Joking Around with English Idioms

Definition of idioms a phrase that is particular to a language and cannot be understood

simply based on its parts
1. Explain jokes that use idioms why idioms work for jokes. They provide an
image. The image combined with the accepted meaning of the idiom provides the
double meanings that jokes thrive on.
2. Share a joke each day or week that teaches an English idiom.
3. Have the students create their own jokes using some of the idioms listed after the
jokes.
Jokes that teach idioms:
When does a boat show affection?
When it hugs the shore.
What goes ha ha ha, plop?
Someone laughing their head off.
What did the tie say to the hat?
You go ahead, Ill just hang around.

Why did the boy eat his homework?

Because his teacher said it was a piece of
cake.
Did you hear the joke about the roof?
Never mind, it's over your head.

Why dont robots panic?

Because they have nerves of steel.

What did one elevator say to the other

elevator?
I think I'm coming down with
something.

What did the cherry tree say to the

farmer?
Quit picking on me.

Why did the robber take a bath?

Because he wanted to make a clean
getaway.

Why did the weasel cross the road

twice?
He was a double crosser.

What did the teddy bear say when he

was offered dessert?
No thanks, I'm stuffed!

Why did the atoms cross the road?

It was time to split!

Why did Tommy throw the clock out of

the window?
Because he wanted to see time fly!

Why is Dracula so unpopular?

Hes a pain in the neck.
What did the ground say to the
earthquake?
You crack me up!

Why did the teacher jump into the lake?

Because she wanted to test the waters!
What did the carpet say to the floor?
You go ahead I'll cover you
Why don't skeletons fight each other?
They don't have the guts.

Why did the man put his money in the

freezer?
He wanted cold hard cash!
What do you get if you cross a shark
with a parrot?
An animal that talks your head off.
Why did the spy spray his room with
insect repellent?
He thought it was bugged.
What did the raisin say to the coffee
cake?
Im rolling in dough.
What sits on the bottom of the ocean and
shakes?
A nervous wreck.
What do you get when you cross poison
ivy and a four-leaf clover?
A rash of good luck.

Other idioms students can use to write

their own jokes. If you are working with
ESL learners, then I would write jokes as
a class since they may need some help
defining the idioms:
all right
and then some
a piece of cake
all ears
up and running
beat around the bush
bite off more than one can chew
the bottom line
burn the midnight oil
by the skin of your/his/her/their teeth
call it a day
cost an arm and a leg
couch potato

Why was the cowboy a lot of laughs?

He was always horsing around.
How did Jonah feel when the whale
swallowed him?
Down in the mouth.
When is an operation funny?
When it leaves the patient in stitches.
What is the quietest game in the world?
Bowling. You can hear a pin drop.
What does a worm do in the cornfield?
Goes in one ear and out the other.
What fish can pelicans eat?
Anything that fits the bill.
What did the dirt say to the rain?
If you keep this up, my name will be
mud.
What happens when a chimney gets
angry?
It blows its stack.
down in the dumps
drop someone a line
elbow grease
get a kick out of something
get one's wires crossed
go with the flow
in over one's head
jump to conclusion
keep one's fingers crossed
let sleeping dogs lie
on the cutting edge
over one's head
pull someone's leg
rain cats and dogs
shoot the breeze
state of the art
under the weather
until you're blue in the face
wet behind the ear