ESL Speaking

Games + Activities to Try Out Today!

  • Adult Activities
  • Kid Activities
  • Textbooks
    • ESL Textbooks for Adults
    • ESL Textbooks for Children
  • Teacher Resources
    • Resources
    • Online TEFL Course
  • Learn English
    • Learn English
    • Confusing English Words

in Activities for Adults

English Idioms, Phrases & Expressions: The Best of Both Worlds

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

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? 

Advanced English Conversation Dialogues: Speak English Like a Native Speaker with Common Idioms and...
Advanced English Conversation Dialogues: Speak English Like a Native Speaker with Common Idioms and...
  • Amazon Kindle Edition
  • Bolen, Jackie (Author)
  • English (Publication Language)
  • 68 Pages - 11/07/2020 (Publication Date)
Check Price on Amazon

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:

shop-now-amazon

Have your Say about English Idioms, Phrases and Expressions

What are your thoughts about learning American English idioms and expressions? Leave a comment below and let us know what you think.

Also, be sure to give this article a share on Facebook, Pinterest, or Twitter. It’ll help other English teachers and English learners find this useful resource.

Last update on 2022-10-15 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API

About Jackie

Jackie Bolen has been teaching English for more than 15 years to students in South Korea and Canada. She's taught all ages, levels and kinds of TEFL classes. She holds an MA degree, along with the Celta and Delta English teaching certifications.

Jackie is the author of more than 60 books for English teachers and English learners, including 101 ESL Activities for Teenagers and Adults and 1001 English Expressions and Phrases. She loves to share her ESL games, activities, teaching tips, and more with other teachers throughout the world.

You can find her on social media at:
YouTube
Facebook
TikTok
Pinterest
Instagram

« Teaching Places Games, Activities, Lesson Plans & Resources
Choose your Own Adventure ESL Writing Activity »

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Great Debates for ESL/EFL: 39 Important Debating Topics for English Learners
Great Debates for ESL/EFL: 39 Important Debating Topics for English Learners
Check Price on Amazon
103 Fun ESL Games & Activities for the Classroom : Interactive, Minimal Prep TEFL Ideas for All Ages
103 Fun ESL Games & Activities for the Classroom : Interactive, Minimal Prep TEFL Ideas for All Ages
Check Price on Amazon

As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases. What does this mean? I recommend products (only ones that I like) and if you purchase a product through that link, I earn some money.

39 No-Prep/Low-Prep ESL Speaking Activities: For English Teachers of Teenagers and Adults Who Want...
39 No-Prep/Low-Prep ESL Speaking Activities: For English Teachers of Teenagers and Adults Who Want...
Check Price on Amazon
101 Activities and Resources for Teaching English Online: Practical Ideas, Games, Activities & Tips...
101 Activities and Resources for Teaching English Online: Practical Ideas, Games, Activities & Tips...
Check Price on Amazon
101 ESL Activities: Games, Activities, Practical ideas, & Teaching Tips For English Teachers of...
101 ESL Activities: Games, Activities, Practical ideas, & Teaching Tips For English Teachers of...
Check Price on Amazon

Search ESL Speaking

50+ This or That Food Questions

Never Have I Ever ESL Game: Use this Fun Party Game in TEFL Class

30 Valentine’s Day Would You Rather Questions

50 Would You Rather? Questions Sports Edition

Different Types of Adverbs with Adverb Examples

Online TEFL Courses

Get Certified Entirely Online

67 ESL Conversation Topics with Questions, Vocabulary, Writing Prompts & More: For English Teachers...
67 ESL Conversation Topics with Questions, Vocabulary, Writing Prompts & More: For English Teachers...
Check Price on Amazon
Scatter Sheets for Intermediate-Advanced Students to Improve Fluency: ESL Speaking & Vocabulary...
Scatter Sheets for Intermediate-Advanced Students to Improve Fluency: ESL Speaking & Vocabulary...
Check Price on Amazon
1001 English Expressions and Phrases: Common Sentences and Dialogues Used by Native English Speakers...
1001 English Expressions and Phrases: Common Sentences and Dialogues Used by Native English Speakers...
Check Price on Amazon
39 ESL Warm-Ups: For English Teachers of Kids (7+) Who Want to Get their TEFL Classes Started Off...
39 ESL Warm-Ups: For English Teachers of Kids (7+) Who Want to Get their TEFL Classes Started Off...
Check Price on Amazon
Jackie Bolen

Disclosure Statement

As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.

  • Adult Activities
  • Kid Activities
  • Textbooks
  • Teacher Resources
  • Learn English

Our Top-Seller

Sale 39 No-Prep/Low-Prep ESL Speaking Activities: For Teenagers and Adults (Teaching ESL Conversation and...
39 No-Prep/Low-Prep ESL Speaking Activities: For Teenagers and Adults (Teaching ESL Conversation and...
Check Price on Amazon

Search

As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases.

More ESL Activities

bee in one's bonnet meaning origin examples

Bee in Your Bonnet Meaning, Origin & Examples

keeping-the-conversation-going

Ways to Keep a Conversation Going: Tips for English Learners

idiom of the day crack the whip

Crack the Whip Meaning, Origin, and Examples

blow off some steam meaning

Learn English Idiom: Blow Off Some Steam

About, Contact, Privacy Policy

Jackie Bolen has been talking ESL speaking since 2014 and the goal is to bring you the best recommendations for English conversation games, activities, lesson plans and more. It’s your go-to source for everything TEFL!

About and Contact for ESL Speaking.

Privacy Policy and Terms of Use.

Email: [email protected]

Facebook

Pinterest

TikTok

YouTube

LinkedIn

Address: 2436 Kelly Ave, Port Coquitlam, Canada

Copyright © 2023 Jackie Bolen + ESL Speaking. All Rights Reserved.