This document discusses Shakespeare's use of idioms and provides examples. It begins by defining an idiom as a group of words that have a special meaning when used together that is different from the literal meaning of the individual words. The document notes that Shakespeare used and invented many idioms. It then presents students with tasks that involve matching idioms like "at a snail's pace" and "break the ice" with pictures that illustrate their literal meanings and figurative meanings to demonstrate how idioms work.

1. Shakespeare’s idioms
Idioms used or
invented by
Shakespeare

2. Warmer – What is an idiom?
Meet Franz.
Your teacher will tell you about him.
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Which phrase do you think could describe Franz?
a) a dark horse
b) a night owl
c) a cash cow
✓

3. Warmer – What is an idiom?
A ‘night owl’ is an idiom.
If we say that Franz is a ‘night owl’, we don’t mean that he actually is an owl!
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the words in the idiom the meaning of the idiom
night
owl
An idiom is a group of words that have a special meaning when used together. The
meaning of the idiom is different from the meaning of the individual words.
Shakespeare used and invented lots of idioms.

4. Task 1 – the words in the idioms
4
Match the idioms with the pictures.
•at a snail’s pace
•send someone packing
•a night owl
•break the ice
•lie low

5. Task 2 – the meanings of the idioms
5
Match the pictures showing the words in the idiom (left)
with the ones showing the meanings (right).

6. Task 2 – the meanings of the idioms
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Match the pictures showing the words in the idiom (left)
with the ones showing the meanings (right).

7. Spare slides
• The following slides (8–17)
are included for the
teacher’s optional use,
either projected or printed.
• Slides 8–12 (left) show the
wording of the idioms.
• Slides 13–17 (right)
demonstrate the meaning.
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