Shakespeare’s idioms

Idioms used or invented by Shakespeare

Warmer – What is an idiom?

Meet Franz.Your teacher will tell you about him.

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Which phrase do you think could describe Franz?a) a dark horseb) a night owlc) a cash cow

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Warmer – What is an idiom?

A ‘night owl’ is an idiom.If we say that Franz is a ‘night owl’, we don’t mean that he actually is an owl!

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the words in the idiom the meaning of the idiom

nightowl

An idiom is a group of words that have a special meaning when used together. The meaning of the idiom is different from the meaning of the individual words.Shakespeare used and invented lots of idioms.

Task 1 – the words in the idioms

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Match the idioms with the pictures.•at a snail’s pace•send someone packing•a night owl•break the ice•lie low

Task 2 – the meanings of the idioms

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Match the pictures showing the words in the idiom (left) with the ones showing the meanings (right).

Task 2 – the meanings of the idioms

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Match the pictures showing the words in the idiom (left) with the ones showing the meanings (right).

Spare slides

• The following slides (8–17) are included for the teacher’s optional use, either projected or printed.

• Slides 8–12 (left) show the wording of the idioms.

• Slides 13–17 (right) demonstrate the meaning.

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