English idioms with the noun world in their structure

—   Hello, our dear friends! My name is James Wilson.

—   And my name is Martin Green.

—   Our friend Nathaniel Fleming is also with us today.

—   Welcome to our lesson!

—   Today we would like to show you one picture.

—   What do you think of when you look at it?

—   I’m sure you will say that this picture is related to the noun “world”.

—   And this is the right answer!

So, today in the lesson we will:

·        talk about English idioms with the noun “world” in their structure;

And

·        put the knowledge into practice.

—   First of all, we would like to remind you that the noun “world” can be described as “the Earth and all the people, places and things on it”.

—   Nathaniel has told you about its primary meaning.

—   But you need to know that there are some idioms with the noun “world”, where this word has different meanings.

—   Let’s talk about them.

The first idiom is “to have the world at your feet”.

It means “to be extremely successful and admired by a large number of people, to have a lot of opportunities to do interesting and exciting things”.

Let’s look at the example:

—   Michael, you are such a talented actor! I’m so proud that you are my best friend.

—   Johnny, I’m so pleased to hear that, but I’m just an ordinary person.

—   Oh, come on, Michael! You have the world at your feet. Don’t be so modest.

—   Johnny, you are such a good friend! You always praise me and say good words to me. You are the best!

The following idiom is “to see the world”.

It means “to travel to many different cities, countries or regions around the world”.

Let’s look at the following example:

—   Hunter, look at the sky, there is a falling star! Do you see it?

—   Yes, I do. We need to make a wish. I want… Um… Let me think. I want to buy a beautiful house for my wife. Kyle, what about you? Do you have a dream?

—   Oh, Hunter, of course I do. It has always been my dream to see the world.

—   Great! I hope our wishes will come true.

—   Hunter, don't even doubt, they will! The only thing we need to do is to believe!

The third idiom is “to be worlds apart”.

It means “to be completely different from each other”.

Look at the example:

—   Tyler, I know that you and Alex used to be best friends, but not anymore. What happened between you two?

—   Well… To tell the truth, nothing has happened between us. The whole problem is that his lifestyle and mine are worlds apart. The relationship between you and me is different.

—   Yes, that’s true. We have lots in common. Tyler, just so you know… I will always be there for you if you need me.

—   Thank you, Liam. I really appreciate that!

Now let’s talk about such idiom as “to think that the world is your oyster.

The meaning of this phrase is “to think that you can go wherever you want or to do anything you want”.

Let’s look at the example:

—   Dad, I’m 20 years old and I don’t know what to do with my life.

—   Oh, come on, Bobby! You are so young and healthy, and you have no commitments –

the world is your oyster.

—   Well… I’m not sure! Do you really think so?

—   Bobby, of course, I do! Just do what you want and enjoy your life.

The fifth idiom is “to do somebody a world of good”.

It means “to make someone feel much healthier or happier”.

Let’s look at the following example:

—   Hey, Veronica. How was your week?

—   Well, Mark, it was fine. I had a week away in the sun and it's done me the world of good.

—   Oh, I’m so happy for you. By the way, you look so fresh and beautiful.

—   Oh, Mark, thank you so much for such kind words.

The following idiom is “to mean the world to somebody”.

The meaning of this phrase is “to be very important to somebody or to be truly loved by somebody”.

Pay attention!

We can use this idiom only in the informal speech.

Look at the example:

—   Oh my God, Bryan, what is it?

—   Wendy, it’s a ring. Will you marry me, my love?

—   Bryan, it’s so sudden. I don’t know what to say.

—   Wendy, just say “yes”! You know that you mean the world to me. I love you with all of my heart.

—   Oh, Bryan, I’m so pleased to hear that! You mean the world to me too. My answer is “yes”.

—   Hooray! I’m so happy!

The seventh idiom is “to be dead to the world”.

It means “to be sleeping very soundly”.

Let’s look at the following example:

—   Mum, what should I do? Dad is sleeping now, and I need to vacuum the floor, because my guests will come soon.

—   Oh, Kelly, don’t worry. The vacuum cleaner won’t wake him up. He is dead to the world.

—   Oh, okay. Great!

And the last idiom is “to set the world on fire”.

The meaning of this phrase is “to do wonderful or exciting things that cause a great and remarkable sensation in the world or to become extremely popular and famous”.

Pay attention!

This idiom, also can be used in the informal speech.

Let’s look at the following example:

—   Peter, do you have any ideas what will happen to Jennifer in the future? I’m sure she will become a star and forget about us!

—   Well, Kyle… I think that you’re wrong. Jennifer is a wonderful actor, but she’s not going to set the world on fire.

—   Do you really think that in the future she will be as good as she is now?

—   Yes, I do. I’m almost 100% sure about that.

—   All right! We’ll see.

—   We’ve told you about English idioms with the noun “world” in their structure.

—   Now Martin, James and I would like to check your knowledge.

Your task is to paraphrase the sentences using the idioms with the noun “world”.

The first sentence is “When Megan became a famous artist and began to appear on television, the girl decided that she was a star.”

Let’s check the right answer.

When Megan became a famous artist and began to appear on television, the girl decided that the world was at her feet.

The second sentence is “By the time Alison was 50 years old the woman had already been to many different places all over the world.”

Check yourselves.

By the time Alison was 50 years old the woman had already seen the world.

The following sentence is “Kate really loves her younger brother Steve and his opinion is very important to her.”

Let’s check.

Kate really loves her younger brother Steve and his opinion means the world to her.

The fourth sentence is “My aunt is a wonderful and smart woman, but I’m sure that she won’t be able to do anything remarkable one day. She is just too shy for that!”

Check yourselves.

My aunt is a wonderful and smart woman, but I’m sure that she won’t be able to set the world on fire one day. She is just too shy for that!

The following sentence is “Larry should go on a trip to Georgia for three weeks. He will swim in the sea and this must improve his health.”

Let’s check the right answer.

Larry should go on a trip to Georgia for three weeks. He will swim in the sea and this will do him a world of good.

The sixth sentence is “Sandy and Elizabeth look very much alike, but all their friends know that the girls have so little in common.”

Check yourselves.

Sandy and Elizabeth look very much alike, but all their friends know that the girls are worlds apart.

The following sentence is “Felix was working all night, so now he is sleeping so soundly. Nothing can wake him up!”

Let’s check the right answer.

Felix was working all night, so now he is dead to the world. Nothing can wake him up!

And the last sentence is “William fell in love with Hillary and now the man thinks that he can do anything.”

Let’s check.

William fell in love with Hillary and now the man thinks that the world is his oyster.”

—   Guys, today we have learnt English idioms with the noun “world” in their structure.

—   We hope these phrases will help you to make your speech more interesting and beautiful.

—   That’s all for today, our dear friends.

—   See you soon, boys and girls.