a. Copy your opponent’s strategies b. Inspired or caused energetic activity
Mastering Meaning
c. Current or past actions can predict bad or unpleasant outcomes.
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d. Keeps things going from a central location.
By Judith L. Bergman M.A. CCC
e. If you do something dangerous, you could get hurt. f. We’re going to be in trouble!
Ancient traditions of many cultures incorporate four basic “building blocks” of life: earth, air, water and fire and these words appear in many metaphors and other nonliteral expressions. Our last three columns have featured idioms and metaphors using three of these and, fittingly enough for August, we will look at ways that fire (and related terms such as heat, sparks and flame are used in American English.
g. Send information out immediately h. Go ahead and ask a lot of questions i. A very difficult first experience. j. If the pressure is too much for you, you should leave the situation. k. Being intensely criticized
Can you match the meanings (“a” to “t”) below to these expressions that use fire, heat, sparks and flame? 1
l. Intense and hostile. m. To stir up negative feelings and actions.
1. He fired off an email to his grandparents as soon as he received his college admission letter._____
n. Created a strong attaction. o. Makes a bad situation worse.
2. Their debating team practices all year so we’ll fight fire with fire and so the same. _____
p. With great energy and determination. q. In a tie; exactly together.
3. Their proposals are coming under fire from many citizen groups. ____
r. Doing too many things at once. s. To be extremely successful, famous or exciting.
4. If you make risky investments, remember that those who play with fire get burned! _____
t. Rapidly and with force.
5. He is approaching the job interview with fire in his belly. _____
Suggested strategies to increase your mastery of meaning this month: Read political columns, editorials and news reports about government and legislative activities and listen to your favorite news commentators. How many of these expressions can you find?
6. You don’t have to set the world on fire here. Just do a good job. _____ 7. After the announced reorganization many people began actively job hunting because where there’s smoke, there’s fire. ____
References: 1, http://www.thefreedictionary.com/idioms
8. No wonder we’re losing good teachers! Not giving raises and then cutting out teacher aides just adds fuel to the fire! _____ 9. His first teaching job at an inner city high school was a baptism by fire. _____
Answers: 1-g, 2-a, 3-k, 4-e, 5-p, 6-s, 7-c, 8-o, 9-i, 10-r, 11-d, 12-h, 13-t, 14-f, 15-q, 16-j 17-l, 18-b 19-n 20-m.
10. She has too many irons in the fire and the quality of her work is suffering. _____
Judith L. Bergman M.A CCC is the director of Triangle Speech Services specializing in foreign accent modification. Contact: jlbergman@mindspring.com or 919-489-5464 www.trianglespeech.com
11. She’s a wonderful office manager and keeps the home fires burning while we’re out meeting clients. _____ 12. The candidate said, “I’m ready for your questions. Fire away! ______ 13. When the gates of the Tanglewood Music Festival open, the cultured, affluent audience bursts in like a house on fire because they are trying to get good spots on the lawn! _____
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14. The inspectors are coming and we’re not ready! The fat is in the fire! ______ 15. The runners finished in a dead heat! ______
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16. People holding public office shouldn’t complain about the media; if you can’t take the heat, stay out of the kitchen. _____
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17. Their argument was so heated, they almost came to blows! _____ 18. The teacher’s enthusiasm for science sparked off some great student projects. _____
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19. The wonderful robotic displays drew customers like a moth to the flame. _____ 20. Powerful public speakers can inspire many to do good in society or can fan the flames of prejudice and hatred. ____ Saathee.com
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August 2013