Study English

the tip of the iceberg

/ italkyoutalk

This is our third idiom containing a “winter” word. Do you know “the tip of the iceberg”?

Look at the conversation below. Can you guess the meaning?

Robert: It seems like your company has some problems. I heard a lot of people are quitting your company.

Sean: That’s just the tip of the iceberg. We have lost all of our main customers over the past year, and have a lot of debt!

Does it mean:

a) the biggest problem

b) a small part of the problem

c) the most urgent problem

The answer is below! ↓

Answer: b) a small part of the problem

give someone the cold shoulder

/ italkyoutalk

Here is our second idiom containing a “winter” word. Do you know “give someone the cold shoulder”?

Look at the conversation below. Can you guess the meaning?

Yvonne: Have you spoken to Bob recently?

Claire: No. I saw him the other day and said hi, but he gave me the cold shoulder.

Yvonne: I wonder what his problem is.

Does it mean

a) show someone your shoulder

b) not to speak to someone

c) tell someone you are angry with them

The answer is below! ↓

Answer: b) not to speak to someone

 

 

go cold turkey

/ italkyoutalk

It is cold here in Japan, so this month, we are featuring some idioms which contain “winter” words. Here is the first one –  go cold turkey.

Do you know it? Can you guess the meaning from the conversation below?

Debra: Are you going to quit smoking next year?

Sandra: Yes, I’m going to quit on January 1st.

Debra: Are you going to cut down slowly?

Sandra: No. I’m going cold turkey. I will stop completely on January 1st!

Does it mean 

a) stop a habit suddenly

b) eat cold turkey

c) stop a habit slowly

The answer is below! ↓

Answer: a) stop a habit suddenly

 

to be in the same boat

/ italkyoutalk

Do you know the English idiom “to be in the same boat“? Read the conversation below. Can you guess what it means?

Wayne: My company is getting rid of staff to save money. I’m really worried about my job. 

Harry: Well, we are all in the same boat. I heard yesterday that my company is thinking about reducing the number of employees.

Wayne: I guess everywhere is the same these days.

Does it mean:

a) to share a boat

b) to work for the same company

c) to leave a company

d) to be in the same situation

The answer is below! ↓

 

Answer: d) to be in the same situation

There’s no time like the present

/ italkyoutalk

Do you know the English phrase “there’s no time like the present”? Can you guess the meaning?

Dave: I want to write a novel, but I’m busy, so maybe I will start writing it next year.

Kev: If you wait, you will never write it. There ‘s no time like the present! 

Does it mean

a) time is a gift

b) do something now

c) use your time wisely

d) our biggest gift is time

The answer is below! ↓

 

Answer:

b) do something now

Best thing since sliced bread

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Do you know the English phrase “the best thing since sliced bread“? Look at the conversation. Can you guess the meaning?

Naomi: I really like our new oven. It has so many functions, and I can make so many things in it!

Greg: I love it too. It’s the best thing since sliced bread!

Does it mean:

a) a good invention 

b) a good bread maker

c) a good kitchen appliance

d) a good bread slicer

The answer is below!↓

 

 

 

Answer: a) a good invention

 

Your guess is as good as mine

/ italkyoutalk

Do you know the English phrase “Your guess is as good as mine“? Look at the conversation below. Can you guess the meaning?

Janet: Why did Paul leave the party early last night?

Freddie: Your guess is as good as mine. I thought he was having a good time.

Janet: Maybe he wasn’t feeling well…

Does it mean 

a) please guess

b) I don’t know/I have no idea

c) I guessed but I was wrong

d) you know more than me

The answer is below! ↓

 

Answer: b) I don’t know/I have no idea