English Idiom Lesson 19 - Opposition Idioms

This lesson talks about opposing or being against someone or something or being in opposition to someone or something. To oppose someone or something means to disagree with or to be against someone or something. People can oppose new rules or laws. Citizens can oppose a new stadium being built.
The noun opposition is used to describe the resistance to something. There can be opposition to a new highway or opposition to a new law. The opposition in sports is the opposite team. In government, the opposition can be people with different opinions.
The parents of most children may sometimes be opposed to the ideas or plans of the children.

Reading

The young man was at odds with his parents over his plan to buy an expensive designer watch. They were not happy and immediately turned thumbs down on the idea. They were always opposed to his plans and on this issue they were poles apart. The parents believed that the watch was too expensive. The boy thought that it was his business only. The parents thought that, on the contrary, it was also their business. The reality of the situation was that the boy had a job but he lived very cheaply at home. The boy and his parents soon reached an impasse over this issue. Finally, the boy backed down. He wanted to be on good terms with his parents so he decided not to buy the watch.

Answer the following questions. The answers can be found directly in the story. These questions will help you practice using the new words in a simple way.

• 1. Who was the young man at odds with?
• 2. What did the parents turn thumbs down on?
• 3. What was the boy and his parents poles apart about?
• 4. The boy thought one thing but what, on the contrary, did the parents think?
• 5. What was the reality of the situation for the boy?
• 6. Did they soon reach an impasse over the issue?
• 7. Did the boy finally back down?
• 8. Did the boy want to continue to be on good terms with his parents?

Making Connections and Idiom Meanings

Some of the idioms have another meaning or are connected to another meaning. Use this information to help you choose the correct meaning for each of the following idioms:

1. to be at odds with someone
a)   to be expected of someone
b)   to be in disagreement with someone

2. to turn thumbs down on something
a)   to reject something
b)   to agree with something

3. A pole is a long slender piece of wood or metal like a telephone pole or a fishing pole. Two poles can be very far apart. What does it mean to be poles apart?
a)   to have completely opposite ideas
b)   to be just what is expected

4. on the contrary
a)   opposite to something
b)   the same as something

5. the reality of the situation
a)   the way that a situation really is
b)   not really the way something is

6. An impasse is a difficult situation where no progress can be made. To reach means to arrive at a place. What does to reach an impasse mean?
a)   to reach a point where things are progressing well
b)   to reach a point where progress is impossible

7. to back down (from something)
a)   to retreat from something
b)   to continue with something

8. to be on good terms with someone
a)   to have a good relationship with someone
b)   to have a bad relationship with someone

I'm Done!

Your score is: ___  out of 8

Match the Sentences

Choose the answer that best matches each sentence:

1. The girl is at odds with her friend about which restaurant to go to.
a)   They agree about which restaurant to go to.
b)   They do not agree about which restaurant to go to.

2. I asked for a holiday next week. My company turned thumbs down on the request.
a)   The company agreed to the request.
b)   The company did not agree to the request.

3. The two sides are poles apart.
a)   Their opinions are opposite.
b)   They have similar opinions.

4. I thought that my friend would be bored but on the contrary he was quite interested.
a)   The friend was very bored.
b)   The friend was interested.

5. The reality of the situation is that the man must look for a new job.
a)   He will definitely have to look for a new job.
b)   He may have to look for a new job.

6. The football player's discussions with his team have reached an impasse.
a)   The discussions are progressing very well.
b)   The discussions are not progressing very well.

7. The city backed down from their plan to build the new bridge.
a)  The city will build the new bridge.
b)  The city will not build the new bridge.

8. The man is on good terms with his neighbors.
a)  The man has a good relationship with his neighbors.
b)  The man does not have a good relationship with his neighbors.

I'm Done!

Your score is: ___  out of 8

Discussion Questions

Answer the following questions using the idioms from this section:

• 1. Have you ever been at odds with someone about money?
• 2. Are you at odds with anyone now because of anything?
• 3. Has anyone ever turned thumbs down on one of your ideas or plans?
• 4. Did you ever turn thumbs down on someone's idea?
• 5. Have you ever been poles apart with your parents over some issue?
• 6. Do you know any negotiators who are poles apart over some issue?
• 7. Have you recently had to do something that you thought would be very boring but on the contrary was actually very interesting?
• 8. Do you know anyone who seems very nice but on the contrary, is not very nice at all?
• 9. What is the reality of the situation about how you spend money?
• 10. Do you understand the reality of the situation in the world economy?
• 11. Have you ever reached an impasse when discussing a problem with a friend?
• 12. Do you know any international situation which has reached an impasse?
• 13. Do you usually back down from someone when you have an argument?
• 14. Do you know anyone who will never back down in an argument?
• 15. Are you on good terms with your neighbors?
• 16. Is there anyone who you are not on good terms with?

Role Play

Student A: You are at odds with your child about something that he or she wants to buy. You turn thumbs down on the idea because you think that the item is too expensive and is not necessary.

Student B: You are talking with your parent about something that you want to buy. You are trying to convince your parent to permit you to buy it.

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Lesson 19 of 60 – Opposition Idioms