To be hopping mad is to be extremely angry.
Informal English.
Examples of use:
1. Mr Richards was hopping mad when a taxi crashed into his car this morning.
2. My parents were hopping mad when I broke the window.
Can you write a sentence using this expression?
What makes you hopping mad?
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To play with fire is to take an unwise risk: to do something dangerous, or something where there is the possibility of loss or failure.
You will often hear people say "If you play with fire, you will get burnt". This means: if you take a foolish risk, something bad will happen to you.
Examples of use:
1. If you argue with Mr O'Dowd you are playing with fire; he's a very powerful and influential man.
2.The government is playing with fire with their changes to the health service.
3. You are playing with fire going on a date with him. He is unreliable and can't be trusted.
Can you write a sentence with this expression?
Does someone you know play with fire?
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In the money means to have a lot of money.
Rolling in money has the same meaning.
Examples of use:
1. The postman is in the money now. He won £500,000 on the lottery last week!
2. I'm in the money – I just got a pay rise!
3. Our new neighbour must be rolling in money because he's just bought a new Ferrari.
4. No we can't give you another loan. Do you think we're rolling in money?
Do you know someone who is in the money?
Can you write a sentence below using this expression?
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To have a whale of a time is to have a very good time.
Examples of use:
1. The children are having a whale of a time playing on the beach.
2. We had a whale of a time on holiday.
3. You should come skydiving with us. You'll have a whale of a time.
Can you write a sentence using this expression?
Have you had a whale of a time recently?
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A closed book is something or somebody that is a mystery: something or somebody that you know nothing about, or don't understand.
Examples of use:
1. Our new neighbour is a closed book. Nobody knows who he is, or where he's from.
2. Global warming is a closed book to me.
3. I can't figure him out – he's a closed book.
4. Physics and chemistry were a closed book to me at school!
The expression 'it's all Greek to me' has a similar meaning.
Have you heard anybody use these expressions?
Can you make sentences with them?
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If something is not your cup of tea it is not something you enjoy or like very much.
Examples of use:
1. Bob and Sarah have invited me to a fancy-dress party, but it's not my cup of tea so I don't think I'll go.
2. Modern art is not my cup of tea.
3. Camping is not really my cup of tea – I prefer staying in a hotel.
This expression is common in British English. Have you heard anyone say it?
Image © Everett Mar