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Are you confused about having egg on your face? Not sure what the big deal is about low-hanging fruit? Or maybe you're pleased as punch that you have more collectible action figures than you can shake a stick at. If any of these idioms were a little less than plain as the nose on your face, then it's time to hit the books and brush up on your English skills with Bussanich's brilliant compilation of idioms.
True to its title, this book is an exhaustive collection of unusual phrases with meanings that native English speakers may take for granted, but that may require ESL students to burn the midnight oil to get the hang of. Although organizing a collection of idioms and their definitions was no doubt challenging, Bussanich pulls it off masterfully. The book is organized into clusters of idioms with similar themes. While perusing the "At the Bar" section, students will explore the meanings of "happy hour," "on the rocks," "run a tab," and "last call." If their classmates are feeling truly generous, they might "buy a round," while others might "bum a smoke."
The author's clear definitions written in simple, straightforward language are a major selling point for non-native speakers, as is the multitude of worksheets. The thematic clusters of idioms are accompanied by "fill in the blank" questions to reinforce the meanings. Another laudable aspect of this workbook is that it nicely combines both old-fashioned sayings with modern lingo. Idioms that are primarily used in the U.K. are indicated with asterisks. Although the book's intended audience is primarily ESL students, it is also recommended for individuals with language disorders that involve pragmatic language deficits.
RECOMMENDED by the US Review