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1.8. Study the following metaphors and idioms relating to homes and

lifestyles (a) and gardening (b). Think of any Russian idioms or

proverbs with the word “house” or “home”. Explain their meaning in

English.

a) Home and Lifestyle Metaphors

Expression

Meaning

Example

a household word/ name

something everyone knows

Kate has become a household name.

on the house

paid by the provider

The car-hire firm offered us a car for a week on the house as compensation for our ruined holiday.

a home truth

a plain statement of something which is unpleasant but true said directly to the person

It’s time someone told him a few home truths about how to behave in public.

nothing to write home about

not very exciting, important

The concert was nothing to write home about

hit home

become fully understood or fully felt

The whole situation is hitting home now.

have the time of one’s life

enjoy oneself very much, have a wonderful life

They are having the time of their lives in London.

get a new lease of life

become more energetic and active than before

After an operation to replace a valve in his heart, he got a new lease of life.

a dog’s life

a very unhappy and difficult life

Nick said he led a dog’s life in the jail.

do one’s homework

prepare for a meeting by making sure one knows all the relevant figures, fact, etc.

The Home Secretary has tried to impress us by quoting a lot of statistics, but those of us who have done out homework know that the facts are wrong.

feel at home

feel as relaxed as one does in one’s own home or in a place or situation one knows well

I always feel at home in France when I go there on holiday.

make oneself at home

make oneself as comfortable as one would be at home

Make yourself at home while you’re waiting.

home and dry

having succeeded in what one wanted to do

I wasn’t sure that I could put this clock back together, but if I can fit this last wheel back in, I think I’ll be home and dry.

like a house on fire

1. very well

2. very quickly

1. Two children got on like a house on fire.

2. I’m getting through this job like a house on fire.

house-proud

very concerned about the appearance of one’s house

She is very house-proud and makes her guests put on slippers before they walk on her carpets.

eat smb. out of house and home

be so expensive to feed and keep that the person who is paying cannot afford it

His wife’s huge dog is eating him out of house and home.

touch home

to mention a subject that makes someone feel upset or angry

Your comment about his mom really touched home.

bring the house down

have success with the audience

His new play has brought the house down.

b) Gardening Metaphors

The new boss is planning to weed out (=get rid of) older or less experienced staff.

The government will probably have to prune back (=cut/limit) its proposals.

At last she is reaping the reward of (=is getting results from) all her years of study.

The journalists have dug up (=have discovered) some interesting facts.

The idea was germinating (=was beginning to develop) while we were on holiday.

Out-of-town shopping centres have been sprouting (=appearing quickly in large numbers) all over the country.

Our business is flourishing (=doing very well).

A deciduous tree sheds (=loses) its leaves.

People can shed employees/traditions/worries/inhibitions/weight.

Plants fade, wither, shrivel and wilt when they die. These verbs can all be used

metaphorically:

Hopes of finding survivors are fading (=becoming smaller).

High inflation means that our savings are shriveling (=becoming less).

It was so hot in the classroom that the students were starting to wilt (=lose energy).

A glance/look/remark can wither or be withering (=make the recipient feel scorned).

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