Euphemisms and Idiomatic
Expressions
Larissa de Andrade
Defendi
2010
Defendi LA, 2010
Introduction
• Motivation
 Political correctness
 My own curiosity
• Purpose
 Activities
Defendi LA, 2010
An Euphemism
Taboo
Avoidance
Defendi LA, 2010
Euphemisms
1) We had to ____
our cat ____ as she
was very ill.
2) Her uncle _____
away last year.
animal euthanasia
died
a) set down
b) put down
c) sleep off
a) has gone
b) travelled
c) passed
Defendi LA, 2010
Humorous euphemisms for
Death
1) He has gone to meet his maker.
2) I won't worry about money when
I'm six feet under.
3) Last I heard about him,
he is ________.
Defendi LA, 2010
4) When _________ you can argue
about the inheritance.
5) I've heard that poor old Ernie has snuffed it.
6) Harold _________ last year.
7) So Joe has finally ________ .
Defendi LA, 2010
Euphemisms
3) Steve is _____
jobs at the moment.
unemployed
a) changing
b) between
c) changing
4) Is there a ______
nearby?
bathroom
a) public convenience
b) ladie/gent
c) restroom
Defendi LA, 2010
Humorous euphemisms for
Bathroom
1) He is in the bog.
2) I would like to pay a visit to
the smallest room of the house.
3) He has gone ________.
Defendi LA, 2010
Euphemisms
5) Have you heard that Katy has __________ ?
in theinfamily
Aisbun
the way
oven
Defendi LA, 2010
Euphemisms
6) The newspaper said
the president was
___ at the party.
A bit worse for
tired and emotional
wear
7) The directors had
_____ in the
meeting.
a full and frank
discussion
Defendi LA, 2010
Euphemisms
8) I'm afraid I can't
come to the
restaurant with you.
I am ______ at the
moment.
9) The boss is known
for being _______ .
lying
disadvantaged
Defendi LA, 2010
Relationship and Feelings
A love-rat
Puppy love
LOVE
Cupboard
love
To be lovey-dovey
Defendi LA, 2010
Relationship and Feelings
Puppy love
Do not worry so much.
It is just puppy love –
you will grow out of it.
Love between teenagers
Defendi LA, 2010
Relationship and Feelings
A love-rat
He has had affairs with
three different women
at the same time – he is
a complete love-rat !
A man who betrays his
girlfriend/wife
Defendi LA, 2010
Relationship and Feelings
Cupboard love
I think my cat loves
me, but it is only
cupboard love !
Love that you give
A in
love
for to
someone
order
get
because
you
are
something from
given
food
someone.
Defendi LA, 2010
Relationship and Feelings
To be lovey-dovey
They are so lovey-dovey,
always whispering to each
other and looking into
each other's eyes.
To show everyone how
much you are inDefendi
loveLA, 2010
Relationship and Feelings
1) My friend _______
you!
To find someone
attractive
a) gets to
b) fancies
c) sticks on
2) She has always been
the ________ of
her father's eye.
to be loved by
someone, normally
an older relative
a) apple
b) pupil
c) cutie
Defendi LA, 2010
Relationship and Feelings
3) We finally decided to
_____________ .
agree that the
relationship has
ended
a) follow the track alone
b) call it a day
c) follow another track
4) Once she moved out,
it was clear their
marriage was _____.
in difficulty
a) on the rocks
b) out of the track
c) in the box
Defendi LA, 2010
Relationship and Feelings
5) So when are you two getting _____________?
tying
the knot
hitched
Defendi LA, 2010
Meetings
A party where
everyone wear a
costume on a
particular theme
A formal evening
occasion where
people dance
PARTIES
A drink-up
A party in a pub,
with colleagues
or friends
Defendi LA, 2010
Relationship and Feelings
6) They were _______
when they learned
they had won a cruise.
extremely happy
7) He was______ when
he realised he had
thrown away his
lottery ticket.
very sad
a) over the moon
b) in seventh heaven
c) over the rainbow
a) as sick as a parrot
b) down in the dumps
Defendi LA, 2010
c) feeling a little
blue
Relationship and Feelings
8) I just can't stand anymore. I am at _______
with all these bills and debts.
the
end
ofendmy
at my
wit’s
tether
Defendi LA, 2010
When you or someone is very
angry...
1) You see ________ .
2) You are ________ .
3) You are off ________ .
Defendi LA, 2010
Money Expressions
1) It costs _______ to
buy all these
Christmas presents.
is very expensive
a) an arm and a leg
b) the ocean
c) the mountain
2) They had to ____ to
get their son insured
to drive.
spend a great
amount of money
a) cut the pockets
b) go under the table
2010
c) pay throughDefendi
the LA,
nose
Money Expressions
3) They are________ on their anniversary this
year.
paying a lot for an important event
a) washing the mare
b) splashing out
c) playing the soap opera protagonist
Defendi LA, 2010
Money Expressions
From rags to riches
His family has always been as
poor as _____
. mice
church
But he had become Google’s CEO –
obviously now he is loaded. His
daughter will inherit everything.
She is sitting _________.
on a goldmine
Defendi LA, 2010
Money Expressions
She can’t stop shopping:
money _____________.
burns a hole in
Now she is skint.
her pocket
People in such a situation
are ____ lately.
Luckily, she sells bunches of
flowers she had grown herself.
It is money _____________.
Defendi LA, 2010
for old rope
Money Expressions
Why don't you buy her at least a small box of
chocolates? You're such a scrooge !
Defendi LA, 2010
Wear your
heart on
your
sleeve!
I mean…
Show other
people how you
are feeling!Defendi LA, 2010
Defendi LA, 2010