Singing from the same hymn sheet

This is a rather irritating metaphor often used in companies to mean that everybody is pulling in the same direction and working towards the same goals.

Actions and intentions are unified.

Noble aims and put to good use here. This video also shows how the internet is offering new ways of communicating and being creative.

These people are virtually singing from the same hymn sheet.

Bob's your uncle

Do you have an uncle called Bob?

No? Don't worry, you can still have an experience called 'Bob's you're uncle.'

It's used to describe something that's simple and can be achieved easily.

e.g. boiling an egg couldn't be easier - pop it into a pan of boiling water, let it boil for 3 -5 minutes, take it out and Bob's your uncle! A delicious boiled egg!

Strange but true.

Here's one of my favourite Bobs; a character from the fast moving, cynical, New York comedy called Becker.

Bob's a fast talking opportunitist. Here he's waiting in Doctor Becker's apartment when he gets involved in a case of mistaken identity.

It couldn't be easier, just watch the video and Bob's your uncle!

Goody two shoes

And now for one our stranger idioms.

Are you a goody two shoes?

Probably not, if you are one of my students!

Goody two shoes always do their homework and go to bed at a sensible time. They don't smoke, don't drink - they are just perfect people and usually annoying!

Here's a song of the same name by the post punk Adam Ant. He was very pretty but sadly for him, he lost his hair, his looks and had a nervous breakdown - I know the feeling!

All ears

Yeah, go ahead; I'm all ears!

I don't mean that I've grown lots of extra ears but that I'm listening with great interest.

Here's an interesting, if pretty freaky, video all about ear gauges, which I have to admit, was new to me.

The grass is always greener

Where?

On the other side of the fence, of course!

This idiom, that means that things always look better somewhere else, is also a cliche.

That's something that's an overused phrase.

Here's a very interesting piece on cliches.

A labour of love

Labour is hard work.

You can labour over something.

A labour of love is something that is hard work but brings a lot of satisfaction.

'Rebuilding his classic car was a labour of love.'

However, there's another meaning of labour, also relating to hard work.

When women are about to have a baby, they 'go into labour.'

Here's the beginning of a French comedy film called Taxi which combines a man who loves his work with a lady in labour.

Fasten your seat belt first!

Arty-farty

Are you arty-farty?

Well you know about arty - the adjective of art but how about farty?

Well, if you'll excuse me, it's a noise and smell made from the lower part of the body which is highly amusing to small boys!

Therefore, to call someone arty-farty is a pejorative term.

It means arty but in a pretentious way. Generally, there can be few more pretentious people than art critics.

Here is a delicious speech about the art critic read by Peter O'Toole from the beautiful Ratatouille film. I don't care if it's pretentious, I love it!

Head in the clouds

Have you got your head in the clouds?

Maybe, if you are dreamer, you have. Some people might describe you as unrealistic; an idealist or romantic.

What if you are?

Who cares?

Such dreams were good enough for the great Edgar Alan Poe.

Like this:

Chasing your tail

Grrr! Lately, I've been rushed of my feet.

I haven't even had time to blog.

It's like I've been working very hard and just chasing my tail.

Like this!