Can you find 27 English figures of speech or idioms in this picture?
Just for fun.
I found this picture puzzle online and decided to give it a try. There are 27 English figures of speech or idioms represented in this picture. I had a go at trying to find them and I did manage to come up with 27!
Have a go and see how many you can see. My list below. Compare my answers with yours. Did you get the same as me, or did you find different ones? I think for some of the depictions, more than one figure of speech/idiom is possible.
1. To walk on eggshells.
To be very careful not to offend or upset someone:
When my boss is tired we spend the day walking on eggshells as he becomes really grumpy.
2. Birdbrain.
A stupid person:
Her brother’s a real birdbrain.
3. In a nutshell.
Something that you say when you are describing something using as few words as possible:
The answer, in a nutshell, is yes.
4. To hit the nail on the head.
To describe exactly what is causing a situation or problem:
I think Jon hit the nail on the head when he said that what’s lacking in this company is a feeling of confidence.
5. To be born with a silver spoon in your mouth.
To have a high social position and be rich from birth:
She doesn’t have any money worries, she was born with a silver spoon in her mouth.
6. To put a bug in someone’s ear.
To tell someone some particular information, suggestion, hint, or warning:
They weren’t listening to me, so I asked my boss to put a bug in their ear about the importance of meeting this deadline.
7. To have a lot on your plate.
To have something, usually a large amount of important work, to deal with:
She’s got a lot on her plate, especially with two new projects starting this week.
8. To give/hand something to someone on a (silver) platter.
To allow someone to get something very easily, without having to work for it:
If you sell your share in the company now, you’re handing the ownership to him on a silver platter.
9. The big cheese.
An important person in a company or an organization with a lot of influence:
He left business school and became a big cheese in the City.
10. A red herring.
A red herring is when irrelevant information is presented alongside relevant information, distracting attention from that relevant information:
The police investigated many clues, but they were all red herrings.
11. To spill the beans.
To tell people secret information:
So who spilled the beans about her affair with David?
12. To put all your eggs in one basket.
To invest all your resources or efforts into one venture, which could result in significant loss if it fails:
I’m applying for several jobs because I don’t want to put all my eggs in one basket.
13. Time flies.
Used to mean that time passes surprisingly quickly:
Time flies when you’re having fun.
14. To tie (up) in knots.
To cause someone to feel anxious, confused, or troubled by a difficult or complicated situation:
The new employee was so nervous during her presentation that she tied herself in knots and forgot what she was supposed to say.
15. To have an ace up your sleeve.
To have a secret strategy or plan that gives you an advantage in a situation:
Marco always has an ace up his sleeve when it comes to negotiations. He knows the market trends inside out, and he is always prepared to negotiate to get the best deal for his company.
16. To wear your heart on your sleeve.
To make your feelings and emotions obvious rather than hiding them:
She doesn’t wear her heart on her sleeve so it’s difficult to know what she’s feeling.
17. To keep your cards close to your chest.
To keep one’s plans, intentions, or information secret from everyone else:
We’re all curious about what the boss has been discussing in those meetings with the lawyers, but she’s been keeping her cards close to her chest.
18. To have the cat by the tail:
To have control over a situation or problem:
After months of struggling with the project, we finally have the cat by the tail and are making good progress.
19. (Has the) Cat got your tongue?
A comment made when someone is unusually quiet and not speaking very much:
What’s the matter? Has the cat got your tongue?
20. To patch up.
To restore a relationship damaged by a disagreement or dispute:
I tried to patch up my dispute with Marcy, but she isn’t ready to forgive me.
21. To kick the bucket.
To die:
My dream is to travel the world before I kick the bucket.
22. To pull your socks up.
To make an effort to improve your work or behaviour because it is not good enough:
He’s going to have to pull his socks up if he wants to stay in the team.
23. To put your best foot forward.
To act or appear at your best to try to make a good impression:
You really need to put your best foot forward in the interview if you want to get the job.
24. To be afraid of your own shadow.
Easily scared:
Please try not to make any sudden moves around my cat as she is afraid of her own shadow.
25. To be a shadow of (someone’s or something’s) former self:
Someone or something that is not as strong, powerful, or useful as it once was:
Since her accident, she’s become a shadow of her former self.
26. The cherry on the cake:
An additional benefit or positive aspect to something that is already considered positive or beneficial.
Sara really wanted that job, so she said the signing up bonus was the cherry on the cake.
27. A piece of cake.
Very easy:
The exam was a piece of cake.
Would you like to learn more English idiom or practise the ones you already know? If you do, book an online English class with me. I’m a native English speaker and a CELTA qualified teacher. Choose between a cafe conversation class, a general English class or a business English class. I’m really looking forward to meeting you and teaching you English!