Idiomatic Pairs of Nouns - Aches and Pains

Meaning – minor health problems

• Despite his young age, John is constantly complaining about experiencing aches and pains. We secretly suspect his problems are due to his weight.
• Danny started experiencing aches and pains in his shoulders and legs shortly after my first big workout in more than two weeks.

Similes with As - As cold as Ice

1.   extremely cold

Ø     Oh dear! Are you all right? Your hands are as cold ice.

Ø     After spending two hours in the meeting room, we emerged with our hands as cold as ice.

2.  not affected by emotion (used to describe one’s personality)

Ø     I can’t understand why Tim’s as cold as ice today. In fact, he ate his breakfast in complete silence.

Ø     Randy has been as cold as ice with the new neighbour ever since their huge argument last night.

Homonyms - Care (As a Noun and Verb)

1.   (noun) – protection

Ø     Maria will need to rest for months after the operation. So, she’ll need a lot of care.

Ø     Schools are responsible for the children in their care.

2.   (noun) – attention

Ø     She wrapped the present with great care.

Ø     You need to take care with your spelling and grammar.

3.   (noun) – deal with

Ø     All the house chores have been taken care of.

Ø     You paid for dinner last time. Let me take care of (= pay for) it this time.

4.   (verb) – worry

Ø     She’s never cared much about her health. It’s no wonder she’s ill (= sick) now.

Ø     I don’t care if it rains tonight. I’m going out.

5.   (verb) – want

Ø     Would you care for a cup of coffee/tea?

Ø     Would you care to join us for a drink?

Idiomatic Pairs of Words - Hot and Bothered

Meaning – to be worried and upset

Ø     The organizers of the Korean pop concert are getting all hot and bothered about the poor ticket sales.

Ø     While his family and friends are getting all hot and bothered about the global economic slowdown, Matt has decided to focus on growing his business.

Proverbs - A New Broom Sweeps Clean

Meaning – someone new on the job who makes major changes

Ø     The new intern is an excellent worker. Hopefully, she’ll keep up the good work. It’s like they say, ‘a new broom sweeps clean.’

Ø     Talk about a new broom sweeps clean! He’s only been on the job for less than three months, but Mr Johnson has already managed to make some radical changes in the management of the company.

Similes with As - As Thick as Thieves

Meaning – spending a lot of time together

Ø     Despite the 15-year age gap, Alan and John are always seen dining and drinking together. In fact, they are as thick as thieves.

Ø     That group of young, aspiring dancers are as thick as thieves. They spend almost every waking hour together! 

Homonyms- Peak (As a Noun, Verb and Adjective)

Peak

1.   highest point

Ø        Prices of food reached a peak (noun) during the festive  season in February.

Ø      It was no surprise that James won many tournaments at  the peak (noun) of his fitness and career.

Ø      Official figures show that consumer spending peaked (verb) in February.

2.   (noun) – mountain

Ø     Mount Everest is one of the most difficult peaks to climb.

3.   (adj)

Ø     Traffic congestion is at its worst at peak hours (= when it is  busiest).

Ø    I always avoid travelling during the peak (=busiest) season.  Everything’s expensive and it’s crowded no matter where you go.

Homophones - Grate v Great

Grate (verb) – to rub food against a grater in order to cut it into small pieces.

Ø     I walked in on my mother grating cheese in the kitchen for the cake she was preparing for tonight’s party.

Great (adj) – large in quantity, size or degree.

Ø     The rising cost of living is of great concern to voters.

Ø     The great majority of (= almost all) people would agree that the cost of living is rising at an alarming rate.

Ø     It gives us great pleasure to announce that we will opening a new store within the next 6 months.

Ø     John spent a great deal of time perfecting his spoken Mandarin before leaving for his new job in Shanghai.

Idiomatic Pair of Nouns - At Someone's Beck and Call

Meaning – to be ready to do as someone wishes

Ø     The unfortunate helper was at the family’s beck and call from early morning till late at night.

Ø     Despite being at her boss’s beck and call for more than three years, poor Lisa still lost her job when the company started firing people during the global economic slowdown.