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by Jodie44 on August 1st, 2006
Sounds like you're looking for idioms. Here's a site called, "The Idiom Connection" that lists idioms alphabetically and by subject, then gives a short explanation.
"Preaching to the choir" would be under P, of course, and "Can't cut the mustard" is found with the food idioms. The site has a boatload of both popular and obscure sayings, so you and your students will probably find it helpful. Good luck!
http://www.idiomconnection.com/
by AntigoneRising on January 11th, 2007
Three sheets to the wind...that's something always said in the area I grew up. My Indian coworkers looked at me like I'd sprouted carrots from my ears when I said it.
by Darryl61 on July 26th, 2006
Here is a really fun site that might give you some ideas. http://www.rootsweb.com/~genepool/meanings.htm
by tjatherton on July 26th, 2006
Over the hill,
He did some Fancy footwork,
beating around the bush.
Climbing the walls
split a gut
tiger in my tank
living on easy street
not wrapped too tight
by nurse7263 on January 11th, 2007
Cut a tree down and then cut it up.
by Glenn Blaylock on July 26th, 2006
Behind the eight ball.
by Sharona Life is a Tale Told by an Idiot on October 4th, 2009
You make me horny baby
by Dizzymaestra on October 4th, 2009
You should get a book on idioms...there are SO many of them. Book Fairs at schools usually have them, and most classroom teachers have one if you know one.
by chelsea on September 30th, 2009
catch my drift
spitting fire
too many buns in the fire
by Sir yhvhash on September 30th, 2009
catch the bus
by Anonymous on September 30th, 2009
'Piss up a rope'
'Farting through silk'
'Whistling by the graveyard'
'Screwed the pooch'
'you got your nuts in a ringer'
'I don't mean to piss in your cereal'
by Sandman on September 30th, 2009
I've been out of the ESL business for more than a decade, but I recall using "A Dictionary of American Idioms," by Makkai, Boatner, and Gates.
Oh, here's a searchable online site for it:
http://www.sky-net-eye.com/eng/dictionary/english/idioms/american
.
Damn! freeHartz hasn't been back since 2007.
Oh, well, I'll post this anyway. SOMEone may benefit by it.
by Sir yhvhash on September 30th, 2009
Chew the rag
by Sir yhvhash on September 30th, 2009
Kick the bucket
by Sir yhvhash on September 30th, 2009
Choking the chicken
by Thriftymaid on September 30th, 2009
on the same page
by Bernie198 on January 11th, 2007
Freehartz, Dave's ESL Cafe is a website which has provided my students with a great deal of help. Click on Student, then idioms, if you choose. Also, under Teacher there are some excellent resources. Good luck, you are doing a very important job.
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You're reading Can people help me think of North American English phrases that would seem confusing to new ESL students? Such as "hot on my tail", "no strings attached", "that's the pits"....I'm making a list for my students. Mainly common
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Comments
Great site! Thank you.
by freehartz on August 1st, 2006
That's a great site, bookmarked it, Thanks.
by vincentcent on September 30th, 2009