Mother’s Day & Family Idioms

Study the vocabulary list and complete the activities below.

• 1. The apple doesn't fall far from the tree Definition: A child usually has similar qualities, talents, or behaviors to their parent. Equivalent in Brazilian Portuguese: Filho de peixe, peixinho é.
  • She is a talented artist just like her mother; the apple doesn't fall far from the tree.
  • He loves cooking just like his mom. The apple doesn't fall far from the tree!
• 2. To follow in someone’s footsteps Definition: To do the same thing as someone else did before you, especially a parent. Equivalent in Brazilian Portuguese: Seguir os passos de alguém.
  • I decided to follow in my mother's footsteps and become a teacher.
  • He didn't want to follow in his father's footsteps; he wanted to be an artist.
• 3. A chip off the old block Definition: Someone who is very similar in character or appearance to one of their parents. Equivalent in Brazilian Portuguese: Escarrado e escarrado / A cara do pai/mãe.
  • Look at how he talks! He’s a chip off the old block.
  • My daughter loves books just like I do. She’s definitely a chip off the old block.
• 4. To be the spitting image of (someone) Definition: To look exactly like someone else. Equivalent in Brazilian Portuguese: Ser o "cuspido e escarrado" / Ser a imagem e semelhança.
  • You are the spitting image of your mother when she was young!
  • People often tell me I’m the spitting image of my grandmother.

ACTIVITIES

Activity 1: Definition Matching

Drag and drop the blue boxes into the correct slots. (On mobile, tap the blue box, then tap the empty space).

Follow in someone’s footsteps

The apple doesn't fall far from the tree

A chip off the old block

Spitting image of

A. To look 100% identical to a person.

B. To have the same personality or looks as a parent.

C. To choose the same profession as a parent.

D. A general way to say a child is like their parent.

Activity 2: Unscramble the Sentences

Drag the words to put them in the correct order to form a natural sentence. (On mobile, tap a word, then tap another word to swap them).

the

image

spitting

Oliver

of

is

mother.

his

footsteps.

mother's

follow

her

decided

to

in

She

fall

the

tree.

far

doesn't

from

apple

The

block.

off

is

He

chip

old

a

the

exactly

looks

like

He

mother.

his

Activity 3: Reading Comprehension

Read the dialogue and click on the correct answer for each question.

Friend: Happy Mother’s Day, Oliver! Did you buy a gift for your mom?

Oliver: Yes! I bought her a new camera. She loves photography, and I do too.

Friend: Wow, you both have the same hobbies. The apple doesn't fall far from the tree!

Oliver: True. I actually want to follow in her footsteps and become a professional photographer one day.

Friend: That's great. You know, when you hold that camera, you are the spitting image of her in her old photos!

1. What hobby do Oliver and his mother share?

A) Cooking.

B) They both love photography.

C) Painting.

2. What does Oliver want to do in the future?

A) Become a professional photographer (follow in her footsteps).

B) Buy a new camera.

C) Teach photography.

3. Why does the friend say Oliver is the "spitting image" of his mother?

A) Because he has the same personality as her.

B) Because he bought her a gift.

C) Because he looks exactly like her in her old photos when he holds the camera.