Tiptop Academy

IDIOMATIC EXPRESSIONS

An Idiom is an expression, or phrase whose sense is something different from that which it implies literally. In other words, it is a fixed expression whose meaning is not usually suggested by it’s separate words. There is no logical connection between the meaning of an idiom and the meanings of the individual words it contains.

Examining bodies like WAEC, NECO and JAMB test students' knowledge of (Standard English) idioms. A thorough understanding of them is this required.
Listed below are some examples and meanings -

A big cheese– an important or a powerful person in a group or family

A bird’s eye view– a view from a very high place which allows you to see a large area.

A bone of contention– something that people argue for a long time.

A c**k and a bull story– a story or an explanation which is obviously not true.

At the crack of the dawn– very early in morning

A cuckoo in the nest– someone in a group of people but not liked by them.

A dead letter– an argument or law not followed by anyone.

An early bird– someone who gets early in the morning

An educated guess– a guess which was likely to get corrected

A q***r fish– a strange person

A wakeup call– an event done to warn someone

A worm’s eye view– having very little knowledge about something

Afraid of one’s own shadow– to become easily frightened

Against the clock– to be in a hurry to do something before a particular time

An arm and a leg– a large amount of money
Apple of someone’s eye– someone loved very much.

Ask for the moon– to ask for too much.
Asleep at the switch– not to be alert on opportunity

At someone’s beck and call– to be always ready to serve

At the bottom of the ladder– at the lowest level

A house of cards– a poor plan

At an arm’s length– to keep at a distance

At sixes and sevens– in disorder

A boon in disguise– a benefit in loss

A bull in a China shop– an awkward person

A red letter day– an important day

A nine days wonder– pleasure for a short time

Bite your tongue– to stop yourself from saying something because it would be better not to

Black and blue– full of bruises

Blue blood– belonging to high social class

Be above board– to be honest and legal

Be tailor made– to be completely suitable for someone.

Be as clear as mud– to be impossible to understand

Be on cloud nine– be very happy

Between the devil and deep blue sea– a type of situation where u must choose between two equally unpleasant situations.

Be in the doldrums– not very successful or nothing new is taking place.

Beat the drum– to speak eagerly about something you support.

Be on the edge– to be nervous or worried about something.

Be in seventh heaven– extremely happy.

Back to the salt mines– back to something that you don’t want to do.

Ball of fire– active and energetic.

Beat one’s brain out– to work hard.

Begin to see the light– to begin to understand

Behind closed doors– done in secret

Bet on the wrong horse– to misread the future

Bite off more than one can chew– to do more than one’s ability

Bite the bullet– to face a difficult situation bravely

Bitter pill to swallow– an unpleasant fact that must be accepted

At Tiptop Academy, our commitment is not limited to preparing test-takers but also innovators and earth-shakers.

We offer the following among other services

* Group/One-on-one Tutoring

* Online/Offline Tutoring

* Tuition for IELTS, GCSE/IGCSE, TOEFL, SAT & TOEIC Exams.

* Business English

* WASSCE/NECO & UTME Classes

Academic support services can be regarded as developmental education, basic skills education or preparatory education offering special academic programmes which are designed to help students acquire competencies expected in specific academic skills. At Tiptop Academy, we provide academic support services such that help to instill confidence in our students and assist them in becoming independent learners. All our programmes are geared toward increasing opportunity to reinforce instruction. We provide a learning ambience that helps to:
- boost academic performance and personal growth.
- motivate self-paced and self-directed learning.
- produce more individualised, systematic, and structured learning.
- Improve attitude toward subject area.

WE ENTERTAIN INDIVIDUAL APPOINTMENTS AND SMALL GROUP PRESENTATIONS IN A RICHLY SUPPORTIVE ENVIRONMENT.

Call us today and you shall be glad you did!