Halloween is just around the corner, and we’ve been getting into the spooky spirit in our English Conversation Club!
If you’ve ever celebrated this holiday in the UK, you’ll know we love to dress up in classic costumes like witches, ghosts, and vampires. 🧙♀️👻🧛♂️ After all, Halloween comes from traditions to ward off evil spirits.
But in the USA it’s common to see people in funny, clever costumes—they really love wordplay! And that’s what we’ve been exploring in class: Halloween costumes inspired by English idioms. 😄
Idioms can be tricky to learn, but they’re a huge part of conversational English and will help you sound more natural. What better way to practice them than a Halloween quiz?
I’m going to show you 10 different costumes, each inspired by a different idiom. Think you can guess them all? Let’s see!
Example: "Raining Cats and Dogs"
Costume 1:
Here’s an example to get us started. This costume represents the idiom “it’s raining cats and dogs.” Maybe you’ve heard this phrase before?
Meaning: It’s raining very heavily.
Example sentence: "Don’t forget your umbrella—it’s raining cats and dogs outside!"
Practice question: How do you feel about rainy days? Are there things you like to do when it's "raining cats and dogs" outside?
Now it’s your turn! Guess the idiom…
Costume 2:
Costume 3:
Costume 4:
Costume 5:
Costume 6:
Costume 7:
Costume 8:
Costume 9:
Costume 10:
The Big Reveal: Idioms Explained
Let’s see how many you guessed correctly! Here are the meanings behind the costumes, plus some questions to help you practise using these idioms...
Costume 2: "Two peas in a pod"
Meaning: Two people who are very similar or inseparable.
Example sentence: "Jane and Sarah aren't even sisters, but they're two peas in a pod."
Practice question: Do you know anyone you would describe as “two peas in a pod” with someone else? What makes them so similar?
Costume 3: "Head in the clouds"
Meaning: To be distracted or daydreaming.
Example sentence: "She’s always got her head in the clouds during meetings!"
Practice question: Do you consider yourself someone who often "has their head in the clouds"? Why/why not?
Costume 4: "The bees knees"
Meaning: Something or someone that’s excellent or of the highest quality.
Example sentence: "This new restaurant is the bees knees—everyone loves it!"
Practice question: Who do you consider “the bee’s knees” in your life? Why do they deserve this title?
Costume 5: "Made of money"
Meaning: To be very wealthy.
Example sentence: "He must be made of money if he can afford that car!"
Practice question: If you were "made of money," what would you spend it on first?
Costume 6: "A piece of cake"
Meaning: Something that is very easy to do.
Example sentence: "The test was a piece of cake—I finished it in 10 minutes!"
Practice question: What's something you’d like to be "a piece of cake" for you in the future?
Costume 7: "Social butterfly"
Meaning: Someone who is very sociable and enjoys mixing with lots of people.
Example sentence: "She’s a real social butterfly—she knows everyone at the party!"
Practice question: Are you a "social butterfly”?
Costume 8: "When pigs fly"
Meaning: Something that will never happen.
Example sentence: "I’ll take up knitting when pigs fly—I just don’t have the patience for it!"
Practice question: Do you think people should give up on dreams that might happen “when pigs fly,” or keep trying?
Costume 9: "Chip on your shoulder"
Meaning: To be resentful or holding a grudge.
Example sentence: "He’s always had a chip on his shoulder about not going to university."
Practice question: Have you ever met someone who seems to have "a chip on their shoulder"? What caused this attitude, in your opinion?
Costume 10: "Party animal"
Meaning: Someone who loves parties and socialising.
Example sentence: "He’s a real party animal—he goes out every weekend!"
Practice question: Do you think being a "party animal" is a positive or negative quality? Why?
Want to Practice More Idioms in Real Conversations?
Idioms are everywhere in English, and mastering them can enrich your vocabulary and help you sound more natural and confident when speaking.
Want to learn more? Then join our weekly Conversation Club where we explore all kinds of English phrases and expressions, while improving your fluency in a friendly and interactive environment.
Use the link above to book a trial lesson, or click here to find out more.
Happy Halloween everyone! 🎃
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