lavrova_n_a_a_coursebook_on_english_lexicology_angliiskaya_l

3.The land of nod (to go to the land of nod is to go to bed or to fall asleep)

4.I am full of beans (to be full of beans is to have a lot of energy and enthusiasm)

5.They fell off the back of a lorry (goods that fall off the back of a lorry are stolen goods)

6.He led me up the garden path (to lead smb. up the garden path is to mislead or to deceive them)

7.I (got) stuck in a rut (to get stuck in a rut is to live a boring lifestyle that never changes)

8.The man hit the ceiling (to hit the ceiling is to become very angry and to fly into a rage)

9.She tied a granny’s knot (to tie a granny’s knot is to tie a very bad, insecure knot that it not likely to hold two pieces together).

Ex. VIII

To be taken to task (to be reprimanded); against the grain (the wrong way); to lay it on thick (to flatter); to be like putty in smb.’s hands (to control smb. completely); run of the mill (average, middle of the road); to shoot the messenger (not to welcome bad news); bread and circuses (visual, sensual entertainment); the dog ate my homework (a childish excuse for not having your work done); to have the Midas touch (to be lucky, to bring profit); What’s the damage? (How much does it cost?); to keep smb. posted (to keep smb. informed); sinking feeling (a feeling caused by anxiety or apprehension); armed to the teeth (fully prepared); to have a chip on one’s shoulder (to bear a grudge, to be resentful); to pick up the gauntlet (to accept a challenge); to pass muster (to pass inspection); a shot in the dark (a wild guess); son of a gun (a rogue or rascal); flotsam and jetsam (odds and ends); to leave no stone unturned (to explore every possible way); a jaundiced eye (a prejudiced view, a critical or resentful manner); to be on the same wavelength (to understand smb. completely); the acid test (the ultimate proof of smth.); a sight for sore eyes (a person or thing that one is pleased or relieved to see); to keep one’s nose clean (trying to stay out of trouble by not getting involved in any sort of wrongdoing).

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Ex. IX

1.(to open) a can of worms

2.to keep the wolf from the door

3.to steal smb.’s thunder

4.a kangaroo court

5.cat’s paw

6.to toe the line

7.to bark up the wrong tree

8.when will pigs fly

9.to overegg the pudding

10.birds of a feather

11.to split hairs

12.an elephant in the room

13.an old chestnut

14.to lick into shape

15.making tea with your navel.

Ex. XI

1.one cannot speak because of shyness or embarrassment

2.to have little room

3.there is more than one way of doing smth.

4.to become very angry

5.until very late, for a long time

6.everybody has a chance to succeed

7.to be in disgrace or in trouble

8.to dress or entertain in a luxurious and extravagant manner

9.to leave for some unmentioned purpose (often to go to the washroom)

10.a situation where a small part of something controls the whole thing

11.on foot

12.to begin to be humble and agreeable

13.to do things in the wrong order

14.to make someone look foolish

said when someone copies something that someone else does

a serious problem that stops someone from being successful at something

very funny.

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Ex. XIII

American dream: the ideals of freedom, equality and opportunity traditionally held to be obtainable to every American; a life of personal happiness and material comfort as traditionally sought by individuals in the US Lord of the flies: another name for Beelzebub

Ants in the pants: to have ants in one’s pants is to be agitated and excited about smth. and not to be able to keep still

Cakes and ale: the good things of life, worldly pleasures

Blackboard Jungle: the way of life and activities connected with schools, especially when considered as difficult and confusing

Cat on a hot tin roof: to be like a cat on a hot tin roof is to be in a state of extreme nervous worry

On dangerous ground: in a situation that might cause problems, especially if people disagree strongly about it

Seventh heaven: to be on seventh heaven is to be very happy

The Seventh Seal: the expression is taken from the Revelation of St. John, referring to God's book of secrets sealed by seven seals, the belief being that it is only after breaking the seventh seal that the secret of life will be revealed

Time out of joint: in an unfavourable state, at an inauspicious moment Salad Days: a time of youth, innocence and inexperience

Mortal Coil: the troubles of daily life and the strife and suffering of the world

The Asphalt Jungle: a large city or an urban or inner-city area, especially when characterized as congested and crime-ridden.

Ex. XIV

1. to smash/blow smth. to smithereens: the word is traced to Irish “smidirín”, which means “fragment”.

2. spick and span new: A spick is an obsolescent word meaning “nail”, “span” is an obsolescent word meaning “chip”. Originally the expression was used adjectivally in combination with the word “ship”.

3. to run amok (amuck): “Amok” or “amuck” is the Malay word “amoq” meaning “furious assault”.

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4. sac and soc: “Sac” is Old English sacu “strife”, “contention”, “litigation”, and “soc” is Old English soc “inquiry”, “investigation”, “jurisdiction”.

5. of that ilk: “ilk” is Old English “ilca” meaning “same family”, “same kind”.

Ex. XV

bowels of mercy to break the mould

to butter one’s bread on both sides canned laughter

to hang in the balance to hang out one’s shingle to kiss the rod.

Ex. XVI

1.In the kingdom of the blind

2.One man’s meat

3.The shoemaker’s son

4.All are not merry

5.Anger and haste

6.Between the cup and the lip

7.By doing nothing

8.Calamity

9.Every mother

10.First deserve

11.Fool

12.Friends

13.A wonder lasts nine days.

8. Some Regional Varieties of English

Ex. I

allowance; aluminum; hair-pin; bureau; carryall; cotton candy; diaper; dormitory; draft; drapes; French fries; intermission; squash; nail polish;

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zero, nothing; shopping cart; sneakers; tick-tack-toe; pantyhose; scotch; lawyer; saltshaker; license plate; sidewalk.

Ex. II

1. an American; 2. a Briton; 3. an American; 4. an American; 5. an American; 6. a Briton; 7. an American; 8. an American.

Ex. III

Alimony; arbitrator; arrest; blackmail; arson; manslaughter; defendant.

Ex. IV

a)You’ll knock a while out of it – It will last you for a while; He’d put the day astray on you – He would waste your day; He is the rest of myself – He is related to me

b)As often as fingers and toes; as mean as get out; as fat in the forehead as a hen; as sharp a tongue as would shave the mouse.

Ex. V

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