2 | Baamboozle - Baamboozle | The Most Fun Classroom Games!

She started off on the wrong foot at her new job. She showed up late on the first day and then got in an argument with a customer. (What does off on the wrong foot mean?)

Off to a bad start; begin badly

Calvin would have loved to have gone on the vacation with George's family, but it would have cost him an arm an a leg. He didn't go. (What does cost an arm and a leg mean?)

Costs a lot of money; expensive

Lauren's parents were already upset when she didn't do her chores. When her bad report card came back home it only added fuel to the fire. (What does add fuel to the fire mean?)

An action that makes a bad situation even worse

Don't let my friend scare you. She may be in a bad mood and speak tersely, but her bark is worse than her bite. (What does bark worse than her bite mean?)

The person is not as unpleasant or mean as they may seem

The hotel we stayed at looked attractive from the outside, but the rooms smelled bad and were not well maintained. You can't judge a book by its cover! (What does can't judge a book by its cover mean?)

Outward appearance cannot be an indicator of someone or something’s value or worth

His journey has been one of rags to riches. He started out as a street vendor and now owns his own business. How inspiring! (What does rags to riches mean?)

Go from being very poor to being very wealthy

Our teacher can always smell something fishy whenever we start secretly planning a prank. He always catches us! (What does smelling something fishy mean?)

To have a suspicion that something is wrong

If we're going to throw a party, we might as well go the whole hot and hire a band! (What does go the whole hog mean?)

To do something in a very thorough and complete way

After hiding in the basement for an hour from the storm, the weather started to clear up. My father said, "looks like we're out of the woods" and we all went back upstairs. (What does out of the woods mean?)

Out of difficulty, danger, or trouble

Everyone thought I would do well in the race. Getting first place was the icing on the cake! (What does icing on the cake mean?)

When something good is added to another good thing that you already have

I'd rather miss the deadline and submit a good paper than rush through it and write one that's full of errors. After all, haste makes waste. (What does haste makes waste mean?)

If you do things too quickly, you will make mistakes and do poorly

I donated $10 to the GoFundMe. It may have seemed like a drop in the bucket compared to the $5000 that someone else donated, but I know it'll still make an impact. (What does a drop in the bucket mean?)

A very small quantity; unimportant

I want you to be direct and tell me, don't beat around the bush. (What does beat around the bush mean?)

Avoid talking about the main point

I'm glad we're in this pumpkin patch, the ones near us are the cream of the crop! They'll be perfect for carving and making pumpkin pie. (What does cream of the crop mean?)

The best choice of any

It might be better if I applied to more than 1 job, I can't put all my eggs in one basket and risk not getting a job at all! (What does putting all your eggs into one basket mean?)

Depend on just one solution or course of action

I really struggled in my classes last year. This year I am turning over a new leaf and keeping up with my homework. My grades have really improved! (What does turn over a new leaf mean?)

To change your behavior positively and start fresh/clean slate

I needed some information which he would not have given me, so I had to scratch his back to get it. (What does scratch someone's back mean?)

do someone a favour hoping that a favour will be returned

She still seems to have a chip on her shoulder about the argument she had with her friend last week. (What does a chip on your shoulder mean?)

Being angry about something that happened in the past

Lara’s performance at the concert last night just knocked my socks off. (What does knock my socks off mean?)

Impress someone

Even if things have been difficult for you, always keep your chin up, everything will be normal and alright soon. (What does keep your chin up mean?)

Remain brave and confidence in the face of stress or difficulty