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Idioms and metaphors – Happiness is Yellow
Sorry, but lessons on The Blue Tree work only on a computer or a tablet.
Bardzo mi przykro, ale lekcje na platformie The Blue Tree działają jedynie na komputerze lub tablecie.
Do zobaczenia na większym ekranie 🙂
Zespół The Blue Tree
Idioms and metaphors – Happiness is Yellow
THE BLUE TREE
Learn Words
CEFR B2
Upper
Intermediate
warm up
Answer the questions below. Listen to same people answering these questions. Report back or read the transcript to practise speaking.
| Share with the class a happy memory. What is it about? Why is it special for you? |
TRANSCRIPT
A happy memory for me is when I went to the beach with my family last summer. We spent the whole day swimming, playing volleyball, and having a barbecue. It was special because we don’t often have time to be together like that, and the weather was perfect. I felt really relaxed and full of joy.
| How do you define happiness? What does being happy mean to you? |
TRANSCRIPT
For me, happiness is about inner balance. I’ve learned from the Stoics that it doesn’t depend on external things like money or success. It’s more about how we respond to what happens in life. If I can stay calm and accept things I can’t control, I feel at peace. That’s what being happy means to me — it’s a state of mind, not something you get from outside.
| Is being happy the same as being successful? |
TRANSCRIPT
No, I don’t think being happy is the same as being successful. Success often depends on achievements, money, or status, but happiness is something deeper. You can have everything and still not feel happy. For me, happiness comes from feeling content and at peace with myself, while success is more about reaching goals. They’re both important, but they don’t always go together.
STUDY SECTION
Happy moments
Alita and Pete are chatting about some happy moments in their lives. Listen to and read their dialogue. Role play it, if possible.
Notice the language in bold. These are idioms and metaphors of happiness we will be learning in this lesson.
HOLIDAYS IN THE SUN
Alita: Hey Pete, do you remember that day when we went to the beach and the sun was shining so bright?
Pete: Yeah, that was a great day! I was feeling so cheerful and in a good mood.
Alita: You were definitely cheery! I remember you couldn’t stop grinning from ear to ear.
Pete: Haha, I know! I was so thrilled to be there. It really made my day.
Alita: I was feeling the same way. The whole atmosphere just raised our spirits.
Pete: I was over the moon when we found that spot under the palm trees. It was perfect.
Alita: Yeah, and when we went for a swim in the ocean, I felt so delighted.
Pete: I remember you couldn’t stop talking about it afterwards. You were happy as can be.
Alita: It was just one of those moments that you want to gloat about. I’m so glad we got to experience it together.
moving in
Alita: Pete, can you believe it? We’re finally moving into our own place!
Pete: I know, Alita! I’m absolutely over the moon about it. I’ve been grinning like a Cheshire cat all day.
Alita: Me too! When I walked through the door earlier, I felt like I was on cloud nine. This flat is everything we dreamed of!
Pete: And unpacking these boxes together—it’s strangely fun. It’s like unwrapping a gift that keeps on giving.
Alita: Totally! When we set up the sofa in the living room, I felt like the cat that got the cream. It fits perfectly.
Pete: Yeah, and the kitchen! When I saw how much storage space we have, I felt like I’d hit the jackpot.
Alita: And don’t even get me started on the view from the balcony. It’s like having a front-row seat to happiness.
Pete: Every detail just lights me up inside. I can’t wait to host our first dinner party here. It’ll be the icing on the cake.
Alita: Agreed! This flat already feels like home. I’m so happy I could burst!
Pete: Same here, Alita. Here’s to a new chapter filled with joy and plenty of good vibes.
THE FIRST BABY
Alita: Pete, can you believe it? We’re going to be parents!
Pete: I know, Alita! I’m still trying to wrap my head around it. I’m absolutely euphoric.
Alita: Me too. When the doctor confirmed it, I felt this blissful wave of joy. It’s hard to describe, but I was glowing from the inside out.
Pete: I noticed! You’ve been walking around like the happiest camper ever since.
Alita: How could I not? Just thinking about our little one makes my heart skip a beat.
Pete: Same here. I’m as happy as a clam. The idea of becoming a dad fills me with so much joy, I can’t stop smiling.
Alita: And when we picked out that tiny onesie yesterday, I felt like I was floating on air. It made everything feel so real.
Pete: I know what you mean. Seeing you so happy is like sunshine after a storm.
Alita: This journey feels so special, Pete. I’m overjoyed to share it with you.
Pete: Me too, Alita. We’re starting a beautiful chapter, and I couldn’t be more delighted about what’s ahead.
HAPPY FLASHCARDS
Go through the flashcards. Learn the idioms and metaphros of happiness.
PRACTICE
WHAT’S THE MEANING
Complete the quiz below. Choose the best answer for each of the 15 items.
If you score more than 60%, you will receive a beautiful certificate.
| Rank | User | Correct Score | Time Taken |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Norbert Burmistrzak | 100 | 00:29:32 |
| 2 | None | 86 | 00:02:48 |
| 3 | None | 86 | 00:03:24 |
| 4 | None | 86 | 00:32:47 |
| 5 | None | 80 | 00:31:08 |
| 6 | None | 80 | 00:31:15 |
| 7 | None | 80 | 00:31:25 |
| 8 | Krzysztof Sowiński | 73 | 00:10:38 |
| 9 | Krzysztof Sowiński | 73 | 00:56:06 |
FILL IN THE GAPS
Complete the sentence below with the idioms and metaphors of happiness.
If you score more than 60%, you will receive a beautiful certificate.
FREE PRACTICE
Use the language in this lesson to practise talking/writing about happy moments in your life.
Paste your story in the comments below.
LESSON GLOSSARY
| Idiom/Metaphor | Polish Translation | English Example |
|---|---|---|
| grinning from ear to ear | uśmiechać się od ucha do ucha | She was grinning from ear to ear when she got the job. |
| made my day | zrobiło mi dzień | That compliment really made my day. |
| raised our spirits | podniosło nas na duchu | The kind words raised our spirits after a tough week. |
| over the moon | w siódmym niebie | He was over the moon when he won the competition. |
| happy as can be | szczęśliwy jak nigdy | I'm happy as can be about the results! |
| pure bliss | czysta błogość | That peaceful afternoon was pure bliss. |
| walking on air | chodzić jak w chmurach | After hearing the good news, I was walking on air. |
| warms your heart | rozgrzewa serce | This story always warms your heart. |
| finding a pot of gold at the end of the rainbow | znaleźć garniec złota na końcu tęczy | Discovering that hidden café was like finding a pot of gold at the end of the rainbow. |
| on top of the world | na szczycie świata | I felt on top of the world after finishing the marathon. |
| in seventh heaven | w siódmym niebie | When I got the promotion, I was in seventh heaven. |
| a little piece of paradise | kawałek raju | That secluded beach felt like a little piece of paradise. |
| sunshine on a cloudy day | promień słońca w pochmurny dzień | Her kindness was like sunshine on a cloudy day. |
| the cherry on top | wisienka na torcie | That beautiful sunset was the cherry on top of a perfect day. |
| grinning like a Cheshire cat | uśmiechać się jak kot z Cheshire | He walked in grinning like a Cheshire cat. |
| on cloud nine | w siódmym niebie | I was on cloud nine after the surprise party. |
| the cat that got the cream | jak kot, który zjadł śmietanę | She looked like the cat that got the cream after solving the puzzle. |
| hit the jackpot | trafić w dziesiątkę | Winning that contest felt like hitting the jackpot. |
| front-row seat to happiness | miejsce w pierwszym rzędzie do szczęścia | The balcony view gives you a front-row seat to happiness. |
| lights me up inside | rozświetla mnie od środka | Her smile lights me up inside every time. |
| the icing on the cake | wisienka na torcie | The successful launch was the icing on the cake. |
| so happy I could burst | tak szczęśliwy, że aż pęknę | I was so happy I could burst when I heard the news. |
| euphoric | euforyczny | He felt euphoric after the birth of his daughter. |
| blissful | błogi | She was blissful as she listened to her favorite song. |
| happy camper | szczęśliwiec | He's a happy camper with his new promotion. |
| glowing from the inside out | promienieć od środka | She was glowing from the inside out after her big win. |
| as happy as a clam | szczęśliwy jak małża | They looked as happy as a clam in their new house. |
| floating on air | unosić się w powietrzu | Floating on air, she celebrated her success. |
| sunshine after a storm | słońce po burzy | His words were like sunshine after a storm. |
| overjoyed | przepełniony radością | I'm overjoyed to hear about your achievement. |
| Idiom/Metaphor | Polish Translation | English Example |
Try something new for 30 days by Matt Cutts
Sorry, but lessons on The Blue Tree work only on a computer or a tablet.
Bardzo mi przykro, ale lekcje na platformie The Blue Tree działają jedynie na komputerze lub tablecie.
Do zobaczenia na większym ekranie 🙂
Zespół The Blue Tree
back to HOME > Personal Development > Personal Productivity >
Try something new for 30 days by Matt Cutts
THE BLUE TREE
Personal
Productivity
CEFR B1
Intermediate
warm up
Answer the questions below. Listen to same people answering these questions. Report back or read the transcript to practise speaking.
| What has been the most difficult thing or skill you have ever mastered? |
TRANSCRIPT
Learning to play the guitar was the hardest skill I have ever learned. At first, my fingers hurt and nothing sounded right. I practiced for 30 minutes every day, even when it was frustrating. After a few months, I could play simple songs. This experience taught me patience and showed me how important regular practice is.
| What do you think about setting yourself personal and professional goals? |
TRANSCRIPT
I believe setting personal and professional goals is important for growth. Goals give direction and motivation. I like setting small, realistic goals that lead to bigger results. For example, I wanted to improve my public speaking, so I practiced regularly. At work, goals help me focus and track progress. Without goals, it’s easy to fall into an unproductive routine.
| People often abandon their New Year’s Resolutions. Why do you think that is? |
TRANSCRIPT
“I think people often abandon their New Year’s resolutions because they set goals that are too ambitious or vague. For example, instead of saying, ‘I want to get fit,’ it’s better to set a specific and realistic goal like, ‘I’ll exercise three times a week for 30 minutes.’ Another reason is that they don’t plan for obstacles. Life can get busy, and if there’s no backup plan, it’s easy to give up. Lastly, people sometimes lose motivation because they expect quick results. Change takes time, and staying consistent is key.”
part one
KEY LANGUAGE
Go through the flashcards below. Make sure you understand all the words and expressions.
VIDEO
Watch the first part of the video.
COMPREHENSION
Answer these questions. Refer to the information from the video.
- ⌚ 0:20 How did Matt Cutts feel a few years ago?
- ⌚ 0:26 Who inspired Matt Cutts to set himself challenges?
- ⌚ 0:36 What is the idea of a 30-day challenge about?
- ⌚ 0:43 Why is a 30-day period of time good for such challenges?
- ⌚ 0:45 What are some examples of habits we can add or subtract?
part two
KEY LANGUAGE
Go through the flashcards below. Make sure you understand all the words and expressions.
VIDEO
Watch the second part of the video.
COMPREHENSION
Answer these questions. Refer to the information from the video.
- ⌚ 0:56 What is the first benefit of doing 30-day challenges?
- ⌚ 1:05 What does Matt remember about the picture with trees?
- ⌚ 1:12 What was the second advantage of doing harder challenges?
- ⌚ 1:17 How did Matt describe himself from the time before the challenges?
- ⌚ 1:28 What does Matt consider his most adventurous act?
- ⌚ 1:38 What did he figure out as regards these challenges?
part three
KEY LANGUAGE
Go through the flashcards below. Make sure you understand all the words and expressions.
VIDEO
Watch the third part of the video.
COMPREHENSION
Answer these questions. Refer to the information from the video.
- ⌚ 1:49 What do many people do in November?
- ⌚ 1:57 How many words does a person need to write a day to complete the challenge?
- ⌚ 2:03 What’s the secret of completing this challenge?
- ⌚ 2:16 What does Matt think about his book?
- ⌚ 2:31 How can Matt introduce himself from now on?
part four
KEY LANGUAGE
Go through the flashcards below. Make sure you understand all the words and expressions.
VIDEO
Watch the last part of the video.
COMPREHENSION
Answer these questions. Refer to the information from the video.
- ⌚ 2:41 Which challenges are more likely to stick?
- ⌚ 2:47 What does he think about the big, crazy challenges?
- ⌚ 2:56 What happened when he finished his “no sugar” challenge?
- ⌚ 3:03 What question does he ask the audience?
POLL
Cast your vote in the poll.
DISCUSSION
WHAT WAS YOUR 30-DAY CHALLENGE
Alita, Pete and Kat are chatting about their 30-day challenges.
Read (role-play) their dialogue.
Alita: “I just loved Matt’s talk! It reminded me of when I did that 30-day photography challenge. I took a picture of something new every day, and honestly, it was such a game-changer. I started noticing beauty in the smallest things!”
Pete: “That sounds awesome! I remember doing a 30-day fitness challenge. I did push-ups every day. At first, I could barely do ten, but by the end, I was smashing out thirty like it was nothing. It felt so good to see the progress.”
Kat: “You two are so productive! My 30-day challenge was more… well, indulgent. I baked something new every day—cakes, cookies, even bread. It brought me so much joy, and my friends loved it too. Though I think I gained a few pounds!”
Alita: laughing “That’s the best kind of challenge—everyone wins! Honestly, it’s so cool how these little things can make such a big impact.”
Pete: “Totally. It’s like you’re proving to yourself that you can do anything if you just take it one day at a time.”
Kat: “Exactly! Plus, it makes life way more fun. I mean, every day felt like an adventure.”
Alita: “We should do another one together! Any ideas?”
Pete: “How about a 30-day gratitude journal? Write down one thing we’re thankful for each day. Simple, but I bet it’ll feel amazing.”
Kat: “I’m in! And maybe I’ll bake something to celebrate at the end of it!”
Alita: “Deal! Let’s start tomorrow. Here’s to another 30 days of fun and happiness!”
OVER TO YOU
Discuss the questions below. Refer to the information from the lesson and your own experience.
 | What is something new you would like to try for 30 days? Why? |
| Have you ever done a challenge or set a goal for yourself? How did it go? |
| What do you think is the most difficult part of trying a 30-day challenge? |
| How can small changes, like those in a 30-day challenge, make a big difference in life? |
| If you could challenge your friends to try something with you for 30 days, what would it be? Why? |
lesson glossary
COMMENTS
Share your views and experience here.
COMMENTS