What Is This Module About?

“He learned about the birds and the bees at an early age.”—the underlined
phrase in the given sentence is called an idiom. An idiom is an expression with a
meaning which cannot be guessed at or derived meanings of the individual words that
form it. We often use idioms in our daily conversations and in written
communications to make them more interesting.
“Your eyes are like stars.” “The ants talked to each other when they met.” “Her
voice is music to my ears.” Have you ever encountered sentences like these before?
These sentences mean something other than their literal meanings. They are examples
of idioms. They are expressions of one’s ideas, feelings and wants in forms more
pleasant to one’s ears as well as eyes. What about sentences like “A stitch in time
saves nine”? Phrases and sentences like this one are called proverbs. These are well-
known neatly-expressed sayings that give advice or express a supposed truth. Both
idioms and proverbs are considered figurative, meaning “not literal.”
This module will familiarize you with types of figurative language commonly
used in our daily lives. For the purposes of this module, you will need a cassette
player since some of the readings are on tape.
This module is divided into two lessons:
Lesson 1 – Idioms Should Do the Trick
Lesson 2 – Figure It Out for Yourself!

What Will You Learn From This Module?

After studying this module, you should be able to:

♦ identify the types of figurative language;
♦ give the meanings of commonly used idioms and other types of figurative
language; and
♦ use idioms and other types of figurative language effectively orally or in
writing.

1
 Let’s See What You Already Know

Before you start studying this module, take this simple test to find out what you
already know about the topics of this module..
A. Choose the idiomatic expression that can best replace each underlined
phrase. Encircle the letter of the correct answer.
1. No one from their class was exempted from doing something to help
their teacher decorate the room.
a. raising a hand
b. raising eyebrows
c. raking in the money
d. being in a rat race
2. A good leader is able to lead, persuade or influence other people.
a. has a word with
b. has a way with
c. has a loose screw
d. has had it
3. Lani went down on her hands and knees to look for her ring under the
bed.
a. six feet under
b. on cloud nine
c. on forty winks
d. on all fours
4. His friends have difficulty understanding him because he is a person
who doesn’t act like everyone else.
a. an old hat
b. an open secret
c. an oddball
d. out of one’s hair
5. The student copied her classmate’s notes in exactly the same words.
a. word of mouth
b. water under the bridge
c. weed out
d. word for word

2
B. Identify whether the figurative expressions used in each number is a
metaphor or a simile. Write M for metaphor and S for simile.
___ 1. Yes, this city is a pair of claws
Crabbing, creeping with all its tragic flaws.
—Manila, Federico Licsi Espino, Jr.
___ 2. She was so happy her face was beaming like the sun.
___ 3. The world is charged with the grandeur of God. It will flame out,
like shining from shook foil;
—Gerard Manley Hopkins, “God’s Grandeur”
___ 4. Love is a red, red rose.
___ 5. Sharp as lightning are the eyes of the guard:
no one dares approach the padlocked door save him;
—An Armstretch of Sky, Amado Hernandez
C. Choose from the proverbs in the box below which would fit each given
situation.

Easy come, easy go.

The early bird catches the worm.
Two heads are better than one.
The grass is always greener on the other side.

Situation 1:
Proverb: ________________________________________________
________________________________________________
Carina sat down with her boss so they can choose the right option to
take with regard to hiring the employee for the new project. They conferred
with each other about the qualifications that the applicants must have.
Situation 2:
Proverb: ________________________________________________
________________________________________________
I’m going to the market very early tomorrow morning so that I can buy
fresh fish and vegetables.
Situation 3:
Proverb: ________________________________________________
________________________________________________
Pilar is always complaining about not having enough money. How could
she? When she spends all her money as soon as she gets her allowance.

3
 Well, how was it? Do you think you fared well? Compare your answers with those
in the Answer Key on page 35 to find out.
If all your answers are correct, very good! This shows that you already know
much about the topic. You may still study the module to review what you already
know. Who knows, you might learn a few more new things as well.
If you got a low score, don’t feel bad. This means that this module is for you. It
will help you understand important concepts that you can apply in your daily life. If
you study this module carefully, you will learn the answers to all the items in the test
and a lot more! Are you ready?
You may go now to the next page to begin Lesson 1.

4
 LESSON 1

Idioms Should Do the Trick

You heard your Instructional Manager say to a friend that one of her children is
the apple of her eye. You wondered what that meant. Did she mean that the child looks
like an apple? Did she mean that the child’s eyes are shaped like apples? Or did she
mean that the child is her favorite?
Certainly, your Instructional Manager meant something else rather than the literal
meanings ot the words used in the sentence. But why use the phrase “apple of her
eye”? Why use an idiom instead of just saying that one of her children is her favorite?

Let’s Listen to This

Manuel owns a vulcanizing shop in a barangay in Benguet province. One day, a

wealthy elderly gentleman parked his brand-new car in front of the shop. He looked
angry. Listen to Tape Segment # 1: Manuel’s Vulcanizing Shop while reading the
story below.

Manuel, why do our Maybe because we have a new competitor. Have you not
customers arrive only once seen it? It’s that Osman Tire Supply and Vulcanizing Shop
in a blue moon now? just one block away, Mike. I think they’ve been getting
our share of customers.

5
So, that’s why Yes. I heard that the What can we do It is a piece of
customers new tire supply and to win our cake. We can do
arrive only in vulcanizing shop has customers the same thing
trickles in our modern equipment back? they’re doing.
shop. and gives big
discounts.

Manong Nardo will pose as a customer.

Good idea, Manuel! Ask Then he can ask the people there some
Nardo to spy on them for You’re questions. He can also observe what
us. That way we will know right,Mike. happens in their shop.
what they’re offering to
customers. How do
we do it
then?

After a year, Manuel’s vulcanizing shop It’s a good thing Yes, he even helped
looked a lot different. we became us get back on our
Thank God! I told you the friends with the feet. He gave us
We’re back on problem was a piece owner of that pointers on how to
our feet again, of cake. We were able other shop. do good business.
Manuel. to solve it at once.

6
I see you got a I’ve been When are you We haven’t made
bonus too. I never wanting to know two getting plans yet. But I want
imagined that the her ever since I married to tie the knot as
apple of Mr. Osman’s saw her in their anyway? soon as possible. Oh,
eye, his daughter shop. She was here she comes now.
Emma, would turn so beautiful.
out to be the love of
yourlife.

Hi, honey! Hi, Mike and I were just Well, that’s some food I hope you get
Mike! What talking about us. for thought. We down to brass
are you two You know, about our haven’t really decided talks soon, so
talking about, plan of tying the yet but I guess we you can start
huh? knot. should do it is soon as planning the
possible. We’re not wedding.
getting any younger,
afterall.

I hope so too. We have to go Okay. I’ll hang Really! So when

Manuel has been the now, Mike. We around a little are we going to
apple of my eyes have a date while longer. I’m meet her?
ever since I met him. today. We’ll see also waiting for the
I think it was love at you later then? apple of my eyes.
firstsight.

7
 Let’s Study and Analyze

Notice the underlined phrases in Manuel’s, Mike’s and Emma’s dialogues. Can
you guess what they mean? Think about what they said carefully before answering the
questions below. Encircle the letter of the correct answer.
1. When Mike asked Manuel why their customers only came once in a blue
moon, what did he mean?. How often is once in a blue moon?
a. every day c. every week
b. very rarely d. once a year
2. When Manuel said that their problem was a piece of cake. What did he
mean?
a. that their problem was hard to solve
b. that they should not worry about the problem
c. that their problem was easy to solve
d. that their problem will be solved on its own
3. When, Mike said they were back on their feet. What did he mean?
a. that they cannot stand on their own feet
b. that they have recovered from their financial difficulties
c. that they have matured
d. that they walked backwards
4. Emma, Manuel’s girlfriend, is the apple of her father’s eyes. What does this
mean?
a. Emma was her father’s favorite daughter.
b. Emma was constantly being observed by her father
c. Emma loved her father very much
d. Emma’s father always gives her apples, her favorite fruit.
5. Manuel wants to tie the knot with Emma soon but, they still have not made
plans. What does tie the knot mean?
a. join hands
b. strangle each other
c. get a rope to bind them
d. get married
6. Emma said that tying the knot would give her some food for thought. What
did she mean?
a. She wanted something to eat
b. She wanted to eat peanuts, which are said to be “food for the brain”
c. Tying the knot is something that Emma has to think about.
d. They want to give a party.

8
 7. Emma and Manuel will get down to brass talks soon. What does this mean?
a. That they will begin discussing their wedding plans
b. That they will buy some brass candle holders for their wedding
c. That they will postpone talks about wedding plans
d. That they will discuss more important things with other people.
Compare your answers with those in the Answer Key on page 36. How well did
you do? Did you get all the correct answers?

Let’s Review

Look at the pictures below. Choose the idiom from the comic that best fits each
picture. Write your answer in the space provided.

1. _________________________ 2. _________________________
_________________________ _________________________
_________________________ _________________________
_________________________ _________________________
_________________________ _________________________

9
 3. _________________________ 4. _________________________
_________________________ _________________________
_________________________ _________________________
_________________________ _________________________
_________________________ _________________________

Compare your answers with those in the Answer Key on page 36. How well did
you do? Did you get all the correct answers?

Let’s Learn

What do you call the underlined phrases in the comic strip discussed earlier?
The expressions we have been talking about are called idiomatic expressions or
idioms. What is an idiom? An idiom is an expression with a meaning which cannot be
guessed at or derived from the meanings of the individual word which form it. Look at
some examples on the following pages.

1. Pandoy burned the midnight oil

because he wanted to be well
prepared for their exam the
following week.
(studied or worked long into the
night)

10
2. First, they didn’t talk to each other. Then
they started hating each other. Their
friendship jumped out of the frying pan
into the fire.
(from a bad situation to a worse one)

3. I told her that putting on her shoes

before her pants was putting the cart
before the horse.
(doing or saying things in the wrong
order)

4. The truck picked up speed as it

started to go downhill.
(increased in speed)

5. When their group failed to complete

the project, they passed the buck to
their subordinates.
(passed on responsibility to
someone else)

11
 Let’s Try This

Use the given idioms in sentences.

1. burn the midnight oil
_______________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________
2. put the cart before the horse
_______________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________
3. out of the frying pan into the fire
_______________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________
4. get down to brass talks
_______________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________
5. once in a blue moon
_______________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________

Compare your answers with those in the Answer Key on page 36. Did you get
similar answers to mine? If you did, that’s very good. If you didn’t, don’t worry. You
just need a little more practice. So read on!

Let’s Learn

It is very important to remember that idioms should not be taken literally. Take,
for example, the idiom “keep an eye on.” If we analyze its meaning word for word, we
would have the following: keep means not to part with something and eye refers to
our organ of vision. Literally, therefore, the phrase would mean not to part with our
organ of vision. But using the idiom, keep an eye on really means watching something
keenly. Look at how it is used in a sentence below.

The food I was cooking got burned because I had to keep an eye on my little
brother who was running all over the place.

12
 Here are other examples of idioms:
1. Idiom: hair standing on end
Literal meaning: hair pointing upwards
Figurative meaning: become frightened or afraid
of something
Sentence: Lina’s hair stood on end after
seeing the ghost of her dead
husband.
2. Idiom: cut down on
Literal meaning: chop into small pieces
Figurative meaning: use less of something
Sentence: He was advised by his doctor to
cut down on fatty food.
3. Idiom: bring the house down
Literal meaning: carry the house downstairs
Figurative meaning: cause much laughter in the
audience
Sentence: Dolphy brought the house down
with his funny jokes and antics.
4. Idiom: heads will roll
Literal meaning: heads will roll like balls
Figurative meaning: people will be punished.
Sentence: Heads will roll when the boss learns about how big a
mistake was done.
5. Idiom: count someone out
Literal meaning: count people who are outside a place (for example, a house
or a school)
Figurative meaning: exclude or leave something or someone out of a plan
Sentence: My classmates counted me out of the project they were
doing.
The examples given beforehand are just some of the idioms you can use when
talking with your friends or relatives. You can also use them when writing. Just
remember not to overdo using them to the point when the listener or reader would not
understand what you mean anymore.
Sometimes, not getting the meaning of an idiom is not that critical as long as you
follow the meaning of the conversation. Most of the time though, idioms give an
explanation to something being discussed. Take the following conversation, for
example:
Lyka: Dina bought a pair of pants at the mall that fit her like a glove last night.
It was great.
Henny: That’s nice.

13
 In the conversation, Henny got what Lyka meant because of her second sentence.
So even if she didn’t understand what the fact, the idiom meant, she was still able to
follow the conversation.

Let’s Try This

Below are more examples of commonly used idiomatic expressions. Encircle the
letter of the meaning that corresponds of each idiom.
1. A security guard is stationed ‘round the clock in front of Ami’s house .
a. around the house
b. all the time
c. near the clock
d. in a circular manner
2. Let’s start the ball rolling so we can finish and go home early.
a. play ball
b. begin rolling the ball
c. begin doing something
d. make noise
3. Before Sandra left to compete in the singing contest, her friends told her to
bring home the bacon.
a. succeed in doing something
b. bring home food
c. give them some bacon
d. feed the other contestants bacon
4. Nardo always tries to pass the buck every time he does something wrong.
a. pays somebody to take the blame
b. blame someone else for one’s mistake
c. deny
d. give money to someone else
5. Helen will foot the bill for their dinner.
a. step on the bill
b. kick the bill under the table
c. be the one to pay
d. get the bill from the waiter/waitress
Compare your answers with those in the Answer Key on page 36. How well did
you do? Did you get all the correct answers?

14
 Let’s Think About This

Can the words in an idiomatic expression be rearranged and still mean the same?
For example, can the idiom “foot the bill” be written as “the bill’s foot”? What
happens if the words in an idiom are rearranged?
_________________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________
The words in an idiomatic expression cannot rearrange nor can they be changed.
Once the arrangement of the words or the words themselves in an idiom are changed,
the meaning of the idiom changes, too.
Let’s examine the idiom “black out.” This means “to lose consciousness” or “to
prevent information or communication from taking place.” Look at the sentence
below. Because of the heat the woman suddenly blacked out.
Now, if we change the given idiom into “in the black,” its meaning would change
to “become successful or profitable.” Look at the sentence below.
Their corporation has been in the black since it merged with another company.

Let’s See What You Have Learned

A. Choose the appropriate idiom to replace the phrase enclosed in parentheses.

Encircle the letter of the correct answer to each. Look at the example below to
guide you in answering.
Eliza (made known something that was a secret) when she felt that her life
was in danger.
a. once in a blue moon
b. in the red
c. let the cat out of the bag
d. caught someone red-handed
(c) is the correct answer. “Let the cat out of the bag” means “to make a
secret known to other people.” (a) is “once in a blue moon” means “rarely.”
(b) is incorrect because “in the red” means “to lose money.” (d) is incorrect
because “caught someone red-handed” means “caught while doing something
wrong.”

15
 1. He was about to tell her how much he loves her when he suddenly (lost his
courage) and backed out.
a. jumped from the frying pan to the fire
b. burned the midnight oil
c. got cold feet
d. started the ball rolling
2. I got the information about the bank’s closure (directly from the person
responsible).
a. by hitting the bull’s eye
b. while horsing around
c. from a wolf in sheep’s clothing
d. straight from the horse’s mouth
3. Ayra arrived at the party (wearing one of her best clothes).
a. wearing her birthday suit
b. dressed to kill
c. after tightening her belt
d. by flying by the seat of her pants
4. Maria (stayed calm) when she felt the water in their boat reaching her ankles.
a. kept her head
b. made up her mind
c. held her tongue
d. landed on her feet
5. Rene has never worked a day in his life because he was (born rich).
a. always in the groove
b. happy as a lark
c. a cheapskate
d. born with a silver spoon in his mouth
B. Use each of the following idioms in a sentence. Write your answers in the space
provided.
1. heads will roll
________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________
2. hair stand on end
________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________
3. let the cat out of the bag
________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________

Compare your answers with those in the Answer Key on pages 36–37. How well
did you do? Did you get all the correct answers?

16
Let’s Remember

♦ An idiom is an expression with a meaning from the meanings of the

individual words which cannot be guessed at or derived which form it..
♦ The words in an idiomatic expression can’t be rearranged nor changed.

17
 LESSON 2

Figure It Out for Yourself

The English language is full of mystery. It can fascinate you and enthrall you.
Writers can describe things that make you imagine interesting images. Most of the
time, you can easily understand what the writer is trying to say, especially if he/she
expresses himself/herself literally. There are times though when writers use figurative
language making it harder to understand what they are trying to say. In this lesson, you
will learn more about figurative languange and how to “read between the lines.”

Let’s Listen to This

Listen to Tape Segment # 2:Carps by Ian Crichton Smith. While listening, close
your eyes and try to imagine the scenes being described by the author.
Carps
There’s carps in Boxer’s Lake—they said,
With scales as gold as crowns,
With leathered lips,
And teeth like chips,
And gills as red as blood.
There’s carps in Boxer’s Lake—they say,
The big boys told us so—they’re special ones
with eyes like plums
and tongues as long as lies.
They live deep in the middle,
They live in deepest mud,
And suck down passing cygnets . . .
and suck their cygnet blood.
They’ve been there for a thousand years
A snorting, bubbling brew
who snap the anglers’ fibre rods
and eat the ducklings too.
1. What did you imagine while listening to the poem? Describe one of the
scenes that came to your mind. Use the space provided below for your
answer.
_________________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________

18
2. How did the author describe carps?
_________________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________

The author described carps as having

scales like gold crowns, lips like leather, teeth
like chips and gills as red as blood. He called
them special because they had eyes like plums
and tongues as long as lies. Plums are fruits as
big as one-peso coins, so you can just imagine
how big their eyes are. Lies, on the other hand,
may be unending, especially if told by people
who are good at doing so. Can you can see in
your mind’s eye how long their tongues are?
They prey on or drink the blood of young
swans or cygnets. After discovering what carps
are, would you still want to go to Boxer’s Lake
with lots of them?

Let’s Read

Did you know that . . .

1. Figurative language or figures of
speech are devices such as metaphors,
similes, etc. that enliven language. They
are not taken literally and can create
clear and vivid pictures for readers.

2. Similes are figures of speech in which a thing is described by being likened

to something usually using as or like. Look at the following examples.
John growls like a tiger when he is mad.
Our math teacher is like a mother to us.
Her teeth are as big as Bugs Bunny’s.
He is as handsome as Adonis.
Kyla’s husband laughed a long and horrifying laugh like the devil himself.
Her hand is as big as a frying pan.
3. Similes can also be seen in works of literature such as poems as well as
everyday conversations.

19
 Let’s Listen To This

Listen to Tape Segment # 3: Similes while reading the text below. Underline
phrases in the selections in which similes can be found.

Lament for Ignacio Sanchez Mejias

2. The Spilled Blood
Federico Garcia Lorca

And across the ranches,

an air of secret voices rose,
shouting to celestial bulls,
herdsmen of pale mist.
There was no prince in Sevilla
who could compare to him,
nor sword like his sword
nor heart so true.
Like a river of lions
was his marvellous strength,
and like a marble toroso
his firm drawn moderation.

The Fish
Elizabeth Bishop
I caught a tremendous fish
and held him beside the boat
half out of water, with my hook
fast in a corner of his mouth.
He didn’t fight.
He hadn’t fought at all.
He hung a grunting weight,
battered and venerable
and homely. Here and there
his brown skin hung in strips
like ancient wallpaper,
and its pattern of darker brown
was like wallpaper:
shapes like full-blown roses
stained and lost through age.

Compare your answers with those in the Answer Key on pages 37–38. How well
did you do? Did you get all the correct answers?

20
 Let’s Try This

Observe a friend, your mother, sister, brother or anyone close to you. Write a
simple essay about him/her using as many similes as possible. Then show your
composition to your Instructional Manager or Facilitator. You may also look at the
sample composition in the Answer Key on page 43. How well did you do?
_________________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________

Let’s Listen to This

Listen to Tape Segment # 4: Comparison and compare the underlined phrases

with the examples of similes in the poems taken up earlier.
The following are excerpts from the story “Flight” by John Steinbeck.
“Yes, if you go quickly and return with no trouble, the silk green handkerchief
will go. If you make sure to take off the handkerchief when you eat so no spot may fall
on it. . . .”
“Si Mama. I will be careful. I am a man.”
“Thou? A man? Thou art a peanut.”
“It is not good to have no medicine, for who knows when the toothache will
come, or the sadness of the stomach. These things are.”
“Adios, Mama,” Pepe cried. “I will come back soon. You may send me often
alone. I am a man.”
“Thou art a foolish chicken.”
What do you notice about the underlined words and the other similes below?
John growls like a tiger when he is mad.
Our math teacher is like a mother to us.
Her teeth are as big as Bugs Bunny’s.
He is as handsome as Adonis.
Kyla’s husband laughed a long and horrifying laugh like he was the devil
himself.
Her hand is as big as a frying pan.

21
 Write down your observations below.
_________________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________
What did you observe? In the excerpt taken from the short story, “Flight” instead
of comparing Pepe to a peanut or a foolish chicken using as or like as his mother calls
him a peanut and a foolish chicken. This kind of comparison or figure of speech are
said to be metaphorical.

Let’s Study and Analyze

Which of the following are metaphors? Put check marks in the appropriate boxes.
1. “Life’s but a walking shadow, a poor player
That struts and frets his hour upon the stage.”
—Shakespeare, Macbeth
2. “Hope is when you believe
That the earth is not a dream but living flesh,
And that sight, touch, hearing do not lie.”
—Czeslaw Milosz, “Hope”
3. “Not-quite people, these masses
hunker, look up to helicopter skies
for the caramels of charity.”
—Emmanuel Torres, “What the Rich Think of the
Masses”
Compare your answers with those the Answer Key on page 38. How well did you
do?
Examples 1 to 3 are all metaphors. Metaphors are expressions in which the
persons, actions or things referred to are described as if they really were what they
merely resemble. They are used to make comparisons between essentially unlike
things without using the words like or as. For example, instead of writing “Life is like
a walking shadow” the author wrote “Life’s but a walking shadow.”
A metaphor makes use of a word or phrase to speak of another thing or object. In
the second selection, “Hope,” the author said that “the earth is not a dream but living
flesh.” Using this metaphor, the writer is saying that since the earth is living flesh, we
can do all the things we want. Living flesh moves, it has life, it has a soul. We do not
just imagine the things that do happen around us.
22
 In the third example, the author said that “Not-quite people these masses hunker,
look up to helicopter skies for the caramels of charity.” The masses or poor
individuals are not considered people by the rich in this passage. This is because
unlike the rich, they work very hard but still do not earn enough money for
themselves. They look up to the rich who seem unreachable—this explains the
metaphor “helicopter skies.” After all only the rich can afford to ride in helicopters.
The poor too await aid from the rich and when charity comes, they find it a sweet
blessing. This explains the metaphor “caramels of charity.”

Let’s Review

Indicate whether the selection contains a metaphor or simile on the space before
the number. What two things are being compared in each excerpt?
___________ 1. That’s my last Duchess painted on the wall
Looking as if she were alive. I call
That piece a wonder, now: Fra Pandolf’s hands
Worked busily a day, and there she stands.
—Robert Browning, “My Last Duchess”
________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________

___________ 2. Whose palms are bulls in china, ours in linen,

And have no cunning with any soft thing
—John Frederick Nims, “Love Poem”
___________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________

___________3. “You were like my brother . . . yet so much more

I wish I would have seen what I see now before.”
—Valerie, “And Where Were You?”
________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________

___________4. The river is a girl of pleasure

Down from the hills to show her treasure:
Thighs that she turns out at her leisure
And swans that tread them to love’s measure:
—Kedar Nath Agrawal, “The River”
________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________

23
 ___________5. The smiles and laughter I will remember
and our fights have become painless scars.
—Judy Burnette, “Quiet Emotions”
________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________

Compare your answers with those in the Answer Key on page 37. How well did
you do?

Let’s Read

Read the given phrases or sentences below.

1. A stitch in time saves nine.

2. Honesty is the best policy.

3. Practice makes perfect.

24
4. Beauty is in the eye of the beholder.

5. Haste makes waste.

6. Let no stone go unturned.

7. The early bird catches the worm.

8. Not all that glitters is gold.

25
 9. There’s no use crying over spilled milk.

10. Two heads are better than one.

Let’s Study and Analyze

What do the sayings above mean?

Based on the paragraphs given below, get the meaning of each given proverb.
Encircle the letter of the correct meaning.
1. Vhel saw that her daughter’s teeth were starting to have cavities. So she said,
“Dear, I think you should visit your dentist as soon as possible. Remember, a
stitch in time saves nine.”
a. It’s better to take precautionary measures than to suffer worse
consequences afterward.
b. It’s better to save money.
c. It’s better to drink lots of water.
d. Take care of your teeth.
2. You did something wrong and you fear that your parents will know about it.
You ask your friend for advice and he tells you that, “Honesty is the best
policy.” What did he mean?
a. Do not tell your parents about what happened.
b. Be honest and tell your parents what really happened. Who knows, they
may be even able to help you solve your problem.
c. Hide what you did from your parents.
d. Lie to your parents so you won’t get scolded.

26
3. Your daughter wants to be a good pianist one day. So you always remind her
that, “Practice makes perfect.”
a. You become good at something if you do it repeatedly.
b. Practice allows you to correct your mistakes each time you do a
particular task.
c. Pursue a profession actively.
d. Perform in front of a big audience.
4. You introduce a friend to your neighbor. After your friend leaves, your
neighbor criticizes her because she isn’t beautiful. Then you tell your
neighbor that, “Beauty is in the eyes of the beholder.”
a. You find your friend beautiful.
b. You want to hold her because she is beautiful.
c. Each person has his/her own perception of what beauty is.
d. You are mad at your neighbor because he doesn’t find your friend
beautiful.
5. When I was younger, my grandmother always said that, “Haste makes waste,”
especially if I am in a hurry in doing something or in going somewhere.
a. Undue eagerness to act may lead to damage or destruction.
b. Move quickly to save time and effort.
c. Act at once.
d. Be alert.
6. Mariel lost her daughter in the mall while they were shopping. She reported
this incident to the administrators and said, “Let no stone go unturned to find
my daughter.”
a. Look for her daughter fast.
b. Look for her daughter even under the stones.
c. Page her daughter to come to her.
d. Exert all effort to find her daughter.
7. The alarm clock rang at six o’clock but Herman didn’t get up at once. His
mother woke him up again and reminded him that, “The early bird catches the
worm.”
a. The bird who goes hunting for worms early in the morning gets them.
b. If you wake up early, you will find worms.
c. A prompt person becomes more successful than one who isn’t.
d. He has to feed their pet birds early in the morning.
8. Your sister met your new friend and she advised, “Beware, Ate. Don’t be too
trusting. Not all that glitters is gold.”
a. Her new friend wears fake jewelry.
b. Her new friend does not wear yellow dresses.
c. Her new friend is not a true friend.
d. Lots of pretty things are not really valuable.

27
 9. Marie was crying again. She just remembered her recent breakup with her
boyfriend. Her brother said, “Sis, there’s no use crying over spilled milk.”
What did her brother mean?
a. There’s no point in regretting something that’s already in the past.
b. Wipe the milk that you spilled on the table.
c. Do not cry or be upset just because you spilled milk on the table.
d. Always look to the future.
10. “I’m having difficulty with our assignment,” said Billy. “Me, too,” answered
Joey. “Why don’t we study together so we can help each other?” Billy
replied. Then Joey said, “You’re right. Two heads are always better than one.”
a. Help one another.
b. Any task is always easier to do when you have someone to help you.
c. Do your assignment with other people.
d. Difficult work should be done with other people.
Compare your answers with those in the Answer Key on page 38. How well did
you do?

Let’s Learn

What do you call the expressions that were used on the previous exercises? They
are called proverbs. Proverbs are well-known neatly-expressed sayings that give
advice or express supposed truths. They are also known as adages and can be passed
on from one generation to another by word of mouth (orally) or in written form.
Proverbs can come from different sources. We often hear proverbs when our
elders want to drive home a point or teach us a lesson or two about life. We can also
read about proverbs in folktales, fables and bible stories.
Like idioms and figurative language, proverbs should not also be taken literally.
They really don’t make sense when translated literally. You have to get their meanings
through context.
Aside from those already mentioned in preceeding pages, below are more
proverbs and their meanings. They may be useful to you in the future.
Proverb Meaning
1. The grass is always greener on What other people have always looks
the other side. better than what we have.
2. Curiosity killed the cat. People, like cats, get hurt sometimes
because they can’t resist getting too close
to something dangerous or asking questions
about things that do not concern them.

28
 3. Choose the lesser of two evils. If you have to choose between two things
that are bad, choose the thing that is less
bad.
4. Love is easier lost than found. It is hard to find a real friend from among
the many friends you have.
5. Actions speak louder than words. It’s not what you say but what you do that
shows how much you care.
6. Easy come, easy go. Things that are easy to get are just as easy
to lose.
7. Better safe than sorry. It’s better to take the safe way than to risk
danger or failure.
8. Look before you leap. Shop or look around first before investing
your time and/or money into something.
9. Birds of a feather flock together. People like to be around those who have
the same interests and backgrounds as they
do. For example, rich people go with rich
people.
10. Practice what you preach. If you tell others how to live, you should
follow those rules too. Lead by example.

Let’s Review

Honesty is the best policy.

Birds of a feather flock together.
Haste makes waste.
Beauty is in the eye of the beholder.
Practice what you preach.

Listen to the following situations on Tape Segment # 5: Proverbs. Choose the

proverb which best fits each situation from the box above. Write your answer on the
space provided.
Situation 1
Proverb: ____________________________________________
____________________________________________
Situation 2
Proverb: ____________________________________________
____________________________________________

29
 Situation 3
Proverb: ____________________________________________
____________________________________________
Situation 4
Proverb: ____________________________________________
____________________________________________

Compare your answers with those in the Answer Key on page 39. How well did
you do? Did you get all the correct answers?

Let’s See What You Have Learned

A. Write M if the statement is a metaphor and S if it is a simile.

______ 1. The rope coiled around his leg was like a snake.
______ 2. Because she was afraid, her knees turned into jelly.
______ 3. The dog curled up like a worm.
______ 4. When Ben opened his mouth to yawn, he looked like an alligator.
______ 5. The tears fell in rivers down Lucy’s beautiful face.
B. Give a short situation to explain each of the following proverbs.
1. choose the lesser of two evils
_____________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________

2. look before you leap

_____________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________

30
 3. love is easier lost than found
_____________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________

4. better safe than sorry

_____________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________

5. practice what you preach

_____________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________

Compare your answers with those in the Answer Key on page 38. How well did
you do? Did you get all the correct answers? If you did, that’s very good. If you didn’t,
don’t worry. Just review the parts of the lesson you didn’t understand very well before
going to the next part of the module.

Let’s Remember

♦ Figurative language or figures of speech are devices such as metaphors,

similes, etc. that enliven language.
♦ Similes are figures of speech in which a thing is described by being likened
to something usually using like or as.
♦ Metaphors are expressions in which the persons, actions or things referred
to are described as if they really were what they merely resemble.
♦ Proverbs are well-known neatly-expressed sayings that give advice or
express supposed truths.
Well, this is the end of the module. Congratulations for finishing it. Did you like
it? Did you learn anything useful from it? A summary of its main points is given below
to help you remember them better.

31
 Let’s Sum Up

♦ An idiom is an expression with a meaning from the meanings of the

individual words which cannot be guessed at or derived from the meanings of
the individual words that form it.
♦ The words in an idiomatic expression can’t be rearranged nor changed.
♦ Figurative language or figures of speech are devices such as metaphors,
similes, etc. that enliven language.
♦ Similes are figures of speech in which a thing is described by being likened
to something usually like or as.
♦ Metaphors are expressions in which the persons, actions or things referred
to are described as if they really were what they merely resemble.
♦ Proverbs are well-known neatly-expressed sayings that gives advice or
express supposed truths.

What Have You Learned?

A. Encircle the idiomatic expression that best fits the given meaning inside the
parentheses.
1. The rollercoaster (increased in speed) as it went down the slope.
a. picked up speed
b. picked up
c. was a piece of cake
d. picked up the tab
2. The speakers (began the activity) on time.
a. started up
b. started in
c. started the ball rolling
d. stood up to someone
3. Nadia asked that she (be the one to pay for the food she and her friends
ate) since it was her birthday.
a. serve as food for thought
b. foot the bill
c. fool around
d. put her foot in the door

32
 4. Before Miss Philippines Miriam Quiambao went to compete in the
Miss Universe Pageant, her friends wished her luck in (winning the
title).
a. bringing someone into line
b. bringing some new facts into light
c. bringing up
d. bringing home the bacon
5. He (revealed a secret) that shocked all his friends.
a. let up a secret
b. let a cat out of the bag
c. let sleeping dogs lie
d. let out a secret
B. Identify the type of figure of speech used in each passage below. Then write
M for metaphor and S for simile in the blank before each number.
______ 1. When the evening is spread out against the sky
Like a patient etherised upon a table;
______ 2. My mother is a fox.
______ 3. Gone, gone is Gordon, tall and brilliant lad
Whose mind was science. Now hollow his skull,
______ 4. With hungry mouth open like a wicked monster,
______ 5. During the storm, the ship was a chariot of doom.
C. Encircle the letter of the proverb that best fits each given situation.
1. Aling Maria earns her living by sewing clothes. During the past two
days, she felt that something was wrong with her sewing machine though
it still worked. She immediately called for the technician to repair it.
She wouldn’t be able to afford if it breaks down.
a. Easy come, easy go.
b. A stitch in time saves nine.
c. Better safe than sorry.
d. There’s no use crying over spilled milk.
2. Elvira is a lovely woman. She is very rich too. She looks as if she
couldn’t harm anybody. But all those close to her do not like her
attitude. She is mean and looks down on others.
a. There’s no use crying over spilled milk.
b. The grass is always greener on the other side.
c. Not all that glitters is gold.
d. Practice what you preach.

33
 3. Mr. Aquino is a politician in a town in Tuguegarao. Unlike other
politicians, he did not make a lot of promises to the people. But his
constituents could see that he has many projects lined up for them. He
is also doing his best in attracting many investors to do business in their
town.
a. Look before you leap.
b. Practice makes perfect.
c. Birds of a feather flock together.
d. Actions speak louder than words.
4. Delia has to meet her friend, Espie, in an hour at the town plaza to
finalize their plans for their latest barangay project. But her mother
asked her to wash the dishes and clean up after lunch first. She still has
to take a bath and dress up too. Because she was in such a hurry, she
broke a glass which made her mother very angry.
a. Let no stone go unturned.
b. Haste makes waste.
c. Curiosity killed the cat.
d. Honesty is the best policy.
5. It’s election time once again. There are only two candidates running for
barangay captain in San Rafael. But both of them are not that good as
evidenced by their past records. Who should the people of San Rafael
choose?
a. Love is easier lost than found.
b. Actions speak louder than words.
c. Choose the lesser of two evils.
d. The early bird catches the worm.
Compare your answers with those in the Answer Key on page 39. How did you
do? Did you get a perfect score? If you did, that’s very good. That means you learned a
lot from this module. If you didn’t, don’t worry. Just go over the items you missed
before studying another module.

34
 Answer Key

A. Let’s See What You Already Know (pages 2–3)

A. 1. (a) is correct. The idiom “raising a hand” means “doing something to
help.” (b) is incorrect because it means causing surprise or
disapproval. (c) is incorrect because it means making a lot of money.
(d) is incorrect because it means “being in a hurry.”
2. (b) is correct because it means “being able to lead, persuade or
influence other people.” (a) is incorrect because it means “speaking
with someone briefly.” (c) is incorrect because it means “acting
foolishly or strangely.” (d) is incorrect because it means “being
through with something or someone.”
3. (d) is correct because it means “down on both hands and feet.” (a) is
incorrect because it means “be dead and buried.” (b) is incorrect
because it means “be very happy.” (c) is incorrect because it means
“take a short nap during the day.”
4. (c) is correct because it means “a person who does not act like
everyone else.” (a) is incorrect because it means “old fashioned.” (b)
is incorrect because it means “a secret that many people already
know.” (d) is incorrect because it means “ to get rid of someone who
is a nuisance.”
5. (d) is correct because it means “exactly the same words.” (a) is
incorrect because it means “information that is passed on to someone
orally.” (b) is incorrect because it means “something that’s been done
in the past that should already be forgotten.” (c) is incorrect because
is means “remove something that is unwanted.”
B. 1. M
2. S
3. S
4. M
5. S
C. Situation 1: Two heads are better than one.
Situation 2: The early bird catches the worm.
Situation 3: Easy come, easy go.

35
B. Lesson 1
Let’s Study and Analyze (pages 8–9)
1. b
2. c
3. b
4. a
5. d
6. c
7. a
Let’s Review (pages 9–10)
1. apple of one’s eyes
2. tying the knot
3. food for thought
4. get down to brass talks
Let’s Try This (page 12)
1. Bec used to burn the midnight oil studying during her college days.
2. She put her dress on before putting make-up—that was like putting the
cart before the horse.
3. Her stated jumped out of the frying pan and into the fire.
4. They got down to brass talks to sort out things for their new company.
5. They only saw each other once in a blue moon when they were together.

Let’s Try This (page 14)

1. b
2. c
3. a
4. b
5. c
Let’s See What You Have Learned (pages 15–16)
A. 1. (c) is correct because it means “to lose courage.” (a) is incorrect
because it means “form bad to worse.” (b) is incorrect because it
means “to do something well into the night.” (d) is incorrect
because it means “to begin an activity.”
2. (d) is correct because ti means “hearing about something straight
first-hand.” (a) is incorrect because it means “to come to the main
point.’ (b) is incorrect because it means “rough or noisy play.” (c)
is incorrect because it means “pretending to be good when one is
really bad.”

36
 3. (b) is correct because it means “to wear one’s best clothes.” (a) is
incorrect because it means “to wear nothing at all.” (c) is incorrect
because it means “to spend less money than usual.” (d) is incorrect
because it means “to something by instinct instead of relying on
one’s knowledge or logic.”
4. (a) is correct because it means “to stay calm.” (b) is correct
because it means “to finalize one’s decision.” (c) is incorrect
because it means “refusing to say anything at all.” (d) is incorrect
because it means “to recover from a problem.”
5. (d) is correct because it means “born rich.” (a) is incorrect because
it means “doing something very well.” (b) is incorrect because it
means “being very happy.” (c) is incorrect because it means “being
a cheap person.”
B. 1. If we do not meet the deadline our boss set, our heads will roll.
2. I was standing by the window when I felt my hair stand on end.
3. His friend let the cat out of the bag and surprised all of us.

C. Lesson 2
Let’s Listen to This (page 20)

Lament for Ignacio Sanchez Mejias

2. The Spilled Blood
Federico Garcia Lorca
And across the ranches,
an air of secret voices rose,
shouting to celestial bulls,
herdsmen of pale mist..
There was no prince in Sevilla
who could compare to him,
nor sword like his sword
nor heart so true.
Like a river of lions
was his marvelous strength,
and like a marble torso
his firm drawn moderation.

37
 The Fish
Elizabeth Bishop
I caught a tremendous fish
and held him beside the boat
half out of water, with my hook
fast in a corner of his mouth.
He didn’t fight.
He hadn’t fought at all.
He hung a grunting weight,
battered and venerable
and homely. Here and there
his brown skin hung in strips
like ancient wallpaper,
and its pattern of darker brown
was like wallpaper:
shapes like full-blown roses
stained and lost through age.

Let’s Study and Analyze (page 22)

1. 4
2. 4
3. 4

Let’s Review (pages 23–24)

1. simile—painting of the Duchees on the wall and herself when she was
still alive
2. metaphor—palms and bulls in china
3. simile—you and the speaker’s brother
4. metaphor—river and a girl of pleasure
5. metaphor—fights and painless scars
Let’s Study and Analyze (pages 26–28)
1. a
2. b
3. a
4. c
5. a
6. d
7. c
8. c
9. a
10. b

38
 Let’s Review (pages 29–30)
Situation 1 Beauty is in the eyes of the beholder.
Situation 2 Honesty is the best policy.
Situation 3 Birds of a feather flock together.
Situation 4 Haste makes waste.
Let’s See What You Have Learned (page 30)
A. 1. S
2. M
3. S
4. S
5. M
B. 1. You were made to choose between two people you disliked as your
partner in a school project. You then chose the person you disliked
less.
2. Your friend asked you to accompany her to a party. You eagerly
accepted her offer without even knowing who will be there. You
then find out you disliked most of the people who were there and
had a very bad time.
3. Larry just meet a girl he thought would be perfect for him. It turns
out though that after a few weeks into their relationship, they
weren’t even compatible.
4. Diwa decided to drive herself to their province for the fiesta. She
then had her car checked to make sure she wouldn’t have any
trouble with it while on the road.
5. Henry always tells his children not to eat in front of the TV but he
does the same thing himself. This is why his children never learn.

D. What Have You Learned (pages 32–34)

A. 1. a B. 1. S C. 1. b
2. c 2. M 2. c
3. b 3. M 3. d
4. d 4. S 4. b
5. b 5. M 5. c

39
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