Useful Idioms – part 27
Talk shop = talk about work/job when you are not at work( with those you work with). Even at a party they have to talk shop , i.e talk about one’s work and this is boring for the other people who do not do the same work. Please don’t talk shop. It’s too boring for the rest of us. Spread the word = communicate a message to a lot of people. We have arranged a meeting for next Thursday so if you see anyone do…
Useful Idioms – part 26
Put on hold = left until a later date ( usually used in the passive) Plans for building the extension have been put on hold until our finances are in a better state. He put his retirement on hold until he had found a solution. I am afraid that the whole matter is on hold just now. On paper = when you read about it, it may seem OK , but might not turn out to be so. The plans look great on paper, but…
Useful Idioms – part 18
wouldn’t dream of = wouldn’t even remotely think of/ wouldn’t do because you think it is wrong or silly. Even if it were lying open on my desk, I wouldn’t dream of reading another person’s letter. My father is very generous , but I wouldn’t dream of actually asking him for money. 2. Lead someone astray = cause someone to act or think foolishly or wrongly. I’m afraid that this young man has been leading you astray. Nobody can lead him astray. 3. Necessary evil…
Useful Idioms – part 17
Take kindly to = be receptive to , attracted by or pleased with; like something. He won’t take kindly to your stepping on his newly planted grass. She doesn’t take kindly to anyone drinking her soft drinks. I hope they will take kindly to our request. Don’t know which way to turn or where to turn = to be unsure of what to do or whom to ask for help. When he lost his job, he didn’t know where to ask for help. When I…
Useful Idioms – part 16
Take pot luck = take whatever food happens to be in the cooking pot ; come to eat whatever happens to be served (without choice). You are welcome to join us for supper but you’ii have to take pot luck. Come home with me and take pot luck. Be the luck of the draw = be the result of chance and something that you have no control over. You cannot choose who you play against, it is just the luck of the draw. It was…
Useful Idioms – part 15
Have it out with someone = to talk to someone about something they have done that makes you angry , in order to try to solve the problem. He decided to have it out with her about the troubles caused by her pet dog. We wanted to have it out with the domestic help as she had been late for work everyday. A small fortune = a large amount of money. That dusty old painting on the wall could be worth a small fortune. You…
Indoor vs. Indoors
Indoor = (adjective) inside a building. Indoor games. The new house has an indoor swimming pool. They have an indoor tennis court. Indoor plants. Indoors = (adverb) in or into a building. As it was raining they decided to stay indoors. I don’t like spending the whole day indoors.
Useful idioms – part 14
1. As easy as taking candy from a baby = extremely easy. Beating them was the easiest thing in the world. It was as easy as taking candy from a baby. 2. I would give anything = to want something very much. I would give anything to see the pyramids of Egypt. 3. A foregone conclusion = a result that can be predicted with certainty. The result of the election seems to be a foregone conclusion. It’s almost a foregone conclusion that you…
Dependent vs. Dependant
Dependent = (adjective) depending on/upon someone or something. He is dependent on his parents as he is out of job. success in your career is dependent upon your hard work and determination. The majority of Indian farmers are dependent on traditional methods of cultivation. . Dependant=(noun) someone who depends upon another or others for a home, food etc. Bank employees can claim reimbursement on the medical expenses of their dependants also. All his children are minor and therefore they are fully his dependants. Married women receive…
Open vs. Open
.The word ‘ OPEN ‘ can be used both as verb and adjective. He opened a new shop in the city.(verb). The shop was opened( verb-passive) at 9 a. m and stayed open(adjective) until 7 p.m. Leave the door open.(adjective). I couldn’t buy provisions because the shop was not open(adjective).