It's sounds unhygienic but like most idioms, you shouldn't take it literially. It means please give me your time and attention; take a moment to listen.
The most memorable example of it being used is here: Still amazing after all these years!
Showing posts with label English for Human Resources. Show all posts
Showing posts with label English for Human Resources. Show all posts
Friday, January 6, 2012
Sunday, January 1, 2012
A stick in the mud
Are you a stick in the mud?
It's a new year - have you made some resolutions to do things differently, to have new experiences and embrace the new?
Or are you a stick in the mud - someone who prefers to remain the same and stick with their old habits and beliefs?
Maybe that's not always such a bad thing.
Here's former politician and famous diarist, Kenneth Clark who explains it rather well.
It's a new year - have you made some resolutions to do things differently, to have new experiences and embrace the new?
Or are you a stick in the mud - someone who prefers to remain the same and stick with their old habits and beliefs?
Maybe that's not always such a bad thing.
Here's former politician and famous diarist, Kenneth Clark who explains it rather well.
Monday, December 5, 2011
To lose the plot
The plot is the story line or sequence of events in a book, film or play. If you lose the plot, you lose track of it and you can’t follow it.
As an idiom it is a metaphor, usually for someone who has lost touch with reality.
Here’s a sixties icon who lost the plot big time, Syd Barrett, founder member of Pink Floyd, in a rare interview.
After a summer of continuous LSD use, he’d shattered his fragile mind until only an empty shell remained. Sadly, he lost the plot, never to regain it.
As an idiom it is a metaphor, usually for someone who has lost touch with reality.
Here’s a sixties icon who lost the plot big time, Syd Barrett, founder member of Pink Floyd, in a rare interview.
After a summer of continuous LSD use, he’d shattered his fragile mind until only an empty shell remained. Sadly, he lost the plot, never to regain it.
Sunday, November 20, 2011
In limbo
The company’s been taken over but we currently don’t know what will happen to our jobs - we're in total limbo.
I can’t do anything until I get the tests back from the Doctor - I’m just in limbo.
It doesn’t go to court until next year so the ownership of the property is in limbo.
Get the idea?
If not, you could always try limbo dancing instead - that’s something quite different. You’ll need a strong back! Don't try this unless you have. There's a free book for anyone who can do this!
I can’t do anything until I get the tests back from the Doctor - I’m just in limbo.
It doesn’t go to court until next year so the ownership of the property is in limbo.
Get the idea?
If not, you could always try limbo dancing instead - that’s something quite different. You’ll need a strong back! Don't try this unless you have. There's a free book for anyone who can do this!
Sunday, November 6, 2011
The proof of the pudding
I’ve got a new idea; it’s even better than all the other good ideas I’ve had. I think it will work; what do you think?
Well, we won’t know until we try it. You know what they say; the proof of the pudding is in the eating.
That’s what this idiom means - the test of something is how it works in reality.
It’s a little early but maybe it’s a good opportunity to learn how to make a traditional British Christmas pudding.
This is a cake with the density of a small planet and guaranteed to immobilise you for days - but it is yummy!
You have been warned!
If you want to follow the instructions, you could make your own. Will it be a success? The proof of the pudding is in the eating.
Well, we won’t know until we try it. You know what they say; the proof of the pudding is in the eating.
That’s what this idiom means - the test of something is how it works in reality.
It’s a little early but maybe it’s a good opportunity to learn how to make a traditional British Christmas pudding.
This is a cake with the density of a small planet and guaranteed to immobilise you for days - but it is yummy!
You have been warned!
If you want to follow the instructions, you could make your own. Will it be a success? The proof of the pudding is in the eating.
Tuesday, November 1, 2011
One foot in the grave
It's been a day when many people have been visiting their passed away relatives in cemeteries.
But what if you have one foot in the grave?
It means you are getting old and won't be far behind them!
Let's hope not just yet though.
One foot in the grave is also the name of a popular British sit-com featuring the luckless Victor Meldrew. Retirement brought him no peace at all and he spent most of his time battling against the world as everything went wrong.
Like this!
But what if you have one foot in the grave?
It means you are getting old and won't be far behind them!
Let's hope not just yet though.
One foot in the grave is also the name of a popular British sit-com featuring the luckless Victor Meldrew. Retirement brought him no peace at all and he spent most of his time battling against the world as everything went wrong.
Like this!
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