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Teaching Forum > Volume
39 > Number 3
Spin One’s Words
Paulette C. Jordan
Time Idioms
Spin one’s wheels—to be active but to accomplish nothing
Our new office manager needs to get organized and get some work
done. For two weeks, she’s just been spinning her wheels.
Put one’s shoulder to the wheel—to get busy, to contribute
In order to accomplish our goals and succeed, everyone in the
company has to put their shoulder to the wheel.
Get the show on the road—to get started
The runners waited in the rain at the starting line of the race.
"Let’s get this show on the road," shouted one of them to
the race officials.
Go around in circles—to be confused, to waste time
I went around in circles all afternoon looking for the library.
By the time I arrived, it was closed.
Work Idioms
Wheel and deal—to negotiate
Karen had to wheel and deal to get the new contract signed.
Reinvent the wheel—to do unnecessary work, to do work that
has been done before
When we decided to write a new grammar textbook, our first goal
was to write something original and innovative. We did not want to
reinvent the wheel.
Patience Idioms
Hold your horses—to stay calm or be patient when someone else
wants to hurry
The rehearsal was delayed, and the other actors waited impatiently
for the two stars to arrive. "Hold your horses," said the
director. "We’ll start as soon as everyone is here."
Go/come along for the ride—to be present for an activity without
taking part
Although she didn’t really enjoy basketball, Carol went along
for the ride when her friends offered her a free ticket to the championship
game.
Direction Idioms
On the road—traveling from place to place
Jack no longer lives in this area. He’s on the road somewhere now.
Wheel around—to turn around quickly, to change direction
He wheeled around suddenly and returned to his office when he remembered
the diagram for the new building was still on his desk.
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