Worksheet Englishdictionary

macmillan

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Maritime idioms

IntroductionEnglish has numerous idioms whose origin is connected with ships, boats, the sea and sailing. The following activities will help you to learn and use some of these idioms. Use your dictionary to help you.

t Activity 1Complete the sentences.

a (Example) If you miss the boat, you miss a good opportunity by acting too slowly.

b If you sail __________ something, you deal with it easily.

c If you __________ the deck, you throw yourself to the ground.

d If you __________ __________ wind __________ __________ somebody’s __________, you make them less confident by saying or doing something unexpected.

e If something is __________ __________ __________ keel, it is functioning without any problems.

f If you __________ overboard, you say more than is necessary or reasonable, perhaps because you get angry or excited.

g If you __________ somebody or something __________ __________ berth, it means that you deliberately avoid somebody or something.

h If you __________ __________ ropes, you learn to do something new, especially a new job.

i If a number of people are in the same difficult or unpleasant situation, they are all __________ __________ __________ boat.

j If you say ‘__________ port __________ __________ __________’, you mean that you will accept help from anyone in a difficult situation, even though ideally you might prefer not to.

t Activity 2Complete each sentence with one of the idioms from Activity 1.

a (Example) We’re both in the same boat now, so we’ve got to work together and make the best of it.

b Don’t worry – I’m sure you’ll _____________ your exams!

c There was an explosion, and everyone _____________.

d Calm down – that’s enough! You’re right to criticise them, but there’s no need to _____________.

e It looks complicated, but it isn’t really – you’ll soon _____________.

f She’s had a lot of problems with drink and drugs but now she’s really trying to get her life back _________________.

g I’d rather not borrow money from my parents, but _________________, I suppose.

h The latest batch of unfavourable poll results have really _________________ the government’s _________________.

i Hurry, and send your application in by the end of the month – don’t _________________!

j He’s the world’s most boring man – I’d _________________, if I were you.

t Activity 3There are a number of idioms including the word ‘tide’. Match the idioms in A with the definitions in B.

A

1 (Example) a rising tide of something - f an increase in the amount or strength of something, especially something unwelcome.

2 the tide of opinion

3 to swim with the tide

4 the tide turns

5 to turn the tide

6 to swim against the tide

7 the tide of history

8 to stem the tide (of something)

B

a to do or think the opposite of the majority of people.

Worksheet Englishdictionary

macmillan

This page has been downloaded from www.macmillandictionaries.com.

It is photocopiable, but all copies must be complete pages. Copyright © Macmillan Publishers Limited 2008.

b the tendency of events to develop in a certain way.

c people’s opinion, or a situation, changes.

d to stop something from continuing or increasing.

e the tendency of people to think in a certain way.

f an increase in the amount or strength of something, especially something unwelcome.

g to change a situation, especially to your advantage.

h to do or think the same as the majority of people.

t Activity 4Complete each sentence with one of the idioms from Activity 3. You may need to make some grammatical changes.

1 (Example) Do you really disagree strongly with the company’s policy, or are you willing to just swim with the tide ?

2 For a long time, smoking has been accepted in public places, but now ______________________________.

3 The two governments are working together to try to ______________________________ of smuggling across the border.

4 Unemployment in the region has been rising for years, but we’re confident that we can ______________________________.

5 The ______________________________ among the electorate is running in the government’s favour.

6 All around the world there are groups of people involved in local small-scale development projects ______________________________ of globalisation.

7 The days of small corner shops are over. You can’t turn back ______________________________.

8 We’re deeply concerned about the ______________________________ of urban violence.

t Activity 5Work with a partner. Ask and answer the questions.

a Have you ever missed the boat?

b Have you always sailed through exams and other challenges?

c Have you ever been in a situation where you’ve had to hit the deck?

d Has anyone ever taken the wind out of your sails?

e Do you know someone who has had to get back on an even keel?

f Are there any situations where you tend to go overboard in what you say?

g When was the last time you gave somebody or something a wide berth?

h When was the last time you had to learn the ropes? Was it easy?

i Can you think of a situation in your life when you could have said ‘Any port in a storm’?

j If you disagree with people you live or work with, do you tend to swim with the tide or against the tide? Why?

k Do you think the tide of history runs in a positive or negative direction, or neither?

l Is there a current situation in your country where you could say that: – there is a rising tide of something – the tide of opinion is running in a certain direction – the tide is turning – someone is trying to stem or turn the tide of

something?