A phrase a day, keeps your English in shape.
A phrase a day, keeps your English in shape.October
The nitty-gritty
The basic facts.
“I’ll give you a brief overview before getting down into the nitty-gritty.”
23/10/2020
A night owl
Someone who is more active at night than during the day.
“They couldn’t have different rhythms. She is a morning person while he is a night owl.”
22/10/2020
Can’t make head nor tail of
You can’t understand it.
“After reading his poem several times, I still couldn’t make head nor tail of it.”
21/10/2020
A needle in a haystack
If you think something is exceedingly difficult to find you could say that it is like trying to find or looking for a needle in a haystack.
“We would need hours to find that tiny ear-ring you lost in the street. It is like looking for a needle in a haystack.”
20/10/2020
Get off to a good start
To begin something well
“I didn’t get off to a very good start by arriving late on the first day.”
19/10/2020
On top of the world
Extremely happy
“The prospect of seeing her again made him feel on top of the world.”
16/10/2020
Speak for yourself
Use this expression if you want to distance yourself from another person’s comment in which they included you,
“We found the movie terribly disappointing.” “Speak for yourself! I thought it was quite entertaining and uplifting.”
15/10/2020
On your toes
If something or someone keeps you on your toes, you are forced to stay alert and prepared for something that might happen.
“Having such an unpredictable boss keeps us on our toes.“
14/10/2020
No pain, no gain
In order to obtain real benefits, one must make an effort.
“If you want to excel in English, you will have to do more than attend lessons. Homework is part of the process. No pain, no gain.“
13/10/2020
Every Tom, Dick and Harry
Anyone. Random people.
“Every Tom, Dick and Harry wants to win the lottery, but with that bring them happiness?.“
09/10/2020
Have up your sleeve
Keep an idea or strategy secret, ready for use when needed.
“Amateur teachers were told to always have an activity up their sleeve in case the lesson plan didn’t work or they run out of material.“
08/10/2020
You can’t beat
There is nothing better.
“When it comes to “tapas”, you can’t beat a good Spanish omelette.“
07/10/2020
Not (your) strong point
If something is not your strong point, you don’t possess that ability.
“I’ll try to help you with the homework but physics is not my strong point so you might to end up asking someone else.“
06/10/2020
Live in a dream world
To have unrealistic ideas of the world that surrounds you.
“You are living in a dream world, and I don’t think we can have a meaningful conversation until you see reality for what it is.“
05/10/2020
Right up your street (UK)
Right up your alley (US)
If something is right up your street, it is the type of thing you are interested in.
“Why don’t we go to that folk festival in Whitby? It looks right up your street.“
02/10/2020
It beats me (slang)
I don’t get it.
“It beats me how he manages to tell blatant lies and get away with it.“
01/10/2020
Clases de Inglés en Vitoria – Gasteiz. Particulares y grupos reducidos.