Contents
=> “In the…” - idioms and exercises
=> What’s Happening
=> In the Next Issue

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“In the…” - idioms and exercises
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Here are some short phrases that are quite useful. All begin with “in the…”

Begin by writing them on the board and asking students in groups how many they can define. They can just guess. (It’s okay if their definition is wrong, because they’re still using English).

1. In the know
2. in the driver’s seat
3. in the buff (or, in the raw)
4. in the money (or, in the bucks)
5. in the flesh
6. in the doghouse
7. in the cards
8. in the works

While students are working on their definitions, you can write the following definitions (keep them covered until the students are done):

A. likely to happen; meant to be
B. naked; nude
C. well-informed; having special knowledge of something.
D. in a favorable position; in a position of authority.
E. in person
F. in progress; being prepared.
G. having lots of money
H. in trouble; out of favor

Now ask students to match the definitions with the phrases. Did any students guess any correct definitions beforehand?

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Answers…
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1. in the know = C. well-informed
2. in the driver’s seat = D. in a favorable position
3. in the buff = B. naked; nude
4. in the money = G. having lots of money
5. in the flesh = E. in person
6. in the doghouse = H. in trouble; out of favor
7. in the cards = A. likely to happen; meant to be
8. in the works = F. in progress; being prepared

Now here are some gap-fill sentences. Put the correct
“in the…” expression in the blank.

1. They didn’t get married. I guess it just wasn’t _____________.

2. He knows all that computer stuff. And because he’s _____________ he says to wait till next year when the prices go down.

3. Mr. Poosheesty’s girlfriend is mad at him again. He’s always ________________.

4. Oh my God! Look at that crazy man on the balcony. He must be freezing standing there totally _______________.

5. He’s written 3 novels and he has another one _______________.

6. Ricky Martin walked into our classroom. I couldn’t believe it! There he was ________________.

7. She passed two interviews for the job, and has only one more to go. She’s _____________________.

8. We won the lottery. Now we’re really ______________.

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Gap-fill Answers
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1. They didn’t get married. I guess it just wasn’t IN THE CARDS.

2. He knows all that computer stuff. And because he’s IN THE KNOW he says to wait till next year when the prices go down.

3. Mr. Poosheesty’s girlfriend is mad at him again. He’s always in IN THE DOGHOUSE.

4. Oh my God. Look at that crazy man on the balcony. He must be freezing standing there totally IN THE RAW.

5. He’s written 3 novels and he has another one IN THE WORKS.

6. Ricky Martin walked into our classroom. I couldn’t believe it! There he was IN THE FLESH.

7. She passed two interviews for the job, and has only one more to go. She’s IN THE DRIVER’S SEAT.

8. We won the lottery. Now we’re really IN THE MONEY.

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What’s Happening
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Kevin’s having a birthday on August 7th. He will be 19 years old—again.

Mr. Poosheesty is looking for a teaching job where he doesn’t have to do very much work. He misses his pet monkey.

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In the next issue (@Aug 19th, 2003)
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Slangy Words to Describe How You’re Feeling

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Copyright 2003 Kevin McCaughey & I.M. Poosheesty
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