Let’s Practice English Idioms! VIII

What’s the biggest obstacle in your journey of exploring English? It could be grammar, pronunciation, or huge amount of vocabulary that seems to be endless. Above all, idiomatic expressions that have hidden, figurative meanings. Without understanding the cultural background or conventional usage of idioms, one can hardly imagine what those words are supposed to mean.

Using the given list of idioms and your imagination, try to choose a proper expression to fill in the blank of each sentence below.

a.   make a mountain out of a molehill

b.   pig out on (food)

c.   hold one’s horses

d.   draw a blank

e.   (something) slip one’s mind

f.    It’s in the bag.

g.   give someone the cold shoulder

h.   get a kick out of

i.    get off one’s high horse

j.    to feel like a fish out of water

1.   My boss normally enjoys golfing on weekends. Yes, golfing is the only sports that he ______________________________________________ in his ife.

2.   Tom ________________________ on the whole bag of potato chips whenever he’s stressed out.

3.   Do you think Melinda is ready to launch her new online business? I personally think she will make it! it’s _____________________________________ .

4.   Hey, Josh, please get  _____________________________________! Nobody will be your friend if you keep that stuck-up attitude!

5.   Phil, you just made one tinny-tiny mistake on the test, and it’s not the end of the world. Don’t ____________________________________________________ like that, please!

6.   Mary’s father gave his 15 year-old daughter’s new boyfriend the ___________________________________ because he thought she was too young to have a boyfriend.

7.   I told Jack to __________________________________ when he became badly mad while driving as the road hog kept changing his lanes so fast without giving signals.

8.   Kirstin felt like a _______________________________________, because she was the only Asian in the church of African Americans.

9.   I felt so awkward drawing _________________________________  at the high school reunion, because I wasn’t able to remember quite a lot of friends there.

10.                So terribly sorry that I forgot about your birthday, Patty! It totally _____________________________________________.

Clues

to make a mountain out of a molehill:  (verb) to make something that is not important into a big deal

to pig out: (verb) to eat/ devour a lot

to hold one’s horses: (verb) to wait a minute

to draw a blank: (verb) cannot remember (or fail in doing something)

(something) to slip one’s mind: (verb) to forget

It’s in the bag.: (sentence) It’s a certainty.

to give someone the cold shoulder: (verb) to ignore someone deliberately/ to treat someone in an unfriendly way

to get a kick out of something: (verb) to find something interesting and funny, to be amused by something/ to find pleasure in something

to get off one’s high horse: (verb) to quit thinking that you are better than others/ to stop behaving in a superior manner

to feel like a fish out of water : (verb) being somewhere you don’t belong

Answer Keys

1.   h. gets a kick out of

2.   b. pigs out

3.   f. in the bag

4.   i. get off your high horse

5.   a. make a mountain out of a molehill

6.   g. the cold shoulder

7.   c. hold his horses

8.   j. a fish out of water

9.   d. a blank
10. e. slipped my mind

Letter from the democratic leader

I have been an ardent member of DCCC, and every year I have donated some small money to make a bit of contribution to the committee. Since Donald Trump and the GOP rose to power, a lot of achievements gained by Obama administration have been repealed and whiplashed. Here I share the letter I received from DCCC leader Nancy Pelosi.

“The battle lines are drawn, and Donald Trump and the Republican Congress are, every day, attacking everything we accomplished over the past eight years. Destroy Medicare. Privatize Social Security. Dismantle the Affordable Care Act. Repeal Wall Street reform. Undo environmental safeguards. Restore the same trickle-down economies that ran over economy off a cliff in 2008. But, Congressional Democrats are fighting them every step of the way. We’re standing with the majority of Americans who reject Mr. Trump’s politics of fear, anger and resentment. We’re building an America based upon equality of opportunity and inclusion. We’re creating an economy that works for everyone, not just the well-connected few, and we’re fighting for policies and programs that protect the most vulnerable among us.

The House will be the front line for the coming fight with Trump Republicans. If we’re going to hold the line now and push back in the Congressional battles to come this year, I need your support. We’re not going to back down in the face of Trump-Republican attacks on the principles, values and ideals that form the foundation of the Democratic Party. We need to begin today building a powerful grassroots campaign that will restore a Democratic Majority to the House in 2018. A campaign that will continue to fight for an America where all people are treated equally and everyone, regardless of race, religion, ethnic or sexual identity, is given a chance to succeed. “

I firmly believe that the root of justice and genuine equality can only be achieved through the voice of commitment, NOT through a radical vision built on division and fear, resentment and hate.  

Expressions

- DCCC: Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee

-      to rise to power: (verb) to attain or gain access to a new office or right or position

-      The battle lines are drawn.: (phrase) Conflict or argument is about to occur between opposing group or people.

-      to dismantle …: (verb) take (a machine or structure) to pieces.

-      trickle-down economy: (adjective)  A fairy tale told by Republicans (of an economic system) in which the poorest gradually benefit as a result of the increasing wealth of the richest. This economic theory is based on the idea that if rich people are given Uber-Welfare in the form of tax credits, that they may throw a few crumbs to the rest of us, which somehow benefits us (even though the crumbs we get don't equal the money we've handed over to the rich)

-      well-connected: (adjective) having social or professional relationships, especially with influential or powerful persons

-      the front line for….: (noun) the most important or influential position in a debate or movement.

-      to hold the line: (verb) not yield to the pressure of a difficult situation.

-      to back down: (verb) withdraw a claim or assertion in the face of opposition

-      in the face of…: (phrase) when confronted with…

Time for a Half-Yearly Check of Your New Year Resolutions

I can’t believe the first half chunk of this year has passed! Do you still faithfully keep at your new-year resolutions? Do some of you even remember what the resolutions are? Well….according to my conjecture, quite a lot of you out there have been gradually negligent towards your goals or objects of the year 2016. Alright, let us just drop such a punctilious attitude. If your new-year resolutions were realistic and viable enough or a true keeper, they must still have been achieved by you on a daily basis. If they were no more than a creation of ‘demonstration effect’, they must have long been a history by now.

As for me, the new-year resolutions are as follows:

1.   “I would like to boost my VO2 max this year”

2.   “I will add relaxing yoga classes to help ease muscle pains”

3.   “I will resist the urge to run more each day just for the sake of injury prevention”

On number 1, I tried several times of the VO2 max interval training by myself, but it was harder than I had expected. So the resolution # 1 fizzled out over time.

Number 2 was half successful since I have been in relaxing yoga classes at least once or twice a week. However, I often skipped the yoga sessions, because my stubborn post-run fatigue would make me listless.

As for number 3, yes, I’d like to say I have abided by the rule of thumb before the daily hard trainings start to feel like a sockdolager on my pulled muscles! Although it makes me somewhat incomplete on the day that I skipped running, it is mostly a wise decision not to go out for a run when I am suffering from injuries or much too achy muscles.

How about you all? As I mentioned in my previous write-up on the new-year resolutions here in my blog, do not despair! If your decision cannot last more than three days, then let us just repeat the three-day resolutions over and over again! Then one day you’ll find yourself on the final month of this year doing the half-yearly check of your resolutions once again.

Expressions

to keep at: (verb) to continue doing something even if you want to stop

conjecture: (noun) guesswork

punctilious: (adjective) strict or exact in the observance of the formalities or amenities of conduct or actions.

viable: (adjective) practicable or workable

keeper: (noun) something worth keeping

demonstration effect: (noun) the theory that people buy products to impress or stay on the same level as their neighbors

fizzle out: (verb) to fail ignominiously after a good start

listless: (adjective) having or showing little or no interest in anything; languid; spiritless; indifferent

abide by…: (verb) to continue in a particular condition, attitude, relationship, etc.

sockdolager: (noun) something unusually large and heavy/ a forceful and finishing blow

Let’s Practice English Idioms!

What’s the biggest obstacle in your journey of exploring English? It could be grammar, pronunciation, or huge amount of vocabulary that seems to be endless. Above all, idiomatic expressions that have hidden, figurative meanings. Without understanding the cultural background or conventional usage of idioms, one can hardly imagine what those words are supposed to mean.

Using the given list of idioms and your imagination, try to choose a proper expression to fill in the blank of each sentence below.

1. Little did I expect him to be ___________________________ when his love for Jane was gone. 

2. Since he has been working hard in this field for all those years, he has the ______________________ the president.

3. Spencer is such a __________________________ who is strongly determined to achieve his dream no matter how long it takes.

4. After some down time due to her calf injury, Jean was ______________________________ to run at her full throttle again.

5. Cindy is always _____________________ before mid-terms or finals.

6. Customers of this thrifty shop are considered the people ____________________________  because most items sold in this place are very cheap and of low quality. FYI, I am one of the customers. Sigh…

7. Mark went __________________ when he found his car got all keyed by some nasty kids in the neighborhood.

8. Matt was _____________________________, trying to keep those two opposing parties happy.

9. The local charity in downtown L.A. has been working to _________________________ between different ethnic groups in the area.

10. Peoria is a beautiful city but lack a certain __________________________ that would make it more attractive to tourists.

Clues to solve

to go mental: (verb) to become furious and very mad/ to lose self-control

to be off like a dirty shirt: (verb) to leave quickly

to have the ear of someone: (verb) if you have the ear of someone, they listen to you and respect your opinions and advice

to be on edge: (verb) to be nervous or worried

go-getter: (noun) someone determined to be successful

je ne sais quoi: (noun. French origin) meaning “I don't know what" in French. If someone has a certain je ne sais quoi, they have a quality, usually pleasant, that is elusive or difficult to describe

to strain at the leash: (verb) to be eager to begin or do something/ to anxious to do something so much

below the salt: (phrase) In mediaeval England salt was expensive and only affordable by the higher ranks of society. Thus “below the salt” means “to have a low social position”.

to walk a tight rope: (verb) to be very careful not to annoy or anger people who could become enemies

to build bridges: (verb) to improve relationships between people who are very different or do not like each other (often + between )

Answer Keys

1. off like a dirty shirt

2. ear of

3. go-getter

4. straining at the leash

5. on edge

6. below the salt

7. mental

8. walking a tight rope

9. build bridges

10. je ne sais quoi

Remembering my friend Ray: Losing a friend without a chance to say goodbye.

It was 4:40 A.M. on  June 13, 2016. He did not show up yet. Five minutes, ten minutes,…..and even 20 minutes passed than his normal arrival time, but there was not even a shadow of the same old car, in which I saw a smiley old man that I adore as my cater-cousin in his driver’s seat humming his favorite jazz tune, that came into the outdoor parking lot of the local gym. With the bad gut feeling stealthily creeping inside of me, I got out of my car with heavy mind and saw another front desk staff (who became my best friend later on) urgently passing me in her car. She looked very bewildered and distressed. As she and I were walking closer to the gym gate, both of us could read each other’s concerns from the look upon our faces reflected by the dawning light of the day. I said “Well…I hope Ray is alright. Do you cover for him this morning, Patty?” It took her some moment to break the news to me….that I would never want to hear.  She took a deep breath and poured out the four cruel words in her exhale. “Ray has passed away.” ……………………… I was like “Pardon? ….Are you kidding me?........Are you serious?”  The air has felt the most strangling and the heaviest among many a troublesome days recently.

 

Mr. Ray James Wood was an 86-year-old man who had been opening up the local gym in the wee hours for the past 13 years here in Peoria, IL. Among his friends, family, and the gym users like me, he was well known for cracking up people with funny jokes and stories. The kind of person who never scowled at anyone or ever flipped out at any time. A Straight shooter who never violated laws or regulations but flexible staff at the gym at the same time. Whenever asked how he was, he would say, "Couldn't be better. Life is good!" giving his signature smile. Since he came to know that I’m an English educator, he’s frequently asked me to help him solve the crossword puzzle from his daily newspaper, which has been a fun challenge to me. I jokingly said “Wow, isn’t it funny that a native English speaker like you asks a non-native English user for help with his crossword puzzle, Ray? Yes, he was such a fun-loving guy who also loved golf and working in his yard. He sang for years in several of St. Vincent de Paul's choirs, most recently the funeral choir. Furthermore, Ray was a member of the Peoria Jazz Society and was a starter for the Peoria Park District's golf courses for many years. A great friend to all, a devoted husband and father, and a loving grandfather and great-grandfather. He loved to brag about his greatest accomplishment – his family. Last but not least, as a native Korean, I deeply appreciate his devotion as a soldier who was fighting for my motherland in the Korean War in his youthful years.

Although there will not be another day that I pick up the newspaper for him or take a selfie with him at the front desk, his megawatt smile and those of his three uplifting words “Life is good!” will never fade away in my heart. I miss you, Ray. Rest in peace.

Expressions

cater-cousin: (noun) a close/ intimate friend

stealthily: (adverb) slowly/ secretly

bewildered: (adjective) confused/ perplexed

to break the news to someone: (verb) to tell someone bad news

to scowl at…: (verb)  to look at someone or something in a way that shows anger or disapproval

to flip out: (verb) to become crazy or angry

straight shooter: (noun) a person who is very honest

Vocab to Describe Your Enemies at Work

Are you feeling secure and comfortable mingling with your colleagues at work? If so, you're lucky. If not, join the club! Here are some interesting expressions to describe those obvious or hidden enemies at work. Check them out!

(source from dictionary.com)

1.  

stuck-up-rich-sheltered-boss

2.   kissass

3.   gossip monger or gossip head

4.   snake in the grass

5.   psycho

6.   backstabber or frenemy

7.   weasel

8.   screwup

9. manipulative

10. bully

11. whistle-blower 

Clues

1.   stuck-up-rich-sheltered: (adjective) someone who is generally stupid and arrogant and thinks he or she is better than everyone else

2.   kiss-ass: (noun) somebody who deliberately ingratiates themselves to authority figures in such a way as to be annoying to their peers.

3.   gossip monger or gossip head: (noun)  a person obsessed with gossip. They have a need to know everyone and every situation going on around them, but many times their information is flawed or inaccurate.

4.   snake in the grass: (noun) a shady, conniving person who could strike at any time without warning

5.   psycho: (noun) A person who is so obsessed with something that they believe that their way is never wrong nor does anything wrong, and all other ways are wrong and unacceptable. They normally shove their belief down your throat because they believe you are in need of being educated and converted.

6.   backstabber/ frenemy: (noun) someone who you think is a friend but then he/she attempts in causing your downfall

7.   weasel: (noun) sly, cunning, treacherous or schemeing person that will do whatever they need to escape whatever they fear in the moment

8.   screwup: (noun) someone who constantly makes a mess of something or completely ruins something or makes a mistake

9.   manipulative: (adjective) influencing or attempting to influence the behavior or emotions of others for one’s own purposes

10.                bully: (noun)  a blustering, quarrelsome, overbearing person who habitually intimidates and picks on smaller or weaker people

11.                whistle-blower : (noun) a person who informs on another or makes public disclosure of corruption or wrongdoing.

Time to quiz yourself

1.   I thought Joe was my closest buddy at work, but found out that he’s been speaking ill of my in my absence. He is such a ____________________________.

2.   The team manager was at the end of his patience with Paul’s back-to-back mistakes in the project. He called Paul a ________________________ who keeps ruining everything.

3.   Sylvia is very arrogant and never appreciates her coworkers’ cooperation. People at work view her as a _____________________________________ woman who thinks she is better than anybody in this world.

4.   The nurse decided to become a __________________________ after all those years of witnessing the illicit behavior of doctors at the Clinique. She had an interview with major broadcasting networks.

5.   Bill Cosby had been a respectable father figure in America, but are recently suffering from bad reputation as the sneaky ______________________ who has been sexually abusing actresses and threatening them with his influence.

6.   Roger has complained that his coworker Ted is such a ___________________ for his obsession with wearing a formal attire at work. Ted never wears comfy clothes even at the outdoor BBQ parties in his backyard and gave a dress code for his friends invited.

7.   Don’t tell Lisa any of your secrets. Once she knows your stories, she starts to spread a rumor about you. I hate that ______________________________.

8.   Everybody in this department doesn’t like the way Rudy behaves. He is a typical _________________________ who brownnoses their team manager.

9.   You need to watch out for a sly person whom we call a _________________________________ at work. They look like your supporter, but could catch you off guard out of the blue.

10.                If you feel belittled, shouted down, and insulted by Tim once again, please let me know. I can’t stand a ___________________ at our workplace!

11.                It’s no surprise that Frank stole my idea for this project and won the spotlight in front of our director again. I’ve had enough of his malicious and ____________________ attitude to get a leg up on the competition!

Answer Key

1.   backstabber (or frenemy)

2.   screwup

3.   stuck-up-rich-sheltered

4.   whistleblower

5.   weasel

6.   psycho

7.   gossip monger/ gossip head

8.   kiss-ass

9.   snake in the grass

   10. bully

   11. manipulative