Coping with Creativity

Idiomatic expressions are unique for a a language. One cannot translate idioms word for word into another language. As a teacher I have found many of my students giving more creative meanings for idioms, through their usage, in their essays.  Use of idioms greatly enlivens one’s style of writing and make it more interesting and entertaining, say renowned authors. Though the students have made wrong, literal usages, I have to appreciate their creativity. You too would, if you go through them.

1. Throw out the baby with the bathwater (right situation: too enthusiastic in changes that the essential is destroyed)
   By the student: He threw out the baby with the bathwater but it held on to the tub and gave him a kick.
2.  Armed to the teeth (carrying all the equipment for a struggle)
   Student: He went armed to his teeth, because they were false, and had cost him a lot.
3. A skeleton in the cupboard (a closely-held secret concerning a hidden cause of shame)
   Student: When he opened the door, a skeleton in the cupboard laughed at him.
4. Cut someone down to size (reduce someone’s sense of self importance)
   Student: The giant cut him down to size before eating.
5. Jump out of one’s skin (to get great fright or shock)
   Student: The frog jumped out of its skin and became a princess.
6. A queer fish ( person of strange habits)
   Student: The fisherman caught a queer fish which had webbed feet.
7. Lose one’s nerve (get frightened and not proceed with an action)
   Student: He lost a nerve in the eye and became blind.
8. Have one foot in the grave (to be not far from death)
   Student: He had one foot in the grave and looked at the ghost straight in the eye.
9. Keep one’s nose clean (to keep out of trouble by not behaving badly or dishonestly)
   Student: Keep your nose clean and you will not catch cold.
10. Know one’s onions (to know one’s job)
    Student: Both bought onions, but he knew his onions because they were small.

The students keep giving me a great, if not reading experience, a taste of their creativity everytime they write, and I never get satiated.