Without let or hindrance
Meaning
Without impediment
Meaning
Without impediment
jueves, 25 de febrero de 2010
miércoles, 24 de febrero de 2010
BEGGARS CAN BE CHOOSERS 720
people who don’t have an option have to accept what is offered
Example Sentences:
While traveling in Europe, Dai had to stay in a dirty hotel because he had very little money. Beggars can’t be choosers!
A: Where do you want to do tonight?B: What are our options?A: We can stay home and watch a movie, or stay home and watch TV.B: Beggars can’t be choosers, I guess. Let’s watch TV.
From the Blogs:
Beggars Can’t Be Choosers. Or Too Greedy
Media:
Example Sentences:
While traveling in Europe, Dai had to stay in a dirty hotel because he had very little money. Beggars can’t be choosers!
A: Where do you want to do tonight?B: What are our options?A: We can stay home and watch a movie, or stay home and watch TV.B: Beggars can’t be choosers, I guess. Let’s watch TV.
From the Blogs:
Beggars Can’t Be Choosers. Or Too Greedy
Media:
eat crow 719
eat crow
(verb) to be humiliated by having to admit a mistake
Example Sentences:
Employee: Everyone, I’d like you to meet my boss, Steven Michaels.Boss: That’s not my name.Employee: Your name isn’t Steven Michaels?Boss: No, it’s Michael Stevens.Employee: Oh, I’m so embarrassed. I must eat crow and admit that I made a mistake! His name is Michael Stevens.
My boyfriend ate crow last night when he was forced to admit that he skipped our date to go out with his friends.
I guarantee you that the USA landed on the moon in 1969. If I’m wrong, I’ll be eating crow.
Media:
(verb) to be humiliated by having to admit a mistake
Example Sentences:
Employee: Everyone, I’d like you to meet my boss, Steven Michaels.Boss: That’s not my name.Employee: Your name isn’t Steven Michaels?Boss: No, it’s Michael Stevens.Employee: Oh, I’m so embarrassed. I must eat crow and admit that I made a mistake! His name is Michael Stevens.
My boyfriend ate crow last night when he was forced to admit that he skipped our date to go out with his friends.
I guarantee you that the USA landed on the moon in 1969. If I’m wrong, I’ll be eating crow.
Media:
stuff your face 718
stuff your face
(idiom) to eat a lot of food in a short period of time
Example Sentences:
Girlfriend: If I had known you were going to stuff your face I wouldn’t have brought you to this nice restaurant!Boyfriend: Leave me alone, I’m hungry!
Jillian was embarrassed because her date kept stuffing his face during their meal.
The hungry football team stuffed their faces at the all-you-can-eat restaurant.
(idiom) to eat a lot of food in a short period of time
Example Sentences:
Girlfriend: If I had known you were going to stuff your face I wouldn’t have brought you to this nice restaurant!Boyfriend: Leave me alone, I’m hungry!
Jillian was embarrassed because her date kept stuffing his face during their meal.
The hungry football team stuffed their faces at the all-you-can-eat restaurant.
bottomless pit 717
bottomless pit
(noun) a person that can never be full of food, a person that is always hungry
Example Sentence:
My teenage son is a bottomless pit! He never stops eating!
Ever since I started exercising I’ve become a bottomless pit. I am always hungry!
(noun) a person that can never be full of food, a person that is always hungry
Example Sentence:
My teenage son is a bottomless pit! He never stops eating!
Ever since I started exercising I’ve become a bottomless pit. I am always hungry!
on second thought 716
on second thought
(idiom) a change of opinion after thinking about something again
Example sentence:
Mom: Do you want some more dinner?Son: No thank you.Mom: Are you sure, you still look hungry?Son: Well, on second thought, yes
(idiom) a change of opinion after thinking about something again
Example sentence:
Mom: Do you want some more dinner?Son: No thank you.Mom: Are you sure, you still look hungry?Son: Well, on second thought, yes
the straw that broke the camel’s back 715
the straw that broke the camel’s back
(proverb) the final terrible thing that makes a situation unbearable
Example Sentences:
Veronica was very stressed when she failed her Physics exam and got a bad mark in her English class. The straw that broke the camel’s back was when she got into a car accident.
Son: Hi mom! I’m home from the party.Mom: Are you drunk? You smell like beer.Son: Yes!Mom: Last week you smoked Marijuana, yesterday you were out until 5 A.M. and today you are drunk! This is the straw that broke the camel’s back. You are not allowed to go out anymore!Son: That is so unfair!
From the Blogs:
(proverb) the final terrible thing that makes a situation unbearable
Example Sentences:
Veronica was very stressed when she failed her Physics exam and got a bad mark in her English class. The straw that broke the camel’s back was when she got into a car accident.
Son: Hi mom! I’m home from the party.Mom: Are you drunk? You smell like beer.Son: Yes!Mom: Last week you smoked Marijuana, yesterday you were out until 5 A.M. and today you are drunk! This is the straw that broke the camel’s back. You are not allowed to go out anymore!Son: That is so unfair!
From the Blogs:
ream out 714
ream out
(phrasal verb) to criticize someone by shouting
Example Sentences:
Laura is going to ream out her boyfriend because he forgot to pick her up from the airport.
Antonella’s mother reamed her out when she arrived home from the dance 4 hours late and drunk.
Mother: Did you have a party while I was away for the weekend?Son: Yes. How did you know?Mother: I found beer bottles in my bed!!!Son: Okay, okay! Please stop reaming me out, I’ve learned my lesson
(phrasal verb) to criticize someone by shouting
Example Sentences:
Laura is going to ream out her boyfriend because he forgot to pick her up from the airport.
Antonella’s mother reamed her out when she arrived home from the dance 4 hours late and drunk.
Mother: Did you have a party while I was away for the weekend?Son: Yes. How did you know?Mother: I found beer bottles in my bed!!!Son: Okay, okay! Please stop reaming me out, I’ve learned my lesson
lead someone on 713
lead someone on
(phrasal verb) to trick someone, to mislead someone, to lie to someone
Example Sentences:
The beautiful girl led me on at the nightclub. She pretended she was interested in me, but when I asked her for a phone number, she told me to go away!
A: How was your date?B: It was great, but he didn’t call me back yet!A: When was it?B: Three weeks ago.A: I think he’s leading you on. Forget about him!B: Oh.
When we were planning a vacation, the advertisements led us on about how great the hotel was. When we arrived, it was horrible!
(phrasal verb) to trick someone, to mislead someone, to lie to someone
Example Sentences:
The beautiful girl led me on at the nightclub. She pretended she was interested in me, but when I asked her for a phone number, she told me to go away!
A: How was your date?B: It was great, but he didn’t call me back yet!A: When was it?B: Three weeks ago.A: I think he’s leading you on. Forget about him!B: Oh.
When we were planning a vacation, the advertisements led us on about how great the hotel was. When we arrived, it was horrible!
snap at 712
snap at
(verb) to suddenly shout or get angry at someone
Example Sentence:
The angry driver snapped at the police officer for giving her a ticket.
Notes:
snap at an be used with preposition for or the conjunction because.
I snapped at my mother for waking me up early.I snapped at my mother because she woke me up early.
Similar idioms:
(verb) to suddenly shout or get angry at someone
Example Sentence:
The angry driver snapped at the police officer for giving her a ticket.
Notes:
snap at an be used with preposition for or the conjunction because.
I snapped at my mother for waking me up early.I snapped at my mother because she woke me up early.
Similar idioms:
hot under the collar 711
hot under the collar
(adjective) angry, embarrassed, bitter
Example Sentence:The policeman was hot under the collar because the criminal escaped.
The nervous exchange student felt hot under the collar during his presentation.
A: Did you send my mother a thank-you note for the birthday gift?B: No, I forgot.A: She’s going to be hot under the collar if you don’t.
Similar idioms:
(adjective) angry, embarrassed, bitter
Example Sentence:The policeman was hot under the collar because the criminal escaped.
The nervous exchange student felt hot under the collar during his presentation.
A: Did you send my mother a thank-you note for the birthday gift?B: No, I forgot.A: She’s going to be hot under the collar if you don’t.
Similar idioms:
NBD 710
NBD
(slang) (internet slang) No Big Deal
Example Sentences:
My mother forgot to pick me up from the airport this morning. NBD. I had to take a $75.00 taxi.
Wife: It’s my birthday today.Husband: Oh no, I forgot.Wife: NBD. I want a divorce.Husband: Oh.
Note: NBD is usually used when you are angry or excited and is meant to be sarcastic.
From the Blogs:
OMG or NBD
Media:
(slang) (internet slang) No Big Deal
Example Sentences:
My mother forgot to pick me up from the airport this morning. NBD. I had to take a $75.00 taxi.
Wife: It’s my birthday today.Husband: Oh no, I forgot.Wife: NBD. I want a divorce.Husband: Oh.
Note: NBD is usually used when you are angry or excited and is meant to be sarcastic.
From the Blogs:
OMG or NBD
Media:
don’t be a stranger 709
don’t be a stranger
(idiom) keep in touch, let’s keep in contact even though we’re parting
Example Sentence:
I’m going back to Brazil and you’re going back to Italy. Here is my e-mail address, please don’t be a stranger!
Student 1: I am going back to Brazil.Student 2: I am going back to Korea.Student 1: Good luck to you! I hope we will meet again soon!Student 2: Don’t be a stranger!
Have fun on your vacation! I hope you enjoy Mexico! Don’t be a stranger!
Media:
(idiom) keep in touch, let’s keep in contact even though we’re parting
Example Sentence:
I’m going back to Brazil and you’re going back to Italy. Here is my e-mail address, please don’t be a stranger!
Student 1: I am going back to Brazil.Student 2: I am going back to Korea.Student 1: Good luck to you! I hope we will meet again soon!Student 2: Don’t be a stranger!
Have fun on your vacation! I hope you enjoy Mexico! Don’t be a stranger!
Media:
shoot from the hip 708
shoot from the hip
(verb) to react quickly and without thinking
Example Sentences:
A: What are you going to do about the bad economy?B: I plan to shoot from the hip and see what happens.
Most people like leaders who are thoughtful and consider the issues, but many people liked George Bush because he shot from the hip.
People don’t like our boss because he is always shooting from the hip and making bad decisions.
It is difficult to know whether he actually believes his aggrieved version of history or was simply shooting from the hip.
From the Blogs:
Judge Molloy will not shoot from the hip
Media:
(verb) to react quickly and without thinking
Example Sentences:
A: What are you going to do about the bad economy?B: I plan to shoot from the hip and see what happens.
Most people like leaders who are thoughtful and consider the issues, but many people liked George Bush because he shot from the hip.
People don’t like our boss because he is always shooting from the hip and making bad decisions.
It is difficult to know whether he actually believes his aggrieved version of history or was simply shooting from the hip.
From the Blogs:
Judge Molloy will not shoot from the hip
Media:
shoot the breeze: make relaxed, casual conversation 707
shoot the breeze: make relaxed, casual conversation
'Talk a glass eye to sleep' 705
'Talk a glass eye to sleep'
Someone who c
ould talk a glass eye to sleep is very boring and repetitive
Someone who c
ould talk a glass eye to sleep is very boring and repetitiveReal trouper 704
Real trouper
A real trouper is someone who will fight for what they believe in and doesn't give up easily. (People often use 'Real trooper' as the two words sound the same.)
A real trouper is someone who will fight for what they believe in and doesn't give up easily. (People often use 'Real trooper' as the two words sound the same.)
domingo, 21 de febrero de 2010
acquired taste 703
acquired taste
(idiom) something that you begin to like after trying it many times.
Example Sentences:
A: Do you drink coffee?B: Yes. Five cups a day.A: Wow! Have you always liked coffee so much?B: No, it was an acquired taste. I hated it at first, but now I can’t live without it!
Mark’s wife has always loved red wine, but for him it was an acquired taste.
From the News:
Affluent Chinese acquire taste for wine
Media:
(idiom) something that you begin to like after trying it many times.
Example Sentences:
A: Do you drink coffee?B: Yes. Five cups a day.A: Wow! Have you always liked coffee so much?B: No, it was an acquired taste. I hated it at first, but now I can’t live without it!
Mark’s wife has always loved red wine, but for him it was an acquired taste.
From the News:
Affluent Chinese acquire taste for wine
Media:
peace out 702
peace out
(verb) goodbye
Example Sentences:
Student 1: I am going back to Brazil.Student 2: I am going back to Korea.Student 1: Good luck to you! I hope we will meet again soon!Student 2: Peace out!
Have fun on your vacation! I hope you enjoy Mexico! Peace out!
Notes:
Peace out is used as a very informal way of saying
(verb) goodbye
Example Sentences:
Student 1: I am going back to Brazil.Student 2: I am going back to Korea.Student 1: Good luck to you! I hope we will meet again soon!Student 2: Peace out!
Have fun on your vacation! I hope you enjoy Mexico! Peace out!
Notes:
Peace out is used as a very informal way of saying
a dime a dozen 701
a dime a dozen
(idiom) regular, boring, common, worthless
Example Sentences:
Rude people in New York City are a dime a dozen. Everywhere you go, there are rude people!
A: Do you like my new car? It’s a Honda Civic.B: Um, it’s alright. It’s a dime a dozen, though. Everyone has one.A: I hate you.
English teachers in Korea are a dime a dozen. There are so many English speakers here!
Media:
(idiom) regular, boring, common, worthless
Example Sentences:
Rude people in New York City are a dime a dozen. Everywhere you go, there are rude people!
A: Do you like my new car? It’s a Honda Civic.B: Um, it’s alright. It’s a dime a dozen, though. Everyone has one.A: I hate you.
English teachers in Korea are a dime a dozen. There are so many English speakers here!
Media:
FML 700
FML
(slang) (internet slang) fuck my life
Example Sentences:
My boyfriend ended our relationship on the same day my mother died. FML.
Today I got fired from my job, my boyfriend called me by my sister’s name, and I lost my iPod. FML.
Note:
FML is usually used at the end of a statement, to indicate a very bad day
From the Blogs:
A stitch in time saves nine 699
It's better to deal with a problem in its early stages, because if you don't, it will get worse.
Early to bed and early to rise makes a man 697
Temprano a la cama y levantarse temprano hace que un hombre saludable, rico y sabio.
new broom sweeps clean 696
new broom sweeps clean.
A newly-appointed person makes changes energetically.
A newly-appointed person makes changes energetically.
ON THE FENCE 695
When faced with a choice, a person who is on the fence has not yet reached a decision. "The candidates have such similar ideas that many electors are still on the fence."
lunes, 15 de febrero de 2010
hang up end a phone conversation 694
end a phone conversation
"Don't hang up. I haven't finished yet."
"Don't hang up. I haven't finished yet."
sábado, 13 de febrero de 2010
MUDDY THE WATERS 693
If you muddy the waters, you make something less clear by giving confusing information "I had difficulty understanding, but Alan's explanation just muddied the waters!"
Come to your senses If you come to your senses 692you start to think clearly and behav e
Come to your senses
If you come to your senses, you start to think clearly and behave sensibly. "She finally came to her senses and realized that public transport was faster than driving."
If you come to your senses, you start to think clearly and behave sensibly. "She finally came to her senses and realized that public transport was faster than driving."
Take the rap 691
If you take the rap for something, you accept blame or punishment for something, even if you are not responsible. "The whole class had to the take the rap for the disorder.
The Big Easy 690
Nickname for New Orleans, USA, referring to the easy-going, laid back attitude to life that jazz musicians and local residents indulge in there
Even the score 689
When a person decides to even the score, they try to get their revenge on someone who has cheated or done them harm. "When Jack discovered that Bob had cheated, he was determined to even the score
Face the music 688
If you have to face the music, you have to accept the unpleasant consequences of your actions. "He was caught stealing. Now he has to face the music!"
Ignorance is bliss 686
Ignorance is bliss
This expression means that if you don't know about a problem or unpleasant fact, you won't worry about it. "I didn't know our neighbour was an escaped prisoner until the police arrived - ignorance is bliss!"
This expression means that if you don't know about a problem or unpleasant fact, you won't worry about it. "I didn't know our neighbour was an escaped prisoner until the police arrived - ignorance is bliss!"
Put on your thinking cap 685
If you tell someone to put their thinking cap on, you ask them to find an idea or solve a problem by thinking about it. "Now here's this week's quiz - it's time to put your thinking caps on
Build bridges 683
If a person builds bridges between opposing groups, they help them to cooperate and understand each other better.
Live in an ivory tower 681
A person who lives in an ivory tower has a lifestyle which preserves them from the problems and difficulties experienced by others. "You're completely out of touch - it's time to come out of your ivory tower and see what's going on!"
Hobson's choice 679
Meaning
No real choice at all - the only options being to either accept or refuse the offer that is given to you
No real choice at all - the only options being to either accept or refuse the offer that is given to you
Strike gold 678
If you strike gold, you find exactly what you need: satisfaction, wealth, happiness, etc. "I think she has struck gold this time in her new job. It suits her perfectly!"
Pressed for time 677
Pressed for time
If you're pressed for time, you have hardly enough time to do something, so you must hurry. "Sorry. I can't talk to you now - I'm a bit pressed for time."
If you're pressed for time, you have hardly enough time to do something, so you must hurry. "Sorry. I can't talk to you now - I'm a bit pressed for time."
The mind boggles 676
The expression "the mind boggles" is used as a reaction to something you find amazing or difficult to understand.
like death warmed up 675
If you look or feel like death warmed up, you look or feel very ill or tired. "My boss told me to go home. He said I looked like death warmed up
kick the bucket 674
To kick the bucket is a light-hearted way of talking about death. "He will inherit when his grandfather kicks the bucket
Get cold feet 673
Get
If you get cold feet about something, you begin to hesitate about doing it; you are no longer sure whether you want to do it or not.
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