Exercise

1. If people get on like a house on fire, they:

a) argue and fight with each other all the time

b) have a very good, friendly relationship

c) are in danger

 

2) This expression is:

a) positive

b) negative

Answers

1. b

2. a

Read

You’re listening to British Council’s English Online and I’m Nina. Today on Language Snacks we take a look at the expression get on like a house on fire. Let’s listen to the dialogue.

A: Hi, how's it going with your new boyfriend?

B: Daniel? Oh, great. He met my parents for the first time yesterday actually.

A: Oh really? I bet you were nervous about that. What happened?

B: Well, they all got on like a house on fire!

A: Really?

B: Yes! Daniel and dad were talking about football for hours! And my mum kept laughing at all of Daniel's jokes!

Although we can sometimes guess the meaning of a new English expression, other times we have to be a bit careful. The expression get on like a house on fire, for example, sounds like it might be negative as most of us associate fire and burning with danger and destruction. However, some students are surprised to learn that if you get on like a house on fire, you actually have a very close and good relationship with someone.

And that’s it for now – join us again for some more Language Snacks.

You’ve been listening to English Online – the podcast for English learners in China.