English grammar
Idioms of protest
Talk about protest and resistance with everyday idioms.
From the scene To hit the roof
In short
Protest idioms: hit the roof, fed up to the back teeth, won't give in, tooth and nail, face up to.
Your turn
Which one goes with fed up to the back teeth (with)?
Options: fed up to the back teeth with all the offers · Doña Elena hit the roof · she won't give in
Show answer
fed up to the back teeth (with) → fed up to the back teeth with all the offers
How it works
Hit the roof = to get furious. Fed up to the back teeth (with) = completely fed up (with).
Good to know
Won't give in = won't back down, whatever happens. Defend someone tooth and nail = defend them fiercely, with everything you've got.
Good to know
Face up to something / show your face = deal with something in person, don't hide from it.
hit the roof (get furious) Doña Elena hit the roof
Tomás
Did you hear? Doña Elena hit the roof.
¿Ya supiste? Doña Elena puso el grito en el cielo.
Your turn
What fills the gap?
Did you hear? (blank).
Options: Fed up to the back teeth with all the offers · She won't give in · Doña Elena hit the roof
Show answer
Tomás
Did you hear? Doña Elena hit the roof.
¿Ya supiste? Doña Elena puso el grito en el cielo.
fed up to the back teeth (with) fed up to the back teeth with all the offers
Nuria
No wonder. She's fed up to the back teeth with all the offers.
Normal. Está hasta las narices de tanta oferta.
Your turn
What fills the gap?
No wonder. She's (blank).
Options: she won't give in · fed up to the back teeth with all the offers · Doña Elena hit the roof
Show answer
Nuria
No wonder. She's fed up to the back teeth with all the offers.
Normal. Está hasta las narices de tanta oferta.
won't give in she won't give in
Tomás
And she won't give in. She says nobody's getting her out of here.
Y no da su brazo a torcer. Dice que de aquí no la saca nadie.
Your turn
What fills the gap?
And (blank). She says nobody's getting her out of here.
Options: she won't give in · Doña Elena hit the roof · fed up to the back teeth with all the offers
Show answer
Tomás
And she won't give in. She says nobody's getting her out of here.
Y no da su brazo a torcer. Dice que de aquí no la saca nadie.
defend someone tooth and nail Doña Elena defends us tooth and nail
Tomás
Doña Elena defends us tooth and nail. And you?
Doña Elena nos defiende a capa y espada. ¿Y usted?
Your turn
What fills the gap?
(blank). And you?
Options: Doña Elena hit the roof · Fed up to the back teeth with all the offers · Doña Elena defends us tooth and nail
Show answer
Tomás
Doña Elena defends us tooth and nail. And you?
Doña Elena nos defiende a capa y espada. ¿Y usted?
face up to something / show your face the neighbours need you to face up to this
Tomás
Don Ramón, the neighbours need you to face up to this.
Don Ramón, los vecinos necesitan que usted dé la cara.
Your turn
What fills the gap?
Don Ramón, (blank).
Options: the neighbours need you to face up to this · Doña Elena hit the roof · fed up to the back teeth with all the offers
Show answer
Tomás
Don Ramón, the neighbours need you to face up to this.
Don Ramón, los vecinos necesitan que usted dé la cara.
Practise it in the story
Meet this rule inside a short animated scene. Answer as it plays, then say the lines yourself.
Practise free in the appSee all forms
| hit the roof (get furious) | Doña Elena hit the roof |
|---|---|
| fed up to the back teeth (with) | fed up to the back teeth with all the offers |
| won't give in | she won't give in |
| defend someone tooth and nail | Doña Elena defends us tooth and nail |
| face up to something / show your face | the neighbours need you to face up to this |
More lines from the story
- RamónShow my face? I show my face every day. Look at it.¿Dar la cara? Yo doy la cara todos los días. Mírala.