Bài 9: Common objects – idioms

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BÀI 9: COMMON OBJECTS – IDIOMS 
The bedroom. In the UK houses are described by how many bedrooms they have. This house would 
be a 3 bedroomed house. The main bedroom is called the master bedroom, and if a bedroom has its 
own bathroom, it is called an ensuite. 
The family bathroom. In the UK the bath / shower and the loo are usually upstairs. In a 
government poll 47% of Brits would prefer a bath, and 43% a shower. 
Instead of a separate lounge / dining room / kitchen, you will often find the rooms have been 
knocked through to form one room. This room would be described as a kitchen / diner. The kitchen 
is considered the heart of the home. 
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A cellar is a luxury in the UK. They have to be well built and properly water proofed, because of 
the weather. This room is being used as a pantry / storage area. 
A laundry room is also a luxury. Usually the washing machine is installed in the kitchen, along with the 
other white goods. 
A garage is another luxury in the UK. It adds value to any property, as the alternatives are off road 
parking, or on street parking. 
Attic - Most houses in the UK have an attic. Nowadays many people convert the dusty old space that used 
to be used to store suitcases and clutter into extra accommodation. Perhaps an extra bedroom, or an office. 
1. doorstep 
2. sky 
10. laundry 
11. front door 
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3. living room 
4. security light 
5. fence 
6. wall 
7. car 
8. kitchen 
9. roof 
12. tree 
13. bathroom 
14. lawn 
15. bedroom 
16. garage 
17. drive 
18. path 
Question 1 - Incorrect. Actual Answer was: 4. 
Question 2 - Incorrect. Actual Answer was: 14. 
Question 3 - Incorrect. Actual Answer was: 3. 
Question 4 - Incorrect. Actual Answer was: 12. 
Question 5 - Incorrect. Actual Answer was: 1. 
Question 6 - Incorrect. Actual Answer was: 11. 
Question 7 - Incorrect. Actual Answer was: 9. 
Question 8 - Incorrect. Actual Answer was: 7. 
Question 9 - Incorrect. Actual Answer was: 18. 
Question 10 - Incorrect. Actual Answer was: 8. 
Question 11 - Incorrect. Actual Answer was: 6. 
Question 12 - Incorrect. Actual Answer was: 13. 
Question 13 - Incorrect. Actual Answer was: 16. 
Question 14 - Incorrect. Actual Answer was: 2. 
Question 15 - Incorrect. Actual Answer was: 17. 
Question 16 - Incorrect. Actual Answer was: 15. 
Question 17 - Incorrect. Actual Answer was: 10. 
Question 18 - Incorrect. Actual Answer was: 5. 
English Names for Household Objects 
Here are some useful English collective nouns and words to describe containers and storage. 
bunch = describing things that are fastened or which grow together: a bunch of flowers, keys, bananas, 
grapes 
set = a complete number: plates, forks, glasses, saucepans etc 
(Also: a boxed set / the complete set of CDs / DVDs, etc. 
collection of CDs / DVDs 
basket = open container, often made of wicker (dried, plaited reed): a bread basket, laundry basket (to put 
dirty clothes while they are waiting to go into the washing machine), a wastepaper basket 
rack = something horizontal (either a pole or a shelf) supported at either end: a clothes rack, wine rack, 
shoe rack 
row = a number of things in a line: a row of hooks (for coats, etc) 
pile / stack = one on top of another: a pile of papers, books, magazines etc 
bowl = round pot made of glass, china or wood: fruit bowl, sugar bowl (or bowl of fruit) 
jar = glass container with a lid: coffee jar, jam jar, jar of pasta, etc 
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box = square container with a lid, made of cardboard: box of chocolates, cereal, etc 
tube = long and narrow, where the contents must be squeezed out: tube of toothpaste 
bar = flat and rectangular: bar of soap, chocolate 
roll = for paper: toiletpaper / loo paper, kitchen roll 
can = anything in a sealed metal tin: can of coke, can of baked beans, can of tuna 
tin = metal container: tin of cat food, tin of tuna 
pair = things that come in twos: a pair of socks, shoes, boots, sandals, trousers, shorts, etc 
Idioms and Sayings About Rooms 
Idiom/Saying Explanation 
Blood on the carpet. 
For example: 
"After the meeting there was blood on the carpet. " 
A lot of trouble in an organisation 
often resulting in someone losing 
their job. 
To hit the ceiling 
For example: 
"When her husband hears she crashed the car he'll 
hit the ceiling." 
To become very angry about 
something. 
Skeleton in the closet / cupboard. 
For example:- 
Nearly every family has a skeleton in the cupboard. 
If you have a skeleton in the 
cupboard it means you have are 
hiding a shocking secret about 
yourself. 
To get a foot in the door 
For example: 
"If you could introduce me to your boss it would 
help me get my foot in the door." 
An opening or opportunity. 
To show someone the door 
For example: 
"He was so annoying I asked my secretary to show 
him the door." 
Ask someone to leave (usually 
rudely). 
To be a doormat. 
For example 
"She treated him like a doormat, but he never 
complained." 
Describes someone who doesn't 
stand up for his/herself. 
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The pot calling the kettle black. 
For example:- 
"When politicians say that bankers have been lying, 
it's like the pot calling the kettle black." 
To accuse someone of being a 
hypocrite. 
A watched kettle never boils. 
For example:- 
"Elfish couldn't wait for her exam results, but I told 
her, "A watched kettle never boils." 
When you are anxiously waiting for 
something to happen, it always 
seems to take longer. 
Everything but the kitchen sink. 
For example:- 
"The check-in girl told her she was way over her 
weight limit. She'd packed everything but the 
kitchen sink." 
A lot of things - especially used 
when packing 
The pot calling the kettle black. 
For example:- 
"When politicians say that bankers have been lying, 
it's like the pot calling the kettle black." 
To accuse someone of being a 
hypocrite. 
To have elbow room 
For example: 
"She asked us to move back to give her elbow 
room." 
To have enough space. 
To make room for someone or something 
For example: 
"Could you move over a bit and make some room 
for me?" 
To arrange space for someone or 
something. 
Everything but the kitchen sink. 
For example:- 
"The check-in girl told her she was way over her 
weight limit. She'd packed everything but the 
kitchen sink." 
A lot of things - especially used 
when packing 
Throw in the towel. 
For example: 
"They knew they were going to lose, so they threw 
in the towel." 
To give up. 
Climb the wall 
For example: 
To be extremely bored. 
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"The lesson was so boring the students were soon 
climbing the walls." 
Drive someone up the wall 
For example: 
"My little brother is so annoying he drives me up 
the wall." 
To annoy or irritate someone. 
To go to the wall 
For example: 
"The recession hit so hard many businesses went to 
the wall. 
To become bankrupt 
To knock one`s head against a brick wall 
For example: 
"I have been knocking my head against a brick wall 
trying to solve this week's Mind Bender." 
To waste time trying to do 
something with little or no success.