Learn these four English idioms: a blessing in disguise, bite off more than you can chew, a change of heart and a downward spiral. Learn the meaning of these useful idioms and master them by studying and reading aloud the example sentences. Also read the Idioms in Use text, which contains all four target idioms in a natural context. Leave a comment below and practice the idioms that you learned. Learn more by visiting me at www.SirEnglish.com

7. Choose only two of the four phrases to make a good
sentence. Write down your answer before moving
ahead to check your answers.

8. • If I have a change of heart,
• I’m getting better and better.
• If I’m in a downward spiral,
• I change my opinion on something.
Choose two phrases to make a good sentence

9. • If I have , I
change my opinion on something.
Answer

10. • Taking on too much work is an example of
• a blessing in disguise.
• Something that gets worse is an example of
• biting off more than you can chew.
Choose two phrases to make a good sentence

11. • Taking on too much work is an
example of
.
Answer

12. • because things are getting worse and worse.
• because I was late to the airport.
• The company is in a downward spiral
• Missing my flight was a blessing in disguise
Choose two phrases to make a good sentence

13. • The company is in
because things are getting
worse and worse.
Answer

14. • If something is a blessing in disguise,
• it looks bad at first, but is actually a good thing.
• people change their opinion on it.
• If something is in a downward spiral,
Choose two phrases to make a good sentence

15. • If something is
, it looks bad at first, but is
actually a good thing.
Answer

16. Replace the phrases in bold with one of the idioms
from this section. Write down each sentence before
moving ahead to check your answers.

17. • I’ve had a change of opinion regarding buying the house.
• John is in a bad situation that’s getting worse. He needs help I think.
• James has taken on too much work, and now he can’t handle it. He’s
really stressed out now.
• Missing the flight was bad at first, but it turned out to be a good
thing. If I hadn’t missed the flight, I would have been on the plane when
it crashed.
Replace the phrases in bold with an idiom from this section
Sentences with normal phrases

18. Answers
• I’ve had a change of heart regarding buying the house.
• John is in a downward spiral. He needs help I think.
• James has bitten off more than he can chew. He’s really stressed out
now.
• Missing the flight was a blessing in disguise. If I hadn’t missed the
flight, I would have been on the plane when it crashed.
Sentences with idioms

19. Example Sentences
Read the sentences containing the idioms that we studied. Think about the meaning of the idioms as
you read aloud. Train your brain to master these idioms.
a blessing in disguise
something that seems bad at first but is actually a good thing
bite off more than you can chew
to try to do something that is too difficult
a change of heart
a change of opinion
a downward spiral
a situation that is getting worse and worse

20. I broke my smartphone, but I think it’s a
blessing in disguise. I was using it too much
and it was costing me a lot of money.

21. I think you should only take on one project at
a time, John. You don’t want to bite of more
than you can chew.

22. Kim was going to accept the job offer from
Asia, but after thinking about how much she
would miss her family, she had a change of
heart.

23. Since the collapse of several major companies,
the economy has been in a downward spiral.

24. Breaking my leg was a blessing in disguise.
It’s given me some much-needed rest from
work and I’m able to spend more time with
the children.

25. John: How is engineering school?
Paul: I think I’ve bitten off more than I can
chew. I should have chosen an easier subject
to study.

26. Michelle: I decided to say no to Peter’s offer
of marriage.
Fiona: I thought you were happy about it. Why
the sudden change of heart?

27. Business was very tough for a few years, but
we avoided a downward spiral and now
things are looking positive.

28. Since his wife left him and he lost his job,
Dean has been in a downward spiral. I’m
doing my best to help him.

29. Car seller: Are you still interested in buying
the car?
Car buyer: No sorry, I’ve had a change of
heart. I’m going to buy something cheaper.

30. Tina is working two jobs: her main job and a
part-time evening job. I think she’s biting off
more than she can chew.

31. When James left me, I was upset for months.
But it was a blessing in disguise because it
made me a much stronger person.

32. At first, her father was unsure. But after
thinking for some time, he had a change of
heart and allowed her to marry the man.

33. Lee: How is Simon these days? Is he getting
better?
Katy: Yes. Thankfully, he managed to pull
himself out of a downward spiral and is
feeling much better.

34. Losing all his money turned out to be a
blessing in disguise for the man. He found
out who his true friends were, and he lived a
much happier life.

35. I went skiing on the weekend and went down
the advanced slope. I fell and almost injured
myself. I definitely bit off more than I could
chew.

36. Idioms in Use Set One
Read this short passage aloud. Think about the meanings of the idioms
as you read. This will train your brain to master these idioms.
Situation: A man is talking to the boss of a company who offered him a
job. He initially accepted the job offer, but decides it’s best to refuse it.
Sorry Michael, I’ve had a change of heart about the job offer. I don’t
think I can take it because I’m just not qualified or experienced enough,
and I worry that I’ve bitten off more than I can chew with it. If I take
the job and it all goes wrong, I could end up in a downward spiral,
which isn’t good for me or the company. I hope you understand. I know
it’s a difficult situation, but I think it’s a blessing in disguise. You’ll find
someone more capable who can do a better job.