Learning Idioms in Context: Todd's Student Life

Here is an interesting story about a student who is courageous and friendly. You’ll find idiom definitions, example sentences, conversations, and a short quiz after reading the story.

It’s an excellent opportunity to ponder how good the life of a successful student who weathered the storm. His name is Todd, and he has done well for his student life. He has a circle of friends who are supportive of each other. When one of them needs support, whether it be moral or financial, all of them are there to lend a hand. If there is a need to bite the bullet to solve someone’s difficulty in the group, they will bravely face it. 

Jim, one of Todd’s friends, always drops a note to Todd saying “break a leg” before his weekly quiz starts. That’s how encouraging Jim as he is consistently very sincere to all of his friends. One day, Todd came to see Jim because he heard that Jim had encountered an issue paying his contribution to their group project. He suggested that they should start to save a portion of their daily allowance so that they can pay their future project expenses next time. Months passed, and they had saved enough. After that, they firmly believed that penny saved is a penny earned.

Todd’s life is not so perfect, of course. Friends come and go, but he always learns how to accept all inevitable parts of life courageously. Occasionally, he saw his classmates arguing on things, but he realized it was a storm in a teacup. He didn’t bother to include himself in those situations. At a young age, he felt that his student life became more manageable when he learned to master the art of embracing challenges. 

Bite the bullet

Meaning
  • to face a difficult situation bravely and endure it for an extended period
Example Sentences

I am now determined, so I had to bite the bullet and take my Chemistry classes although I know that these are always tough classes.

I never liked cleaning, but I bite the bullet as I don’t want to have a messy and dirty surrounding. 

A: It seems that you look exhausted in the past few months. Are you happy with your job?

B. I am not. I need to bite the bullet and look for a different job next month.

Break a leg

Meaning
  • to wish or tell someone good luck before he/she performs
Example Sentences

“Hey Isaac, I hope you break a leg tonight in your recital.”

Maine always drops a note to say “break a leg” to her best friend before the final examination.

A: Tomorrow will be my thesis defense. 

B: I wish you all the best of luck on your thesis defense. Break a leg

Weather the storm

Meaning
  • to survive difficult situations or problems and successfully solve them 
Example Sentences

The president frightened his staff due to unsatisfactory job performance, but no one resigned and decided to weather the storm.

Bea tried to weather the storm and refused to resign in her company.

A: You have been so patient with the team’s policy. Things are becoming complicated. What’s your plan for the next few months?

B: I know that things will get better so I will weather the storm.

A penny saved is a penny earned

Meaning
  • it is crucial or wise to save money
Example Sentences

Bob has been saving a portion of his monthly salary because he believes that a penny saved is a penny earned.

Children are advised by their parents to work hard to save money when they get to the corporate world someday. Their parents knew that a penny saved is a penny earned.

A: You should celebrate and reward yourself. Let’s go shopping tomorrow!

B: I am sorry. I can’t go because I have started saving money from my monthly salary. I realized that a penny saved is a penny earned.

A storm in a teacup

Meaning
  • people are very upset, angry or annoyed on minor things or those that are not important at all
Example Sentences 

The issue is not too serious, but Jim’s wrath is unreasonable, just a storm in a teacup.

Pamela won’t be angry for long about what happened last night; it’s only a storm in a teacup.

A: Why are the neighbors arguing again? What’s the problem? 

B: We should get used to them; they are always arguing, but it is usually a storm in a teacup.

Quiz

  1. Bella decided to just ___________ to complete her term paper and accepted that she would not play computer games this weekend. 
  2. “_____________” Nico’s mother shouted out to him before he started his presentation.
  3. Denzel and his friends were strong enough to ____________ as they completed their final term paper.
  4. You must save at least 10% of your monthly income because ______________. 
  5. Martha thought that the entire matter is nothing but ___________ and that it would solve quickly.

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