Stuck for words? – Non-native speaker and English idioms
APPENDIX
Table 1. The acceptability of four meaning alternatives in each participant group and the results of Fisher’s Exact Test (<0.05 is statistically significant and they have been marked in bold letters). The meaning alternatives suggested by dictionaries are given in bold letters.
| % natives accepted |
% non-natives accepted |
Fisher’s Exact test (two-sided) Fisher’s test value |
|
| 1. throw off balance | |||
| a) lose one’s money in unwise investments | 2.8 | 14.6 | 0.083 |
| b) trip or push someone so that they fall | 38.9 | 33.3 | 0.560 |
| c) make someone change their opinion | 5.6 | 5.6 | 1.000 |
| d) suddenly confuse or surprise someone | 88.9 | 93.1 | 0.484 |
| 2. pull faces | |||
| a) twist one’s face to amuse others | 75 | 32.6 | 0.000 |
| b) repeatedly cheat or deceive others | 2.8 | 48.6 | 0.000 |
| c) show dislike by twisting one’s face | 66.7 | 25.0 | 0.000 |
| d) cause dissatisfaction or annoyance | 2.8 | 33.3 | 0.000 |
| 3. on edge | |||
| a) successful and in a strong position | 0 | 6.3 | 0.208 |
| b) very nervous and unable to relax | 100 | 61.8 | 0 |
| c) always fashionable and trendy | 2.8 | 10.4 | 0.201 |
| d) in a dangerous or risky situation | 13.9 | 86.8 | 0 |
| 4. have a chip on your shoulder | |||
| a) feel guilt and shame for doing something wrong or unjust | 55.6 | 37.5 | 0.059 |
| b) feel inferior because of your background and education | 2.8 | 59.7 | 0 |
| c) unexpectedly win or inherit a very large sum of money | 0 | 2.1 | 1 |
| d) be angry because you think you have been treated unfairly | 69.4 | 13.9 | 0 |
| 5. across the board | |||
| a) being introduced for the first time | 0 | 9 | 0.074 |
| b) delegated for other people to do | 2.8 | 31.3 | 0 |
| c) affecting everyone or -thing equally | 94.4 | 41.7 | 0 |
| d) under development and planning | 0 | 21.5 | 0.001 |
| 6. be in gear | |||
| a) constantly change one’s mind | 0 | 12.5 | 0.026 |
| b) follow the latest fashion and trends | 5.6 | 29.2 | 0.002 |
| c) be in excellent working order | 61.1 | 48.6 | 0.197 |
| d) deal with something effectively | 36.1 | 59 | 0.016 |
| 7. come to a head | |||
| a) reach the most decisive stage | 97.2 | 55.6 | 0 | b) thoroughly understand something | 0 | 26.4 | 0 | c) cease to exist or stop completely | 8.3 | 22.2 | 0.063 |
| d) suddenly get a new inspiring idea | 0 | 25.7 | 0 |
| 8. bring home | |||
| a) be more successful than others in a particular situation | 11.1 | 69.4 | 0 |
| b) earn enough money to support one’s whole family | 19.4 | 16.7 | 0.805 |
| c) make someone understand the true nature of a situation | 91.7 | 34 | 0 |
| d) prove someone guilty of a crime or serious misconduct | 0 | 2.1 | 1 |
| 9. give the green light | |||
| a) permit or allow someone to carry out their plans | 100 | 97.2 | 0.585 |
| b) agree with someone’s opinions without hesitation | 5.6 | 40.3 | 0 |
| c) make someone realize the true nature of a situation | 0 | 2.8 | 1 |
| d) talk about environmental matters and for the nature | 0 | 0 | 1 |
| 10. the nooks and crannies | |||
| a) small and less accessible parts that are normally unnoticed | 97.2 | 38.9 | 0 |
| b) whims and oddities in someone’s behaviour or character | 5.6 | 25.7 | 0.007 |
| c) difficulties and obstacles which cause | 2.8 | 25.7 | 0.001 |
| d) insignificant and quite harmless rumours and gossips | 0 | 22.2 | 0 |
| 11. dip into your pocket | |||
| a) win money in pools, or lottery etc. | 0 | 11.8 | 0.026 |
| b) attempt to steal or shoplift something | 0 | 14.6 | 0.009 |
| c) spend more money than one could afford | 13.9 | 41 | 0.00 |
| d) spend or give money on something | 86.1 | 50 | 0 |
| 12. hit the road | |||
| a) pioneer a new idea | 2.8 | 13.2 | 0.083 |
| b) begin a journey | 94.4 | 68.8 | 0.001 |
| c) ask someone to leave | 19.4 | 60.4 | 0 |
| d) lose one’s way | 0 | 0.7 | 1 |
| 13. get into your stride | |||
| a) make someone behave as you want them to | 2.8 | 41 | 0 |
| b) become accustomed with a new activity | 88.9 | 29.2 | 0 |
| c) learn to do something easily and confidently | 66.7 | 43.8 | 0.016 |
| d) be looked up and respected by other people | 0 | 5.6 | 0.36 |
| 14. get the chop | |||
| a) be beaten | 8.3 | 40.3 | 0 | b) be sacked | 97.2 | 38.9 | 0 |
| c) be killed | 13.9 | 13.2 | 1 |
| d) be shocked | 0 | 15.3 | 0.009 |
| 15. speak volumes | |||
| a) talk in an unnecessary loud voice to gain attention | 2.8 | 38.2 | 0 |
| b) unable to keep anything a secret but eager to gossip | 2.8 | 34.7 | 0 |
| c) reveal a lot about something, even without speaking | 94.4 | 20.1 | 0 |
| d) be very eloquent, and used to and fond of talking | 2.8 | 37.5 | 0 |
| 16. hedge your bets | |||
| a) invest money in several businesses to protect oneself against losses | 52.8 | 36.8 | 0.09 |
| b) hesitate in expressing one’s opinion in order not to take sides | 47.2 | 36.8 | 0.259 |
| c) gamble and bet large sums of money regularly in all kinds of games | 5.6 | 11.8 | 0.373 |
| d) be unwilling and hesitant to invest money in fear of losing it all | 16.7 | 33.3 | 0.067 |
| 17. with bated breath | |||
| a) expectantly or worried | 55.6 | 22.2 | 0 |
| b) chokingly or painfully | 0 | 12.5 | 0.026 |
| c) cautiously or slowly | 22.2 | 33.3 | 0.231 |
| d) excitedly or anxiously | 61.1 | 46.5 | 0.138 |
| 18. the tip of the iceberg | |||
| a) a warning of an approaching, unavoidable danger or problem | 13.9 | 30.6 | 0.059 |
| b) very impolite and unsympathetic behaviour towards other people | 2.8 | 0.7 | 0.361 |
| c) part of a very large problem although the rest may not be obvious | 94.4 | 95.1 | 1 |
| d) an uncertain position that is difficult to maintain and take care of | 2.8 | 2.8 | 1 |
| 19. a lame duck | |||
| a) a government or authority with little real power | 16.7 | 58.3 | 0 |
| b) a person in a weak and uncertain position | 72.2 | 51.4 | 0.026 |
| c) a business company in financial difficulties | 16.7 | 18.8 | 1 |
| d) a speech inappropriate to a particular situation | 5.6 | 13.9 | 0.256 |
| 20. vote with your feet | |||
| a) have an indifferent attitude towards politics | 5.6 | 15.3 | 0.172 |
| b) indicate what you want through your actions | 63.9 | 49.3 | 0.137 |
| c) show contempt or dislike by leaving a place | 36.1 | 65.3 | 0.002 |
| d) support someone by standing by their side | 5.6 | 16 | 0.175 |
| 21. ahead of the game | |||
| a) prepared to deal with changes in a particular situation | 16.7 | 36.1 | 0.028 |
| b) ridiculing and criticizing other people behind their back | 2.8 | 0.7 | 0.361 |
| c) with better chances than others to win a competition | 19.4 | 44.4 | 0.007 |
| d) more advanced than anyone else in a particular activity | 88.9 | 77.8 | 0.166 |
| 22. keep your head down | |||
| a) act in a modest way despite one’s talents and success | 16.7 | 58.3 | 0 | b) attempt to avoid trouble by being unnoticed and quiet | 94.4 | 72.2 | 0.004 |
| c) defense oneself against unjust and harmful criticism | 8.3 | 9.7 | 1 |
| d) wait for the situation to develop before being involved | 11.1 | 43.1 | 0 |
| 23. be home and dry | |||
| a) escape a punishment for a crime | 19.4 | 48.6 | 0.001 |
| b) achieve one’s aims in a negotiation | 41.7 | 30.6 | 0.235 |
| c) neglect one’s responsibilities | 0 | 11.8 | 0.026 |
| d) succeed well in a competition | 63.9 | 32.6 | 0.001 |
| 24. smell a rat | |||
| a) suspect that something is wrong | 97.2 | 97.9 | 1 |
| b) be disgusted by something/one | 5.6 | 7.6 | 1 |
| c) report a crime to authorities | 2.8 | 1.4 | 0.49 |
| d) escape an unpleasant situation | 2.8 | 3.5 | 1 |
| 25. make noises | |||
| a) openly complain about something | 88.9 | 74.3 | 0.076 |
| b) speak in an extremely loud voice | 5.6 | 16.7 | 0.114 |
| c) advertise or support something | 22.2 | 18.1 | 0.634 |
| d) talk about something indirectly | 11.1 | 16 | 0.606 |
| 26. make a pitch | |||
| a) succeed well in a contest | 44.4 | 26.4 | 0.043 |
| b) try to obtain something | 5.6 | 19.4 | 0.048 |
| c) be in a leading position | 2.8 | 25 | 0.002 |
| d) promote something | 47.2 | 34.7 | 0.181 |
| 27. lay down the law | |||
| a) express one’s opinion with great force | 47.2 | 29.9 | 0.074 |
| b) be involved in illegal and shady activities | 0 | 30.6 | 0 |
| c) behave in impolite and immoral way | 2.8 | 20.1 | 0.011 |
| d) set down the rules for other people | 91.7 | 63.2 | 0.001 |
| 28. take up the slack | |||
| a) make a company more profitable | 13.9 | 13.2 | 1 |
| b) finish somebody else’s job | 55.6 | 50 | 0.581 |
| c) clean up a mess made by others | 50 | 64.6 | 0.127 |
| d) treat other people harshly | 0 | 8.3 | 0.128 |
| 29. pull strings | |||
| a) use influential friends or indirect pressure to achieve one’s aims | 100 | 81.3 | 0.003 |
| b) make other people nervous by one’s unsympathetic behaviour | 0 | 1.4 | 1 |
| c) cheat or deceive somebody to make them suffer or perish | 0 | 1.4 | 1 |
| d) control or manipulate other people for one’s own advantage | 38.9 | 69.4 | 0.001 |
| 30. a tower of strength | |||
| a) a person who never needs other people but is independent | 33.3 | 60.4 | 0.005 |
| b) a person who is physically in a very good condition | 8.3 | 18.8 | 0.209 |
| c) a person who is always willing to give help and support | 80.6 | 31.3 | 0 |
| d) a person who seldom gets depressed or loses his energy | 25 | 62.5 | 0 |
| 31. take an early bath | |||
| a) get used to a new situation | 2.8 | 33.3 | 0 |
| b) get into financial difficulties | 5.6 | 6.3 | 1 |
| c) leave some activity unfinished | 55.6 | 50.7 | 0.71 |
| d) go to bed unexceptionally early | 2.8 | 11.1 | 0.201 |
| Missing responses | 33.3 | 5.6 | 0 |
| 32. cook the books | |||
| a) change written records for one’s own purposes | 58.3 | 57.6 | 1 |
| b) be in the habit of telling stories and lies | 5.6 | 19.4 | 0.048 |
| c) make a mess or cause a complete chaos | 2.8 | 24.3 | 0.002 |
| d) falsify facts or figures to steal money | 66.7 | 45.1 | 0.025 |
| 33. let the cat out of the bag | |||
| a) solve a problem that has long been bothering one | 0 | 34.7 | 0 |
| b) accidentally and unintentionally reveal a secret | 97.2 | 70.1 | 0 |
| c) tell a lie about someone or spread false rumours | 0 | 6.9 | 0.215 |
| d) do a favour to someone to also profit from it oneself | 0 | 2.8 | 0.585 |
| 34. hard as nails | |||
| a) extremely stubborn and obstinate | 41.7 | 42.4 | 1 |
| b) seemingly strong but in fact weak | 2.8 | 24.3 | 0.002 |
| c) extremely tough and ruthless | 83.3 | 45.8 | 0 |
| d) in excellent physical condition | 8.3 | 4.9 | 0.421 |
| 35. end it all | |||
| a) get a job done | 8.3 | 20.1 | 0.142 |
| b) finish a relationship | 41.7 | 38.9 | 0.849 |
| c) commit suicide | 94.4 | 73.6 | 0.006 | d) retire from one’s job | 8.3 | 9 | 1 |
| 36. light a fire under someone | |||
| a) urge someone to do something | 61.1 | 68.1 | 0.436 |
| b) raise someone’s interest | 30.6 | 23.6 | 0.395 |
| c) make someone behave in a certain way | 13.9 | 21.5 | 0.36 |
| d) try hard to get rid of someone | 11.1 | 22.2 | 0.166 |
| 37. a dog’s dinner | |||
| a) a scruffy-looking homeless person | 30.6 | 7.6 | 0.001 |
| b) a meal consisting of left-overs | 5.6 | 59.7 | 0 |
| c) work that has been badly done | 61.1 | 17.4 | 0 |
| d) a chaotic and messy situation | 61.1 | 41.7 | 0.041 |
| 38. there will be merry hell to pay | |||
| a) punishment will follow | 50 | 61.1 | 0.258 |
| b) serious trouble will arise | 83.3 | 72.2 | 0.204 |
| c) financial costs will rise | 8.3 | 13.2 | 0.574 |
| d) total confusion will follow | 13.9 | 38.2 | 0.005 |
| 39. kick someone when they are down | |||
| a) criticize someone behind their back | 8.3 | 3.5 | 0.199 |
| b) tell someone to start working harder | 0 | 5.6 | 0.36 |
| c) hurt someone who is in a weak position | 100 | 88.2 | 0.026 |
| d) attack someone when they least expect it | 8.3 | 34.7 | 0.002 |
| 40. have a mountain to climb | |||
| a) have a very difficult goal to achieve | 88.9 | 96.5 | 0.08 |
| b) have no friends in a difficult situation | 2.8 | 3.5 | 1 |
| c) have an impossible task to accomplish | 38.9 | 47.2 | 0.455 |
| d) have a highly dangerous task ahead | 13.9 | 28.5 | 0.088 |
| 41. a paper tiger | |||
| a) written evidence that proves someone guilty | 5.6 | 6.9 | 1 |
| b) someone/thing harmless and not taken seriously | 16.7 | 30.6 | 0.144 |
| c) an extremely talented and skilful writer or author | 0 | 9 | 0.074 |
| d) someone/thing who is less powerful than they seem | 58.3 | 71.5 | 0.159 |
| 42. get the push | |||
| a) lose one’s job or position | 86.1 | 7.6 | 0 |
| b) find a motive to do something | 8.3 | 81.9 | 0 |
| c) be finished with a relationship | 25 | 2.1 | 0 |
| d) be bossed around by someone | 5.6 | 16 | 0.175 |
| 43. jump out of your skin | |||
| a) be suddenly very frightened or shocked | 100 | 66.7 | 0 |
| b) be involved in something out of ordinary | 0 | 13.9 | 0.015 |
| c) be thoroughly annoyed or infuriated | 0 | 29.9 | 0 |
| d) be energetic and ready to do anything | 5.6 | 21.5 | 0.029 |
| 44. in a sweat | |||
| a) anxiously | 77.8 | 47.2 | 0.001 |
| b) frightened | 38.9 | 47.9 | 0.356 |
| c) quickly | 11.1 | 30.6 | 0.02 |
| d) suddenly | 5.6 | 6.3 | 1 |
| 45. kick something into touch | |||
| a) reject or postpone something | 38.9 | 10.4 | 0 |
| b) do something illegal or immoral | 2.8 | 6.3 | 0.689 |
| c) exploit someone’s weaknesses | 2.8 | 11.8 | 0.13 |
| d) challenge someone to do something | 30.6 | 69.4 | 0 |
| Missing responses | 25 | 5.6 | 0.001 |
Kieliskooppi
October 2012