Learn 13 English idioms related to secrets. I’ll let the cat out of the bag about these common idioms and show you definitions and examples. I’ll also take you along with me on a hike in Scotland to see one of our most little-known tourist attractions.
Transcript:
To read a transcript of this video as you watch:
First, open the video on YouTube. Then underneath the video, find the three small horizontal dots (next to the share and save button). Click on the dots to see a small menu. Click on “show transcript” and then Bob’s your uncle!
(“Bob’s your uncle” is a very informal British idiom that means “it’s done” or “that’s that.” In the U.K. we also use the French words “et voilà” in more formal situations.)
Speaking prompts:
Click on the image to spin the wheel and receive a prompt.
Match the definitions:
Click the image to open the quiz.
Overview of the extra vocabulary:
Quaint (adjective)
= when something looks really old-fashioned in style but in a nice and charming way, like a cute old house or an interesting old object.
Examples:
E.g. “We passed a beautiful river and some quaintly British things like this post box.”
E.g. The little house in the countryside looked like it came from a fairy tale with its pretty flowers and funny roof. It was just so quaint!
Cairn (noun)
= a pile of rocks that people make, often to show the way when you’re hiking or as a memorial to remember a loved one after their death.
E.g. “We passed a small cairn.”
E.g. The family decided to create a cairn by the riverside to honour the memory of their loved one.
To speak too soon (idiom)
= to say something that is almost immediately shown not to be true.
E.g. “We were commenting on how it wasn’t a very difficult hike, until we hit a section that made us think we had spoken too soon.”
E.g. I don’t want to speak too soon, but I think he’s changed and is being more responsible. He’s been on time every day.
To hoof it (idiom) / British English / very informal
= walking somewhere because there is no other option or walking very fast.
E.g. “We hoofed it down the hill.”
E.g. My car broke down on the way to work. I had to hoof it the last mile so that I wouldn’t be late!
A bite to eat (idiom) / informal
= some food
“Tasty” is a word that often collocates (goes with) this idiom in the U.K.
E.g. “We hoofed it down the hill and went for a tasty bite at a town called Braemar.”
E.g. Would you like to go out for a bite to eat after work?
