Expressions

• Engels
• Middelbare school
• vmbo k, t
• Leerjaar 4

Do you know any English expressions?

If you don't, you can also write one in Dutch

Do you use expressions? (In Dutch or English)

Often

Sometimes

Almost never

Never

Some expressions are the same in Dutch

• To get out of hand
• Uit de hand lopen
• There's no smoke without fire
  
• Waar rook is, is vuur
• Looking for a needle in a haystack
• Een naald in een hooiberg zoeken
• Speak of the devil
• Als je van de duivel spreekt

Form a sentence with: 'to get out of hand'

There's no smoke without fire: meaning

1. If your house is on fire, you have to get away from the smoke
2. You cannot keep lying forever, people will find out.
3. There is always some truth to rumours
4. Watch out! Your house is on fire.

Form a sentence with: 'looking for a needle in a haystack'

Speak of the devil: meaning

1. You are not allowed to say the word 'devil' in a church
2. The person you are talking about suddenly appears
3. Satan worshippers speak of the devil often
4. Things are not going as planned

Some expressions are similar in Dutch

Het regent pijpenstelen

It's raining _________

1. pipes
2. men
3. cats and dogs
4. on the flowers

Dat is Chinees voor mij.

It's all ________ to me.

1. Greek
2. Chinese
3. French
4. Russian

Een vos verliest zijn haren, maar niet zijn streken

A leopard never changes its ____

1. fur
2. claws
3. behaviour
4. spots

Van een mug een olifant maken

Make a _______out of a _____

1. fire - flame
2. tree - bush
3. mountain - molehill
4. elephant - mosquito

Some expressions do not exist in Dutch

A piece of

The elephant in the

Break a

To be on the

To burn your

leg

cake

bridges

room

fence

1: What is the meaning of these expressions?  

2: Where do you think these expressions came from?

3: Google and write down

• To hear a pin drop
• A penny for your thoughts
• Out of the frying pan into the fire
• Every cloud has a silver lining
• To rain on someone's parade
• You can't make an omelette without breaking some eggs 

Watch the clip (see the chat)

Funny English Idioms - and why we say them!

idioms = expressions

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rV5XUKVMPYA

I need to spend a penny: meaning

1. I have to pay
2. I have to go to the toilet
3. I have to take the bus
4. I have to buy someone a beer

What do Brittish people find funny?

1. (going to) the mall
2. high tea
3. (going to) the toilet
4. quizzes

Where does the expression 'to hear a pin drop' come from?

1. Pins where used during tea auctions, and you could literally hear them drop.
2. Dressmakers used pins, so when a lot of people needed new clothing, you could often hear pins drop.
3. Pins were dropped on records (in a record player) to make the beat drop, like DJ's do today.

The word 'tip' comes from...

1. Today I pay
2. Tickets in progress
3. Today I promise
4. To insure promptness

How much is a baker's dozen?

1. 11
2. 12
3. 13
4. 14

What is the expression you can use when you're not drinking alcohol?

1. I'm on the bus.
2. I'm off the wagon.
3. I'm on the wagon.
4. I'm on the bicycle

Where does the expression 'I'm on the wagon' come from?

1. From people about to be executed
2. From the executioners
3. From people in prison
4. From people driving a wagon