English Language SS2
Week 2
Contents:
Structure: Idioms and Phrasal Verbs
Reading Skill- Exam Practice
A. Structure: Phrasal Verbs and Idioms
A phrasal verb usually consists of two words:
a) an ordinary verb b) another, a short word that is usually an adverb or a preposition, but is often called a particle, e.g. up, off, in.
Phrasal verbs with two particles
There are several common verbs that are followed by two particles.
We should do away with war as an instrument of policy.
What does the phrasal verb do away with mean?
a. refuse b. abolish c. resolve d. accept
Phrasal Verbs with Two Particles
| Phrasal Verb | Sentence Example |
| Put up with | I can’t put up with such behavior any longer |
| Put in for | My uncle has been put in for transfer to Abuja |
| Keep away from | I advise you to keep away from that fellow |
| Drop out of | He dropped out of school last year |
| Grow out of | My brother is rapidly growing out of his shirts |
| Stand up for | That politician stands up for the principles he believes in |
| Get round to | We have a project to do this holiday but I can’t get round to starting it |
| Go in for | I want to go in for the debating competition |
| Go through with | She decided that she couldn’t go through with the wedding |
| Lead up to | The speaker was leading up to his point |
| Do away with | The criminals plan to do away with their opponent |
| Face up to | We must face up to the fact that the world has changed |
| Look down on | We should never look down on those less fortunate |
| Get away with | Tolu is always breaking the rules but he always seems to get away with it |
| Look up to | We look up to our elders to set a good example |
| Look down on | I don’t like people who look down on us |
Exercise:
1. You should not be taken …… by appearances.
a) out b) in c) on d) for
2. Realizing that further resistance was useless, the gunman turned himself …… to the police.
a. in b) up c) on d) down
3. Although his first book was turned ….., Wale was not discouraged.
a) off b) up c) down d) in
4. This storm is bound to die …… soon, said Mrs Okeke
a) down b) up c)off d) over
5. I wouldn’t bank …… what he said, the messenger said gloomily.
a) up b) on c) over d) in
Idioms
An idiom is a commonly used expression whose meaning does not relate to the literal meaning of its words. A group of words established by usage as having a meaning not deducible from those of the individual words. An idiom’s figurative meaning is different from the literal meaning. There are thousands of idioms, and they occur frequently in all languages. The use of idioms and proverbs in a language adds colour to it and makes it more interesting for the listeners.
Examples of Idiomatic Expressions
1. Cut the ground from under one’s feet :
Meaning – When you cut the ground from under someone’s feet, you do something which weakens their position.
Example – When team Nigeria hit more than 350 runs in the ODI, they cut the ground from under the opponent’s feet.
2. Raining cats and dogs:
Meaning – Raining heavily
Example – On his way to the shopping mall, it rained cats and dogs
3. Chase your tail:
Meaning – Spending a lot of time and energy doing a lot of things but actually achieving too little.
Example – He’s been chasing his tail all week collecting data but the report is still not ready
4. Whole bag of tricks:
Meaning – Means trying all the clever means to achieve something.
Example – It was really difficult to find the information even after applying the whole bag of tricks.
5. Every cloud has a silver lining:
Meaning- Be optimistic, even difficult times will lead to better days
Examples – Even though he had passed through lots of challenges, he knew that every cloud has a silver lining
6. Fine-tooth comb:
Meaning – Examining something carefully to not miss out any details.
Example – The boss examined my report with a fine tooth comb before submitting it to the senior management.
7. Explore all avenues
Meaning – Trying out every possibility to get a result.
Example – It is a difficult thing to do but if we really want it done, we must explore all avenues.
8. Get the show on the road:
Meaning – Putting up a plan or idea into action.
Example – Now that we have completed all the legal formalities, let’s get the show on the road.
Practice:
1. Oh no! You spilled the beans!
2. You should always be able to think on your feet
3. Never let grass grow under your feet before getting things done
4. The drug worked like a charm
5. When First bank changed their manager, the cleaners were the first to get the axe.
B. Reading Skill- Exam Practice
Note: It would be a good idea if you wrote your answers under timed conditions.
In many school subjects, there is a body of knowledge that you can memorize and then draw on when answering questions in the examinations. This is not quite so in English: while this course provides a loot of information itself but your skill in using it.
It follows that the more you use the language effectively, the more likely you are to do well in the examination. Practice makes Perfect!!! It is good for you to always do revision at the end of every school term. One thing you can do is to work through your old examinations papers, under timed conditions to perfect your examination techniques. Many marks are lost by students every year due to poor examination techniques, and the three aspects of poor exam technique are:
1. failure to read and understand the question
2. careless errors
3. poor time management
4. overconfidence
5. Failure to read exam instructions for each passage as this differs in English exams
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