Directions: Put students in two teams. Cut out the sentences below and place them face down. Have teams take turns picking a card and replacing the words in bold with an idiom. Each correct answer is worth a point. The potential answers are listed below.

Sentence Strips

Why did we say that we could have this completed in three days? We definitely took on more responsibility than we can handle.

After three years, my company is finally making a profit. For the first three years we were operating at a loss.

It’s a big decision. Give it some thought and tell me your answer in the morning.

Not being given the promotion seemed like something bad but was actually something good. I ended up getting an even better position two months later.

I don’t like to have all of my savings in the stock market. I don’t like to have my success depend on only one thing.

The proposal went really well. Now the only thing we can do is wait for the client’s response. It’s their turn to make a decision.

Our customers can try our products without making any type of commitment. If they don’t like our products, there is no pressure to place an order.

Since taking over the department Dale has been struggling. He’s in a situation too challenging for his knowledge and abilities.

It was a heated argument, but Karina was able to stay calm and not get upset.

This new legislation has created a lot of unnecessary procedures and paperwork that cause delays.

Carl didn’t want to take the risk, so I had to persuade him to do it.

I want to make sure we share a common understanding and have the same knowledge.

Could you please help me with these bags?

Gary didn’t say that Miranda had been chosen for the position, but I can understand what is implied but not communicated directly.

Let’s not make a judgement without having all the facts. Maybe Mark has a perfectly good reason for arriving late without calling.

I could ask for a cubicle in a better location, but I don’t want to disrupt the peaceful situation I currently have.

After a few minutes of small talk, we started talking about the issue at hand for which the meeting was called.

We have a deadline next week and the project manager is in the hospital and unable to work. We’re really experiencing a difficult situation.

The compliment I got on my performance was the best moment of my day and made me very happy.

We can do this. When people really want to accomplish something, success if possible.

This product could be tremendously successful. There is almost limitless potential.

Sometimes you need to offer people bribes if you want to do business here.

Lately we’ve taken on so much responsibility that we can’t dedicate the necessary time to do anything well.

Potential Answers

Why did we say that we could have this completed in three days? We definitely took on more responsibility than we can handle.
Why did we say that we could have this completed in three days? We definitely bit off more than we can chew.

After three years, my company is finally making a profit. For the first three years we were operating at a loss.
After three years, my company is finally in the black. For the first three years we were in the red.

It’s a big decision. Give it some thought and tell me your answer in the morning.
It’s a big decision. Sleep on it.

Not being given the promotion seemed like something bad but was actually something good. I ended up getting an even better position two months later.
Not being given the promotion was a blessing in disguise. I ended up getting an even better position two months later.

I don’t like to have all of my savings in the stock market. I don’t like to have my success depend on only one thing.
I don’t like to have all of my savings in the stock market. I don’t like to put all my eggs in one basket.

The proposal went really well. Now the only thing we can do is wait for the client’s response. It’s their turn to make a decision.
The proposal went really well. Now the only thing we can do is wait for the client’s response. The ball is in their court.

Our customers can try our products without making any type of commitment. If they don’t like our products, there is no pressure to place an order.
Our customers can try our products with no strings attached. If they don’t like our products, there is no pressure to place an order.

Since taking over the department Dale has been struggling. He’s in a situation too challenging for his knowledge and abilities.
Since taking over the department Dale has been struggling. He’s in over his head.

It was a heated argument, but Karina was able to stay calm and not get upset.
It was a heated argument, but Karina was able to keep a cool head.

This new legislation has created a lot of unnecessary procedures and paperwork that cause delays.
This new legislation has created a lot of red tape.

I took an entry level position with a respected company. I wasn’t happy about the low pay, but I wanted to take a lower position so that I would have the opportunity to secure a better position in the future.
I took an entry level position with a respected company. I wasn’t happy about the low pay, but I wanted to get my foot in the door.

Carl didn’t want to take the risk, so I had to persuade him to do it.
Carl didn’t want to take the risk, so I had to twist his arm.
Carl didn’t want to take the risk, so I had to talk him into it.

I want to make sure we share a common understanding and have the same knowledge.
I want to make sure we’re on the same page.

Could you please help me with these bags?
Could you please give me a hand with these bags?

Gary didn’t say that Miranda had been chosen for the position, but I can understand what is implied but not communicated directly.
Gary didn’t say that Miranda had been chosen for the position, but I can read between the lines.

Let’s not make a judgement without having all the facts. Maybe Mark has a perfectly good reason for arriving late without calling.
Let’s not jump to conclusions. Maybe Mark has a perfectly good reason for arriving late without calling.

I could ask for a cubicle in a better location, but I don’t want to disrupt the peaceful situation I currently have.
I could ask for a cubicle in a better location, but I don’t want to rock the boat.

After a few minutes of small talk, we started talking about the issue at hand for which the meeting was called.
After a few minutes of small talk, we got down to business.

We have a deadline next week and the project manager is in the hospital and unable to work. We’re really experiencing a difficult situation.
We have a deadline next week and the project manager is in the hospital and unable to work. We’re in a tight spot./We’re in a jam./We’re in a bind./We’re in a fix.

The compliment I got on my performance was the best moment of my day and made me very happy.
The compliment I got on my performance made my day.

We can do this. When people really want to accomplish something, success if possible.
We can do this. When there’s a will, there’s a way.

This product could be tremendously successful. There is almost limitless potential.
This product could be tremendously successful. The sky’s the limit.

Sometimes you need to offer people bribes if you want to do business here.
Sometimes you need to pay people off if you want to do business here.
Sometimes you need to grease people’s palms if you want to do business here.

Lately we’ve taken on so much responsibility that we can’t dedicate the necessary time to do anything well.
Lately we’ve spread ourselves too thin.