Advanced English Collocations in Use | Unit 7 | Metaphor

Which metaphor based on the body can replace the words in bold?

cast light on (sth)

Two recently published articles provided a new explanation for these questions.

Two recently published articles cast new light on these questions.

Which metaphor based on the body can replace the words in bold?

You're never going to run in the Olympics. It's time you accepted reality.

You're never going to run in the Olympics. It's time you faced (up to) the facts.

Which metaphor based on the body can replace the words in bold?

Although others were also responsible for the problem, Sue decided to take the responsibilty.

Although others were also responsible for the problem, Sue decided to shoulder the blame.

take the responsibility for something bad

Which metaphor based on the body can replace the words in bold?

Choose what you like from the menu - the company is paying.

Choose what you like from the menu - the company is footing the bill.

Which metaphor based on the body can replace the words in bold?

Jo leads a project group working on crime prevention.

Jo heads a team working on crime prevention.

Which metaphor based on the body can replace the words in bold?

Having three sons under the age of five makes Jana active and concentrated.

Having three sons under the age of five keeps Jana on her toes.

Which metaphor based on the body can replace the words in bold?

Gina is good at noticing detail, so ask her to check the report.

Gina has an eye for detail, so ask her to check the report.

Which metaphor based on the body can replace the words in bold?

Unemployment happens at the same time with social unrest.

Unemployment goes hand in hand with social unrest.

Name three metaphors with the word ‘heavy’.

• heavy responsibility (important, not easily handled duty)

• a heavy burden (something difficult or unpleasant that you have to deal with or worry about: I'm afraid this role may have become too much of a heavy burden for you.)

• a heavy book (with difficult content)

Name two metaphors with the word ‘weighty’.

• a weighty tome (a book with difficult content)

• weighty problems (difficult and serious)

Name two metaphors with the word ‘light’.

• light reading (reading material that is not serious)

• do sth with a light heart (feel carefree and happy)

What is the difference between ‘a slim chance’ and ‘a fat chance’?

• a slim chance = a small chance, e.g. But at 17 she was diagnosed with polycystic ovary syndrome, giving her only a slim chance of becoming pregnant.

• fat chance (very informal) = almost no chance, e.g. Perhaps they'll invite you. - Fat chance (of that)!

Replace the phrases in bold with metaphors based on movement.

James did a lot of partying in his final year and experienced problems with his course. His father was extremely angry when he only just managed to get his degree. However, when he left university he got a job very easily in an excellent company. Some people made a judgement that this was because he'd started going out with the Managing Director's daughter. His mother worried that, if their relationship ended, he would encounter difficulties at work too.

James did a lot of partying in his final year and ran into difficulties with his course. His father was hopping mad when he only just managed to get his degree. However, when he left university he walked straight into a job in an excellent company. Some people jumped to the conclusion that this was because he'd started going out with the Managing Director's daughter. His mother worried that, if their relationship hit the rocks, he would run into trouble at work too.

Replace the bold part of the sentence using a metaphor based on the body.

The presidential visit meant no one had time to relax.

The presidential visit kept everyone on their toes.

Replace the bold part of the sentence using a metaphor based on the body.

Rosetta took full responsibility for the failure of the project.

Rosetta shouldered the blame for the failure of the project.

Replace the bold part of the sentence using a metaphor based on the body.

I don't think Greg will ever win Rosie's heart; it's time he accepted that.

I don't think Greg will ever win Rosie's heart; it's time he faced the facts

Replace the bold part of the sentence using a metaphor based on the body.

The company had done so well that year that it agreed to pay for a staff night out.

The company had done so well that year that it agreed to foot the bill for a staff night out.

Replace the bold part of the sentence using a metaphor based on the body.

I'm glad I'm not in charge of this team.

I'm glad I'm not heading this team.

Replace the bold part of the sentence using a metaphor based on the body.

Carola is very good at finding a bargain.

Carola has an eye for a bargain.

Answer these questions about the metaphor.

What usually goes hand in hand with inflation, an increase or a decrease in savings?

A decrease in savings is likely to go hand in hand with inflation as people will have less money available for saving.

Answer these questions about the metaphor.

If a relationship hits the rocks, is it the end or the beginning of that relationship?

If a relationship hits the rocks, it is the end of that relationship.

Answer these questions about the metaphor.

If you talk about facing the facts, are the facts more likely to be pleasant or unpleasant?

If you talk about facing the facts, the facts are likely to be unpleasant.

Answer these questions about the metaphor.

If you say that someone is hopping mad, do you mean that they are good at athletics or that they are very angry?

If you say someone is hopping mad, you mean that they are very angry

Answer these questions about the metaphor.

If you run into difficulties or trouble, does that mean that they happen quickly?

No, not necessarily. If you run into difficulties or trouble, it just means that you encounter them or have them.

Answer these questions about the metaphor.

Would you be more likely to call a magazine publishing gossip about celebrities light reading or a weighty tome?

You'd call a magazine dealing with celebrity gossip light reading.

A weighty tome would only be used to refer to a book that is long and has difficult content - unless it is being used ironically, of course.

Explain the difference in meaning between the sentences in each pair.

1. Jill walked into a well-paid job in the City.

2. Jill got a well-paid job in the City.

1. Jill walked into a well-paid job in the City. = Jill got the job very easily.

2. Jill got the job - but we don't know whether it was easy for her to get it or not.

Explain the difference in meaning between the sentences in each pair.

1. Pat is heading the project team.

2. Pat is backing the project team.

1. Pat is heading the project team. = Pat is in charge of the project team.

2. Pat is backing the project team. = Pat is supporting the project team / giving the project team her support.

Explain the difference in meaning between the sentences in each pair.

1. Dad jumped to the wrong conclusion.

2. Dad came to the wrong conclusion.

1. Dad jumped to the wrong conclusion. = Dad very quickly drew the wrong conclusion.

2. Dad came to the wrong conclusion. = Dad drew the wrong conclusion - but we don't know whether he did so quickly or not.

Explain the difference in meaning between the sentences in each pair.

1. Rod left the room with a light heart.

2. Rod left the room with a heavy heart.

1. Rod left the room with a light heart. = Rod left the room feeling happy and carefree.

2. Rod left the room with a heavy heart. = Rod left the room feeling sad and despondent.

Explain the difference in meaning between the sentences in each pair.

1. Fat chance I've got of winning!

2. I've got a slim chance of winning.

1. Fat chance I've got of winning! = I've got no chance of winning at all.

2. I've got a slim chance of winning. = I've got a very small chance of winning.

Choose the correct collocation.

Kieran's constant whistling is riding / getting / driving me crazy.

Kieran's constant whistling is driving me crazy.

Choose the correct collocation.

Sylvia is a first-class designer as she has a good eye / nose / hand for detail.

Sylvia is a first-class designer as she has a good eye for detail.

Choose the correct collocation.

You mustn't shoulder the heavy weight / burden / task of redecorating the house all by yourself.

You mustn't shoulder the burden of redecorating the house all by yourself.

Choose the correct collocation.

There is just a thin / slim / skinny chance that Marek might pop in today.

There is just a slim chance that Marek might pop in today.

Choose the correct collocation.

The committee has some fat / weighty / heavy matters to discuss on today's agenda.

The committee has some weighty matters to discuss on today's agenda.

Choose the correct collocation.

When the results came out, Marco was thrilled to see his name footing / facing / heading the list of successful candidates.

When the results came out, Marco was thrilled to see his name heading the list of successful candidates.

Explain what the play on words is based on in each of these headlines.

Athlete Runs Into Trouble

The metaphor here is based on the word run. An athlete literally runs in a race. But if he metaphorically runs into trouble that simply means that he has a problem. The problem might not be connected with running in any way.

Explain what the play on words is based on in each of these headlines.

Diet Pills Have Fat Chance Of Success

The metaphor is based on the connection between being fat and dieting. Diet pills are intended to help people lose weight but if they have a fat chance of success, they are unlikely to succeed.

Explain what the play on words is based on in each of these headlines.

New Director Keeps Royal Ballet On Its Toes

The play on words is based on the idea of ballet dancers literally dancing on their toes and the figurative meaning of the expression keep someone on their toes which is to keep someone energetic and concentrated.

Explain what the play on words is based on in each of these headlines.

Shoeworld Co. To Foot The Bill

The play on words connects the word foot, used here metaphorically to mean pay, with its literal meaning of the part of the body where we wear shoes.

Explain what the play on words is based on in each of these headlines.

New Law Makes Rabbit Owners Hopping Mad

The play on words is based on the fact that hop is a verb closely associated with the movement of rabbits (and frogs). The new legislation must be something that makes rabbit owners angry e.g. a tax on owning rabbits.