English for Today by Ganiu Abisoye Bamgbose (Dr GAB)
TEN ENGLISH IDIOMS AND THEIR STANDARD FORMS
1. A word to the wise is enough (not, a word is enough for the wise). The idiom is also shortened as: a word to the wise.
2. Half a loaf is better than none (not, half bread is better than none).
3. He was born without a silver spoon in his mouth (not, born without a silver spoon).
4. She got the job on a silver platter (not, on a platter of gold).
5. Don’t fight a losing battle (not, don’t fight a lost battle).
6. This should whet your appetite (not, wet your appetite).
7. Don’t bite off more than you can chew (not, don’t bite more than you can chew).
8. She’s a snake in the grass (not, a green snake under the green grass).
9. Better the devil you know than the devil you don’t (not, the devil you know is better than the angel you don’t know).
10. Beggars can’t be choosers (not, a beggar has no choice).
GAB
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