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?

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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? 

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Last update on 2021-08-01 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API