Study English

Break a leg!

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Do you know the English expression “break a leg”? It sounds a little strange, but it means “good luck”! People say it to actors or performers before they go on stage. The origins of this expression are not known, and there are many different ideas.

In the world of theatre, it is believed that wishing someone “good luck” is actually “bad luck”. This is a superstition. There are many superstitions in the theatre. You can read more about them here.

So if your friend is going to appear in a play or in a concert on stage, don’t forget to tell them to break a leg!

Don’t upset the apple cart

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Do you know the English proverb “Don’t upset the apple cart“? Read the conversation below. Can you guess the meaning?

Natalie: I’m going to suggest a new way of working in the meeting tomorrow. I think people will work better and faster if they try my way of working.

Greg: Don’t upset the apple cart. Everyone has been working here longer than you. They don’t like change. The last time someone suggested a change in the way of working, it caused a lot of problems. The boss is happy with the way we work now.

Does it mean

a) Don’t disturb things. Leave things as they are

b) Don’t damage the apples

c) Don’t make people angry

d) Don’t upset the boss

The answer is below　↓

Answer: a) Don’t disturb things. Leave things as they are

 

Hear (something) on the grapevine

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Do you know the English expression “to hear (something) on the grapevine“? Can you guess the meaning?

William: I heard it on the grapevine that Joe is planning to quit the company.

Claire: Really? When did you hear that?

William: The other day.

Does it mean

a) hear something at a farm which grows grapes

b) hear something while eating grapes

c) hear a lie

d) hear a rumor

The answer is below! ↓

Answer:  d) hear a rumor

 

A penny for your thoughts

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Do you know the English expression “A penny for your thoughts”?

Can you guess the meaning?

Sally sees her friend Nicola sitting at her desk at work. Nicola is not working. She looks serious and is thinking. Sally walks over to her and says “A penny for your thoughts“.

Does it mean:

a) tell me what you are thinking and I’ll give you a penny

b) what are you thinking?

c) here is a penny for you

d) if you don’t start working, you won’t make any money

The answer is below! ↓

 

Answer: b) what are you thinking?

Be My Valentine

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Happy Valentine’s Day! Are you feeling romantic? If you would like to read some romantic stories, check out our level 3 graded reader Be My Valentine! It is available on Kindle, Kobo and iBooks! We hope your day is filled with love!

See here for more information.

 

I have a lot on my plate

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Do you know the English idiom “to have a lot on (one’s) plate? Look at the conversation below. Can you guess the meaning?

Rebecca: Emily, I was wondering if you could help me move house at the weekend.

Emily: I wish I could, but I have a lot on my plate at the moment. My grandmother is in hospital and my son has a soccer tournament soon. I also have to give a presentation at work in two weeks, and I haven’t started preparing for it yet!

Rebecca: No problem. You really do have a lot on your plate!

Does it mean:

a) you have too much food

b) you have many things to do

c) you have an important event to attend

The answer is below! ↓

 

Answer: b) you have many things to do

Fortune favours…

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Fortune favours…. This is the beginning of a famous English proverb. Can you complete it?

Fortune favours

a) the bold

b) the weak

c) the rich

d) the poor

The answer is below! ↓

Answer: a) the bold

Fortune favours the bold means if you take risks or are courageous, you are more likely to be rewarded. So maybe it is a good idea to do the things that scare you!

when hell freezes over

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This is our fourth idiom containing a “winter” word. Do you know “when hell freezes over”? Look at the conversation below. Can you guess the meaning?

Oliver: When do you think you’ll get a promotion at work?

Alice: When hell freezes over! The boss hates me, and is always telling me that I can’t do my job properly.

Does it mean:

a) never

b) in a few years

c) when it gets colder

The answer is below! ↓

Answer: a) never

New graded reader Vanished Away

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Our new graded reader Vanished Away is now available!

vanishedaway_cover_

Satomi walked through the train. It was dark outside. The front cars were full of passengers, but as she moved towards the back of the train, there were fewer and fewer people.
Where was Miki? How could her friend just disappear from a moving train?
Satomi is walking towards death, mystery and danger in this story from Japan, a country with a long history and many secrets…

See the product page for details.