Idioms: secrets and gossip

This ESL worksheet is dedicated to 12 idioms that are used when talking about secrets and gossip. Students learn and practise them using the conversation questions and other communicative activities included in the worksheet.

The first activity introduces 7 idioms (e.g. on the grapevine, my lips are sealed, under the table, keep under wraps) through a short dialogue. Students work out the meaning of the idioms and match them to their definitions. To practise the target vocabulary, students are given 4 sentences, which they need to complete with their own ideas and use them to start a conversation with a partner.

Next, students are given the second short dialogue, including the rest of the idioms (e.g. stick your nose into something, give someone the benefit of the doubt, speak behind someone’s back). To practise, students discuss 5 questions.

After that students complete a multiple-choice task: they need to complete the sentences with the correct idiom.

The last 2 activities are focused on speaking: first, students role-play a few situations. Lastly, they are tasked with creating a story based on 1 of 3 photos given.

This ESL worksheet, together with the conversation cards can be used in various classes in order to practise these idioms related to secrets and gossip.