17.12.2019 (*)

(To) Look like a million dollars/bucks

Wouldn’t it be great if we really could look like a million dollars? We’d be rich, but that’s not the case. If someone tells you that you look like a million bucks, you should take it as a huge compliment because it means you look absolutely fabulous and really attractive.

While sometimes we use this English idiom for guys, it’s more commonly used to compliment females. And while some of your female friends may look beautiful every day, you should save this English idiom for when they’ve really made an effort and it’s a special occasion, like prom or a wedding.

“Wow, Mary, you look like a million dollars/bucks this evening. I love your dress!”

17. (To) Cut to the chase

When somebody tells you to cut to the chase it means that you’ve been talking too long and haven’t gotten to the point. When a person uses this idiom, they are telling you to hurry up and get the important part, without all the details. Be careful how you use this idiom, because if used while talking to someone like a college professor or your boss, it’s rude and disrespectful.

If you’re speaking to a group of people, like your employees, and say I’m going to cut to the chase, it means that there are a few things that need to be said but there’s very little time, so you’ll skip to the important parts so everyone understands.

“Hi guys, as we don’t have much time here, so I’m going to cut to the chase. We’ve been having some major problems in the office lately.”

03.12.2019

(To) Blow off steam

In reality a person cannot blow off steam (the hot rising air from boiling water) — only electrical equipment can, such as the electric jug (appliance for boiling water for coffee). So what does it mean when a person blows off steam?

If you’re feeling angry, stressed or are experiencing some strong feelings and you want to get rid of them so you feel better again, you will blow off steam by doing something such as exercise to get rid of the stress.

“Why is Nick so angry and where did he go?”

“He had a fight with his brother, so he went for a run to blow off his steam.”

25,11,2019

(To be) Under the weather

Can you be under the weather literally? Probably yes, if you think about standing under the clouds, rain and sun, but it makes no sense. If you’re feeling under the weather, you’re not your usual self and could be feeling a little sick. The sick feeling is nothing serious; perhaps it’s just extreme tiredness from studying too much, or having a bad headache because you’re starting to get the flu.

“What’s wrong with Katy, mom?”

“She’s feeling a little under the weather so be quiet and let her rest.”

https://www.englishpage.com/gerunds/gerunds_infinitives_17.htm

14.11.2019 *

Wish + (that) + past simple:
We can use 'wish' to talk about something that we would like to be different in the present or the future. It's used for things which are impossible or very unlikely.

• I wish that I had a big house (I don't have a big house, but it's a nice idea!).
• I wish that we didn't need to work today (we do need to work today, unfortunately).
• I wish that you lived close by (you don't live close by).
• I wish that John wasn't busy tomorrow* (he is busy, unfortunately).

(*In formal writing, you will see 'were' instead of 'was' after wish. This is correct, but it's also fine to use 'was', in the same way as with the second conditional.

• 'I wish I were rich' or 'I wish I was rich'.)

https://www.perfect-english-grammar.com/wish-exercise-1.html

Rule of thumb

Can thumbs rule or can you literally rule a thumb? If you think about it logically, it means absolutely nothing and makes no sense. However, if you hear someone say as a rule of thumb, they mean that it’s a general unwritten rule for whatever they’re talking about.

These rules of thumb are not based on science or research, and are instead just a general principle. For example, there’s no written scientific rule that you must add oil to boiling water when cooking pasta, but it’s a rule of thumb and is practiced by most people so the pasta won’t stick to the bottom of the pan.

“As a rule of thumb you should always pay for your date’s dinner.”

“Why? There’s no rule stating that!”

“Yes, but it’s what all gentlemen do.”

https://www.englishpage.com/gerunds/gerunds_infinitives_16.htm

05.11.2019 *

https://busyteacher.org/1895-i-wish-exercises.html

https://www.englishpage.com/gerunds/gerunds_infinitives_16.htm

(To) Ring a bell

If we look at the literal meaning of ring a bell, it’s just that: You could be ringing the school bell to tell students it’s time to go to class or ringing someone’s doorbell.

But the idiom means that somebody has mentioned something that sounds familiar to you, perhaps you’ve heard it before. In other words, when someone says something that you believe you’ve heard in the past, alarm bells start ringing and you try to remember how or why that name or place sounds familiar.

“You’ve met my friend Amy Adams, right?”

“Hmmm, I’m not sure, but that name rings a bell. Was she the one who went to Paris last year?”

Сегодня в Киеве все чаще можно увидеть привычные маршрутные автобусы с низким уровнем пола в задней части, широкими дверьми и откидными пандусами (folding ramp). 

Все это – обязательное требование правил по перевозке приоритетных категорий граждан. Однако в таких машинах могут с комфортом ехать не только люди с ограниченными возможностями, но и, например, велосипедисты. Недавно на маршрутных автобусах №575, курсирующих от улиц Терещенковской до Сырецкой и обратно, появилось изображение велосипеда, что говорит о том, что в них можно перевозить эти двухколесные транспортные средства

29.10.2019

https://www.englishpage.com/gerunds/gerunds_infinitives_15.htm

1. Debbie urged   them to visitvisitingvisiting / them to visit the Eiffel Tower while they were in Paris.

2. I remember   getting / him to gethim to getgetting up at 4:30 AM to make it to work on time.

3. The math teacher doesn't allow   using / us to useus to useusing calculators.

4. Sallie wanted   staying / us to stayus to staystaying longer, but I was so tired that we had to leave.

5. The Japanese teacher encouraged   speakingspeaking / the students to speakthe students to speak in class.

6. The consultant advised   them to reducereducing / them to reducereducing costs.

7. I need   you to helphelping / you to helphelping me move the table.

8. The zoo keeper permitted   touchingus to touchtouching / us to touch the snake.

9. Do you mind   waitingwaiting / me to waitme to wait a few more minutes?

10. The hiking course requires   camping / us to campus to campcamping in the snow

(To be) On the ball

If you look at this English idiom literally, it means to be either standing or sitting on a ball — but who would do that?

If you’re on the ball it means that you’re very quick to understand certain things, very prepared for something or react quickly (and correctly) to a situation.

For example, if you’re planning your wedding that is still one year away from now and you’ve almost finished with all the planning already, you’re definitely on the ball because not many people are that prepared!

“Wow, you’ve already finished your assignments? They are not due until next week, you’re really on the ball. I wish I could be more organized.”

https://www.ego4u.com/en/cram-up/grammar/adjectives-adverbs/adjectives/exercises?02

Сегодня в Киеве все чаще можно увидеть привычные маршрутные автобусы с низким уровнем пола в задней части, широкими дверьми и откидными пандусами. Все это – обязательное требование правил ЕЭК ООН 107 по перевозке приоритетных категорий граждан. Однако в таких машинах могут с комфортом ехать не только люди с ограниченными возможностями, но и, например, велосипедисты. Недавно на маршрутных автобусах №575, курсирующих от улиц Терещенковской до Сырецкой и обратно, появилось изображение велосипеда, что говорит о том, что в них можно перевозить эти двухколесные транспортные средства, сообщает

24,10,2019

(To) Face the music

In literal terms facing the music means to turn your body to the direction of the music and stand in front of it. But if your friend or your parents tell you to face the music, there’s a much harsher meaning.

It means to “face reality” or to deal with the reality of the situation and accept all the consequences good or bad (but mostly bad). Perhaps you’ve been avoiding something because you feel unsure or scared of the outcome. Maybe you lied to your teacher and she discovered the truth and now you have to face the music and accept the punishment.

“I can’t understand why I failed math.”

“You know you didn’t study hard, so you’re going to have to face the music and take the class again next semester if you really want to graduate when you do.”

4,22

15,10,2019 (1120)

(To) Go cold turkey

Sound weird? Well, you’re right, it does, how can anyone literally go cold turkey? A person can’t transform into the bird we all love to eat for celebrations such as Christmas and Thanksgiving.

The origins of this English idiom are strange and to go cold turkey means to suddenly quit or stop addictive or dangerous behavior such as smoking or drinking alcohol.

This English idiom is said to have originated in the late 20th century and suggests that a person who suddenly quits something addictive — such as drugs or alcohol — suffers from side effects that look like a cold, uncooked turkey. This includes pale (very white) skin and goosebumps (little small bumps on the skin when we’re cold or sick).

“Shall I get your mom a glass of wine?”

“No, she’s stopped drinking?”

“Really, why?”

“I don’t know. A few months ago, she just announced one day she’s quitting drinking.”

“She just quit cold turkey?”

“Yes, just like that!”

01,10,2019

(To) Sit tight

To sit tight is a strange English idiom and it literally means that you sit down squeezing your body in a tight way, which if you did it would be very uncomfortable, not to mention you’ll look really strange.

But if a person tells you to sit tight they want you to wait patiently and take no action until you hear otherwise.

“Mrs. Carter, do you have any idea when the exam results are going to come out?”

“Who knows Johnny, sometimes they come out quickly but it could take some time. You’re just going to have to sit tight and wait.”

8. (To) Pitch in

This English idiom actually makes no sense if you try to take it literally. However, figuratively speaking it means to contribute (give) to something or someone or to join in.

So if your dad tells the family that he wants everyone to pitch in this weekend and help clear the backyard, it means he wants everyone to join in on the efforts to clear the yard and get things done quicker.

“What are you going to buy Sally for her birthday?”

“I don’t know I don’t have much money.”

“Maybe we can all pitch in and buy her something great.”

The above conversation suggests that every one of Sally’s friends should contribute a little bit of money so they can afford to buy her a bigger and better present together.

http://cambridgeenglishonline.com/Grammar_Gremlins/

https://www.englishpage.com/gerunds/gerunds_infinitives_9.htm

https://www.youtube.com/watchtime_continue=150&v=Qeo6Uc5HvZE

24.09.2019 (1120)

https://www.englishpage.com/gerunds/gerunds_infinitives_8.htm

(To) Lose your touch

Literally this means to no longer have the ability to touch or feel with your fingers or hands. But to lose your touch actually means that you lose your ability or talent you once had when dealing with things, people or situations.

We use this when you’re usually good at a certain skill or talent, but then things start to go wrong.

“I don’t understand why none of the girls here want to speak to me.”

“It looks like you’ve lost your touch with the ladies.”

“Oh no, they used to love me, what happened?”

17.09.2019

https://www.englishpage.com/gerunds/gerunds_infinitives_7.htm

10,09,2019 (1120)

All she wanted was a few moments on her own.	some, a small number
She had few moments on her own.	not many/almost none
She saves a little money every month.	some, a small amount
They had little money to spend.	not much/almost nothing
A: Have you got any money? B: Yes, a little.	some, a small amount
A: Have you got any money? B: No, very little.	not much/almost nothing

https://www.englishpage.com/articles/articles_14.htm

(To be) Up in the air

When we literally think about something up in the air, we have the idea that something’s floating or flying in the sky, perhaps an airplane or a balloon. But really if someone tells you that things are up in the air it means that these things are uncertain or unsure; definite plans have not been made yet.

“Jen have you set a date for the wedding yet?”

“Not exactly, things are still up in the air and we’re not sure if our families can make it on the day we wanted. Hopefully we’ll know soon and we’ll let you know as soon as possible.”

5. (To) Stab someone in the back

If we take this idiom literally we could find ourselves in a whole lot of trouble with the police, as it would mean taking a knife or another sharp object and putting into a person’s back.

However, as an idiom to stab someone in the back means to hurt someone who was close to us and trusted us by betraying them secretly and breaking their trust. We call the person who does this a back stabber.

“Did you hear that Sarah stabbed Kate in the back last week?”

“No! I thought they were best friends, what did she do?”

“She told their boss that Kate wasn’t interested in a promotion at work and Sarah got it instead.”

“Wow, that’s the ultimate betrayal! No wonder they’re not friends anymore.”