In this English vocabulary lesson, you will learn 8 idioms related to fruit.
go pear-shaped
If a situation goes pear-shaped, it goes wrong and bad things begin to happen.
The evening in the pub started off well. But it went pear-shaped when they got drunk.
Their marriage used to be very happy. But things went pear-shaped after a few years.
go bananas
“go bananas” has 2 meanings.
Meaning 1 = become very excited
The fans went bananas when the concert began.
Meaning 2 = become very angry
My manager goes bananas when I arrive late.
Bad apple
= A person with a negative influence on others.
David is lazy and hates his job. He is a bad apple.
The apple never falls far from the tree
= A child often has a similar character or similar qualities to his or her parents.
Tom enjoys playing basketball, just like his father. The apple never falls far from the tree.
John: What is your job?
Clare: I am a pilot, like my dad.
John: I see that the apple never falls far from the tree!
cherry on the cake
Something is already very good. A “cherry on the cake” makes it even better!
A “cherry on the cake” is the final touch to make something perfect.
You are visiting a house for sale and the estate agent says:
Estate agent: “The house has 4 bedrooms, a kitchen, living room and garage. But the cherry on the cake is the swimming pool.”
offer an olive branch
= do or say something to show that you want to end an argument with someone.
Yesterday, Mark and Jane had an argument. Today, Mark is giving Jane a gift to say sorry. We can say that Mark is offering an olive branch to Jane.
sour grapes
= When a person is angry and bitter and behaves badly because they have not been successful at something.
Clare: John failed his driving test. He says it was the fault of the examiner.
Sarah: That sounds like sour grapes!
Hear something on the grapevine
= hear a rumour about something.
John: I heard on the grapevine that Clare is pregnant. Is it true?
David: Yes, it’s true!
