Question

idioms
in the passage about the worlds columbian exposition (see pages 36-37), the writer states that at least one person viewed the choice of chicago as the host city as \mad as a march hare.\

\mad as a march hare\ is an idiom that means \showing little reason\ or \foolish.\ an idiom is a figure of speech; the words are not to be interpreted literally. idioms are informal expressions that are unique to every language. although idioms are colorful and expressive, they should be used sparingly in formal writing.

choosing the right idiom
read each sentence. use context clues to figure out the meaning of each idiom in boldface print. then write the letter of the definition for the idiom in the sentence.

1. ms. robins is one smart cookie, so shes not going to believe that the dog ate your homework. ______
2. zander better expect to pony up if he wants to buy that fancy motorcycle. ______
3. my best friend, brianna, and i are always on the same wavelength. ______
4. although jack was in agonizing pain, he kept a stiff upper lip until the paramedics arrived. ______
5. the tutor was banging his head against the wall trying to explain algebra to me. ______
6. unfortunately, the plans for the new pedestrian bridge have been put on ice. ______
7. the boss thinks eddie is a bad egg, and she wants me to watch him closely. ______
8. there were so many sales that i was able to buy this dress for a song. ______
9. my little nephews fight like cats and dogs, so i dont enjoy babysitting them. ______
10. ive gone over the house with a fine tooth comb, and i cant find my ring anywhere. ______

a. pay or contribute some money
b. postponed
c. someone who is not easy to deceive
d. acted bravely or showed no fear
e. bicker; argue intensely
f. in great detail; thoroughly
g. someone who cant be trusted
h. in agreement
i. at a low price; for very little
j. frustrated after several unsuccessful attempts

Explanation:

1. Context clue: "not going to believe that the dog ate your homework" shows she's hard to trick.
2. Context clue: "buy that fancy motorcycle" requires paying money.
3. Context clue: "best friend" implies shared understanding/agreement.
4. Context clue: "in agonizing pain but kept..." shows bravery/no fear.
5. Context clue: "trying to explain algebra to me" without success causes frustration.
6. Context clue: "plans for the new bridge" being stopped temporarily means postponed.
7. Context clue: "boss wants me to watch him closely" means he's untrustworthy.
8. Context clue: "so many sales" means the dress was cheap.
9. Context clue: "don't enjoy babysitting them" comes from intense arguing.
10. Context clue: "can't find my ring anywhere" comes from a thorough search.

Answer:

1. c. someone who is not easy to deceive
2. a. pay or contribute some money
3. h. in agreement
4. d. acted bravely or showed no fear
5. j. frustrated after several unsuccessful attempts
6. b. postponed
7. g. someone who can't be trusted
8. i. at a low price; for very little
9. e. bicker; argue intensely
10. f. in great detail; thoroughly