Nest egg
If you have some money saved for the future, it is a nest egg
If you have some money saved for the future, it is a nest egg
miércoles, 9 de septiembre de 2009
A labour of love 330
A labour of love
Meaning
Work undertaken for the pleasure of it or for the benefit of a loved one
Meaning
Work undertaken for the pleasure of it or for the benefit of a loved one
You could have been seriously injured not wearing a seat belt. 329
You should ...think yourself lucky you weren't...................................... seriously injured not wearing a seat belt.
7. When you do decide what you want to do please let us know. 328
When ....you've made up your mind.................................... what you want to do please let us know.
2. Sarah cried her eyes out immediately she was told she'd failed her driving test. 327
Sarah .....broke down in tears as................................... soon as she heard she'd failed her driving test.
Apparently, the restaurant in town has been bought out by someone else 326
I hear the restaurant in town is under new management's under new management
Prepositions unlike Unlike the undesirable stress of high level positions, the financial rewards make these positions very desirable indeed. 325
Prepositions
unlike
Unlike the undesirable stress of high level positions, the financial rewards make these positions very desirable indeed.
unlike
Unlike the undesirable stress of high level positions, the financial rewards make these positions very desirable indeed.
On the wagon 324
On the wagon
Meaning
'On the wagon' - abstaining from alcohol. 'Off the wagon' - returned to drinking after an attempt to give it up.
Meaning
'On the wagon' - abstaining from alcohol. 'Off the wagon' - returned to drinking after an attempt to give it up.
Slang no longer (or once again) drinking alcoholic liquors
also on (or off) the water wagon on (or off) the water wagon
the Wagon
At no time did he get permission for what he was doing. 323
At no time did he get permission for what he was doing.
Not until the next morning did she realise how serious it was.
Only later did they learn his terrible secret.
Never before have I seen such awful behaviour.
Hardly had we walked in the door when the phone started ringing.
Little do you know how much trouble you are in
Not until the next morning did she realise how serious it was.
Only later did they learn his terrible secret.
Never before have I seen such awful behaviour.
Hardly had we walked in the door when the phone started ringing.
Little do you know how much trouble you are in
Come up trumps 322
Come up trumps
Meaning
To complete something well or successfully, especially in circumstances in which it isn't expected.
Meaning
To complete something well or successfully, especially in circumstances in which it isn't expected.
While and whilst 321
While and whilst
In standard British English and Australian English, whilst is synonymous with while in meaning and usage.
In American English and Canadian English, whilst can be considered pretentious or archaic[2][3]
Some publications on both sides of the Atlantic disapprove of whilst in their style guides (along with "amidst" and "amongst"), for example:
Times Online Style Guide: "while (not whilst)"[4]
Guardian Style Guide: "while not whilst"[5]
Hansard: the Canadian Parliament record: "while not whilst"[6]
Notably, there are no style guides that explicitly recommend the usage of whilst over while in any circumstance whatsoever. The general consensus among scholars of English is that whilst is an unnecessary and archaic word whose primary usage is by Britons who prefer what they perceive as a more 'noble' word. Its etymology derives from the early English whiles, and simply put, while is the word that has replaced whilst in modern English[2], just as thee and thou were replaced by
In standard British English and Australian English, whilst is synonymous with while in meaning and usage.
In American English and Canadian English, whilst can be considered pretentious or archaic[2][3]
Some publications on both sides of the Atlantic disapprove of whilst in their style guides (along with "amidst" and "amongst"), for example:
Times Online Style Guide: "while (not whilst)"[4]
Guardian Style Guide: "while not whilst"[5]
Hansard: the Canadian Parliament record: "while not whilst"[6]
Notably, there are no style guides that explicitly recommend the usage of whilst over while in any circumstance whatsoever. The general consensus among scholars of English is that whilst is an unnecessary and archaic word whose primary usage is by Britons who prefer what they perceive as a more 'noble' word. Its etymology derives from the early English whiles, and simply put, while is the word that has replaced whilst in modern English[2], just as thee and thou were replaced by
THEY SAID THEY WOULD LIKE ME TO STAY WITH THEM IN FLORIDA 320
THEY INVITED ME TO STAY WITH THEM IN FLORIDA
martes, 8 de septiembre de 2009
Pass the time of day 319
Pass the time of day
If you pass the time of day with somebody, you stop and say hello, enquire how they are and other such acts of social politeness
If you pass the time of day with somebody, you stop and say hello, enquire how they are and other such acts of social politeness
inversions 8 318
Inversion is writing which reverses the usual order of words (S-V-C structure). It may be used in poetry to help the writer to make a rhyme or put particular emphasis on a word. An example would be:
"Mad indeed would I be to expect it..."
"I would be mad indeed..."
Here it is about creating an effect used to draw you deeper into the story. In both examples above, the adjective "mad" is an attention grabber (probably stressed more in the first sentence than it would be in the middle of the clause).
In the first sentence it is presented at the beginning to give a kind of preface to the rest of the sentence and to catch your eye-mind-emotion chain. In the second sentence it takes your eye-to-mind reception a few milliseconds more to get to the dynamic adjective.
Here's a few more:
a. C-S-V: "Legal behaviour it may be; moral behaviour it is not." b. C-V-S: "A very reckless man is William Jefferson." c. V-S-C: ?'Ride you this afternoon?'? (Macbeth, III,I,21) d. C-S-V: "'Up you go!'"
Note that inversion makes italicizing stressed words unnecessary. This might be a good strategy for all those who only have UE BASIC, as we can't show stress without resorting to tactics similar to those Ivᮠfeels a need to-CAPITALISING. Yet it must be remembered that inversion can seem extremely artificial in English, it is used only rarely--when required for cohesion, conciseness or emotional stress on certain words
"Mad indeed would I be to expect it..."
"I would be mad indeed..."
Here it is about creating an effect used to draw you deeper into the story. In both examples above, the adjective "mad" is an attention grabber (probably stressed more in the first sentence than it would be in the middle of the clause).
In the first sentence it is presented at the beginning to give a kind of preface to the rest of the sentence and to catch your eye-mind-emotion chain. In the second sentence it takes your eye-to-mind reception a few milliseconds more to get to the dynamic adjective.
Here's a few more:
a. C-S-V: "Legal behaviour it may be; moral behaviour it is not." b. C-V-S: "A very reckless man is William Jefferson." c. V-S-C: ?'Ride you this afternoon?'? (Macbeth, III,I,21) d. C-S-V: "'Up you go!'"
Note that inversion makes italicizing stressed words unnecessary. This might be a good strategy for all those who only have UE BASIC, as we can't show stress without resorting to tactics similar to those Ivᮠfeels a need to-CAPITALISING. Yet it must be remembered that inversion can seem extremely artificial in English, it is used only rarely--when required for cohesion, conciseness or emotional stress on certain words
The house where you grew up might now be a rambling shack 317
The house where you grew up might now be a rambling shack
writing/description 316
Strategies
Try giving all the details first; the dominant impression then is built from these details.
Check your details to be sure that they are consistent with the dominant impression. You might even want to write down the five senses on a scratch piece of paper and check to see that you have covered them all.
Try moving your reader through space and time chronologically. For instance, you might want to describe a train ride from start to destination, or a stream from its source to the point at which it joins the river.
Use a then-and-now approach to show decay, change, or improvement. The house where you grew up might now be a rambling shack. The variations on this strategy are endless.
Select an emotion and try to describe it. It might be more difficult to get started, but it can be worthwhile.
Try giving all the details first; the dominant impression then is built from these details.
Check your details to be sure that they are consistent with the dominant impression. You might even want to write down the five senses on a scratch piece of paper and check to see that you have covered them all.
Try moving your reader through space and time chronologically. For instance, you might want to describe a train ride from start to destination, or a stream from its source to the point at which it joins the river.
Use a then-and-now approach to show decay, change, or improvement. The house where you grew up might now be a rambling shack. The variations on this strategy are endless.
Select an emotion and try to describe it. It might be more difficult to get started, but it can be worthwhile.
You've made your bed, now lie in it 315
You've made your bed, now lie in it
You made a decision and now must accept its consequences
You made a decision and now must accept its consequences
sooner 311
sooner
Adverb
1. the comparative of soon: I only wish I'd been back sooner
2. rather; in preference: he would sooner leave the party than break with me
3. no sooner ... than immediately after or when: no sooner had he spoken than the stench drifted up
4. sooner or later eventually
USAGE: When is sometimes used instead
Adverb
1. the comparative of soon: I only wish I'd been back sooner
2. rather; in preference: he would sooner leave the party than break with me
3. no sooner ... than immediately after or when: no sooner had he spoken than the stench drifted up
4. sooner or later eventually
USAGE: When is sometimes used instead
lunes, 7 de septiembre de 2009
voracious reader 309
voracious reader
(n.) = lector voraz, lector insaciableEx: Although this public takes most of the adult books, it seems to consist of a small number of voracious readers.
(n.) = lector voraz, lector insaciableEx: Although this public takes most of the adult books, it seems to consist of a small number of voracious readers.
inversions7 308
If I were a doctor, I would be rich.
Were I a doctor, I would be rich.
If I had taken the subway, I would have arrived on time.
Had I taken the subway, I would have arrived on time.
If you should have any questions, please feel free to contact me.
Should you have any questions, please feel free to contact me.
If I had known you were coming, I would have baked a cake.
Had I known you were coming, I would have baked a cake.
If I go to Chicago, I will visit my grandmother.
XX Go I to Chicago, I will visit my grandmother.
If I have enough money, I will buy a horse.
XX Have I enough money, I will buy a horse.
Were I a doctor, I would be rich.
If I had taken the subway, I would have arrived on time.
Had I taken the subway, I would have arrived on time.
If you should have any questions, please feel free to contact me.
Should you have any questions, please feel free to contact me.
If I had known you were coming, I would have baked a cake.
Had I known you were coming, I would have baked a cake.
If I go to Chicago, I will visit my grandmother.
XX Go I to Chicago, I will visit my grandmother.
If I have enough money, I will buy a horse.
XX Have I enough money, I will buy a horse.
make (both) ends meet 307
make (both) ennds meet
to manage to keep one's expenses within one's income
to manage to keep one's expenses within one's income
flogging a dead horse 306
Idiom: Flogging a dead horse
Idiom Definitions for 'Flogging a dead horse'
If someone is trying to convince people to do or feel something without any hope of succeeding, they're flogging a dead horse. This is used when someone is trying to raise interest in an issue that no-one supports anymore; beating a dead horse will not make it do any more work
Idiom Definitions for 'Flogging a dead horse'
If someone is trying to convince people to do or feel something without any hope of succeeding, they're flogging a dead horse. This is used when someone is trying to raise interest in an issue that no-one supports anymore; beating a dead horse will not make it do any more work
get a move on (informal) 305
get a move on (informal)
to hurry (often an order) Get a move on, man! We don't have all day. Simon realised he'd have to get a move on if he was to finish by 4 o'clock.
to hurry (often an order) Get a move on, man! We don't have all day. Simon realised he'd have to get a move on if he was to finish by 4 o'clock.
stick out a mile 303
stick out a mile
Fig. to project outward very obviously. My nose sticks out a mile! I hate it! His stomach sticks out a mile. What do you suppose is in there?
If something 'sticks out a mile' it means that it is obvious/clear to everyone
Fig. to project outward very obviously. My nose sticks out a mile! I hate it! His stomach sticks out a mile. What do you suppose is in there?
If something 'sticks out a mile' it means that it is obvious/clear to everyone
few and far between 303
few and far between
very few; few and widely scattered. Get some gasoline now. Service stations on this highway are few and far between. Some people think that good movies are few and far between
few and far between
not very many or not appearing very frequently He grew up at a time when jobs were few and far between.
See also: and, far, few
domingo, 6 de septiembre de 2009
sábado, 5 de septiembre de 2009
viernes, 4 de septiembre de 2009
it is generally accepted that/writting 296
It is generally accepted that the unforgiveable sin in the bible is not accepting that Jesus is the Son of God
GET ON LIKE HOUSE ON FIRE 294
get on like a house on fire (informal)
if two people get on like a house on fire, they like each other very much and become friends very quickly I was worried that they wouldn't like each other, but in fact they're getting on like a house on fire.
if two people get on like a house on fire, they like each other very much and become friends very quickly I was worried that they wouldn't like each other, but in fact they're getting on like a house on fire.
rub someone the wrong way 293
rub someone('s fur) the wrong way
Fig. to irritate someone. I'm sorry I rubbed your fur the wrong way. I didn't mean to upset you. Don't rub her the wrong way!
See also: rub, way, wrong
MGH_Idi()
McGraw-Hill Dictionary of American Idioms and Phrasal Verbs. © 2002 by The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc.
rub somebody the wrong way
to annoy someone He was known as a moody and selfish player who rubbed teammates the wrong way.
Etymology: based on the idea that if you rub the wrong way on a cat's fur, you annoy
Fig. to irritate someone. I'm sorry I rubbed your fur the wrong way. I didn't mean to upset you. Don't rub her the wrong way!
See also: rub, way, wrong
MGH_Idi()
McGraw-Hill Dictionary of American Idioms and Phrasal Verbs. © 2002 by The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc.
rub somebody the wrong way
to annoy someone He was known as a moody and selfish player who rubbed teammates the wrong way.
Etymology: based on the idea that if you rub the wrong way on a cat's fur, you annoy
TWO TIME 292
two-time • ] inf. deceive or be unfaithful to (a lover or spouse): he was two-timing a fiancé back in England. • adj. denoting someone who has done or experienced something twice: a two-time winner of the event. DERIVATIVES:
two-time someone
Sl. to cheat on or betray one's spouse or lover by dating or seeing someone else. When Mrs. Franklin learned that Mr. Franklin was two-timing her, she left him. Ann told Bob that if he ever two-timed her, she would cause him a lot of trouble.
Sl. to cheat on or betray one's spouse or lover by dating or seeing someone else. When Mrs. Franklin learned that Mr. Franklin was two-timing her, she left him. Ann told Bob that if he ever two-timed her, she would cause him a lot of trouble.
two-time somebody
to have a sexual or romantic relationship with two people at the same time If I ever found out she was two-timing me, I'd kill
to have a sexual or romantic relationship with two people at the same time If I ever found out she was two-timing me, I'd kill
at cross-purposes 291
at cross-purposes
if two people are at cross-purposes, they do not understand each other because they are trying to do or say different things but they do not know this I think we're talking at cross-purposes here. You mean the old building, but I was talking about the new one.
IdiI()
Cambridge Idioms Dictionary, 2nd ed. Copyright © Cambridge University Press 2006. Reproduced with permission
if two people are at cross-purposes, they do not understand each other because they are trying to do or say different things but they do not know this I think we're talking at cross-purposes here. You mean the old building, but I was talking about the new one.
IdiI()
Cambridge Idioms Dictionary, 2nd ed. Copyright © Cambridge University Press 2006. Reproduced with permission
HAVE IT IN FOR SOMEONE 290
Hold a grudge
Example: He has HAD IT IN FOR me since I beat him last year.
Intend to harm, especially because of a grudge. For example, Ever since he called the police about their dog, the neighbors have had it in for Tom.
Example: He has HAD IT IN FOR me since I beat him last year.
Intend to harm, especially because of a grudge. For example, Ever since he called the police about their dog, the neighbors have had it in for Tom.
be at loggerheads 289
be at loggerheads
if two people or groups are at loggerheads, they disagree strongly about something (often + with ) They're constantly at loggerheads with the farmers' union. (sometimes + over ) The Senate and the House are still at loggerheads over the most crucial parts of the bill.
See also: loggerhead
if two people or groups are at loggerheads, they disagree strongly about something (often + with ) They're constantly at loggerheads with the farmers' union. (sometimes + over ) The Senate and the House are still at loggerheads over the most crucial parts of the bill.
See also: loggerhead
Take the rough with the smooth 286
Idiom: Take the rough with the smooth
Idiom Definitions for 'Take the rough with the smooth'
People say that you have to take the rough with the smooth, meaning that you have to be prepared to accept the disadvantages as well of the advantages of something.
Category: General
Idiom Definitions for 'Take the rough with the smooth'
People say that you have to take the rough with the smooth, meaning that you have to be prepared to accept the disadvantages as well of the advantages of something.
Category: General
jueves, 3 de septiembre de 2009
writing/4 284
the bokk is beautifully written,with poetic descriptions and excellent diallogues.the writer has created a dramatic,gripping plot with well-developed,very beliable characters,letting us see into the soul of a sensitive but strong young woman
miércoles, 2 de septiembre de 2009
Shaggy dog story 282
Shaggy dog story
Meaning
A lengthy, improbable and ultimately pointless story, often told in an attempt at humour.
Meaning
A lengthy, improbable and ultimately pointless story, often told in an attempt at humour.
Never the twain shall meet 281
Never the twain shall meet
Meaning
Two things which are so different as to have no opportunity to unite
Meaning
Two things which are so different as to have no opportunity to unite
Bad hair day 280
Bad hair day
Meaning
A day on which one's hair seems unmanagable. Also extended to mean a day when everything seems to go wrong
Meaning
A day on which one's hair seems unmanagable. Also extended to mean a day when everything seems to go wrong
cleft sentences 279
There are a number of ways to add emphasis to your sentences in English. Use these forms to emphasize your statements when you are expressing your opinions, disagreeing, making strong suggestions, expressing annoyance, etc.
Use of the Passive
The passive voice is used when focusing on the person or thing affected by an action. Generally, more emphasis is given to the beginning of a sentence. By using a passive sentence, we emphasize by showing what happens to something rather than who or what does something.
Example:
Reports are expected by the end of the week.
In this example, attention is called to what is expected of students (reports).
Inversion
Invert the word order by placing a prepositional phrase or other expression (at no time, suddenly into, little, seldom, never, etc.) at the beginning of the sentence followed by inverted word order.
Examples:
At no time did I say you couldn't come. Hardly had I arrived when he started complaining.Little did I understand what was happening.Seldom have I felt so alone.
Note that the auxiliary verb is placed before the subject which is followed by the main verb.
Expressing Annoyance
Use the continuous form modified by 'always', 'forever', etc. to express annoyance at another person's action. This form is considered an exception as it used to express a routine rather than an action occurring at a particular moment in time.
Examples:
Martha is always getting into trouble. Peter is forever asking tricky questions. George was always being reprimanded by his teachers.
Note that this form is generally used with the present or past continuous (he is always doing, they were always doing).
Cleft Sentences: It
Sentences introduced by 'It is' or 'It was' are often used to emphasize a specific subject or object. The introductory clause is then followed by a relative pronoun.
Examples:
It was I who received the promotion. It is the awful weather that drives him crazy.
Cleft Sentences: What
Sentences introduced by a clause beginning with 'What' are also used to emphasize a specific subject or object. The clause introduced by 'What' is employed as the subject of the sentence as is followed by the verb 'to be'.
Examples:
What we need is a good long shower. What he thinks isn't necessarily true.
Exceptional Use of 'Do' or 'Did'
You have probably learned that the auxiliary verbs 'do' and 'did' are not used in positive sentences - for example: He went to the store. NOT He did go to the store. However, in order to emphasize something we feel strongly these auxiliary verbs can be used as an exception to the rule.
Examples:
No that's not true. John did speak to Mary. I do believe that you should think twice about this situation.
Note this form is often used to express something contrary to what another person believes.
Use of the Passive
The passive voice is used when focusing on the person or thing affected by an action. Generally, more emphasis is given to the beginning of a sentence. By using a passive sentence, we emphasize by showing what happens to something rather than who or what does something.
Example:
Reports are expected by the end of the week.
In this example, attention is called to what is expected of students (reports).
Inversion
Invert the word order by placing a prepositional phrase or other expression (at no time, suddenly into, little, seldom, never, etc.) at the beginning of the sentence followed by inverted word order.
Examples:
At no time did I say you couldn't come. Hardly had I arrived when he started complaining.Little did I understand what was happening.Seldom have I felt so alone.
Note that the auxiliary verb is placed before the subject which is followed by the main verb.
Expressing Annoyance
Use the continuous form modified by 'always', 'forever', etc. to express annoyance at another person's action. This form is considered an exception as it used to express a routine rather than an action occurring at a particular moment in time.
Examples:
Martha is always getting into trouble. Peter is forever asking tricky questions. George was always being reprimanded by his teachers.
Note that this form is generally used with the present or past continuous (he is always doing, they were always doing).
Cleft Sentences: It
Sentences introduced by 'It is' or 'It was' are often used to emphasize a specific subject or object. The introductory clause is then followed by a relative pronoun.
Examples:
It was I who received the promotion. It is the awful weather that drives him crazy.
Cleft Sentences: What
Sentences introduced by a clause beginning with 'What' are also used to emphasize a specific subject or object. The clause introduced by 'What' is employed as the subject of the sentence as is followed by the verb 'to be'.
Examples:
What we need is a good long shower. What he thinks isn't necessarily true.
Exceptional Use of 'Do' or 'Did'
You have probably learned that the auxiliary verbs 'do' and 'did' are not used in positive sentences - for example: He went to the store. NOT He did go to the store. However, in order to emphasize something we feel strongly these auxiliary verbs can be used as an exception to the rule.
Examples:
No that's not true. John did speak to Mary. I do believe that you should think twice about this situation.
Note this form is often used to express something contrary to what another person believes.
Basket case 277
Basket case
Meaning
An infirm or failing person or thing - unable to properly function. Originally this referred to soldiers who had lost arms and legs and had to be carried by others. More recently it has been used to denounce any failing organisation or scheme and is rarely applied to people.
Meaning
An infirm or failing person or thing - unable to properly function. Originally this referred to soldiers who had lost arms and legs and had to be carried by others. More recently it has been used to denounce any failing organisation or scheme and is rarely applied to people.
slapdash 276
adj.
Hasty and careless, as in execution: slapdash work.adv.
In a reckless haphazard manner.
Hasty and careless, as in execution: slapdash work.adv.
In a reckless haphazard manner.
martes, 1 de septiembre de 2009
nip and tuck 274
nip and tuck
Fig. almost even; almost tied. The horses ran nip and tuck for the first half of the race. Then my horse pulled ahead. In the football game last Saturday, both teams were nip and tuck throughout the game
Fig. almost even; almost tied. The horses ran nip and tuck for the first half of the race. Then my horse pulled ahead. In the football game last Saturday, both teams were nip and tuck throughout the game
Know your onions 273
Know your onions
Meaning
To be experienced in or knowledgeable about a subject
Meaning
To be experienced in or knowledgeable about a subject
If someone is very well-informed about something, they know their onions.
Baby blues 272
Baby blues
Meaning
Feelings of depression or anxiety, experienced by some mothers following childbirth.
Meaning
Feelings of depression or anxiety, experienced by some mothers following childbirth.
If wishes were horses, beggars would ride 271
If wishes were horses, beggars would ride" is an English language proverb and nursery rhyme, which is usually used to suggest that it is useless to wish; that better results will be achieved through action
inversions 6 267
She little knew that he was a compulsive gambler.Little did she know that he was a compulsive gambler.(Poco sabía ella que era un jugador compulsivo.)
I have never been offered such a presentNever have I been offered such a present.(Nunca me han ofrecido un regalo así.)
He rarely buys a round.Rarely does he buy a round.(Raras veces paga una ronda.)
We had seldom seen him looking so happy.Seldom had we seen him looking so happy.(Rara vez lo habíamos visto tan feliz.)
The soap opera is so exciting that I forget all my aches.So exciting is the soap opera that I forget all my aches.(Tan emocionante está la telenovela que olvido todos mis achaques.)
The popularity of the film will be so great that everybody will want to see it.Such will the popularity of the film be that everybody will want to see it.(Tal será la popularidad del la película que todo el mundo querrá verla.)
I have never been offered such a presentNever have I been offered such a present.(Nunca me han ofrecido un regalo así.)
He rarely buys a round.Rarely does he buy a round.(Raras veces paga una ronda.)
We had seldom seen him looking so happy.Seldom had we seen him looking so happy.(Rara vez lo habíamos visto tan feliz.)
The soap opera is so exciting that I forget all my aches.So exciting is the soap opera that I forget all my aches.(Tan emocionante está la telenovela que olvido todos mis achaques.)
The popularity of the film will be so great that everybody will want to see it.Such will the popularity of the film be that everybody will want to see it.(Tal será la popularidad del la película que todo el mundo querrá verla.)
Suscribirse a:
Entradas (Atom)