Taken from the podcast ‘Study 4 English’ with Tom Hollett.
C1 Advanced Level English Idioms: Money, morality, emotion.
Match the idiom to its correct definition (answers at the bottom of the page).
| 1. put one’s money where one’s mouth is | A. a worried feeling that you may miss exciting events that other people are going to |
| 2. save face | B. do something enjoyable for as long as you want |
| 3. FOMO – fear of missing out | C. to back up one’s words with the equivalent actions |
| 4. foot the bill | D. to keep your reputation and avoid others losing respect for you |
| 5. pay lip service (to something) | E. to increase your demands in order to get a greater advantage |
| 6. take at face value | F. to back up one’s words with the equivalent actions |
| 7. take the high road | G. to say that you agree with something but do nothing to support it |
| 8. to one’s heart’s content | H. to behave in a moral way when other people are not behaving morally |
| 9. walk the walk | I. to accept something as it appears to be |
| 10. up the ante | J. to pay for something, especially something expensive |
Lahm Takes The World Cup High Road Away From Qatar
Ex-Germany captain Philipp Lahm has put his money where his mouth is with his decision to boycott the FIFA world cup in Qatar this winter.
He said, “I prefer to follow the tournament from home. Human rights should play the biggest role in the awarding of a tournament. If a country is awarded the contract that is one of the worst performers in this regard, you start to think about the criteria used to make the decision.”
Lahm’s decision to prioritise principles over an all-expenses paid festival of football, has upped the ante for others who have criticised the Qatari regime for their questionable human rights record. Many of the professional commentariat of football journalists, pundits and commentators will face a moral dilemma. If they attend the tournament, will they face accusations of hypocrisy by only paying lip service to the suffering of Qatar’s immigrant workforce? And will their opinions be taken at face value after luxuriating in the hospitality of a regime they allege to be abusive?
A few of the commentariat may take the high road and follow Lahm’s example by staying at home. Their challenge is to convince themselves that taking a principled stance is worth it, all the while knowing that their employer is footing the bill for colleagues to experience the 5-star luxury of Qatar’s hotels and restaurants, not to mention the football matches. The feeling of FOMO may be hard to suppress.
A third option that will save face for human rights defenders amongst the commentariat, is to attend the tournament, but delay saying anything negative about Qatari values until safely on the plane home. Then, they can talk about human rights to their heart’s content, but avoid the negative reaction their comments would provoke in their Qatari hosts. This option will ensure they have a welcoming and comfortable stay.
I expect the majority of the commentariat to take the third option. They will, of course, applaud Lahm for taking the high road, but I’d be surprised if many will choose to walk the walk beside him.
IDIOMS – MONEY, MORALITY, EMOTION
FOMO – Fear Of Missing Out (abbreviation), a worried feeling that you may miss exciting events that other people are going to
She felt a lot of FOMO when she heard her friends were going to the concert.
foot the bill – to pay for something, especially something expensive
He managed to buy the apartment because his parents footed the bill for the deposit.
pay lip service (to something) – to say that you agree with something but do nothing to support it
The politician paid lip service to the charity but did nothing to help their cause.
put one’s money where one’s mouth is – back up one’s opinion with action
You think I can’t do it? Why don’t you put your money where your mouth is?
save face – to keep your reputation and avoid others losing respect for you
He said he had a girlfriend to save face with his mates.
take at face value – to accept something as it appears to be
After I caught him cheating, I couldn’t take anything he said at face value.
take the high road – to behave in a moral way when other people are not behaving morally
He took the high road and apologised even though he knew the mistake wasn’t his.
to one’s heart’s content – do something enjoyable for as long as you want
I’ve got a day off so I’ll binge on TV series to my heart’s content.
up the ante – to increase your demands in order to get a greater advantage
He wasn’t studying so I upped the ante and offered him money for every exam he passes.
walk the walk – back up one’s words with the equivalent actions
She says she’s a great singer, so we’re going to a karaoke bar to see if she walks the walk.
Idiom Answers: 1C or F; 2D; 3A; 4J; 5G; 6I; 7H; 8B; 9C or F; 10E.
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