IDIOM CONNECTION

lesson 27

Hot and Cold Idioms and a Quarrel

Introduction

What are some things that can cause friends to become angry with each other?

Reading

I was trying to keep my cool after meeting my friend at a coffee shop. She was very angry at me. I thought that things were more or less relaxed between us. However, when she showed up at the coffee shop, I knew that there was something wrong. She was hot under the collar because she thinks that I had not been friendly to her. She says that I had given her the cold shoulder in the school cafeteria. I do not think that this is true. However, she decided to make a big deal about this. I know that if we can talk over this problem we will be able to solve it. Hopefully, things will then cool down and we will become good friends again.

Reading Questions

Answer the following questions. The answers can easily be found in the reading above.

1. When was this person trying to keep her cool?

2. Did she think that things were more or less relaxed between her and her friend?

3. Did her friend show up at the coffee shop?

4. Why was her friend hot under the collar about something?

5. Did her friend think that she had given her the cold shoulder in the school cafeteria?

6. Did her friend decide to make a big deal about this?

7. Would she like to talk over this problem with her friend?

8. Would she like things to cool down so that they can become good friends again?

Making Connections and Idiom Meanings

Some of the idioms have another meaning or are connected to another meaning. Use this information to help you choose the correct meaning for each of the underlined idioms:

1. someone is keeping his or her cool
a)   someone is remaining calm
b)   someone is very angry
c)   someone is very excited about something

2. someone is more or less ready to leave
a)   someone has already left
b)   someone is late again
c)   someone is almost ready to leave

3. someone will probably show up soon
a)   someone will probably not come today
b)   someone will probably arrive soon
c)   someone has already arrived

4. someone is hot under the collar
a)   someone is very busy today
b)   someone is in a very good mood
c)   someone is angry

5. someone is giving someone the cold shoulder
a)   someone is being unfriendly and ignoring someone
b)   someone is tired and is not in a good mood
c)   someone is being very friendly to someone

6. A big deal is something that is important. What does it mean when someone is making a big deal about something?
a)   someone is exaggerating something
b)   someone is very relaxed about something
c)   someone usually does not worry about things

7. Over means completely or from beginning to end. If you think over a problem, then you think about it completely. What does to talk over something mean?
a)   to discuss something in detail
b)   to ignore something
c)   to talk too much about something

8. someone is cooling down
a)   someone is becoming angry
b)   someone is becoming calm
c)   someone is rather cold

Your score is: ___  out of 8


Statement and Response

Choose the best response to each of the following statements:

1. “Please try and keep your cool if the store clerk is not polite to you.”
a)   “This clerk is often in a bad mood.”
b)   “It's always cold in that store.”

2. “I have the right amount of money, more or less.”
a)   “What do you mean? You either have the correct amount or you don't.”
b)   “Why didn't you bring any?”

3. “Do you think that our supervisor will show up for the meeting?”
a)   “He always does.”
b)   “I saw him last week.”

4. “Why is your friend hot under the collar today?”
a)   “He usually doesn't wear that type of shirt.”
b)   “Maybe it was something that I said.”

5. “Why did you give your friend the cold shoulder last night?”
a)   “Because it was very cold yesterday.”
b)   “Because she did not meet me where we had planned to meet.”

6. “I do not know why that woman always makes a big deal about everything.”
a)   “Yes, she is rather nervous isn't she.”
b)   “Yes, she is very relaxed about everything.”

7. “Do you want to talk over the plans later?”
a)  “No, I don't have time.”
b)  “No, that is a good idea.”

8. “When did your mother finally cool down?”
a)  “After I said that I was sorry.”
b)  “After I continued to make her angry.”

Your score is: ___  out of 8


Grammar Focus

Choose the word or expression that makes each of the following sentences correct:

1. My friend often irritates me but I always try to keep my _____________ when I meet her.
a)   collar
b)   cold
c)   cool

2. The boy had ________________ enough money to go to the movie.
a)   more in less
b)   more the less
c)   more or less

3. My friend finally _____________ so we went to the restaurant.
a)   showed up
b)   showed in
c)   showed down

4. My teacher was ____________________ when I forgot my textbook.
a)   hot over the collar
b)   hot under the collar
c)   hot in the collar

5. The girl gave her friend _______________ at the party.
a)   the cold shoulder
b)   some cold shoulders
c)   one cold shoulder

6. The man ________________ about very small problems.
a)   makes the big deal
b)   makes big deals
c)   makes a big deal

7. The professor talked _____________ the problem with the student.
a)  over
b)  in
c)  under

8. It took some time for our supervisor to cool ______________ .
a)  over
b)  down
c)  up

Your score is: ___  out of 8




Discussion Questions

Answer the following questions using the idioms from this section:

1. Are you able to keep your cool in most situations?

2. Do you know a case recently where someone could not keep his or her cool?

3. Do you more or less finish your homework or projects on schedule?

4. Do you have enough time, more or less, to do what you want?

5. Do you usually show up early for a meeting or interview?

6. Have you ever forgotten to show up for an important event?

7. Do you ever get hot under the collar about something?

8. Do you know anyone who is always hot under the collar about something?

9. Have you ever given someone the cold shoulder?

10. Has anyone given you the cold shoulder recently?

11. Do you know anyone who makes a big deal about small things?

12. Have you ever made a big deal about something small?

13. Can you easily talk over your problems with a friend?

14. Have you talked over something important with someone recently?

15. Do you cool down quickly after you have an argument with someone?

16. Do you know anyone who never cools down after an argument?

Role Play

Student A: You are talking to your friend. You are trying to keep your cool but you are very angry. Your friend did not show up for your appointment at the right time and you are furious.

Student B: You do not know why your friend is so angry. You were only a little bit late. You think that your friend is making a big deal out of something that is not important.

lesson 27