Idioms: law

This ESL worksheet is dedicated to law-related idioms. Students will learn and practise 12 idioms related to laws and regulations, and will discuss legal cases and different conversation questions.

The lesson starts with 3 lead-in discussion questions.

The first group of idioms (e.g. beyond reasonable doubt, the burden of proof, walk free, throw the book at someone, above the law) are introduced through a short dialogue between 2 lawyers. Students match the idioms to their definitions. To practise, they are asked to complete 4 short dialogues with the correct idiom. Then, they discuss 5 questions given, and give examples of different legal cases.

Next, the students take a look at the rest of the idioms (e.g. justice has been served, cease and desist, take the law into your own hands, a brush with the law), and match them to their definitions. 

After that students complete a multiple-choice practice activity. 

Finally, they are given 5 debate topics and are asked to prepare arguments and use the idioms whenever possible.

For more speaking practice, and to review these law-related idioms, you can use the conversation cards.