An idiom is a common word or phrase

with a culturally understood meaning that

differs from what its composite words'
denotations would suggest. For example,
an English speaker would understand the
phrase "kick the bucket" to mean "to die" –
and also to actually kick a bucket
 Let’s understand John’s story by
understanding the meaning of
the idioms used.
 Try to give your own
interpretation.
 John is an incredibly accomplished
and successful businessman. As such,
he is quite popular as a mentor. He
enjoys showing young professionals the
ropes.
= to explain and show by
show someone example how something is
the ropes done properly
 The first thing he says is that his
career has certainly not always been
smooth sailing.

smooth sailing = an easy life with no

problems
 In fact, he learned a number of
lessons along the way. "First and
foremost," John said "don't believe
that success is ever mana from
heaven."
mana from heaven = surprise riches
 He said that everyone he had met
had a similar rags to riches story, and
that a lot of hard work had gone into the
success.

from rags to
riches = from poor to
rich
 "If you have too many irons in
the fire, you'll certainly miss out
on real opportunity" he
continued.
have too many irons = to do too many
in the fire things
 "I've seen people as busy as a bee who
never really seem to do anything" he
pointed out. The more I thought about
this advice, the more I understood what
he was saying.

as busy as a = very busy (also busy as a

bee beaver)
 If you put on your thinking cap,
you'll realize that it's impossible to
really concentrate if you have to
worry about fifty different things.

put on one's = to concentrate

thinking cap
 Another important lesson was
that it's important to know which
side your bread is buttered on
know which side = to understand what is
one's bread is most important for
buttered on oneself
 and make sure to give that
activity your full attention. In
other words, you need to ride
the gravy train.
= to make money by
ride the gravy doing something that is
train already proven to be
 Don't start looking for new
challenges if everything is
working out for the best!

work out for the = to end with the best

best possible result
  John stressed that the most
important ability of any successful
entrepreneur was to have the
presence of mind to not only take
advantage of an opportunity
have the presence of = to be aware and able to
mind to do something grasp an opportunity
 but also to keep your
eye on the ball.
keep one's eye
on the ball = to concentrate and
continue doing well
 Some people are quick on
the uptake, but then they
get bored.
quick on the = to understand very
uptake quickly
 It's important to be
consistent, but not spread
yourself too thin.

spread oneself = to do too many

too thin
things
 Finally, make sure to never show your hand to your
opponents. In any case, that's how to be successful
according to John.

show one's hand = to show others what

advantages you have in a
situation
Let’s remember. Idioms Used in the Story
• smooth sailing = an easy life with no problems
know which side one's bread is buttered on = to
understand what is most important for oneself
 ride the gravy train = to make money by doing something
that is already proven to be successful
 keep one's eye on the ball = to concentrate and continue doing well
 mana from heaven = surprise riches
 from rags to riches = from poor to rich
 show someone the ropes = to explain and show by example how
something is done properly
 as busy as a bee = very busy (also busy as a beaver)
Let’s remember. Idioms Used in the Story
• work out for the best = to end with the best possible result
 quick on the uptake = to understand very quickly

 have the presence of mind to do something = to be aware

and able to grasp an opportunity
 show one's hand = to show others what advantages you have in
a situation
 put on one's thinking cap = to concentrate
 spread oneself too thin = to do too many things
 have too many irons in the fire = to do too many things
 Fill out the blanks with idioms to complete
the sentences.