Black Sheep of the Family

Family Related Idioms

Introduction to Idioms

Idioms are used as colorful expressions in the English language. The meaning of the group of words in an idiom cannot be understood from a literal interpretation. For example, if I asked you how to do something, you may answer in simple English, “it’s easy.” But if you answered with an idiom phrase you might say, “it’s a piece of cake.” Means the same thing-it’s easy. If I asked you the same question, but the answer was “it’s really hard to do”, an idiomatic answer might be “it’s a hard nut to crack,” meaning the same thing-it’s hard to do.Confused? Keep reading! :)

Why Idioms are Important

We use idioms when conversing with friends, classmates, colleagues and on social media. It’s a shared understanding, a language often times particular to one’s profession or personal interests. They are often humorous and difficult to figure out. Why are they so important?There are over 25,000 idioms in the English language!Native speakers of English use and understand idioms naturally and automatically.

Students of English need to become adept with using and understanding idioms to be considered fluent in English.

How to Learn Idioms

In addition to this lesson plan, which you can download, save and then refer to, there are many other resources available online. They can help you learn idioms and provide practice. Some are better than others. I prefer to use the website idioms4you.com for students learning idioms because it offers many varied exercises and tools. Here’s a suggested path of study from the website:

1) Subscribe to the daily email and receive a new idiom and quiz every day. Try to use the idioms in appropriate contexts throughout your day. 2) Take Idiom Quizzes. Choose from over 1,000 on-site Idiom Quizzes. [Take quick idiom quiz of the day!]today’s

3) Learn idioms in context by taking Idiom Video Quizzes. 4) Search by synonyms. The idioms4you.com search function allows you to search a term (the word "difficult", for example) and find idioms that are related to that search term. 5) Take a humorous look at the Sunday Fun Idioms.

Vocabulary

Altercation

Will

Swore

Boarding

Renovated

a loud argument or disagreement, especially in public

a legal document containing instructions as to what should be done with one's money and property after one's death.

make a solemn statement or promise undertaking to do something or affirming that something is the case

A place where dogs are feed, cared for and kept overnight

restore (something old, especially a building) to a good state of repair

Discussion Questions

Can you think of an idiom you are familiar with or that you hear at work or in a social group? If so, please share with the class.

Do you think it is difficult to learn idioms? Why or why not?

Why do you think learning idioms would be helpful to you?

Idioms and the Family

As we mentioned, idioms are found virtually everywhere from work to play to home. Idioms are fun and colorful and a great way to express what we want to say in fun and interesting ways.The next several slides will cover idioms used in family situations. You should try and figure out what the meaning of each idiom. If learning fast runs in your family, you’ll know all about idioms in no time!

Runs in the Family? Translated

Intelligence runs in the familyDimples run in the familyHaving a good head for business runs in the family.

runs in the family- a quality, ability, disease, etc. runs in the family, many members of the family

have it家族遺傳，世代相傳Intelligence seems to run in that family.那一家人都很聰明，好像是遺傳的。We're all ambitious - it seems to run in the family. ——我們一家人都很有抱負 好像是遺傳。

It’s Your Flesh and Blood!

You can’t cut her out of your will! She’s your own flesh and blood!

How could you stick up for your girlfriend? She’s not even your own flesh and

blood?!

Flesh and blood- an expression used to refer to someone in your family,

especially someone who is related by blood rather than through marriage.

Blood is Thicker Than Water

People say blood is thicker than water. That’s how his mother was able to forgive all her sons many mistakes.

Cindy swore she was DONE with her mother. She never wanted to speak with her again. But then she called her. I guess blood is thicker than water.

Blood is thicker than water-something that you say which means family relationships are stronger and more important than other kinds of relationships, such as being friends

Bad Blood

There’s bad blood between the two brothers. They haven’t spoken since the youngest brother stole his older brother’s wife.

There is bad blood between the siblings. They had an altercation last year, and neither will apologize.

Bad blood-ill feelings

In the Family Way?

Jenny’s in the family way again. This will be her third child!

I heard Ms. Smith was in the family way.

In the family way-pregnant, with child

Like One of the Family

I like boarding animals. I treat the dogs as if they were like one of the family.

Joe stayed with his friend Steve while his apartment was getting renovated. Steve treated Joe like one of the family.

One of the family-as if someone (or a pet) were a member of one's family.

The Black Sheep of the Family

Alan was always considered the black sheep of the family. He never really fits in with the rest of the family.

When you are the black sheep of the family, you often feel left out and misunderstood.

Black sheep- a member of a family or group who is regarded as a disgrace to them

Matching Activity

1. It's Your Own Flesh and Blood

2. Runs in the Family

3. Blood is Thicker than Water

4. Bad Blood

5. In a Family Way

6. Black Sheep

7. Like one of the Family

A. a member of a family or group who is regarded as a disgrace to them

B. family relationships are stronger and more important than other kinds of relationships, such as being friends

C. refers to someone in your family, especially someone who is related by blood rather than through marriage.

D. a quality, ability, disease, etc. runs in the family, many members of the family have it

E. PregnantF. as if someone (or a pet) were a member of one's family.G. Ill feelings

Write Your Own Sentences

1. In a family way

2. Bad blood

3. Blood is thicker than water

4. Like one of the family

5. It’s your own flesh and blood

6. Black sheep

7. Runs in the family

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