English Phrases, Idioms & Expressions: Once in a Blue Moon

Are you an English learner who wants to learn how to speak like a native speaker by using English phrases and idioms? Then check out this dialogue and practice filled with lots of them!

Or, maybe you’re an English teacher who is looking for a lesson plan for their higher-level students. Print off this one and get to work! It’s a nice solution for busy TEFL teachers.

Dialogue with English Phrases and Idioms

Jerry: Why are all of our coworkers living hand to mouth? We get paid a living wage. I

can’t make heads nor tails of it.

Linda: Well, I think most of them hit the bottle pretty hard after work every day. That costs a

pretty penny. But, your guess is as good as mine.

Jerry: I’ve noticed that too. I used to drink a lot but now it’s only once in a blue moon. I had

to quit cold turkey for a couple of years before I could get a handle on it.

Linda: Good for you for making a big change like that! Plus, it’s saved you a lot of money I’m

sure.

Vocabulary

Once in a blue moon: Something that doesn’t happen often.

Quit cold turkey: Suddenly stop doing something addictive. Most commonly refers to

smoking.

Living hand to mouth: To live paycheck to paycheck. Not having lots of money, especially

disposable income.

Living wage: Salary that is high enough to cover all the monthly bills relatively easily.

Your guess is as good as mine: To not know something.

Hit the bottle: Drink alcohol.

Get a handle on it: To control something.

Costs a pretty penny: Is expensive.

Can’t make heads nor tails of it: Unable to understand something.

Drink a lot: Consume lots of alcohol.

Exercise

Fill in the blanks with the correct phrase or idiom

1. My dad _____ hard when I was a kid.

2. That new car I want _____.

3. I’m going back to school so I can find a job that pays a _____.

4. I only eat junk food _____.

5. I want to quit smoking but it’s difficult to _____.

6. I’ve heard that the best way to stop smoking is to _____.

7. It’s often hard for single parents to avoid _____.

8. Math just isn’t my subject! I _____.

9. Wow! They sure do _____.

Answers:

1. hit the bottle

2. costs a pretty penny

3. living wage

4. once in a blue moon

5. get a handle on it

6. quit cold turkey

7. living hand to mouth

8. can’t make heads nor tails of it

9. drink a lot

Printable Lesson Plan

If you want to print this lesson off, here’s the PDF version:

Once in a blue moon lesson plan

Did you like these English Phrases, Idioms and Expressions?

Yes? Then you’re going to love this book on Amazon: Advanced English Conversation Dialogues. There are hundreds of English idioms, phrases and expressions to help you speak fluently like a native speaker. This lesson plan is actually one of them from the book. There are 29 more to check out.

Interested? You can find the book in both digital and print formats. Head over to Amazon to find out all the details you need to know:

What do think ab0ut this Lesson Plan With English Phrases and Idioms? 

What are your thoughts about this lesson plan for students wanting to learn more English idioms, phrases and expressions? Do you have another resource that you’d like to recommend? Please leave a comment below and let us know what you think.

Also, be sure to give this article a share on Facebook, Pinterest, or Twitter. It’ll help other people studying English, as well as busy English teachers, find this useful resource.

Last update on 2021-10-16 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API