English Listening Lesson Library Online - www.elllo.org - Print Version Quiz 1) When you swim upstream, your work gets _____ .
a) easier b) harder 2) When someone has you by the gills, that is _____ .
a) good b) bad 3) If you are let off the hook, that is _____ .
Idioms #5 | Intermediate 5
a) good b) bad
Fish Idioms - Part 1 Learn idioms related to fish in these short conversations.
4) If you have bigger fish to fry, you _____ .
Task: Complete the conversation with words in the boxes. a) are free to help other people b) focus on your own thing Swim up stream A: How is the project _____ ? B: Slow. There is so much red tape to ___ with. A: That ______ frustrating. B: I know. It’s _____ swimming _____ stream. A: Well, don’t _____ up.
up • like deal • sounds going • give
swim up stream
Got me by the gills A: So _____’s business going? B: Not, good. I _____ a lot in taxes. A: Really how _____? B: Let;s just say a lot, and I have to ______. A: Oh no! Sounds like they _____ you by the ______.
gills • got owe • how much • pay
hook • let pay • later off • firm
Have bigger fish to fry A: Are _____ coming to _____ meeting? B: I can’t. I have _____ finish this project. A: But this meeting _____ important. B: I know, but right now I have bigger fish to ______. A: OK, ______ yourself.
suit • the you • to is • fry
Listen Online at elllo.org Watch the animated vide Check the Answers Learn more idioms Find it at elllo.org/english/slang
After a fish is caught, fisherman pick it up by the gills, the open area by its mouth. This phrase means that someone has you trapped or won't let you do as you wish. Let me off the hook When fisherman catch a fish, they sometimes release it by removing the fish hook and setting the fish free in the water. When you let someone off the hook, you let them go free, or you do not hold them accountable for something Have bigger fish to fry
Fishy A: Did you _____ Sue today? B: No, she called in _____. A: I saw ____ having lunch ____ David Smith. B: David Smith! ______ main competitor! A: Yeah, something seems _____!
When you swim up stream, you swim against the current so swimming is very difficult. This phrases means to do something that is difficult because of some kind of interference. got me by the gills
Let me off the hook A: Did Bob ____ you the money he owes you? B: No, but he said he would pay me ______. A: He has the money. Don’t ____ him fool you. B: I know. I need to be more _____ with him. A: You do! Don’t let him _____ the _____.
Vocabulary
her • see fishy • with sick • our
When you have bigger fish to fry, you are worried about one particular situation, and do not have interest in other matters that other people are concerned about. Fishy When something is fishy, that means it is strange or not right. You have a bad feeling that someone is hiding the truth about a situation, and you suspect something is wrong.
English Listening Lesson Library Online - www.elllo.org - Print Version Quiz 1) When you swim upstream, your work gets _____ .
a) easier b) harder 2) When someone has you by the gills, that is _____ .
a) good b) bad 3) If you are let off the hook, that is _____ .
Idioms #5 | Intermediate 5
a) good b) bad
Fish Idioms - Part 1 Learn idioms related to fish in these short conversations.
4) If you have bigger fish to fry, you _____ .
Task: Complete the conversation with words in the boxes. a) are free to help other people b) focus on your own thing Swim up stream A: How is the project going? B: Slow. There is so much red tape to deal with. A: That sounds frustrating. B: I know. It’s like swimming up stream. A: Well, don’t give up.
up • like deal • sounds going • give
swim up stream
Got me by the gills A: So how’s business going? B: Not, good. I owe a lot in taxes. A: Really how much? B: Let;s just say a lot, and I have to pay. A: Oh no! Sounds like they got you by the gills.
gills • got owe • how much • pay
hook • let pay • later off • firm
suit • the you • to is • fry
When fisherman catch a fish, they sometimes release it by removing the fish hook and setting the fish free in the water. When you let someone off the hook, you let them go free, or you do not hold them accountable for something Have bigger fish to fry
Fishy A: Did you see Sue today? B: No, she called in sick. A: I saw her having lunch with David Smith. B: David Smith! our main competitor! A: Yeah, something seems fishy!
After a fish is caught, fisherman pick it up by the gills, the open area by its mouth. This phrase means that someone has you trapped or won't let you do as you wish. Let me off the hook
Have bigger fish to fry A: Are you coming to the meeting? B: I can’t. I have to finish this project. A: But this meeting is important. B: I know, but right now I have bigger fish to fry. A: OK, suit yourself.
When you swim up stream, you swim against the current so swimming is very difficult. This phrases means to do something that is difficult because of some kind of interference. got me by the gills
Let me off the hook A: Did Bob pay you the money he owes you? B: No, but he said he would pay me later. A: He has the money. Don’t let him fool you. B: I know. I need to be more firm with him. A: You do! Don’t let him off the hook.
Vocabulary
her • see fishy • with sick • our
When you have bigger fish to fry, you are worried about one particular situation, and do not have interest in other matters that other people are concerned about. Fishy
Listen Online at elllo.org Watch the animated vide Check the Answers Learn more idioms Find it at elllo.org/english/slang
When something is fishy, that means it is strange or not right. You have a bad feeling that someone is hiding the truth about a situation, and you suspect something is wrong.
English Listening Lesson Library Online - www.elllo.org - Print Version Quiz 1) A big fish in a small pond means _____ . a) you want to leave your area b) you have lots of influence 2) When you take the bait you _____ . a) are pursuaded to do something b) steal something from someone 3) A fish tail is basically _____ . a) a lie b) the truth
Idioms #6 | Intermediate 5
Fish Idioms - Part 2
4) A fish out of water feels _____ .
Learn idioms related to fish in these short conversations. Task: Complete the conversation with words in the boxes.
Big fish in a small pond but • in • on A: So how is university _____ going? you • pond • life B: Good _____ I really miss high school. A: Why is that? B: I miss being involved _____ campus. A: Or _____ miss being a big fish _____ a small _____ .
Take the bait take • all • bait A: How _____ the seminar? so • fishy • was B: Not good. It was _____ a scam. A: What do you mean? How _____ ? B: They wanted people to invest in their company. A: Really, sounds _____ . B: Yeah, I’m glad I didn’t _____ the _____ .
Fish Tale sold • true • you A: How did the sales meeting _____ ? go • tale • like B: Great, I _____ over a thousand units. A: What? Are _____ serious? B: I know. It sounds _____ a fish _____ , but it’s _____ ! A: That’s awesome. Congratulations.
Drink like a fish drinks • too • huge last • was • drinks
A: How was _____ night? B: Good, but today I have a _____ hangover. A: Why, did you drink _____ much. B: Yeah, I _____ with Karen and she _____ a lot. A: Yeah, I heard she drinks like a _____ .
Fish out of water water • baby • a A: How was the _____ shower? hated • out • no B: Awful. I _____ it. A: Oh _____ , why? B: As the only male, I felt like _____ fish _____ of _____ . A: Well, I”m sure they enjoyed you being there.
Listen Online at elllo.org Watch the animated video Check the Answers Learn more idioms Find it at elllo.org/english/slang
a) at home b) uncomfortable
Vocabulary Big fish in a small pond When you are a big fish in a small pond, that means you have a lot of status amongst a small group of people. In a larger group you are not as important. Have you ever been a fish out of water? Take the bait When you take the bait, you are persuaded to do something that might not be in your best interest because of a false promise. Have you ever taken the bait? Fish Tale A fish tale is an exaggeration of the truth. the meaning comes from people bragging about catching really big fish that were likely much smaller than reported. Have you ever told a fish tale? Drink like a fish If you drink like a fish that means you can drink a lot of alcohol and not get too drunk or sick. Who drinks like a fish?
Fish out of water When you are a fish out of water, you feel uncomfortable in a situation because you are different from everyone else. Have you ever been a fish out of water?
English Listening Lesson Library Online - www.elllo.org - Print Version Quiz 1) A big fish in a small pond means _____ . a) you want to leave your area b) you have lots of influence 2) When you take the bait you _____ . a) are pursuaded to do something b) steal something from someone 3) A fish tail is basically _____ . a) a lie b) the truth
Idioms #5 | Intermediate 5
Fish Idioms - Part 2
4) A fish out of water feels _____ .
Learn idioms related to fish in these short conversations. Task: Complete the conversation with words in the boxes.
Big fish in a small pond but • in • on A: So how is university life going? you • pond • life B: Good but I really miss high school. A: Why is that? B: I miss being involved on campus. A: Or you miss being a big fish in a small pond.
Take the bait take • all • bait A: How was the seminar? so • fishy • was B: Not good. It was all a scam. A: What do you mean? How so? B: They wanted people to invest in their company. A: Really, sounds fishy. B: Yeah, I’m glad I didn’t take the bait.
Fish Tale sold • true • you A: How did the sales meeting go? go • tale • like B: Great, I sold over a thousand units. A: What? Are you serious? B: I know. It sounds like a fish tale, but it’s true! A: That’s awesome. Congratulations.
Drink like a fish drinks • too • huge last • was • drinks
A: How was last night? B: Good, but today I have a huge hangover. A: Why, did you drink too much. B: Yeah, I was with Karen and she drinks a lot. A: Yeah, I heard she drinks like a fish.
Fish out of water water • baby • a A: How was the baby shower? hated • out • no B: Awful. I hated it. A: Oh no, why? B: As the only male, I felt like a fish out of water. A: Well, I”m sure they enjoyed you being there.
Listen Online at elllo.org Watch the animated video Check the Answers Learn more idioms Find it at elllo.org/english/slang
a) at home b) uncomfortable
Vocabulary Big fish in a small pond When you are a big fish in a small pond, that means you have a lot of status amongst a small group of people. In a larger group you are not as important. Have you ever been a fish out of water? Take the bait When you take the bait, you are persuaded to do something that might not be in your best interest because of a false promise. Have you ever taken the bait? Fish Tale A fish tale is an exaggeration of the truth. the meaning comes from people bragging about catching really big fish that were likely much smaller than reported. Have you ever told a fish tale? Drink like a fish If you drink like a fish that means you can drink a lot of alcohol and not get too drunk or sick. Who drinks like a fish?
Fish out of water When you are a fish out of water, you feel uncomfortable in a situation because you are different from everyone else. Have you ever been a fish out of water?