Idioms connected with praise
Saying people /things are better than the rest
Mary is head and shoulders above the rest of the girls, or She’s miles better than the girls [ used usually of people].
When it comes to technology, Japan is streets ahead of most other countries, [can be used of people or things]
When it comes to exam passes, St John’s school usually knocks spots off the other schools, [used of people or things]
That meal was just out of this world. [usually used of things]
Saying people are good at something
Some expressions with idiomatic compound nouns, noun-phrases and compound adjectives:
She’s a dab-hand at carpentry, just like her father, [usually for manual skills] She’s a really first-rate /top notch administrator, the very best.
When it comes to grammar, she’s really on the ball, [knows a lot]
Bill has a way with foreigner students. The other teachers envy him. [good at establishing good relations /motivating them]
Marjorie really has green fingers; look at those flowers! [good at gardening]
Let him do the talking; he’s got the gift of the gab. [good at talking]
В) Idioms connected with criticism
She thinks she’s the cat’s whiskers/the bee’s knees. [thinks she’s wonderful]
He was dressed up like a dog’s dinner [over-dressed in a showy way]
When it comes to time-keeping, he’s the world’s worst, [no-one is worse]
I’m sorry, this essay of yours is a dog’s breakfast, [a mess /very badly done]
When it comes to unreliability, he really takes the biscuit.
Mary wants to have her cake and eat it\ [wants everything without any contribution from her side]
I think he’s just trying to butter me up. [give false praise in order to get something]
A pay-rise and a company car! You want jam on it, you do! [have totally unreasonable expectations /demands]
Note these idiomatic synonyms of the verb to criticize:
You shouldn’t run down your own country when you’re abroad.
Why do you always have to pick holes in everything I say?
Using idioms from ex. 6, p. A, rewrite these sentences without changing the basic meaning:
The hotel we were staying in was absolutely superb.
Joe is a long way above the other kids when it comes to doing hard sums.
This restaurant is much, much better than all the other restaurants in town.
You’re a long way ahead of me in understanding all this new technology; I’m impressed.
Which idioms might these pictures help you to remember?
Which of the expressions in ex. 8 is most suitable for?
praising someone’s knowledge /ability in their profession?
saying that something is a real mess?
saying someone has a very high opinion of themselves?
praising someone’s gardening skills?
Express the opposite meaning to these sentences using idioms given in ex. 6 A and В:
Example: He’s a third-rate athlete. He’s a first rate (or top-notch) athlete
She was dressed beautifully, just right for the occasion.
Penny has such an inferiority complex.
She’s hopeless at DTY; just look at those bookshelves she made.
He is no good at talking to people at all.
Mick doesn’t get on with the secretaries; just look at how they react when he wants something done.
He wants a new office, a secretary and a new computer. But compared to what Geoff wants he isn’t expecting much!
She said I was the best boss they’d ever had. It was obvious she was praising me sincerely. I wonder what she wants?
He often says how wonderful his school is.
She always praises everything I say.