50 New Discussion Questions to Practice Idioms in English (Part 2)

Practice idioms in English by speaking and writing sentences after discussion. (Photo: Pexels)

This is Part 2 of our original article which outlined the first 50 ESL discussion questions for adults to practice idioms. The initial list of questions covered idioms starting with A to E.

In this second installment, we will focus on idioms starting with F to O. For this lesson, each sub-section consists of 5 questions.

Tips for Teachers and Students

You can follow the instructions outlined in Part 1 or adapt the materials to match students’ needs. For example, instead of pre-teaching all of the idioms, students may look up the definitions on their own. Then, they can share their knowledge with their partners and complete the discussion questions.

Ask and answer all of the questions in pairs or in small groups. Using the idiomatic expressions in responses will further increase language acquisition and solidify understanding.

As a lesson extension, students can form their own sentences with each idiom for extra practice. Integrating language skills and writing complete sentences with the expressions afterward is beneficial as well.

Discussion Questions to Practice Idioms in English

Practice Idioms Starting with F

1. When was the last time you had to face the music with someone?
2. Do you have any fair-weather friends?
3. What would be a fat chance to happen this year?
4. What makes you feel blue?
5. Which celebrity is fit as a fiddle?

Practice Idioms Starting with G

1. Do you like to get a head start in the morning?
2. When did your parents get hitched?
3. When was the last time someone gave you a cold shoulder?
4. Who do you know who is a glutton for punishment?
5. Do you have a green thumb?

Practice Idioms Starting with H

1. Who do you need to handle with kids gloves?
2. Who scored a recent hat trick?
3. Have you ever been head over heels?
4. Do you like to horse around on the weekend?
5. What is a hot potato in the news lately?

Practice Idioms Starting with I

1. Can you summarize something that you read recently in a nutshell?
2. What can you get done in no time?
3. Have you ever been in over your head?
4. When was the last time you were in seventh heaven?
5. When was the last time you were in the dog house?

Practice Idioms Starting with J

1. Who is a jack-of-all-trades in your family?
2. What do people put their John Hancock on?
3. Do you know a couple that is joined at the hip?
4. When should someone jump ship?
5. Have you ever jumped the gun at a traffic light?

Practice Idioms Starting with K

1. Who do you have to keep an eye on?
2. Do you keep your chin up after losing a competition?
3. What do you want to do before you kick the bucket?
4. How do you kill time?
5. What do you know by heart?

Practice Idioms Starting with L

1. When was the last time you let your hair down?
2. Who owns the lion’s share of the world?
3. Who do you know who lives from hand to mouth?
4. What is a long shot from happening this week?
5. Do you think that love is blind?

Practice Idioms Starting with M

1. Do you know anyone who is made of money?
2. What is your magic touch?
3. What can you make from scratch?
4. What makes your blood boil?
5. Do you think that men in blue should be defunded?

Practice Idioms Starting with N

1. What sports teams are usually neck and neck?
2. What buildings are in your neck of the woods?
3. Do you have a big nest egg?
4. Which celebrity is no spring chicken anymore?
5. Have you ever helped nurse someone back to health?

Practice Idioms Starting with O

1. What odds and ends do you have in your kitchen?
2. Where have you driven off the beaten track?
3. How long do you usually sit on the can?
4. Who is out of your league?
5. What age do you consider over the hill?

ESL Games Book

Do you need more lesson ideas?

Check out ESL Games for Kids and Adults on the ESL Expat website.

The book features 50 fun activities for teaching English as a second language.

Order your copy of the book on Amazon.

ESL Idioms Book

Do your students need extra help with English idioms?

Check out ESL Idioms and Worksheets on the ESL Expat website.

The book features over 400 idioms and several activities for students to practice using the expressions.

Order your copy of the book on Amazon.

Bonus Tips on How to Practice Idioms in English

Do you have any ideas for practicing English idioms?

Please leave a comment at the bottom of the page.

For more classroom materials, visit the idioms and phrases section on ESL Expat. If you are looking for English idiomatic expressions in movies, check out the Movie Idioms website.

Read Part 3 of this article:

55 Group Discussion Questions to Practice Idioms with Examples