Idioms from Shakespeare

Finding the origins of words and sayings can be really fascinating.

All these idioms were invented by William Shakespeare and used in his famous plays. These are all used in everyday English; they are very well known.

Can you match each idiom to the correct sentence?

When see if you can write some of your own sentences with them.
Lesson by Caroline

Shakespearean Idioms

Lie low - To hide so you will not be caught by someone.
Good riddance - To be happy when someone or something is gone.
Green-eyed monster - Jealousy.
Night owl - A person who stays up and is active late into the night.
As dead as a doornail - Dead beyond any doubt.
A charmed life - A life that seems to have been protected by a charm, magic or spell.
Mum's the word - Keep this a secret; don't tell anybody.
Send him packing - To tell someone to go away, usually because you are annoyed with them.

• 1. My Mum's really cross with me because I broke the vase. I think it's best if I ___ for a little while!
  
  Good riddance packing
  Send him
  A charmed life
  As dead as a doornail
  Night owl
  Mum's the word
  Green-eyed monster
  Lie low
  
  
• 2. I have an amazing family, a great job and a beautiful home. I really do lead ___!
  
  Lie low
  As dead as a doornail
  Mum's the word
  Night owl
  Good riddance
  Send him packing
  A charmed life
  Green-eyed monster
  
  
• 3. Don't worry I won't tell a soul,___.
  
  Night owl
  Send him packing
  Green-eyed monster
  As dead as a doornail
  A charmed life
  Lie low
  Mum's the word
  Good riddance
  
  
• 4. He acted like an idiot, I think you should ___.
  
  A charmed life
  Good riddance
  Mum's the word
  As dead as a doornail
  Send him packing
  Lie low
  Green-eyed monster
  Night owl
  
  
• 5. It was a terrible job anyway,___!
  
  Good riddance
  Green-eyed monster
  Send him packing
  As dead as a doornail
  Lie low
  Mum's the word
  Night owl
  A charmed life
  
  
• 6. Gemma is a ___! She's jealous of everyone!
  
  As dead as a doornail
  Green-eyed monster
  Send him packing
  Good riddance
  A charmed life
  Lie low
  Mum's the word
  Night owl
  
  
• 7. I've been a real ___ since I started university. It's normal for me to stay awake until 3 in the morning.
  
  Send him packing
  A charmed life
  Good riddance
  Night owl
  Green-eyed monster
  Mum's the word
  As dead as a doornail
  Lie low
  
  
• 8. 'Are you sure the mouse is dead'? ‘Definitely ___'.
  
  Lie low
  Mum's the word
  Green-eyed monster
  A charmed life
  Night owl
  Send him packing
  Good riddance
  As dead as a doornail