To little effect
Not producing much change or a good result.
“He won’t answer the phone. We’ve been trying to reach him all day to little effect.“
29/05/2020
Cultural references
Ideas that relate to the culture of a country.
“Cultural references make understanding series and films a lot more challenging.“
28/05/2020
Guess what!
You can use this to attract people’s attention before saying something surprising.
“Guess what! My book has been published.“
27/05/2020
A hard-and-fast rule
A strict rule, not to be broken.
“New Zealand has hard-and-fast rules when it comes to what you can bring into the country.“
26/05/2020
Burn the candle at both ends
Having so much to do that you have to get up very early and go to bed late in order to finish it.
“Go home and get some rest. Burning the candle at both ends day after day is going to make you ill.“
25/05/2020
Music to my ears
Something you are very pleased to hear.
“You passed your test with flying colours! That’s music to my ears.“
22/05/2020
With flying colours
If you pass a test with flying colours, you have had a high score.
“I couldn’t wait to tell you that I have passed the test with flying colours.“
21/05/2020
It goes without saying
There is no need to say it because it is obvious.
“Thank you for putting me up this week! It goes without saying that you can come over and stay with me when you visit my country.“
20/05/2020
Set a low bar
Not demanding a lot from something or someone.
“I know you are desperate to find a job. Any job! But, don’t set a low bar and end up being exploited in a crappy place.“
19/05/2020
Go out of your way
To make an extra effort in order to help someone.
“A group of care workers have gone out of their way to help the residents of a care-home on the Isle of Wight stay safe from the coronavirus. How? By moving in with them.“
18/05/2020
Jazz up something
To add something that makes it more interesting or exciting.
“Lately, I’ve been trying to jazz up my meals by experimenting with the aromatic flavours of some Asian recipes. “
15/05/2020
Go overboard
Apart for falling off a boat, going overboard means do too much; more than is necessary or reasonable.
“Can we try to not go overboard with the food next Christmas, mum?“
14/05/2020
All eyes are on
To say that all eyes are on somebody or something means that this person or thing is the centre of attention.
“Some world leaders are finding it hard to accept that all eyes are on epidemiologists and their opinions based on expertise.”
13/05/2020
Nothing to write home about
Not exciting or special.
“I stayed till the end of the play, out of respect, but their version of Orwel’s 1984 was nothing to write home about.”
12/05/2020
A catch-22
If you are in a catch-22 situation, you are in a no-win situation with contradictory rules.
“Ok, so I need to have experience to get the job but there is no way I can gain experience without working. A catch-22!”
11/05/2020
To skyrocket
To rise sharply
“I’ve heard that the Amazon sales of home improvement materials have skyrocketed over the last few weeks in the UK. It seems there is a lot of DIY happening during the lockdown.”
08/05/2020
Turn a blind eye (to something)
To pretend you don’t notice something, as if it wasn’t happening.
“Correcting every single mistake was detrimental so she had to turn a blind eye to some of them.”
07/05/2020
Tick along or tick over
Continue working but making very little progress.
“How is your business doing, Mark?” “Ticking along, really.”
06/05/2020
Push someone’s buttons
Make someone angry.
“No wonder she avoids visiting her parents. Her mum knows exactly how to push her buttons.“
05/05/2020
To be high-maintenance
Something or someone that requires a lot of time, attention, work, money, etc.
“The hair style you are suggesting is high-maintenance. I’d rather not have to use straighteners every day.“
04/05/2020