Our Puzzle Guy John Chaneski has a game for all the idiom-lovers out there. For each category, three letters match with different phrases. For example, name three things you can hold, starting with the letters C, G, and T. These are open-ended questions, so let us know if you think of more answers! This is part of a complete episode.
Transcript of “Idiom Word Game”
You’re listening to A Way with Words. I’m Martha Barnette.
And I’m Grant Barrett. And we’re joined now by our quiz guy, that man of a thousand facts, John Chaneski. Hello, John.
Hi, John.
That’s me. Hi, Martha. Hi, Grant.
What’s up, buddy?
It’s great to be back.
What is up? As you know, I do love games and game shows and puzzles. That’s why I have a little game today that’s sort of based on a game show.
Okay.
Okay.
You’re familiar with the $10,000 pyramid or the $25,000 pyramid or the $100,000 pyramid, all the pyramids?
Mm—
Yeah.
Good. This is very similar to that. I’m thinking of three things. They all have something in common, which is that they are things you break. Now, their initials are R, L, and S. Can you deliver the goods? Can you guess what these three things are that you break?
Break.
R, L, S.
You break records.
Right.
That’s the first one.
Break a leg.
Right.
And you break.
Silence.
Silence.
Ooh, nice.
That’s pretty good.
Break silence.
Sweat.
Break a sweat.
Yes, a sweat.
I have a common three-word phrase, break a sweat.
You got all three.
That’s perfect.
Now, I’m going to give you the category as if both of you are cluing into the listeners on Pyramid, but I’ll also give you the specific letters that begin the words I’m thinking of, okay?
Okay.
All right.
Let’s see how it goes.
Here we go.
Let’s try this out.
See how it works.
Here are things you make.
B, C, F.
We’re going to look for phrases that have the construction make a blank.
Okay.
So you make a friend?
Sure.
I was looking for make a face, but that’s fine.
Okay.
It’s a little more idiomatic.
Okay.
Right.
Make a change.
Okay.
I was looking for make a case, but that’s make a change is good too.
Make a change, make a case.
What about a B?
Make a baby.
That’s pretty good because I had make a bed.
Oh, okay.
You’d probably have to make the bed eventually.
And then lie in it.
Right.
As you can see, there are multiple correct answers to these.
That’s just fine in this case.
How about three things you throw?
K, P, and P.
K, P, and P.
Throw a party.
Throw a party, yes.
It’s one of mine.
Oh, we’re throwing?
Okay.
Throw a party.
Throw a…
It’s not throw a knife, is it?
No.
Something a little more…
It might be the very, very first step towards making a baby.
Throw a pass?
No.
No, I was thinking of the K.
Throw a kiss.
Throw a kiss.
Oh, hello.
That’s what we do.
All right.
And then on the other end of the spectrum, if you’re mad at someone.
Throw a.
I was looking for throw a punch.
Oh, good.
Oh, throw a punch.
Okay.
Good.
You guys are doing all right.
How about three things you hold?
C, G, T.
C, G, T.
Three things we hold.
Hold.
Hold a coat.
I’ll take it.
Hold a time?
No.
These are harder than you think.
Hold a grudge.
Hold a grudge is right.
Hold a grudge.
Hold a train.
Hold a train is pretty good, I think.
Think about unrequited love.
Hold a torch?
Hold a torch, yeah.
And hold a candle.
And hold a candle, yes.
If you don’t like them that much, hold a candle.
Hold a tiny torch.
I can do better.
Here’s the last one.
Things you raise.
Things you raise.
Raise a EOS.
EOS.
Raise a E is the first one?
Raise an E?
Yeah.
The first one is what you do if you’re skeptical.
Eyebrow.
Raise an eyebrow.
Yes, raise an eyebrow.
Second one is if you’re in court.
Raise an objection.
Yes.
And the last one is if you’re a rabble rouser.
Raise a stink.
Raise a stink is right.
Okay.
Guess what?
Are you ready?
It’s over.
You did it.
Thanks, John.
It was wonderful.
We’ll talk to you next week.
Thanks, Grant.
Thank you, John.
Bye-bye.
Bye-bye.
You know, this is a show about words and language, although sometimes you can’t tell it.
Email words@waywordradio.org.
