Study English

Clam up

/ italkyoutalk

Do you know the English expression “clam up“? Read the conversation below. Can you guess the meaning?

Tanya: How was your job interview?

Rita: Oh it was terrible. When they asked me why I wanted to work there, I clammed up. I couldn’t think of anything to say!

Does it mean:

a) become tense

b) become forgetful

c) become silent

d) become amused

The answer is below! ↓

 

 

Answer: c) become silent

Burn the midnight oil

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Do you know the phrase “burn the midnight oil“? Read the conversation below. Can you guess the meaning?

Terry: Eddie looks tired today. Is he OK?

Paula: I think he was burning the midnight oil last night trying to get his work finished before the deadline.

Does it mean:

a) work late into the night

b) keep the heater on all night

c) work late on a cold night

d) stay up until midnight

The answer is below! ↓

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Answer: a) work late into the night

 

You can say that again

/ italkyoutalk

Do you know the English expression “you can say that again“? Read the conversation below. Can you guess the meaning?

Keith: The boss was in a bad mood today.

Andy: You can say that again. She was shouting at everyone all day.

Does it mean:

a) please repeat that

b) that’s very true

c) stop saying that

d) say that twice

The answer is below! ↓

 

Answer: b) that’s very true

Couch potato

/ italkyoutalk

Do you know the English phrase “couch potato“? Read the conversation below. Can you guess the meaning?

Olivia: Is Phil going to join us when we go jogging tomorrow?

Michelle: No, he hates exercise. He likes to sit at home and watch TV all day. He’s such a couch potato. 

Does it mean

a) to be a potato

b) to eat potato chips while watching TV

c) to be lazy

d) to hate outdoors

The answer is below! ↓

 

Answer: c) to be lazy

Speak of the devil…

/ italkyoutalk

Do you know the English idiom Speak of the devil?

Read the conversation below. Can you guess how it is used?

Robert: Kevin called the other day. He was telling me about his new job.

Emily: Speak of the devil. Kevin, how are you?

Kevin: Hi guys. I’m doing fine. How are you doing?

Is it used

a) when you think Kevin is a devil?

b) when a person who is being talked about appears?

c) when someone you don’t like appears?

d) when you shouldn’t talk about someone when they are not there?

The answer is below ↓

 

Answer: b) when a person who is being talked about appears.

In the conversation, Robert was talking about Kevin, when Kevin suddenly appeared.