Shakespeare’s idioms
Idioms used or
invented by
Shakespeare
Warmer – What is an idiom?
Meet Franz.
Your teacher will tell you about him.
Which phrase do you think could describe Franz?
a) a dark horse
b) a night owl ✓
c) a cash cow
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Warmer – What is an idiom?
A ‘night owl’ is an idiom.
If we say that Franz is a ‘night owl’, we don’t mean that he actually is an owl!
night
owl
the words in the idiom
the meaning of the idiom
An idiom is a group of words that have a special meaning when used together. The
meaning of the idiom is different from the meaning of the individual words.
Shakespeare used and invented lots of idioms.
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Task 1 – the words in the idioms
Match the idioms with the pictures.
•at a snail’s pace
•send someone packing
•a night owl
•break the ice
•lie low
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Task 2 – the meanings of the idioms
Match the pictures showing the words in the idiom (left)
with the ones showing the meanings (right).
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Task 2 – the meanings of the idioms
Match the pictures showing the words in the idiom (left)
with the ones showing the meanings (right).
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Spare slides
• The following slides (8–17)
are included for the
teacher’s optional use,
either projected or printed.
• Slides 8–12 (left) show the
wording of the idioms.
• Slides 13–17 (right)
demonstrate the meaning.
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