An idiom is a phrase that we can't understand from the m{#blank#}1{#/blank#} of each word. For example, if an American boy asks his mom what's for dinner tomorrow, she may say “I'll play it by ear”, that means she doesn't have plans for dinner and she will d{#blank#}2{#/blank#} later.

    “Play it by ear” used to mean playing music w{#blank#}3{#/blank#} using the sheet music (乐谱), but now people often use it when they're not talking about music!

    There are many idioms in English. If you learn to use them, your English will be much more vivid (生动的) and colorful.

    Have you ever heard the idiom “He bought the farm”? It means he died. Do you know how it became p{#blank#}4{#/blank#}? It was first used in World War I. When a soldier died, the government gave his family enough money to buy a farm.

    In the early 1930s, people in the US often didn't know when or where their next meal was. So once they got something in their hand that could be e{#blank#}5{#/blank#}, it would go into their mouth. That was how people began to use the idiom “living hand to mouth” to mean “living a p{#blank#}6{#/blank#} life”.

    And don't be a{#blank#}7{#/blank#} if your English friend says this to you, “Break a leg in your game!” He is wishing you good luck! Hundreds of years ago, people believed in sprites (小妖精). Sprites enjoyed causing t{#blank#}8{#/blank#}. If the sprites heard you ask for something, they would make the o{#blank#}9{#/blank#} happen. Tell someone to “break a leg” and the sprites would make something good happen.

    Aren't English idioms interesting? And break a leg in your next football m{#blank#}10{#/blank#}!

Please{#blank#}1{#/blank#}in front of the classroom building．