Learn English Idioms

So, summer is now over and finally the next part of the idioms post is complete. Things have been really busy but I have finished creating a more detailed look at the idioms highlighted in my last idioms post 29th July 2009. Sorry it’s taken so long. You can see the full post by clicking here http://londonschoolofenglish.blogspot.com/2009/07/idioms.html ,but here is the final piece of text again describing summer in the school.


So, summer's here (see previous post June) and all the staff in the school are rushed off their feet as there are a lot of learners here trying to brush up their English. It's an incredibly fun time of year in the school as we welcome people from all walks of life. Some of the young learners are trying to find themselves while some of the older learners are attempting to climb to the top of the career ladder or get out of a rut but whoever the learner may be they are all bending over backwards to improve their English.Summer is an excellent time to be in London because there are no end of things to do, from music festivals to day trips, from outdoor theatre to exhibitions. No matter, who you are, where you're from or what you do, there are things to do in London which are right up your street. So, why not come and visit us, experience the city and meet some new people from around the world? You never know you might just have the time of your life and your English could go from strength to strength and make all the difference to your life and career.


The idioms that were highlighted in the text (1-12) and their meanings (a-l), are listed below, Can you match them? Use the text above to help you.

1) to be rushed off your feet
2) to brush something up
3) to be from all walks of life
4) to find yourself
5) to have the time of your life
6) the career ladder
7) to bend over backwards to do something
8) to get out of a rut
9) no end of something
10) to go from strength to strength
11) to be up your street
12) to make all the difference to ……..

a) the job positions someone works through in an organisation
b) to really enjoy yourself
c) to escape a routine course of life that is usually boring and without opportunities
d) what seems to be an unlimited supply of something
e) to refresh your memory or renew a skill
f) to be completely suitable for you
g) to discover what you are good at or what your true ability is
h) to have a key effect
i) to work very hard or fast because you are busy
j) to come from different occupations, professions or social classes
k) to make a large effort
l) to become better and more successful

If you are not sure you can you use these questions to help you? They will also help you to check what you understand.


How much do you have to work if you are rushed off your feet? Why?

Does all walks of life only refer to your job?

If you find yourself what do you discover?

When you have the time of your life do you have the best time ever or just a really good time?

If you get out of a rut what do you escape?

Are you happy when you climb the career ladder?, What happens to you?

How much effort do you make when you bend over backwards to do something?

Is it good to brush something up? What do you do?

How much is available if there is no end of something?

How is it possible to go from strength to strength?

Are you usually happy if something is up your street? Why?

If something makes all the difference to you how significant is it? Why?


I will post the answers at the end of this week, as well as some example sentences with the idioms used in a different context. Until then I hope you have managed to work out a few of the answers.