A few months ago we looked at some plant and flower idioms and many people found the idioms really helpful and interesting. Can you still remember how they are used? Here are some sentences to help you check your memory, as well as two new plant idioms to help you learn something new!
Good luck!
Lesson by Caroline Devane
Barking up the wrong tree - to make a mistake about something; to make a false assumption; to have the wrong idea about what happened.
"You think it was me who broke your camera, but it wasn't - you're barking up the wrong tree."
Beat about the bush - not to be direct when talking to someone about a difficult or embarrassing situation.
"We're old friends, there's no need to beat around the bush with me, you can tell me what's on your mind."
Everything's coming up roses - used when a situation is successful in every way. Your life is good.
"Everything's coming up roses at the moment; I got a pay rise and my daugher got accepted into university."
It's a jungle out there - everyday life is tough. Life is hard!
"I'm worried about my daughter moving out of home - it's a jungle out there."
Touch wood - something we say for good luck. We usually touch something wooden at the same time.
"I've never broken a bone before, touch wood."
Late bloomer - a person who does something at an older age than expected.
"John is 27 and has only just started driving. He's a late bloomer."
Needle in a haystack - When something is difficult to find, it is like looking for a needle in a haystack.
"Trying to find a pen on your messy desk is like looking for a needle in a haystack! You should clean up."
Olive branch - a symbol of peace. We say it when we want to make peace with someone we have had a problem with.
"I held out an olive branch to my co-worker, but he rejected it."
Shrinking violet - someone who is very shy and has little confidence.
"He's too much of a shrinking violet to work in our sales department."
Now choose the correct idiom for each situation:
