Learn English proverbs and English idioms!
Recommendations to students.
Learn your English idioms and proverbs can be iised in class with a teacher or for self-study. This book will help you to learn a lot of new English idioms and proverbs. But in order for the new words to become fixed in your mind, you need to test yourself again and again. Here is ope method you can use to help you lea;m the words
Read the instruction carefully and write the test in pencil.
When you have finished, check your answers and correct mistakes you have made.
Rub your answers and try your test again and again. Repeat this until you can remember every expression. Ask your friend to test you. And start doing it again.
Repeat these tests again in a day, in a month, in two months. After this training most of the idioms and proverbs will be fixed in your mind.
Use them in your speech as much as possible and your language will be better Good luck!
LEARN ENGLISHPROVERBS
A man is known by the company he keeps.
Money spent on the brain is never spent in vain.
Four eyes see more than two.
Many men — many minds.
A bad workman quarrels with his tool.
When there is a will — there is a way.
No pains, no gains.
When pigs fly.
All is well that ends well.
One man is no man.
Never too much of a good thing.
Early to bed, early to rise — makes a man . healthy, wealthy and wise.
He laughs best who laughs last.
Life is not a bed of roses.
If you can’t have the best — make the best of what you have.
As the call — so the echo.
He who pleased everybody died before he was born
Better an open enemy than a false friend.
Self-praise is no recommendation.
As plain as the nose on your face.
To know something like the palm of the hand.
Kindness gives birth to kindness.
Reading is to the mind what exercise is to the body.
The man who makes no mistakes does not usually make anything at all.
There is no place like home.
Never put off till tomorrow what you can do today.
Haste makes waste.
Practice is the best of all instructions.
Better late than never.
Promise little but do much.
Speech is silver but silence is gold.
Understanding is a two-way street.
If you run after two hares, you will catch neither.
Business before pleasure.
As welcome as water in ones shoes.
TEST 1
Test yourself! Match the proverbs and their Russian equivalent
1 |
2 |
А. Лучше открытый враг, чем неверный друг |
1. A man is known by the company he keeps |
В. Делу время — потехе час |
2. Money spent on the brain is never spent in vain |
С. Как аукнется, так и откликнется
|
3. Four eyes see more than two |
D. Поспешиш – людей насмешиш |
4. Many men, many minds |
Е. Кто рано встает, тому бог дает
|
5. A bad workman quarrels with his tool |
F. В гостях хорошо, а дома лучше |
6. When there is a will — there is a way |
G. Совсем некстати |
7. No paints, no gains |
H. Практика лучше всякой теории |
8. When pigs fly |
I. Слово — серебро, а молчание — золото |
9. All is well that ends well |
J. Каждый понимает по-своему |
10. One man is no man |
К. Добро порождает добро |
11. Never too much of a good thing |
L. Чтение для ума — что упражнение для тела |
12. Early to bed, early to rise — makes a man healthy, wealthy and wise |
М. Плохому танцору шаровары плясать мешают |
13. He laughs best who laughs last |
N. Кто хочет, тот добьется |
14. Life is not a bed of roses |
О. Деньги на ученье потрачены не зря |
15. If you can’t have the best — make the best of what you have |
Р. Скажи мне, кто твой друг, и я скажу, кто ты |
16. As the call — so the echo |
Q. Смеется тот, кто смеется последним |
17. He who pleased everybody died before he was bom |
R. Сколько людей, столько и мнений |
18. Better an open enemy than a false friend |
S. Без труда не вынешь и рыбку из пруда |
19. Self-praise is no recommendation |
Т. Один в поле не воин |
20. As plain as the nose on your face |
U. Хорошо то, что хорошо кончается |
21. To know something like the palm of the hand |
V. Одна голова хорошо, а две лучше |
22. Kindness gives birth to kindness |
W. Никогда не ошибается тот, кто ничего не делает |
23. Reading is to the mind what exercise is to the body |
X. Всем не угодишь |
24. The man who makes no mistakes does not usually make anything at all |
У. Лучше позже, чем никогда |
25. There is no place . like home |
Z. Поменьше обещай, побольше делай |
26. Never put off till tomorrow what you can do today |
а. Когда рак свистнет |
27. Haste makes waste |
b. Маслом кашу не испортишь |
28. Practice is the best of all instructions |
с. Жизнь прожить — не поле перейти |
29. Better late than never |
d. Береги все, что имеешь |
30. Promise little but do much |
е. Сам себя не хвали, пусть другие хвалят |
31. Speech is silver but silence is gold |
f. Видно как на ладони |
32. Understanding is a two-way street |
g. Не откладывай на завтра то, что можешь сделать сегодня |
33. If you run after two hares, you will , catch neither |
h. Знать как свои пять пальцев |
34. Business before pleasure |
i. Погонишься за двумя зайцами — ни одного не поймаешь |
35. As welcome as water in ones shoes |
TEST 2
Translate the proverbs from English into Russian.
A man is known by the company he keeps.
Money spent on the brain is never spent in vain.
Four eyes see more than two.
Many men, many minds.
A bad workman quarrels with his tool.
When there is a will — there is a way.
No pains, no gains.
When pigs fly.
All is well that ends well.
One man is no man.
Never too much of a good thing.
Early to bed, early to rise — makes a man healthy, wealthy and wise.
He laughs best who laughs last.
Life is not a bed of roses.
If you can’t have the best — make the best of what you have.
As the call — so the echo.
He who pleased everybody died before he was born.
Better an open enemy than a false friend.
Self-praise is no recommendation.
As plain as the nose on your face.
To know something like the palm of the hand.
Kindness gives birth to kindness
Reading is to the mind what exercise is to the body.
The man who makes no mistakes does not usually make anything at all.
There is no place like home.
Never put off till tomorrow what you can do today
Haste makes waste.
Practice is the best of all instructions.
Better late than never.
Promise little but do much.
Speech is silver but silence is gold.
Understanding is a two-way street.
If you run after two hares, you will catch neither.
Business before pleasure.
As welcome as water in ones shoes.
TEST 3
Choose the word or phrase which best completes the idioms.
1. He laughs __ who laughs last.
a. Loudly
b. best
c. usually
2. If you cant have make the best of what you have.
a. everything
b. success
c. the best
3. He who ___ everybody died before he was born.
a. loves
b. believed
c. pleased
4. Better an open ___ Than a false friend.
a. enemy
b. door
c. air
5. As plain as ___ on your face.
Smile
the nose
tears
I know something like ____ of the hand.
the palm
the finger
nails
Reading is to ___ what exercise is to the body.
the head
you
the mind
The man, who makes no ____ does not usually make anything at all.
Results
Anything
mistakes
Never put off ____ what you can do today.
to the weekend
till tomorrow
the other day
is the best of all instructions.
Training
Exercise
practice
Speech is silver but is gold.
conversation
silence
quietness
Understanding is a street.
busy
hard
two-way
If you run after you will catch neither.
luck
blue bird
two hares
As welcome as in ones shoes.
water
money
surprise
When there is a there is a way.
will
road
luck
TEST 4
Read the situations and make conclusion, using the proverbs we are learning.
You have done something, that is not safe or not careful.
You are jealous of your friends having better clothes.
You have been asked to help but you refused to your friends and today you need some help from your friends.
You know something for sure.
If you want something very much — you will do it.
You are always in a hurry and don’t do anything properly.
You are always late.
Your friend speaks so much and he has got lots of problems being a chatterbox.
You try to do some things simultaneously: listen to music, do your homework and drink tea.
If you love people — they will love you too.
You like working with someone else.
Your point of view is so different from others.
You don’t want to solve the problem alone, you want someone's advice.
You must follow your daily timetable for better results.
You appear somewhere but nobody wants you.
Your friend is not devoted to you, he is not a real one.
You miss your home very much.
When you don’t want to work hard your parents say:...
The longer you are friends the worse you become.
Your parents have to pay lots of money for your education.
You don’t want to be good for everyone.
Your friend always boasts about his achievements and praises himself.
You need to read much to be intelligent and to do exercises to be healthy.
It is better to do everything in time than to put off.
It is better to do what you need and then what you want.
It is better to do something that you can’t do properly than not to do at all.
Your friend always complains that life is so difficult.
TEST 5
Try to recollect the proverb using the given words.
(A will) When _____
(Rains) No _______
(Ends) All ________
Healthy, wealthy and wise.
(Hares) If you
Silver, gold __________
(Till tomorrow) Never
(Mistakes) The men
Kindness
(Plain) As _
Self-praise
(Echo) As the
(The best) If you can’t
(Pigs)
(Quarrels with) A bad
(Company) A man
(In vain) Money
(Laughs) He _
A bed of roses
(Please everybody) He
(Enemy) Better
(Palm) To know
To the mind to the body
Practice
(Welcome) As
Promise
TEST 6
Continue the proverbs.
As the call — ...
Better an open enemy than...
Self-praise is...
As plain as...
Kindness...
The man who makes no mistakes...
Never put off till tomorrow...
Promise little but...
Speech is silver but...
As well as...
If you run after two...
A man is known by the...
Money spent on...
No pains...
When there is a will...
Many men...
A bad man quarrels...
All is well...
One man is...
Never too much of...
He laughs best...
If you can’t have the best...
Four eyes...
He who pleased everybody...
To know something like...
Reading is to the mind what...
Better late...
TEST 7
Complete the crossword, using the words of the proverbs.
___to bed, ___ to rise makes a man healthy, wealthy and wise.
____too much of a good thing.
A man is known by the ____ he keeps.
___ little, but do much.
The man, who makes no ___ does not usually make anything.
Better an open _____ enemy than a false friend.
As the call — so the ____ .
Money spent on the brain is never spent in ___ .
____ give birth to ___ .
No pains, no ____ .
___ is a two-way street..
___ is the best of all instructions..
Life is not a bed of ___ .
14. ___ before pleasure.
15. Self-praise is no ___ .
Scratch an Englishman, find a seaman.
English Proverb
TEST 8
Translate the proverbs from Russian into English.
Совсем некстати.
Делу время — потехе час.
Погонишься за двумя зайцами — ни одного не поймаешь.
Каждый понимает по-своему.
Слово — серебро, а молчание — золото.
Поменьше обещай, побольше делай.
Лучше позже, чем никогда.
Практика лучше всякой теорию.
Поспешишь — людей насмешишь.
Не откладывай на завтра то, что можно сделать сегодня.
В гостях хорошо, а дома лучше.
Никогда не ошибается тот, кто ничего не делает.
Чтение для ума — что упражнение для тела.
Добро порождает добро.
Знать как свои пять пальцев.
Видно как на ладони.
Сам себя не хвали, пусть другие похвалят.
Лучше открытый враг, чем неверный друг.
Всем не угодишь.
Как аукнется, так и откликнется.
Береги все, что имеешь.
Жизнь прожить — не поле перейти.
Смеется тот, кто смеется последний.
Кто рано встает, тому бог дает.
Маслом кашу не испортишь.
Один в поле не воин.
Хорошо то, что хорошо кончается.
Когда рак свистнет.
Без труда не вынешь рыбку из пруда.
Кто хочет, тот добьется.
Плохому танцору шаровары плясать мешают.
Сколько людей, столько и мнений.
Одна голова хорошо, а две лучше.
Деньги на ученье потрачены не зря.
Скажи мне, кто твой друг, и я скажу, кто ты.
LEARN ENGLISH IDIOMS
Read the idioms and their definitions and try to remember them.
To have time to kill — It was early and needed to pass the time.
To be at a loose end — 1 was bored and had nothing else to do.
To be a far cry from — To be very different from.
A lot of water has flown under the bridge — So much has happened.
To go up in the world — To become more successful.
To go down the drain — To go bankrupt.
To hit the jackpot — to become very successful.
To be on the tip of somebody’s tongue — to remember somebody’s name in a minute.
To ring a bell — To sound familiar.
To be over the moon — To be happy.
To bury your head in the sand — To hide from news.
To break the ice — to make the first step into good relationship.
To fall head over heels in love — To fall in love with.
To have butterflies in somebody’s stomach - To escape doing something cowardly.
To go through the roof — To get angry.
To get cold feet — To get scared, to loose courage of something.
To fall on hard times — To have lack of money.
One cant make ends meet — To live for small amount of money.
To be down and out — To become a beggar.
To get on like a house on fire — To have very good relationship.
Until the house come home — for a very long time.
To bring home the bacon of the family — To earn money for the family.
To be on good terms — To be friendly with somebody.
To be in somebody’s shoes — To be in somebody’s position.
To do one’s best — to try as hard as possible.
To be broke — To have no money at all.
To make oneself at home — To feel as if you are at home.
To pull somebody’s leg — to make fun of somebody.
To be hard on somebody — To treat somebody in a strict or unfair way.
To be flat out — To be exhausted.
Take it easy — Don’t be worried or excited.
To make somebody’s blood boiled — To make somebody angry.
A big head — An over-confident and boasting person.
A storm in a teacup — A lot of fuss about nothing.
To be all ears — To listen attentively.
In one ear and out the other — Not to listen what is being said.
To sleep on it — To think over some problem before making decision.
To have one’s heart in one’s mouth — To be very afraid.
To hit the nail on the head — To say exactly the right thing.
To jump out of the frying pan into the fire — To go from a bad situation to even worse one.
TEST 1
Match up the definitions on the left with the correct idiom on the right.
1. To say exactly the right thing |
a) To be at a loose end |
2. To think over some problem before making decision |
b) To go up the world |
3. Not to 1isten what is being said |
c) To be over the moon |
4. To listen attentively |
d) To break the ice |
5. To make somebody angry |
e) To have butterflies in somebody’s stomach |
6. To be exhausted |
f) To get cold feet |
7. To treat somebody in a strict or unfair way |
g) To get on like a house on fire |
8. To make fun of somebody |
h) To be in somebody’s shoes |
9. Not to have money |
i) To bring home the bacon of the family |
10. To be in somebody’s position |
j) To make oneself at home |
11. To be friendly with somebody |
k) To be hard on somebody |
12. To escape doing something cowardly |
1) To be flat out |
13. To feel as if you are in your own house |
m) To make somebody’s blood boil |
14. To earn money for the family |
n) To be all ears |
15. To live for a small amount of money |
o) To sleep on it |
16. To get scared of |
p) To hit the nail on the head |
17. To fall in love with |
q) To be on good terms |
18. To have very little money |
r) To pull somebody’s leg |
19. To make the first steps to improve relationship |
s) To be broke |
20. To become successful |
t) in one ear and out the other. |
21. To have very good relationship |
u) until the cows come home |
22. To become even more successful |
v) To have one’s heart in one’s mouth |
23. To be bored and have nothing to do |
w) To fall on hard times |
24. To be happy |
x) To fall head over hills in love |
25. For a very long time |
y) Can’t make ends meet |
26. To be very afraid |
z) To hit the jackpot |
TEST 2
Choose the word or phrase which best completes each sentence.
My father brings home ___ of the family.
money
the bacon
food
sweets
Our teacher is ___ on our classmate and she always shouts at him.
strict
honest
pleased
hard
My friend usually makes our teacher’s ___ boil by laughing very loudly.
Tea
Blood
Water
soup
He is so absent-minded and he is in one ___ and out the other at the lessons.
ear
eye
head
thoughts
During the exam I had my ____ in my mouth.
finger
pen
heart
water
Because of the crisis our family jumped out of the ____ into the fire.
car
house
plane
frying pan
He always ____ himself at home when he visits our family.
makes
does
feels
thinks
If you want to help me you should be in my _____ .
house
shoes
position
feelings
I can listen to music until ___ come home.
parents
friends
relatives
cows
In our argument he hit ___ on the head and I agreed.
book
hand
the nail
a plate
I’d like to try to drive a car but I have ___ in my stomach.
butterflies
nothing
a lot of food
a frog
My father has lost his job so my parents can’t make ___ meet.
them
colleagues
ends
people
My friend’s family is very big but they get on like ___ on fire.
house
people
firemen
friends
When you don’t want to help you bury your ____ in the sand.
money
phone
yourself
head
It was not a successful business and I went ___ the drain.
up
away
with
down
I had to come to the interview early enough and I had ____ to kill.
money
time
someone
a fly
A lot of water has flown under ___ since we met.
the bridge
the sea
the fingers
road
He was ___ the moon because he has won the competition.
on
at
in
over
I fell ___ over heels in love with my new neighbor.
as
heart
head
shoe
His name was on the tip of my ____ and I met him already.
mind
finger
tongue
head
After the argument he broke _____ .
the bone
the plate
the ice
the key
My father went ____ the roof when I came home after midnight.
into
through
up
off
The weather was horrible, the television was out of order so I was at a ___ end.
tight
loose
other
small
My friend is so serious that I always pull his ____ .
hair
leg
hand
clothes
TEST 3
Say, whether the idioms in the following sentences are used correctly (true) or incorrectly (false) and correct them.
If someone is over the moon — he is very happy
If you bury your head in the sand, it means — you are unhappy.
If you break the ice — you break the relationship.
If you have butterflies in your stomach — you are hungry.
If you go through the roof — you are tired.
If you get cold feet — you are cold.
If you fall on hard times — you have lack of money.
If you can’t make ends meet — you have a lot of money.
If you get on like a house on fire — you are in panic.
If you hit the jackpot — you have lost money.
If you go up in the world — you become successful.
If you are at a loose end — you have fun.
If you are down and out — you are rich.
If you are hard on somebody — you treat someone in a very strict and unfair way.
If you are flat out — you are very lazy.
If you make somebody’s blood boil — you make somebody laugh.
If you are a big head — you are very shy.
If you are all ears — you are deaf.
If you sleep on it — you think over a problem for a long time.
If you pull somebody’s leg you take care of somebody.
If you make yourself at home — you feel shy and confused.
If you are broke — you have no money.
If youare in somebody’s shoes — you don’t know this problem.
If you are on good terms — you are friendly with someone.
If you do your best — you try hard.
If you hit the nail on the head — you say nonsense.
If you jump out of the frying pan into fire you become more successful.
TEST 4
Complete the sentences using idioms.
I have been walking for three hours and was ____ .
He studies well and plays the guitar and speaks English but he is a ____ .
He always worries a lot and it looks like a _____ .
I like this car and I want to buy it but I should _____ .
When my little brother started speaking we were _____ .
If you can’t do it immediately and are anxious about it — relax and ____ .
He has spent all his money and he was ____ .
I want to pass this exam successfully so I’ll ______ .
We have known each other for ages and surely we are ____ .
After the flood a lot of people were ____ .
He has lost his job and now he fell _____.
The little girl wanted to recite a poem to her parent’s friends but she ____.
Though they are brothers, they are ___ from each other..
I don’t remember when we met but his name ____ .
The new student had such funny pronunciation that all his classmates ____ .
His family is rather poor because only his father ____ .
Their family is very friendly and they always ____ .
He has finished all his work and was ____ .
He met this girl and immediately ____.
When my friend come round he always ___ .
TEST 5
Answer the questions using idioms instead of their definitions.
Have you ever been in somebody’s position?
Has the teacher ever been too strict or unfair to you?
Do rude people often make you angry?
Do you always think over some problem before fhaking up your mind?
Do you always say exactly the right thing?
Can you listen to music for a very long time?
Are you friendly with your teachers?
Do you feel yourself .as in your own house when you visit your friends?
Are you very exhausted at the end of the day?
Do you make people angry sometimes?
Does it happen that you don’t listen what is being said to you?
Do you get scared of flying?
Have you ever lived having so little money?
Do you have very good relationship with your parents?
Are you always happy?
Would you make your first step into good relationship with your friends?
Have you ever hidden from the news or problems?
Would you like to become very successful?
Are you very different from your parents?
Have you ever needed to pass the time?
Have you ever fallen in love?
TEST 6
Try to recollect the idioms using the word.
To teat somebody in a strict or unfair way (HARD).
To be exhausted (FLAT).
To be in somebody’s position (SHOES)
To earn money for the family (BACON).
To make fun of somebody (LEG).
To make somebody angry (BLOOD)
A lot of fuss about nothing (STORM).
To come from a bad situation to even worse one (FRYINGPAN)
To say exactly the right thing (NAIL)
For a very long time (COWS)
To fall in love with (HEELS)
To escape doing something cowardly (BUTTERFLIES)
To get angry (ROOF)
To make the first step into good relationship (ICE)
To hide from the problems (SAND)
To be happy (MOON)
To sound familiar (BELL)
To go bankrupt (DRAIN)
So much has happened (THE BRIDGE)
To be early enough and needed to pass the time (TO KILL)
Translate from Russian into English.
Скучать, нечем заняться.
Много воды утекло с тех пор.
Стать банкротом.
Быть на кончике языка.
Быть вне себя от счастья.
Первым наладить отношения.
Бояться что-то делать.
Не сводить концы с концами.
Быть в отличных отношениях.
Убивать время.
Очень отличаться.
Стать еще успешнее.
Звучать знакомым.
Спрятаться от проблем.
По уши влюбиться.
Разозлиться очень сильно.
Быть в затруднительном положении в от ношении денег.
Стать нищим.
Очень долгое время.
Быть в чьем-то положении.
Быть банкротом.
Дурачить кого-то.
Чрезвычайно устать.
Разозлить кого-то.
Слишком много суеты.
В одно ухо влетело, из другого вылетело.
Очень бояться.
Попасть из трудной ситуации в еще более трудную.
Зарабатывать деньги для семьи.
Быть на чьем-то месте.
Сделать все возможное.
Чувствовать себя как дома.
Относиться к кому-то слишком строго и несправедливо.
Не волнуйся, воспринимай все полегче.
Хвастунишка.
Слушать внимательно.
Обдумать проблему,"прежде чем принять решение.
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TEST 7
Complete the crossword with the exact word from one of the idioms.
During the exam I always have ____ in my stomach.
I always go through the ____ When he is late.
_____ your head in the sand if you don’t want to help.
To go down the _____ is the worst thing ever happening.
The name of that film ____ a bell for me.
His name is on the tip of my ____ .
And he has hit the _____ after the first presentation.
My sister is a ____ cry from me.
A lot of water has flown ____ the bridge since I left school.
After the crisis it is possible to jump out of the ____ into the fire.
Explain the meaning of the idiom in English.
To have time to kill.
To be at a loose end.
To be a far cry from.
A lot of water has flown under the bridge.
To go up in the world.
Togo down the drain.
To hit the jackpot.
To be on the tip of somebody’s tongue.
To ring a bell.
To be over the moon.
To bury your head in the sand.
To break the ice.
To fall head over hills in love.
To have butterflies in somebody’s stomach.
To go through the roof.
To get cold feet.
To fall on hard times.
One can’t make ends meet.
To be down and out.
To get on like a house on fire.
Until the cows come home.
To bring home the bacon of the family.
To be on good terms.
To be in somebody’s shoes.
To do one’s best.
To be broke.
To make oneself at home.
To pull somebody’s leg.
To be hard on somebody.
To be flat out.
To take something easy.
To make somebody’s blood boil'.
A big head.
A storm in a teacup.
To be all ears.
In one ear and out the other.
To sleep on it.
To have one’s heart in one’s mouth.
To hit the nail on the head.
To jump out of the frying pan into the fire.
Make up your own sentences using idioms.
To have time to kill.
To be at a loose end.
To be a far cry from. -
A lot of water has flown under the bridge
To go up in the world.
To go down the drain.
To hit the jackpot.
To be on the tip of somebody’s tongue.
To ring a bell.
To be over the moon.
To bury your head in the sand.
To Weak the ice.
To fall head over hills in love,
To have butterflies in somebody’s stomach.
To go through the roof
To get cold feet.
To fall on hard times.
One can’t make ends meet.
To be down and out.
To get on like a house on fire.
Until the cows come home.
To bring home the bacon of the family.
To be on good terms.
To be in somebody’s shoes.
To do one’s best.
To be broke’.
To make oneself at home.
To pull somebody’s leg.
To be hard on somebody.
To be flat out.
To take something easy.
To make somebody’s blood boil.
A big head.
A storm in a teacup.
To be all ears.
In one ear and out the other.
To sleep on it.
To have one’s heart in one’s mouth.
To hit the nail on the head.
To jump out of the frying pan into the fire.