Let the Cat out of the Bag | Speak of the Devil | Under the Weather | Beat Around the Bush

Exercise 1

Vocabulary

let the cat out of the bag

Phrase

lɛt ðə kæt aʊt əv ðə bæg

to reveal a secret, often by mistake

The present was supposed to be a surprise, but Dan let the cat out of the bag.

Mia let the cat out of the bag and told Jenny about the party.

speak of the devil

Phrase

spiːk əv ðə ˈdɛvəl

used when a person that was just mentioned suddenly appears

Joan lost a lot of weight this year. Oh, speak of the devil! Here she comes. Let’s go say hi.

under the weather

Phrase

ˈʌndər ðə ˈwɛðər

to feel slightly ill; not feel completely well

She was a bit under the weather yesterday, but seems to be recovering nicely.

I’m feeling under the weather today; you’ll have to go to the beach alone.

beat around the bush

Phrase

bi:t əˈraʊnd ðə bʊʃ

to avoid talking about an important or embarrassing topic

None of my friends beat around the bush. If they have something to say, they say it.

You know I don't like when people beat around the bush, so just tell me what is wrong.

(as) fit as a fiddle

Phrase

əz fɪt əz ə ˈfɪdəl

very healthy; physically fit

Although Mr. Sanders is 75 years old, he is still fit as a fiddle.

Drink plenty of liquids and you'll be as fit as a fiddle in no time.

Exercise 2

Dialogue Practice

Read the dialogue aloud with your teacher.

Nathan	Hi, Hannah! I didn’t recognize you at first. You’re fit as a fiddle now!
Hannah	Thanks, Nathan! Well, you know, I’ve been working out a lot lately.
Nathan	That's great! Why did you decide to start working out so much?
Hannah	You know... Um...
Nathan	Please, stop beating around the bush! What do you want to say?
Hannah	I really wanted to look good for Matt.
Nathan	Is that so? You've really let the cat out of the bag! Don't worry though, I won't tell Matt.
Hannah	Thanks, Nathan.
Nathan	Speak of the devil! Here’s Matt!
Matt	Hey, guys!
Nathan	Hey man. Are you okay? You look really pale.
Matt	To be honest, I feel under the weather. I caught a cold, actually...
Hannah	You should take better care of your health, Matt!
Matt	You’re right, Hannah! Thank you for your concern.

Exercise 3

Article

Read the passage aloud with your teacher.

Sam Garrot is a salesman who lives in London. He likes sports, so he often goes jogging or swimming. He is indeed fit as a fiddle. However, this spring he caught a cold. It was the worst time to catch a cold, as Sam was planning to organize a party for his girlfriend’s birthday. Knowing that he couldn't do it himself as long as he was under the weather, he called his friend over to talk to him about it. After beating around the bush for a while, he finally found the courage to ask his friend for help. They started planning and discussing things that Sam's girlfriend liked. Suddenly, the doorbell rang. “Speak of the devil!” Sam's friend said looking through the peephole, “It’s your girlfriend!”. Before opening the door, Sam made his friend promise that he wouldn't let the cat out of the bag.

Exercise 4

Fill in the Blanks

Fill in the blanks with the correct idioms to complete the dialogue.

Camille	Hey! How are you doing, Alex?
Alex	Hi, Camille. Actually, I've been feeling (1) lately. I might have caught a cold.
Camille	Oh, sorry to hear that. You are usually (2). Have you been to the doctor?
Alex	No, not yet. How are you?
Camille	Well, I’m in trouble. I (3) about Trevor’s promotion to the other workers. Now he’s very mad at me.
Alex	No way!
Camille	Yeah. He was (4) instead of telling everyone openly. To be honest, I didn’t even realize he didn’t want everyone to know.
Alex	I see. (5)! Here’s Trevor. How about you just go and apologize now?