Check out this lesson plan, The Best of Both Worlds, filled with helpful English idioms, expressions and phrases. It’s ideal for teachers or students to do for self-study or homework.
English idioms and phrases
Dialogue with English Idioms and Phrases
Jerry: My friend Tommy eats like a horse but still doesn’t gain any weight, despite getting on in years.
Linda: Lucky guy. I eat like a bird but still have to watch my weight. I do try to spice things up though with different kinds of salads and things like that.
Jerry: Tough break! I generally eat whatever I want but my wife can tell when I start to eat too much junk food!
Linda: Ideally, I’d have the best of both worlds. I could eat junk food but also not gain weight. It’s not my fate though!
Vocabulary: Idioms, Phrases and Expressions
The best of both worlds: Getting the benefits of two things at the same time. For example, having children but being able to afford a full-time nanny.
Spice things up: To make things more interesting or exciting.
Eat like a bird: To eat very little.
Eats like a horse: To eat a lot.
Getting on in years: Becoming older.
Tough break: When something unlucky or bad happens.
Junk food: Unhealthy food. For example, potato chips, fast food or candy.
Watch my weight: Gaining weight easily and having to be careful about what you eat.
Fate: Something that happens over which you have no control.
Exercise
Fill in the blanks with the correct phrase or idiom
1. She _____ but she’s still so skinny.
2. I love to eat _____, especially while I’m watching TV.
3. I appreciate the fact that my teacher is trying to _____ a little bit but it comes across badly.
4. My doctor said that I have to _____.
5. Having grandchildren but not having to watch them all the time is _____.
6. I’m worried about my mom. She _____ these days.
7. The ball deflected in off the defence. What a _____.
8. My dad is _____ and may have to go to a care home.
9. My son thinks it’s his _____ to take over the family business. But I do think he has a choice in this.
Answers:
1. eats like a horse
2. junk food
3. spice things up
4. watch my weight
5. the best of both worlds
6. eats like a bird
7. tough break
8. getting on in years
9. fate
Want the Printable Lesson Plan?
If you just want to print off this lesson plan filled with lots of useful English idioms and phrases, here’s the PDF:
Best of Both Worlds Lesson Plan.
Did you like these English Idioms?
Yes? Then you’re going to love this book on Amazon: Advanced English Conversation Dialogues. There are hundreds of English idioms, phrases and expressions to help you speak fluently like a native speaker. This lesson plan is actually one of them from the book. There are 29 more to check out.
Interested? You can find the book in both digital and print formats. Head over to Amazon to find out all the details you need to know:
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Last update on 2026-10-16 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
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