English idioms

A trouble shared…

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Can you complete this famous English proverb?

A trouble shared…

a) is a trouble doubled

b) is a trouble halved

c) is a trouble for your friends

 

The answer is below! ↓

penguin-love

 

 

 

Answer: b)

A trouble shared is a trouble halved.

Meaning: If you have a problem, talking to a friend about it will make the trouble smaller.

 

Example:

A: What’s wrong Peter? You look sad.

B: Yes, I’m OK I guess…

A: Do you want to talk about it? A trouble shared is a trouble halved!

B: Yes, maybe I will feel better if we talk about it. Well….

to hang on

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Do you know the English phrase “to hang on“?

Look at these examples. Can you guess what it means?

Eg 1

A: Come on! We’re going to be late!

B: Hang on a minute. I can’t find my keys!

Eg 2

A: Can you help me tidy the room?

B: Yeah, hang on. I’m just going to the bathroom. I’ll be right back.

 

“to hang on” means:

a) to wait

b) to go away

c) to be quiet

 

The answer is below ↓

 

time-on-my-hands-1346441675IZv

 

 

 

Answer: a) to wait.

 

 

to have a ball

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Do you know the English phrase “to have a ball”? 

Can you guess what it means?

Example:

A: How was the party last weekend.

B: It was great! We had a ball!

 

Does it mean

a) to have a really good time

b) to attend a ball

c) to receive a ball

d) to play a ball game

The answer is below! ↓

 

woman-with-beach-ball

 

 

Answer: a) to have a really good time

I went out with my friends in Tokyo a few weeks ago. We went to a restaurant, and then we went to a few bars. We had a ball!

How about you? When was the last time you had a ball?

to bide (one’s) time

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Do you know the phrase “to bide (one’s) time“?

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

E.g. 1:

A: Has Mike found a new job yet?

B: No, he isn’t even looking. He’s biding his time until the new factory opens near his house.

E.g. 2:

A: I heard Nelly said some bad things to you  in the meeting yesterday. What did you do?

B: I didn’t do anything.

A: No? Why not?

B: I’m biding my time.  The CEO is coming to our office next month. Maybe that will be a good chance to get revenge. Heheheh…

A: Ooh, nasty!

—–

Could you guess the meaning?

to bide (one’s) time = to wait patiently for a good chance.

to jazz up

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blurred-colorful-lights

Do you know the phrase “to jazz up“?

It means “to make something more interesting or better looking.”

E.g. 1

A: I don’t know what to wear to the party tonight. I’m thinking of wearing my blue dress, but it’s a little plain.

B: You could jazz it up with a sparkling necklace. 

A: Yeah, that’s a good idea.

E.g. 2

A: This restaurant is a bit boring.

B: Yeah, it is. They need to jazz up the rooms with some pictures and music!

——

Question:

What do you think needs “jazzing up” in your town? 

 

Practice…

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Can you complete this English saying?

Practice…

a) makes you stronger

b) makes perfect

c) makes success

The answer is below! ↓

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Answer: b)

Practice makes perfect!

So, if you want perfect English, you have to practice! 😉

Watching paint dry

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painted-background

Do you know the phrase “Watching paint dry“?

Look at the examples below. Can you guess what “watching paint dry” means?

Eg. 1

A: Hey, how was the movie last night?

B: Terrible. It was like watching paint dry! I couldn’t wait for it to end!

Eg. 2

A: Did you go to the cricket match with Dan?

B: No, I didn’t. I’d rather watch paint dry than watch cricket.

Eg. 3

A: How was the awards ceremony?

B: Oh, the speeches were so long! The mayor’s speech was as interesting as watching paint dry!

 

If something is like watching paint dry, it is very, very boring!

 

 

 

On cloud nine

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Do you know the English phrase “to be on cloud nine“?

Can you guess what it means?

“I’m on cloud nine” means

a) I’m sitting on a cloud in the sky

b) I’m very happy

c) I’m disappointed

The answer is below! ↓

the-little-birdy-cloud

 

 

 

Answer: b)

Example 1:

I just found out that I passed the university entrance exam! I’m on cloud nine!

Example 2:

Judy and Paul were on cloud nine when they found out they were going to have a baby.

How about you? Can you tell us about a time when you were “on cloud nine“? 🙂

 

to hit the roof

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Do you know the English idiom “to hit the roof?”

woman-on-fire

to hit the roof  (to get very angry)

When was the last time you hit the roof? 🙂

E.g. 1

A: I damaged my father’s car last night.

B: Oh no! Have you told him?

A: No, not yet. I’m too scared. He’ll hit the roof when he finds out!

E.g. 2

A: Gillian hit the roof when she found out that her boyfriend was seeing another woman.

B: Yeah, I heard she was very upset.

 

 

Birds of a feather…

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Can you complete this English saying?

Birds of a feather…

a) fly together

b) fight each other

c) flock together

The answer is below! ↓

birds-of-a-feather

Answer (c)

Birds of a feather flock together.

It means “people who share similar interests/hobbies/tastes get together or make a group”.

Example:

A: I heard that Mike and Norman went drinking together last night. I didn’t know they were friends.

B: Well, they both like drinking and clubbing. Birds of a feather flock together!