IDIOM CONNECTION

lesson 3

Clothes and Fashion Idioms

Introduction

1. What is your favorite store to buy clothes?

Reading

I never have much money and I usually must do everything on a shoestring. However, this summer I have some extra money which is burning a hole in my pocket. I want to buy some new clothes. As a matter of fact, I need to buy some new clothes very soon. Many of my clothes are old and are falling apart at the seams. None of them are in fashion. Maybe someday they will come back into fashion but I cannot wait that long. I especially need a suit for my friend's wedding. I want to buy something that is made to measure. I want it to fit like a glove. I will spend this weekend looking for something nice.

Reading Questions

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

1. Does this person usually do things on a shoestring?

2. What is burning a hole in his pocket?

3. What is falling apart at the seams?

4. Are his clothes in fashion now?

5. When may everything come back into fashion?

6. Does he want to buy something that is made to measure?

7. Does he want something that fits like a glove?

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. We do not have much money so we must do everything on a shoestring.
a)   with much enthusiasm
b)   with very little money
c)   without worrying about money

2. I have some money that is burning a hole in my pocket.
a)   motivating me to save it
b)   being destroyed in a fire
c)   stimulating me to spend it soon

3. I love going to the library. As a matter of fact, I will go to the library today.
a)   In spite of this
b)   Actually
c)   Surprisingly

4. A seam is the place where two pieces of cloth are sewn together when you make an item of clothing. To fall apart means to be destroyed or to not work properly. What does to fall apart at the seams mean in the following sentence?

My sleeping bag is falling apart at the seams.
a)   separating at the seams
b)   almost new
c)   three years old

5. The girl always wears clothes that are in fashion.
a)   are not fashionable at all
b)   help make her look thin
c)   are fashionable

6. I hope that some of my old clothes will come back into fashion.
a)   continue to be in fashion
b)   become fashionable again
c)   not be too large for me

7. One meaning of measure, when used as a noun, is the dimensions or quantity of something. If you make a suit to the exact dimensions of someone, then you are making it to fit that person perfectly. What does made to measure mean in the following sentence?

The man likes to buy shirts that are made to measure.
a)   made especially for him
b)   from the shirt section in the department store
c)   very simple and white

8. Usually a glove will fit someone perfectly. What does it mean when other types of clothing fit like a glove? What does to fit like a glove mean in the following sentence?

I love my new jeans. They fit like a glove.
a)   are too small
b)   fit perfectly
c)   are too big

Your score is: ___  out of 8


Multiple Choice

Choose the idiom which correctly completes each sentence:

1. The boy lived _______________ while he was at university.
a)   falling apart at the seams
b)   as a matter of fact
c)   on a shoestring

2. The money that the boy got from his grandmother was _______________ .
a)   burning a hole in his pocket
b)   coming back into fashion
c)   made to measure

3. I already went to the bank. _______________, I went there this morning.
a)   As a matter of fact
b)   Tomorrow
c)   Probably

4. My old jacket is ___________________.
a)   living on a shoestring
b)   burning a hole in my pocket
c)   falling apart at the seams

5. My aunt owns a dress shop and dresses very well. The clothes that she wears are always ______________ .
a)   in fashion
b)   falling apart at the seams
c)   on a shoestring

6. Colorful and bright shirts have recently ____________________ .
a)   come back into fashion
b)   been burning a hole in my pocket
c)   been on a shoestring

7. The man's beautiful new suit is ________________ .
a)  on a shoestring
b)  as a matter of fact
c)  made to measure

8. The woman's shoes were beautiful and they _______________ .
a)  fit like a glove
b)  burned a hole in her pocket
c)  came back into fashion

Your score is: ___  out of 8


Grammar Focus

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

1. Long skirts are now ________________ .
a)   up in fashion
b)   in fashion
c)   into fashion

2. The jacket that I am wearing ____________________ .
a)   fits like a glove
b)   fit up like a glove
c)   fit like a glove

3. I do not think that my suit will ____________________________ .
a)   come over to fashion
b)   come back into fashion
c)   come back to fashion

4. The money is ___________________ in my pocket.
a)   burning holes
b)   burning the hole
c)   burning a hole

5. The shirt was ____________________________ .
a)   made to measure
b)   made over measure
c)   made in measure

6. “_______________________ , I will not be here tomorrow.”
a)   As matter of facts
b)   As matter of fact
c)   As a matter of fact

7. The man has no money and is living ____________________________ .
a)  on the shoestring
b)  on a shoestring
c)  on shoestrings

8. My backpack ______________________ at the seams.
a)  falls apart
b)  is falling apart
c)  is fell apart

Your score is: ___  out of 8




Discussion Questions

Answer the following questions using the idioms from this section:

1. Have you ever had to live on a shoestring?

2. Do you know anyone who is now living on a shoestring?

3. Do you ever have extra money that is burning a hole in your pocket?

4. Is money burning a whole in the pocket of anyone you know right now?

5. Do you have any clothes that are falling apart at the seams?

6. Have you seen anyone recently whose clothes are falling apart at the seams?

7. Are most of your clothes in fashion?

8. Are there any clothes in fashion now that you do not like?

9. Do you know any styles that have recently come back into fashion?

10. What style of clothes do you wish would come back into fashion again?

11. Do you ever buy clothes that are made to measure?

12. What clothes do you think are often made to measure?

13. Do you have many clothes that fit like a glove?

14. Have you bought anything recently that fit like a glove?

Role Play

Student A: You are complaining to your friend that none of your clothes are in fashion. As a matter of fact, many of them are falling apart at the seams. However, you have no money to buy new clothes.

Student B: You are advising your friend about what he or she should do.

lesson 3