Lesson 37

Throw (someone) a curve… make waves… carry on… not on your life… cover ground… mind the store… throw the book at… put one’s foot in… be up for grabs… show off… learn the ropes… keep (one’s) finger crossed
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To throw (someone) a curve: to introduce an unexpected topic, causing embarrassment (S)
Ø The first week of class was going very well until a student threw the teacher a curve by suggesting that the textbook was too difficult.
Ø The director asked us in advance to stick to the meeting agenda and not to throw him any curves.
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To make waves: to create a disturbance, usually by complaining
This idiom is similar in meaning to the previous idiom, but the emphasis is on the aspect of complaining rather than causing embarrassment.
Ø In most companies, an employee who makes waves is not appreciated.
Ø The meeting was going smoothly until one of the participants made waves about the newly revised compensation package.
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To carry on: to continue as before, to conduct, to engage in, to behave in an immature manner.
Ø Even in the face of disaster, the inhabitants carried on as though nothing had happened.
Ø The business associates decided to carry on their discussion in the hotel bar instead of the conference room.
Ø I can’t believe that John carried on so much just because his dog died. He looked depressed and cried for weeks after it happened.
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Not on your life: absolutely not (also: no way)
This idiom is used as a kind of exclamation by itself.
Ø You’re asking me to invest in that poorly rated company just because you know the son of the president? Not on your life!
Ø When a friend tried to get Mark to jump out of a plane with a parachute, he immediately responded, “No way!”
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To cover ground: to be extensive, to discuss much material
Forms such as a lot of, too much, too little are used before the noun ground.
Ø That national commission’s report on urban ghettos covers a lot of ground. Many of the recommendations are too costly to implement.
Ø In his first lecture on Greek philosophers, I thought that our professor covered too little ground.
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To mind the store: to be responsible for an office while others are gone
Ø It seems that all of our employees are taking a lunch break at the same time. I wonder who’s minding the store.
Ø Lynne agreed to mind the store while the others went outside to watch the parade passing by.
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To throw the book at: to punish with full penalty, to be harsh on
Ø Because the criminal was a repeat offender, the judge threw the book at him with heavy lines and a long prison term.
Ø My boss threw the book at me when he discovered that I had been using company time for personal business. I was severely reprimanded and forced to make up the lost time.
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To put one’s foot in: to say or do the wrong thing
This idiom is used with the noun phrase one’s mouth or the pronoun it.
Ø Fred really put his foot in his mouth when he called his supervisor by the wrong name.
Ø I really put my foot in it when I forgot my girlfriend’s birthday and didn’t buy her anything. She almost lost her cool.
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To be up for grabs: to become available to others
This idiom is used when something is highly desirable to many other people.
Ø When one of the full-time contract instructors stepped down, her nice office overlooking the river was up for grabs.
Ø Did you know that Senator Stone is retiring and that his Senate seat is up for grabs?
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To show off: to display one’s ability in order to attract attention (S), to let others see, to expose to public view (S)
This idiom can form the noun showoff for the first definition.
Ø Elizabeth is an excellent swimmer, but I don’t like the way she shows off in front of everyone. It’s very obvious that she enjoys being a showoff.
Ø Jacquie showed her large wedding ring off to all her friends.
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To learn the ropes: to become familiar with routine procedures at work or school.
Ø The job applicant didn’t have much previous experience or knowledge, but she seemed intelligent enough to learn the ropes quickly.
Ø It took the new schoolteacher a year to learn the ropes regarding administrative and curricular matters.
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To keep one’s fingers crossed: to hope to have good results, to hope that nothing bad will happen
This idiom reflects the way people cross their fingers to hope for good luck.
Ø Let’s keep our fingers crossed that we got passing grades on that college entrance exam.
Ø Jerry kept his fingers crossed that the good weather would hold up for the picnic he was planning for the coming weekend.
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E X E R C I S E S
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Substitute an idiomatic expression for the word or words in italics, making any necessary grammatical changes as well. Then complete each sentence appropriately with your own idea. Also try to use idioms from previous lessons.
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After discovering some improper contracts arranged by his company, a worker created a disturbance by…
The professor decide to conduct her class in the park because…
The teenager behaved in an immature manner for quite a while when his parents…
Martha answered, “Absolutely not!”, when her friend…
Because the instructor would discuss too many matters in the course, the student…
When the boss went out for lunch with some visitors, she asked… to be responsible for the office.
The judge was harsh on the defendant who…
The long-time manager’s office suddenly became available to others, and many associates…
The excellent athlete displayed his ability and attracted attention at the regional track meet by…
It was difficult for… to become familiar with the routine procedures at the university.
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Answer these questions orally by making use of the idiomatic expressions studied in this lesson.
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Has anyone thrown you a curve recently? What happened?
When might a government worker decide to make waves? Have you heard of read of any instances of this recently?
Where is a common place to carry on a discussion? What less common places might a discussion be carried on?
Do you remember ever carrying on when you were a child? What did your parents do to stop you?
Do you like to take classes that cover a lot of ground or cover little ground? Why?
Would it ever be appropriate to throw the book at someone for putting their foot in their mouth?
Do you know anyone who likes to show off? What do they do?
Are you ever a showoff? When?
Supposed that you are interested in entering an unusual occupation such as that of a circus performer or magician. What would be the best way of learning the ropes?
Give an example of when you might keep your fingers crossed.