IDIOM CONNECTION

lesson 38

Confuse Idioms and a Big Storm

Introduction

Did you ever experience a really big storm?

Reading

The big storm was causing much confusion at the airport. Most of the flights were late or canceled. The members of the airline staff did not seem to know whether they were coming or going. The confusion boggled my mind. Nobody knew anything. It was a holiday weekend and I wanted to go home. When I asked someone a question, they gave me the runaround. When I asked someone else, they said something different. I was going around in circles. I tried to point out that it was their job to help people. Still, nobody could give it to me straight about what was happening. I was at a loss for words about what to say or do. The situation was making my head spin and there was absolutely nothing that I could do about it.

Reading Questions

Answer the following questions. The answers can easily be found in the reading above.

1. Did the airline staff members know if they were coming or going?

2. Did the confusion boggle his mind?

3. Did somebody give him the runaround when he asked a question?

4. Was he going around in circles?

5. What did he point out?

6. Could anybody give it to him straight about what was happening?

7. Was he at a loss for words about what to say or do?

8. What was making his head spin?

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. someone does not know whether he is coming or going
a)   someone is sure about what he should do
b)   someone does not know what to do
c)   someone is talking very quickly and angrily

2. To boggle someone means to cause that person to be overwhelmed with fright or astonishment? What would to boggle someone's mind mean?
a)   to be too much for someone
b)   to be very boring for someone
c)   to make someone angry

3. The meaning of a runaround is some kind of deception which is usually done by giving someone many excuses about something. What would to give someone the runaround mean?
a)   to run around somewhere
b)   to give someone excuses and delays
c)   to say that you are sorry

4. someone goes around in circles
a)   someone goes around the school classroom
b)   someone does something without making any progress
c)   someone does very well with something

5. someone points out something
a)   someone does not see the point of something
b)   someone makes someone aware of something
c)   someone makes a good point

6. Straight can mean direct and honest so a straight answer is a direct and honest answer. What does to give it to someone straight mean?
a)   to tell something directly to someone
b)   to tell someone a lie
c)   to speak softly to someone

7. someone is at a loss for words
a)   someone likes to talk a lot
b)   someone is unable to think of something to say
c)   someone will not speak

8. something makes someone's head spin
a)   something makes someone relaxed
b)   something makes someone confused
c)   something makes you angry

Your score is: ___  out of 8


Statement and Response

Choose the best response to each of the following statements:

1. “The tour guide does not know if she is coming or going.”
a)   “You are right, she seems to know what to do.”
b)   “You are right, she does not know what to do.”

2. “The amount of material in the course boggles my mind.”
a)   “Really, how much is there?”
b)   “Really, why do you find it so interesting?”

3. “The government official seemed to be giving me the runaround.”
a)   “Why do you think so?”
b)   “Where are you going to go?”

4. “The new employee is going around in circles.”
a)   “Yes, he does not seem to know what he is doing.”
b)   “Yes, he is doing a very good job.”

5. “I tried to point out to my friend that she owes me some money.”
a)   “Why did you lend it to her?”
b)   “Why do you always borrow money?”

6. “Just give it to me straight. Will you lend me some money or not?”
a)   “Well, I am not too comfortable with the idea.”
b)   “It is straight ahead in the parking lot.”

7. “My boss was at a loss for words when I asked for more money.”
a)  “Why was he so surprised? You are a good employee.”
b)  “I know. He always talks too much.”

8. “Today's lecture was very difficult. It made my head spin.”
a)  “What was so difficult about it?”
b)  “I don't like that professor either.”

Your score is: ___  out of 8


Grammar Focus

Choose the word or expression that makes each of the following sentences correct:

1. The man in the bank does not ____________________________.
a)   know whether he was not coming or going
b)   know whether he is coming or going
c)   know whether he came or went

2. Yesterday, the bad manners of the store clerk ________________________.
a)   will boggle my mind
b)   are boggling my mind
c)   boggled my mind

3. The girl _________________ when the friend asked her to return some money.
a)   will give her friend the runaround
b)   is giving her friend the runaround
c)   gave her friend the runaround

4. The woman in the bank was _____________________ as she tried to find the information.
a)   gone around in circles
b)   go around in circles
c)   going around in circles

5. The professor tried to _______________________ to the students some very important information.
a)   point over
b)   point up
c)   point out

6. My friend would not ___________________ about when he will return my money.
a)   give it to me straight
b)   straighten her words
c)   be straight over me

7. The girl was ___________________ when she lost her job.
a)  lost at words
b)  at a loss for words
c)  losing her words

8. The signs at the airport were so confusing that they _______________.
a)  spun my head
b)  made my head spin
c)  make my head spin

Your score is: ___  out of 8




Discussion Questions

Answer the following questions using the idioms from this section:

1. Do you know someone who does not know if he or she is coming or going?

2. Have you ever been in a situation where you did not know if you were coming or going?

3. Has anything boggled your mind recently?

4. Did you ever do something that boggled your friend's mind?

5. Has anyone given you the runaround recently?

6. Did you ever give someone the runaround?

7. Have you ever gone around in circles about something?

8. Do you know anyone who was running around in circles recently?

9. Have you ever pointed out a problem to someone?

10. Has anyone pointed out one of your mistakes recently?

11. Has anyone given it to you straight about something recently?

12. Did you give it to someone straight about something recently?

13. Are you ever at a loss for words?

14. Do you know anyone who is often at a loss for words?

15. What has made your head spin recently?

16. Did you ever do something that made your mother's head spin?

Role Play

Student A: You are trying to register for a new course. The registration clerk is giving you the runaround. She will not give it to you straight about what to do. You are becoming frustrated and angry.

Student B: You are the registration clerk. Today you are tired and have much stress and the person whom you are talking to seems rude. The person is also asking so many silly questions that it is making your head spin.

lesson 38