Discuss 20 Revealing English Idioms about Women and Men
Discuss the following common English idioms about women and men with your partner or small group. What do they reveal about attitudes towards gender roles in society today?
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Note: one way to introduce these idioms would be to give the students just the definitions, then say the idioms one by one, or write a few on the board, and ask them to predict the definition(s):
a woman’s work is never done – I have a lot to do
make an honest woman of her – marry her
be a woman of her word – be reliable
be a one-woman man – be faithful to his partner
a woman of letters – a woman of learning
a woman on a mission – a determined woman
be a fine figure of a woman – be an attractive woman
a woman among women – an exceptional woman
a woman’s place is in the home – women should be at home
who’s “she” – the cat’s mother? – don’t refer to me as “she”
be man enough to do sth – be brave enough to do sth
be your own man – be independent
it’s every man for himself – you are responsible for yourself
make a man of sby – make sby brave / strong
be the man of the match – be the best-rated player
a man of the people – sby who gets on with everybody
talk man to man – talk frankly
man’s best friend – a dog
a man of the world – a man with life experience
it’s a man’s world – the world favours men
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