TEXTS
New EL Imput for the Next Meeting.It's not compulsory to learn all these phrases and words by hurt before every Meeting. This stuff is for the people who are more focused than other members (just practicing their EL by speaking with us) on getting themseves into new EL depths. There will be much more to come on this page.
PHRASES (*.doc)
On someone's (or something's) last legs.
for someone or something to be almost worn out or finished.
This building is on its last legs. It should be torn down. I feel as if I'm on my last legs. I'm really tired.Have a chip on your shoulder
(informal) - to seem angry all the time because you think you have been treated unfairly or feel you are not as good as other people.
He's got a chip on his shoulder about not having been to university.a nasty piece of work
informal
a very unpleasant person.To turn a blind eye to something.
to ignore something that you know is wrong:
Management often turns a blind eye to bullying in the workplace.To clam up (phrasal verb) (ALSO shut up like a clam)
INFORMALto go silent suddenly, usually because you are embarrassed or nervous, or do not want to talk about a particular subject:
He just clams up if you ask him about his childhood.Hit the nail on the head
to describe exactly what is causing a situation or problem:
I think Mick hit the nail on the head when he said that what's lacking from this company is a feeling of confidence.SAYINGS (*.doc)
Those in glass houses shouldn’t throw stones.
People who live in glass houses shouldn't throw stones. Proverb. You should not criticize other people for having the same faults that you yourself have.
Jill: Richard sure was drinking a lot at the office party. Jane: I noticed you had quite a few cocktails yourself. People who live in glass houses shouldn't throw stones.Like shooting fish in a barrel (as easy as shooting fish in a barrel).
ridiculously easy (very easy).
Jane's a good mechanic. Changing a tire is like shooting fish in a barrel, for her. That comedian has an easy job. Making fun of politicians is like shooting fish in a barrel.That's the way the ball bounces./That's the way the cookie crumbles.
You cannot control everything that happens to you; You should accept the bad things that happen.
Bill: I bought a hundred lottery tickets this week, but I still didn't win! Alan: That's the way the ball bounces. I was planning to have fun on my vacation, but I've been sick the whole time. I guess that's just the way the cookie crumbles. That's tough, but that's the way the mop flops.A fool's tongue runs before his wit.
If a person is not so clever
(soft in the head), he or she acts (speaks) and then only thinks.The grass is always greener on the other side (of the fence).
Proverb.People always think they would be happier in a different set of circumstances. (Usually implies that the other circumstances really are not any better.)
Jill: My job is so tedious. I wish I had my own business, like Beatrice does. Jane: Beatrice probably wishes she had the security of her old job. The grass is always greener on the other side of the fence.FHRASES & SAYINGS WITH “HORSE”
Flog a dead horse.
UK informal to waste effort on something that there is no chance of succeeding at He keeps trying to get it published but I think he's flogging a dead horse.
Beating a dead horse (Flog a dead horse to death).
Sometimes a person fights a battle that has been decided or keeps arguing a question that has been settled
Come/get (down) off your high horse.
to stop talking as if you were better or more clever than other people It's time you came down off your high horse and admitted you were wrong.
Get something straight from the horse's mouth.
to get information from the person most directly involved or best informed Jill: Sue is going to have a baby. Jane: Who told you that? Jill: I got it straight from the horse's mouth. There's a rumor that Randolph is moving to Alaska, but I won't believe it until I get it straight from the horse's mouth.
NEW WORDS (*.doc)
co-opt verb
jaunty adjective
proclivity noun
joiner noun
spatter verb
carcass noun
shindig noun
arbitrary adjective
jettison verb
transpire verb
flippant adjective
knockoff noun
whimsical adjective
hock verb