Stories containing idiomatic expressions

local fishing competition with flying colors. He was grinning from

ear to ear that day. The prize was a fishing trip to the coast to fish for sailfish. He really has to screw up his courage to fish for sailfish, but he set his heart on it. He boasts to his friends that it'll be a piece of cake catching a sailfish.

The King Fisher

desire deeply, regardless of practicality or rationality.
2. Screw up one's

courage: To force yourself to be brave.
3. A piece of cake: to be very easy.
4. With flying colors: with great success.
5. Grin from ear to ear: to give a very big smile.

Last year the rains were very bad and the city

was at sixes and sevens. Anwar's parents told him to take a rest, but he turned a deaf ear to them and kept on working. Unfortunately, he hit a hole hidden by the water and broke his bicycle. For almost two months after that he was in his parent's bad books and he had to lie low. Fortunately, he was able to repair his bicycle and now business is booming. Every night he comes home and he is all in.

when they complain or ask for something.
2. At sixes and

sevens: a state of confusion or disarray.
3. All in: to be extremely tired.
4. Lie low: to remain hidden so that you will not be found.
5. In someone's bad books: if you are in someone's bad books, they are displeased with you.

a lot of homework and they get angry if it

is not done.  One day Tom lost his homework.  He turned his room upside down looking for it.  He couldn't find it.  On the way to school he thought, 'I'd better make myself scarce today!' In class, he was like a cat on a hot tin roof waiting for the teacher to ask for the homework.  About half way through class, there was a fire drill and the whole class had to go outside.  The coast was clear!  He was safe for another day.  Later on, Tom did find his homework and he handed it in with pride.

mass usually when looking for something 2. make oneself scarce: to stay

away; avoid. 3. in hot water: in trouble 4. like a cat on a hot tin roof: very nervous and restless 5. the coast is clear: there is no longer any danger or difficulty present.

popped the question to her.  He promised he would spare

no expense in giving her the best wedding ever, and his father is rich.  He thinks the world of her, and wants to get married quickly but until he announces it, he wants her to keep it under wraps.  This makes it even more exciting for her today since she knows something that her friends don't know: she's going to get married!

to ask someone to get married 3. spare no expense:  to

spend whatever sum of money is needed to get what one wants without worrying about the cost 4. think the world of (someone):  to be very fond of someone 5. keep (something) under wraps: to keep (something) secret