English sayings

Best of both worlds

/ italkyoutalk

Do you know the English expression “to have the best of both worlds“? Read the conversation below. Can you guess the meaning?

Mandy: If you take the new job in London, but continue to live out in the countryside, you can have the best of both worlds.

Chris: True. But I’m not sure I want to spend over two hours a day on a train going into the city.

Does it mean:

a) have the advantages of two different things/situations

b) have the best time in the world

c) live two different lives

d) be in two different places

The answer is below!↓

 

Answer: a) have the advantages of two different things/situations

Have a soft spot for (someone)

/ italkyoutalk

Do you know the English expression “to have a soft spot for (someone)“? Read the conversation below. Can you guess the meaning?

Katy: I’m really sad to hear that Ted is leaving the company.

Claire: You have a soft spot for him, don’t you?

Katy: Yeah, he’s like a younger brother to me. I’ll miss him.

Does it mean:

a) to treat someone like a family member

b) to give someone a soft seat

c) to like someone a lot

d) to miss someone

The answer is below! ↓

 

Answer: c) to like someone a lot

 

 

Catch (someone) red-handed

/ italkyoutalk

Do you know the English expression “to catch (someone) red-handed“? Read the conversation below. Can you guess the meaning?

Gary: Who stole the money from the safe?

Liam: It was Trevor. I caught him red-handed. 

Gary: He must have been surprised to see you!

Liam: He was! He tried to pretend he was counting the money, but he couldn’t explain why it was in his pocket!

Does it mean:

a) to make someone’s hand’s red

b) to catch someone in the act of doing something

c) to help someone steal something

d) to catch someone with dirty hands

The answer is below! ↓

 

Answer: b) to catch someone in the act of doing something

The lion’s share

/ italkyoutalk

Do you know the English expression “the lion’s share“? Read the conversation below. Can you guess the meaning?

Rebecca: How are we going to divide the budget this year?

Sally: I’m not sure yet, but I think the lion’s share will be spent on marketing.

Does it mean:

a) the largest part of something

b) the smallest part of something

c) the lion’s portion

d) very little

The answer is below!↓

 

Answer: a) the largest part of something

Hold your horses!

/ italkyoutalk

Do you know the English expression “hold your horses“? Read the conversation below. Can you guess the meaning?

Jane: I’m going to quit my job next week and move to Singapore.

Helen: Hold your horses! Don’t you think you should consider that a bit more carefully?

Does it mean:

a) Keep hold of your horses

b) Don’t take your horses somewhere

c) Don’t do something

d) Wait a moment

The answer is below!　↓

 

Answer: d) Wait a moment

Put up with (somebody/something)

/ italkyoutalk

Do you know the English expression “to put up with (somebody/something)“? Read the conversation below. Can you guess the meaning?

Karen: I heard you are looking for a new job. Why?

Julie: Because I can’t put up with my boss any longer. I’ve put up with her for ten years. No more!

Does it mean:

a) to meet

b) to argue with

c) to tolerate

d) to work with

The answer is below!↓

 

Answer: c) to tolerate

Come across (something)

/ italkyoutalk

Do you know the English expression “to come across (something)“? Read the conversation below. Can you guess the meaning?

Andy: I like that painting. Where did you find it?

David: I came across it in an antique shop.

Andy: That was lucky!

Does it mean:

a) buy something

b) find something by chance

c) save something

d) cross something

The answer is below! ↓

 

Answer: b) find something by chance