Park 1: bench, fountain, path, tree

Path Idioms

Idiom Explanation Example
beat a path to somebody’s door hurry to contact someone who is interesting, inspiring/very keen to buy or get something from someone Grandma, these biscuits are so good! If you sell them, people will be beating a path to your door to get them!
cross paths with somebody meet somebody by chance She was a very friendly lady, I hope we cross paths again soon.
lead somebody up the garden path trick somebody There’s no prize for last place, I’m afraid somebody has led you up the garden path.
the path of least resistance the easiest way forward They are lazy and always choose the path of least resistance.

Tree Idioms

Idiom Explanation Example
out of one’s tree totally stupid or mad You’re out of your tree if you think you’re not going to get into trouble for this.
up a tree be in a difficult situation with no escape Without an alibi I’m up a tree.
barking up the wrong tree believing something that is wrong Ms. Foster thinks we broke the chairs but we didn’t. She’s barking up the wrong tree.

Other Park Idioms

Idiom Explanation Example
on the bench 1. serving as a judge in a court of law
2. waiting to participate/removed from participation in a sports match		 1. We are so proud of our daughter who now serves on the bench of the Supreme Court in Texas.
2. Today the coach announced that Smith will start tomorrow’s match on the bench.
the fountain of youth a mythical fountain said to give eternal youth to anyone who drinks water from it I know that chia seeds aren’t the fountain of youth but they are very good for you.
display incorrect answers

Exercises C1

Complete the sentences with words below.

bench – fountain – paths – tree

  1. Larry was given the red card and spent the rest of the match on the  .
  2. I’m in such a terrible mood today. I hope I don’t cross   with anybody I know.
  3. Some people say that coconut water is the   of youth because it’s so good for you.
  4. The police were barking up the wrong   when they arrested me for armed robbery.

Choose the correct idiom.

  1. I hate studying, but next week I have a science exam. Can you give me some study tips? What’s the easiest way to learn all of this?
  2. I’ve locked my keys inside the house. My mum has a spare set, but she’s abroad. I don’t know what to do …
  3. —Tomorrow we are going to court. I hope we get a good judge.
    —All judges are good. I doesn’t matter …
  4. Marcy told me that people ride kangaroos to school in Australia, but it’s not true — she tricked me.
  5. After Eric won the Man Booker Prize for his book, everybody wanted to buy it.
  6. Anne thinks that she’s going to meet the love of her life at speed dating tonight. She’s crazy.

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