In olden times people worshipped the powers of Nature, the sun, the moon, the planets, the air, the storm, light, fire, the clouds, all of which were supposed to exercise a mysterious influence over human destiny There was doubtless an indefinite sense of awe in view of the wonders of the material universe, extending to a vague fear of some almighty supremacy over all that could be seen or known To these powers of Nature ancient people gave names, and made them divinities - ask for the moon (to make outlandish requests or demands for something) - moon something away (to waste time pining or grieving) - moon about someone or something (to pine or grieve about someone or something) - think someone the moon (and stars) or think someone is God's own cousin (to think someone is perfect) - be over the moon (to be extremely pleased about something) - many moons ago (a long time ago) - reach for the moon/stars (to try to achieve something that is very difficult) - promise the moon - go to(to bed with the sun promise something impossible) (to go to bed early, at sunset) - once in a blue moon - there(almost is nothing new under the sun never) (everything that is happening now has happened before) - think the sun rises and sets on someone (to think someone is the most important person in the world) - under the sun (anywhere on earth at all) - a/somebody's place in the sun (a job or situation that makes you happy and that provides you with all the money and things that you want) - make hay while the sun shines (to something while the situation or conditions are right) - everything under the sun (everything that exists or that you can imagine) - catch the sun (to become red or brown because of spending time in the sun) - the sun belt (the southern U.S states, where it is generally warm and sunny) - happy is the bride that the sun shines on (it is supposed to be good luck for the sun to shine on a Match the idioms with their definitions: 1) If you think the sun rises and sets on someone, expectations and a) you have high standards b) a time well before 2) If you are over the moon the present 3) if you go to bed with the sun keep your word 4) if you make hay while the sun shines thing at the right c) you can’t possibly d) you the right time e) you achieved a 5) if you try to reach for the moon favourable position 6) if you earned your place in the sun early riser!!! 7) the sun belt refers to which is f) you must be an g) you ask something unattainable h) you think highly of 8) many moons ago means someone 9) if you ask for the moon happy 10) if you promise the moon climate i) you are extremely j) states with a warm Choose the correct idiom in the sentences below: I want to retire over the moon/to the sunbelt, it’s the best place for a sun lover like me Don’t moon the whole month away/make hay while the sun shines! It’s no use crying for such nonsense! Don’t reach for the moon/ask for the moon, Janet! Try to be reasonable! Can you believe it? John has cheated in his Maths exam again! Does it surprise you? There is nothing new under the sun/happy is the bride that the sun shines on! After a tough start, Jim finally asked for the moon/earned his place in the sun Ann turns a deaf ear to all my criticisms, she thinks she makes no mistakes Yes, you’re right, she thinks the sun rises and sets on herself/over the moon I’m desperate! Is there anyone under the sun/everything under the sun who can solve this Maths problem? I met James yesterday and we talked under the sun/everything under the sun Answers Exercise 1-h, 2-i, 3-f, 4-d, 5-a, 6-e, 7-j, 8-b, 9-g, 10-c Exercise To the sun belt Moon the whole month away Ask for the moon There is nothing new under the sun Earned his place in the sun The sun rises and sets on herself Under the sun Everything under the sun Many moons ago Goes to bed with the sun Over the moon Promise us the moon