Ha ha - I've thought of a new cunning plan; a test to check your learning.
Complete the sentences below using recently published idioms. (answers will be published in the next blog)
1)When the singer's hits from the 80's were re-released, he had an ___________ _________ in his career.
2) That building's so ugly; it's a real ________________ !
3) My cousin from Australia turned up unexpectedly and completely ___ __ ___ ______ .
4) That guy's so boring; he's a real _______________ .
5) If a strong referee sees any trouble in a match, he should ___ ___ ___ ____ ____ .
6) I don't go to the theatre very often; only ______ __ ___ ______ ______ .
When you've done it, you can watch MR Bean taking his test!
Showing posts with label English books. Show all posts
Showing posts with label English books. Show all posts
Saturday, August 7, 2010
Sunday, August 1, 2010
Once in a blue moon
Have you ever seen a blue moon?
I haven't; I guess it's something that happens very rarely.
Like, once in a blue moon.
It's quite an old idiom as indicated by this very old song from 30's and 40's heart-throb, Bing Crosby, who you might know for his most famous song, White Christmas.
His style of singing is called crooning and that makes him a crooner. Of course, you don't hear this sort of music very often now; just once in a blue moon.
(Thanks to Dorota for giving me the idea for today's idiom)
I haven't; I guess it's something that happens very rarely.
Like, once in a blue moon.
It's quite an old idiom as indicated by this very old song from 30's and 40's heart-throb, Bing Crosby, who you might know for his most famous song, White Christmas.
His style of singing is called crooning and that makes him a crooner. Of course, you don't hear this sort of music very often now; just once in a blue moon.
(Thanks to Dorota for giving me the idea for today's idiom)
Friday, July 30, 2010
Nip it in the bud
A bud is a small, young flower, not fully formed.
To nip is a kind of pinching action with your thumb and index finger. (The finger you point with)
To nip something in the bud means to stop something in the early stages before it turns into a bigger problem.
Looking for a suitable clip, I was very tempted to go with the B52s - one of my favourite bands but sadly, nobody else's - it seems. So, here is something I didn't know existed, a comic preacher or maybe a preaching comedian. It's America, so I guess anything's possible.
Interest southern accent too. Praise the lord!!
To nip is a kind of pinching action with your thumb and index finger. (The finger you point with)
To nip something in the bud means to stop something in the early stages before it turns into a bigger problem.
Looking for a suitable clip, I was very tempted to go with the B52s - one of my favourite bands but sadly, nobody else's - it seems. So, here is something I didn't know existed, a comic preacher or maybe a preaching comedian. It's America, so I guess anything's possible.
Interest southern accent too. Praise the lord!!
Wednesday, June 30, 2010
You can't make a silk purse out of a sow's ear
My very thoughtful Polish, English students have been asking me (very nice present continuous!) what I think about England's performance.
I could write a book on the subject but I will spare you the details, basically, you just can't make a silk purse out of a sow's ear.
This idiom means you can't produce something high quality with poor quality materials. A sow, if you are wondering, is a female pig.
To find out if it's true, watch this video about make overs - you know, when women go to a beautician or Trinny and Suzannah for a new look.
I could write a book on the subject but I will spare you the details, basically, you just can't make a silk purse out of a sow's ear.
This idiom means you can't produce something high quality with poor quality materials. A sow, if you are wondering, is a female pig.
To find out if it's true, watch this video about make overs - you know, when women go to a beautician or Trinny and Suzannah for a new look.
Tuesday, May 4, 2010
Icing on the cake
Imagine a day that starts off well and then gets better.
You come home and find you've won a holiday to the Seychelles.
Cool, you say, 'that's the icing on the cake!'
Icing is the white or coloured substance often made from sugar and marzipan that's put on top of cakes to decorate them.
If you don't know how to do it, find out now.
This lady is from the north of England; notice the accent.
You come home and find you've won a holiday to the Seychelles.
Cool, you say, 'that's the icing on the cake!'
Icing is the white or coloured substance often made from sugar and marzipan that's put on top of cakes to decorate them.
If you don't know how to do it, find out now.
This lady is from the north of England; notice the accent.
Sunday, April 25, 2010
Ichy feet
Maybe it's the time of year but I've got itchy feet.
No, it doesn't mean I've got a skin problem or even an insect bite but a kind of restlessness. This could be related to wanting to change your job, move home or travel.
If you love travelling then you will have been bitten by the travel bug.
If you've been bitten by the travel bug you might be dreaming of a place in the sun.
Like this. Did I really live there or was I only dreaming?
No, it doesn't mean I've got a skin problem or even an insect bite but a kind of restlessness. This could be related to wanting to change your job, move home or travel.
If you love travelling then you will have been bitten by the travel bug.
If you've been bitten by the travel bug you might be dreaming of a place in the sun.
Like this. Did I really live there or was I only dreaming?
Wednesday, April 21, 2010
All Greek
Do you sometimes find that English just doesn't make sense?
Yes, me too and I'm English!
We sometimes say, when reading complicated instructions for example, it's all Greek to me.
Here is a sketch from the popular comedy series, The Fast Show. It features an imaginary news channel in a country that might be Spanish or Greek - of course, the language is not a real one, so it really does sound all Greek.
After watching this, English will seem much clearer, maybe!
Yes, me too and I'm English!
We sometimes say, when reading complicated instructions for example, it's all Greek to me.
Here is a sketch from the popular comedy series, The Fast Show. It features an imaginary news channel in a country that might be Spanish or Greek - of course, the language is not a real one, so it really does sound all Greek.
After watching this, English will seem much clearer, maybe!
Monday, April 5, 2010
Get your wires crossed
Do you ever get the feeling that you are not on the same wavelength as someone?
Do you ever have a problem being understood? You might say that somebody gets the wrong end of the stick.
You think you understand each other but in fact, you keep getting your wires crossed.
Still not sure what I mean?
Watch this video of one of Britain's funniest sketches. All will become clear - or maybe not!
Do you ever have a problem being understood? You might say that somebody gets the wrong end of the stick.
You think you understand each other but in fact, you keep getting your wires crossed.
Still not sure what I mean?
Watch this video of one of Britain's funniest sketches. All will become clear - or maybe not!
Monday, March 15, 2010
As mad as a hatter
Dedicated to Alicja
As you might expect, As mad as a hatter means to be very mad but who is a hatter and why is he so mad?
Firstly, a hatter is another name for a hat maker or miliner. Many years ago, when all hats were made by hand, hats would be handstitched and held together with the aid of hat pins. These pins passed many times throughout the day from hat to hand and mouth in order to keep both hands free. Unfortunately, being made from mercury, the pins were highly toxic leading to eccentric and insane bahaviour.
Some argue that this is exaggerated but the myth became sealed and imortalised by Lewis Caroll in Alice in Wonderland and the Mad Hatter's Tea Party.
Why is a raven like a writing desk? Find out, when you watch this film!
As you might expect, As mad as a hatter means to be very mad but who is a hatter and why is he so mad?
Firstly, a hatter is another name for a hat maker or miliner. Many years ago, when all hats were made by hand, hats would be handstitched and held together with the aid of hat pins. These pins passed many times throughout the day from hat to hand and mouth in order to keep both hands free. Unfortunately, being made from mercury, the pins were highly toxic leading to eccentric and insane bahaviour.
Some argue that this is exaggerated but the myth became sealed and imortalised by Lewis Caroll in Alice in Wonderland and the Mad Hatter's Tea Party.
Why is a raven like a writing desk? Find out, when you watch this film!
Sunday, February 28, 2010
Armchair critic
(dedicated to Jim)
Are you an armchair critic?
An armchair is a large, comfortable chair that often forms part of a suite with a sofa.
Traditionally, in the UK, it was reserved for the 'man of the house.'
The armchair critic is not someone who criticises the quality of armchairs but sits in a chair criticising others without actually doing anything.
Britain's most famous armchair critic is Jim Royle from the comedy series - The Royle Family.
It shows a working class family from Manchester but for observers of accents, Jim is from Liverpool. He made famous the phrase, 'my arse! (bottom) - a rather crude and direct way of saying - I don't agree or most unlikely. Most of the time, the family just sit around watching TV. Much of the script was improvised but very close to real life.
Keen music fans will recognise the voice of the theme as being that of Noel Gallagher of Oasis. Oasis? My arse!
Are you an armchair critic?
An armchair is a large, comfortable chair that often forms part of a suite with a sofa.
Traditionally, in the UK, it was reserved for the 'man of the house.'
The armchair critic is not someone who criticises the quality of armchairs but sits in a chair criticising others without actually doing anything.
Britain's most famous armchair critic is Jim Royle from the comedy series - The Royle Family.
It shows a working class family from Manchester but for observers of accents, Jim is from Liverpool. He made famous the phrase, 'my arse! (bottom) - a rather crude and direct way of saying - I don't agree or most unlikely. Most of the time, the family just sit around watching TV. Much of the script was improvised but very close to real life.
Keen music fans will recognise the voice of the theme as being that of Noel Gallagher of Oasis. Oasis? My arse!
Saturday, February 27, 2010
Chalk and cheese
(Dedicated to Szymon, Dan, Ula, Kinga and of course, Jimi)
Chalk is a white material which was made into sticks for teachers to write on blackboards.
If you are chalk and cheese, you are completely opposite to someone.
Although they were twins, they were like chalk and cheese.
Here is one of the most unusual combinations that I have ever come across; Jimi Hendrix and the Teletubbies.
By the way, tele is another word for TV, and tubby is a rather soft, childlike way of saying fat - that's why they are called Teletubbies!
Now, prepare for the experience of a lifetime!
Chalk is a white material which was made into sticks for teachers to write on blackboards.
If you are chalk and cheese, you are completely opposite to someone.
Although they were twins, they were like chalk and cheese.
Here is one of the most unusual combinations that I have ever come across; Jimi Hendrix and the Teletubbies.
By the way, tele is another word for TV, and tubby is a rather soft, childlike way of saying fat - that's why they are called Teletubbies!
Now, prepare for the experience of a lifetime!
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