Lesson 38

Land on one’s feet... dish out… get through to… keep one’s word… be over one’s head… ask for… be a far cry from… by all means… get out from under… take the bull by the horns… give (someone) a hand… give (someone) a big hand
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To land on one’s feet: to recover safely from an unpleasant or dangerous situation
Ø After a series of personal and professional difficulties, it’s amazing that George has landed on his feet so quickly.
Ø Some young adults get into so much trouble at school that they are never able to land on their feet again. They drop out before graduating.
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To dish out: to distribute in large quantity (S), to speak of others in a critical manner (S)
Ø Mary’s mom dished out two or three scoops of ice cream for each child at the birthday party.
Ø Larry can’t seem to take any criticism of his actions but he certainly likes to dish it out.
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To get through to: to communicate with, to make someone understand (also: to break through to)
This idiom has the meaning of to make someone “catch on” (Lesson 29, eighth idiom, the first definition)
Ø Some of the students in my reading class understand English so poorly that it is difficult to get through to them.
Ø The doctors have never succeeded in breaking through to Mr. Ames, who is a silent and secretive patient.
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To keep one’s word: to fulfill a promise, to be responsible
An idiom with the opposite meaning is to break one’s word.
Ø Suzanne kept her word to me not to let on to others that I intend to step down next month.
Ø Thomas always intends to keep his word, but invariably the end result is that he breaks his word. He just isn’t capable of being a responsible person.
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To be over one’s head: to be very busy, to have too much to do (also: to be up to one’s ears) to be beyond one’s ability to understand
Ø I’d love to take a week off for a hiking trip, but at the moment I am over my head in work. Maybe next week when I’m only up to my ears!
Ø It was impossible for the tutor to get through to Bill about the physics problem because the subject matter was over Bill’s head.
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To ask for: to deserve, to receive a just punishment (also: to bring upon)
Ø If you drink alcohol and then drive a car, you’re only asking for trouble.
Ø Don’t complain about your cut in salary. You asked for it by refusing to heed our repeated warnings not to be late and inefficient.
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To be a far cry from: to be very different from
Ø I enjoyed visiting Seattle, but it was a far cry from the ideal vacation spot I expected.
Ø Ned is enjoying his new job, but his responsibilities are a far cry from what he was told they would be.
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By all means: certainly, definitely, naturally (also: of course) using any possible way or method
Ø If the Johnsons invite us for dinner, then by all means we have to return the invitation. Of course, we don’t have to invite their children, too.
Ø In order to ensure its survival, the ailing company has to obtain an infusion of cash by all means.
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To get out from under: to restore one’s financial security, to resolve a difficult financial obligation
Ø After years of struggling to get ahead, the young couple finally got out from under their debts.
Ø The ailing company, succeeding in obtaining the necessary cash, was able to get out from under its financial burdens.
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To take the bull by the horns: to handle a difficult situation with determination
Ø After three years of faithful service, Jake decided to take the bull by the horns and ask his boss for a raise.
Ø Vic has been engaged to Laura for a long time now, and I know that he loves her. He should take the bull by the horns and ask her to marry him.
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To give (someone) a hand: to assist, to aid, to help (also: to lend someone a hand) (S)
Ø Would you give me a hand lifting this heavy box?
Ø When Terry’s car broke down at night on the highway, no one would stop to lend her a hand.
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To give (someone) a big hand: to clap one’s hands in applause, to applaud (S)
Ø After the talented new vocalist had sung her number, the audience gave her a big hand.
Ø Should we give a big hand to each beauty contestant is as she is introduced, or should we wait until all the introductions are finished?
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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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1. It took some time for the artist to recover from the difficult situation…
2. Billy’s mother distributed in large quantity… to all the kids at the birthday party.
3. When parents are having trouble communicating with their children, they can…
4. When I decided to change apartments, my friend fulfilled her promise about…
5. Larry has too much to do at work because…
6. The child running on the wet pavement beside the swimming pool deserved it when…
7. The new immigrant thought that… in the United States was very different from…
8. After days of postponing necessary yardwork, Mr. Johnson handled the difficult situation and…
9. When Kim’s car broke down on the highway, a passing motorist assisted her by…
10. The President was applauded when he announced…
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Answer these questions orally by making use of the idiomatic expressions studied in this lesson.
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The idiom to land on one’s feet is related to a special ability of cats. Do you know what this is?
Do you know anyone who doesn’t like to receive criticism but is willing to dish it out? How do you feel about such a person?
Why is it often difficult to get through to young children? Is this sometimes true for adults? Why?
Is it always important for you to keep your word? Can you think of a situation where you would break your word?
Have you ever had a class where the subject matter was over your head? What did you do?
If you run across a street without looking first, you are asking for trouble. Try to think of other situations where you’re asking for trouble.
What parts of an adult’s life are a far cry from the life of a child?
Are there any things in life that you want to have or want to do by all means?
Have you ever been forced to take the bull by the horns? What was the situation?
In what case might you refuse to give someone a hand?