📰 1. Reading Context: Idioms in a British Office
The Best Thing Since Sliced Bread
I was so excited in the office today! My new computer, which was supposed to be the best thing since sliced bread, was meant to be installed, but it has been anything but a piece of cake. Now it's 4pm and I still have no computer to work on!
I've been trying to butter up the boss, because I know he will be angry when he sees I haven't done any work. But it's not my fault. I've been sat here in this tiny office surrounded by noisy technicians, all of us packed in like sardines, just trying to get this stupid new computer to switch on! One of them actually spilled the beans that he normally repairs microwave ovens!
My colleague, Sarah, burst out laughing when I told her, but she told me to take it with a pinch of salt as he was probably only joking. To put it in a nutshell, it's been an utter nightmare! Still, in one hour I'll be at home laughing with my little boy Henry and everything will be wonderful again. He really is the the apple of my eye; and he knows how to switch on a computer!
📺 2. Video: 7 British English Food Idioms
🍔 3. Idiom Match: Term to Meaning (Mobile Optimised)
Match the **Food Idiom** to its **Meaning**. Click two cards to form a pair. Incorrect answers will deselected automatically.
Idiom
Meaning
✍️ 4. Idiom Gap-Fill: Practice in Context
Choose the **Idiom** from the bank to complete the sentences. Click a **Word**, then click the **blank space** to place it. Click the word in the space to put it back.
Idiom Bank:
🗣️ 5. Discussion Questions
Use these questions to start a discussion with a partner or classmate.
- Which of these food idioms is the most confusing for you?
- Do you have similar food-related idioms in your native language?
- If you had to **butter up** someone today, who would it be and why?
- What do you think is **the best thing since sliced bread** in the last ten years?