If from this situation you think that HAVING A GOOD HEAD ON YOUR SHOULDERS is a positive characteristic, you are correct. In fact, it has a variety of meanings: sensible, intelligent, wise, responsible. Therefore it’s a compliment if someone tells you that you have a good head on your shoulders. Use the language Is thereContinue reading “An American vampire has a GOOD HEAD ON HIS SHOULDERS?”
Category Archives: Idioms/Phrasal verbs
An American vampire just doesn’t HAVE THE STOMACH FOR it
The other time the conversation in class was about bungee jumping. Quite a few students said that they would never try it because they weren’t brave enough to jump off a bridge or platform with only an elastic cord around the waist. I had to admit that I, too, don’t HAVE THE STOMACH FOR it.Continue reading “An American vampire just doesn’t HAVE THE STOMACH FOR it”
An American vampire is going to HAVE WORDS
From context, can you guess the meaning of to HAVE WORDS with someone? Related articles An American vampire KEEPS AN EAR TO THE GROUND (notonlygrammar.wordpress.com) An American vampire HAS A BELLYFUL (notonlygrammar.wordpress.com) An American vampire’s deal FALLS THROUGH (notonlygrammar.wordpress.com)
An American vampire KEEPS AN EAR TO THE GROUND
In some lines of work, KEEPING AN EAR TO THE GROUND is of utmost importance. For instance, a dealer in stocks and shares must know what is happening in the markets before it makes the 8 o’clock news. The trader must always have an ear to the ground and obtain information which can help him/herContinue reading “An American vampire KEEPS AN EAR TO THE GROUND”
An American vampire HAS A BELLYFUL
Ah, the belly again, but this time in the expression TO HAVE A BELLYFUL. Let’s say you’re on holiday with a friend and he (or she) is always complaining – the weather’s too hot or too cold, the food is not the same as at home, the pillow is too soft or too hard, …Continue reading “An American vampire HAS A BELLYFUL”
An American vampire’s deal FALLS THROUGH
When a business deal FALLS THROUGH, does it succeed or fail? In politics, when two parties are trying to form a coalition government but the talks fall through, do the parties form a government or not? Use the language Have you had an important plan that fell through? What was it and how disappointed were you?
From midnight to 4am
Let’s look at a couple of interesting ways of talking about the time. Midnight, for example, can be described as THE WITCHING HOUR. Yesterday evening I drank so much water that I woke up at the witching hour to pee. Yes, I use real-life situations as examples! You go to a party and get homeContinue reading “From midnight to 4am”
In number 4 …
TWO PEAS IN A POD – Not Only Grammar “We’re like two peas in a pod. We share somany things together. We love dancing,bridge…,” she continues.“We just hope to live a long lifetogether,” adds Geoffrey, Times of Malta 15 April 2016 You have the picture, you have the words. Can you now work out theContinue reading “In number 4 …”
Give me a minute
Give me a minute or Give me a sec (short for Give me a second). These two expressions are used when you need to finish a task before answering someone’s question or helping them in some way. For example: you’re texting someone when a friend interrupts you. You can tell them, “Give me a sec”Continue reading “Give me a minute”
Cold turkey
‘Don’t go cold turkey‘ to quit smoking E-cigarettes remain the nation’s favourite stop smoking aid – with an estimated 3.2 million users, most of whom are former smokers. One of those is TV presenter Jeremy Kyle, who has given up after 35 years of smoking, using e-cigarettes. “I was a 20-a-day smoker for most ofContinue reading “Cold turkey”
