Tag Archives: idioms of patience

20 English Idioms about Laughter – Free PDF Worksheet

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Increase your English vocabulary by learning and practicing these 20 English idioms about laughter!

Download the free printable worksheet (with answer key) and learn 20 new expressions now!

Direct download: https://purlandtraining.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/03/20-English-Idioms-about-Laughter.pdf

Examples:

‘The train is going to be forty minutes late.’ ‘Are you having a laugh?’
‘Her cousin’s laugh a minute, isn’t he?’ ‘I know – he’s hilarious!’ [positive]; ‘Her cousin’s laugh a minute, isn’t he?’ ‘I know – I’ve never seen him smile.’ [negative – ironic]
If you go to the meeting without that report you’ll be a laughing stock.
If you ask Ben for a pay rise you’ll be laughed out of court!
If this product takes off, you’ll be laughing all the way to the bank!
You’ll be laughing on the other side of your face when I’m rich and famous!
Tell me who did this graffiti! It’s no laughing matter, you know!
‘Look – Jake’s dancing on the table!’ ‘He always was the class clown.’
When I saw what her mum was wearing to the wedding, I burst out laughing!
‘Why did you walk all the way to the chip shop instead of driving?’ ‘For a laugh.’
‘I’m pretty sure Joanna will get the promotion instead of you.’ ‘Don’t make me laugh!’
We had a laugh at the karaoke night, didn’t we?
My grandad had everybody in stitches at the pub quiz last night.
Bob was smug about winning the quiz, but I had the last laugh when he was disqualified!
‘Be careful getting off the ski-lift, darling!’ ‘Don’t worry. I laugh in the face of danger!’
‘Were you upset about getting a verbal warning?’ ‘Nah – I just laughed it off.’
That film was so funny – I absolutely laughed my head off!
I’m glad Dee went to the comedy club, despite her bad news. Laughter is the best medicine.
When it started raining after I got locked out, I didn’t know whether to laugh or cry.
‘It looks like our pay rise has been cancelled.’ ‘Oh well. You’ve got to laugh, haven’t you?’

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Learn 12 English Idioms of Patience

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20 English Idioms of Friendship

Learn 12 English Idioms of Patience

How patient are you? Do you believe that patience is a virtue (it is good to be patient) or do you regularly run out of patience (stop being patient and take often ill-advised action)? Whatever your answer, try to remember that Rome wasn’t built in a day (good work takes time to complete), and all things come to those who wait (it will happen eventually, so until then be patient). In any case, you don’t have to wait to discover our 12 English idioms of patience, because they are right here!

[Click here to learn more about how to use idioms in teaching English.]

1. idiom: Patience is a virtue.

literal meaning: It is good to be patient.

example: ‘It’s taking ages to print these papers. It’ll be another half hour – at least.’ ‘Chill out, Brian. Patience is a virtue.’

2. idiom: Hang (on) in there.

literal meaning: Don’t give up.

example: ‘I can’t wait to finish my dissertation. It’s taking up all my free time.’ ‘Hang on in there. It’ll be worth it in the end.’

3. idiom: Rome wasn’t built in a day.

literal meaning: Good work takes time to complete.

example: ‘When I finish painting this room, I’ve got to do the bathroom, bedroom, and the front room. I won’t finish it today.’ ‘Don’t worry, Alex. Take your time. Rome wasn’t built in a day.’

4. idiom: To try [somebody’s] patience.

literal meaning: To annoy somebody.

example: ‘What’s the matter, Sandra?’ ‘It’s our Jeffrey. He spends all day in his room playing the drums. What an awful racket!. He’s really trying my patience.’

5. idiom: To lose one’s / run out of patience.

literal meaning: To stop being patient and take action.

example: ‘What’s happened now, Sandra?’ ‘Well, I ran out of patience and hid Jeffrey’s drum sticks. Now he’s sulking.’

6. idiom: Hold your horses!

literal meaning: Stop! Don’t rush things.

example: ‘Right – once we’ve put our house on the market, I’m moving to Canada, finding a new bloke, and setting up a kebab shop!’ ‘Woah! Hold your horses! I haven’t even agreed to a trial separation yet!’

Discover 100 Politically Correct Euphemisms

7. idiom: To play the long game.

literal meaning: To take a long-term approach to something.

example: ‘Should we fire Carrie and Dan now?’ ‘No, no. I’d prefer to play the long game. Let’s give both of them a project and reassess their work after six months.’

8. idiom: To take [something] one step at a time.

literal meaning: To do something slowly and methodically.

example: ‘I don’t think I’ll ever learn Spanish.’ ‘Just take it slowly – one step at a time. You’ll get there – one lesson at a time.’

9. idiom: No hurry.

literal meaning: You do not need to do something quickly.

example: ‘I’ll get this report back to you by four o’clock. Or do you need it sooner?’ ‘No hurry. Four will be fine. Or tomorrow morning.’

10. idiom: A watched pot never boils.

literal meaning: If you are impatient for a result, time seems to move more slowly.

example: ‘I’m waiting for this game to download, but it’s a big download.’ ‘Go and do something else and then it’ll be ready. A watched pot never boils.’

11. idiom: Wait and see.

literal meaning: The answer will become clear soon.

example: ‘I wonder what mum’s cooking for lunch tomorrow.’ ‘You’ll have to wait and see.’’

12. idiom: All things come to those who wait.

literal meaning: It will happen eventually, so until then be patient.

example: ‘I can’t wait for my birthday! It’s not fair that I’ve got to wait eleven and a half months!’ ‘Don’t worry, John. All things come to those who wait.’