To make it more fun, here's how I do it: at the end of each class I write a sentence containing an idiom on the board. They copy the sentence on a handout I prepared and gave them, take it home and try to guess the meaning through the context of the sentence. They then write the corresponding idiom in Portuguese, using the idioms we have in our own language. At the end of the year, the student with the most correct guesses will win a surprise.
Some of the idioms they learned so far:
- An Arm And A Leg: Very expensive. A large amount of money. (O Olho da cara)
- On The Fence: Undecided. (Na dúvida; Em cima do muro)
- Saved By The Bell: Saved at the last possible moment. (Salvo pelo gongo)
- The Last Straw: When one small burden after another creates an unbearable situation, the last straw is the last small burden that one can take. (A última gota)
- Tie the knot: To get married. (Se casar; Juntar os trapos)
- Mum's the word: To keep quiet. To keep the secret. (Bico calado)
- Like a chicken with its head cut off: To act in a frenzied manner. (Agir feito louco)
- Knee Jerk Reaction: A quick and automatic response. (Reflexo)
- Kick The Bucket: Die. (Bater as botas; Subir no telhado - morrer)
- Throw good money after bad: To waste additional money after wasting money once. (Jogar dinheiro fora)
- When Pigs Fly : Something that will never ever happen. (Nem que a vaca tussa)
- Your Guess Is As Good As Mine: I have no idea. (Não faço idéia)
- Beats Me: I don't know the answer. (Não sei; Não faço idéia)
- A Cinch: A very easy task. (Fácil; Moleza; Mel na Sopa)
- A Bang Up Job: A very successful piece of work. (Excelente trabalho)
- Finger lickin' good: A very tasty food or meal. (De lamber os dedos)
- Fits and Starts: With much stopping and starting. (Aos trancos e barrancos; De mal à pior)
- Leaps and Bounds: by large movements forward. (De vento em popa; À todo vapor)
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