COLLOQUIAL ENGLISH IDIOMS

CONTENTS 1. Difficulties and Trou le. !. "ear and Co#ardice. . $. "ir%ness and Control &. I'norance( Inco%)re*ension and Misunderstandin' +. Irritation and Anno,ance. -. .no#led'e and Understandin'. /. Mista0es and "ailures. 1. 2er)le3it,( Indecision and Confusion 4. 2lainness and Easiness. 15. 2ro'ress( Ac*ie6e%ent( Success. 11. 7uin and 8aste. 1!. Scoldin'( 9la%e and Co%)laints 1$. Secrets 1&. Sus)icion( Dece)tion( Dis elief 1+. Tastes( 2references( Inclinations 1-. Tal0 and Discussion1 1/. Ti%e and O))ortunit,. 11. 8or0 and 9usiness. 14. 7es)onsi ilit, !5. T*ou'*ts( Conclusions and Decisions ...

1. DI""ICULTIES AND T7OU9LE A general phrase for "(to be) in difficulties or trouble" is: (to e: u) a'ainst it(to be) confronted by formidable difficulties or trouble "Well, old girl, "she murmured, "you're up against it this time, and no mistake." ;to e: in for it ;trou le: (to be) in ol ed in trouble: !f you break the school "indo"s, you'll be in for trouble.

#a ing (getting into) trouble (difficulties) is collo$uially e%pressed by these phrases: ;to ;to e: in a <a% = (to be) in a difficulty or in an a"k"ard situation Well, &ad, !'m in a bit of a 'am again. e: in a fi3 (in a difficulty (or dilemma): #is cart has stuck in the ri er, so that he is in a bad fi%.

to e in ;'et into: a scra)eto be in (get into) trouble (difficulty) )he percei ed she "as in a scrape, and tried in ain to think of a "ay of escape.* !f he'd get into a scrape, or break his leg. * !'ll do anything you like to help you out of the scrape if you're in one. ;to e: in a *ole(to be) faced "ith "hat appears to be a disastrous difficulty, an insurmountable trouble : +ou'd think to 'udge from the speeches of the "leaders", that the "orld had ne er been in a hole before. ,he "orld's al"ays in a hole, only in the old days people didn't make a song abouti t ;to e: in t*e sou) ;cart:(to be) in disastrously serious trouble "#e's got himself properly in the soup, he has, " he said thickly. ;to e: in *ot #ater *to 'et into *ot #ater to ha e (get into) trouble, especially as the result of foolish beha iour !t often happens that a young "ife is in hot "ater as long as her mother-in-la" li es in the same house. ;to ;to e( 'et into: in dee) #aterundergoing difficulty or misfortune ,he little shop-girl "as getting into deep "ater. e: in a %ess(to be) in trouble .ncle, you're so reno"ned for dropping your best pals "hen they're in a mess.

to catc* itto get into trouble/ to recei e censure or blame ,he ne" boss is a terror. +ou'd better "atch your step or you'll catch it. to e ;all: in t*e sa%e oat to ha e the same dangers (difficulties) to face ,he trouble is ho" to get on "ithout reducing staff. 0 eryone is in the same boat. to lea6e so%e od, in t*e lurc* >to lea e somebody in difficulties or trouble he ne er left us in the lurch.

1ne thing "e ha e to thank 2och for,

!n iting trouble, that is acting or beha ing in such a "ay as to bring trouble upon oneself may be collo$uially put thus: to loo0?as0 for trou le )omething in your eye says you're looking for trouble. to as0 for ;it:to take an action leading almost ine itably to an undesired result or trouble +ou' e been dismissed but you did ask for it3 to stic0 one@s nec0 out to adopt an attitude that in ites trouble or unfa ourable comment/ to in ite trouble unnecessarily +ou "on't stick your neck out if you don't need to4 ,hat's all !'m asking you, "ill you4

)ome collo$uial phrases for trouble making are: to stir u) a *ornets@ nest ;t*e nest of *ornets:to stir up host of enemies/ cause a great outburst of angry feeling to rin' a *ornets@ nest a out one@s ears means the same thing. ... +ou don't seem to reali5e, )enator, that this has stirred up a hornets' nest.67 to stir u) trou leto make trouble 8et hold of the coloured folk round here and make them dissatisfied put ideas in their heads stir up trouble3 to raise ;%a0e( 0ic0 u): a dust ;s*ind,:to make a disturbance +ou'd ob iously got to raise the dust about

Warning of trouble to come may be e%pressed by these phrases in common use: t*e fat is in t*e fire"hat has been done "ill cause great trouble, e%citement, anger, etc. Well, the fat's in the fire. !f you persist in your "ilfulness, you'll ha e yourself to blame. trou le is re#in'trouble is about to come 9artin kne" immediately the meaning of it. ,rouble "as bre"ing. ,he gang "as his bodyguard. ,ou@re for itdue for, or about to recei e, punishment, etc. :ones is late again, and this time he's for it.

A difficult task may be e%pressed by these phrases: a lar'e ;tall: ordera task almost impossible to perform/ #e says: "Well, 9r. ;auton, it looks a pretty tall order to me." a *ard nut to crac0 a ery difficult problem ,he police cannot find any traces/ the burglars ha e indeed gi en them a hard nut to crack. tric0,?stic0, (ad') a difficult or critical situation "<e er mind, " he consoled himself. "<othing's so tricky "hen you' e done it once." * ! e%pect it'll be rather a sticky do . t*ere@s t*e ru > a troublesome difficulty .=ut dreams3 Ay, there "as the rub. * >ammlein3 >ammlein "as in ol ed, too. #ere "as the real rub. sna'?*itc* an une%pected difficulty "!f there's any snag, " said 8eorge, "! should e%pect you to look on me as your banker."

)ome collo$uial phrases to describe financial difficulties are: to e *ard u)to be short of money ")he al"ays talks about being hard up, " said 9rs. Allerton "ith a tinge of spite.

;to e: in Queer street(to be) e%tremely short of money/ in trouble/ in debt =ut if you ask me the firm's not far off ?ueer street ;to to e: on one@s e ;ston,: ea% endsto be "ithout money, helpless or in danger "Ah3" he said, "of course3 1n his beam ends."

ro0eto be penniless =ut "e're less broke than "e "ere. ! could borro" a dress from 9ay ,urner.

*ardl, ;can@t: %a0e ot* ends %eet e%presses an acute financial embarrassment. With the high rent for their flat they can hardly make both ends meet on his small salary.

An end to troubles and difficulties may be put in this "ay: it@s all )lain sailin' no# > difficulties are o ercome/ )lain sailin' freedom from difficulties, obstacles ,he case "as comparati ely plain sailing. to lo# o6erto pass by/ to be forgotten "&on't "orry, " said my mother, "@erhaps it "ill blo" o er."

to 0ee) out of?steer clear of (trouble)to a oid it Aeep out of mischief3 * &on't get into mischief3)* .p till then he had al"ays managed to steer clear of trouble. it ne6er rains ut it )ours > "hen one bad thing happens to you, other bad things happen soon after

!. "EA7 AND CO8A7DICE ;ollo$uial phrases connected "ith the idea of fear include the follo"ing: to 'et t*e #ind u)to be frightened 1h, the reason is clear. #e lost his ner e. 8ot the "ind up suddenly. to )ut t*e #ind u) so%e od,to frighten him/ to make him scared ! could put the "ind up him by talking of that paper he had the copy "rapped in. to *a6e one@s *eart in one@s %out* to be in a state of tension or fear 9ary had her heart in her mouth "hen she 3

heard the e%plosion in the "orkshop.

to *a6e one@s *eart in t*e oots to be in a state of e%treme depression and fear ,he dri er had his heart in his boots "hen "e lost our "ay in the desert and ran short of petrol. so%e od,@s *eart san0. 9r. )$uales' heart sank as he reali5ed "hat it "as that he had done. to 'i6e so%e od, a nast, ; ad: turn to shock or frighten him/ a turn a ner ous shock !t ga e him a nasty turn, but he put on a bold front. to e scared stiffto be terrified * to scare so%eone stiffto terrify him !n a group, you don't dare to admit that you're scared stiff and that you "ant to go home. to e scared out of one@s #its ;senses: and to scare so%eone out of one@s #its ;senses: are similarly used. When the blo" fell it is not strange that she "as scared out of her "its. to fun0 ;A 'erund: is to refuse to act t*rou'* co#ardiceB to fear( to e afraid. a fun0 (blue funk) a state of e%treme fear +ou're in a funk. @ull yourself together. !t's all right ! tell you. (A. ;hr.) to *a6e no 'uts (to do something)/ to ha e guts is to possess courage. !t's all you can e%pect of a chap like that. #e's got no guts. to s*o# t*e #*ite feat*erto e%hibit co"ardice !t "as reported ... he ... had certainly sho"n the "hite feather in his regiment. to 'i6e one t*e cree)sto cause one to ha e sensation of fear and horror (or strong dislike) >et's get out of here. ,his place gi es me the creeps.. to *a6e ;'et: t*e <itters> to e in ;'et into: a )anic( fri'*tened or ner6ous. AlsoC to 'et ; e: <itter, ;<u%),:. t*e <itters collo$uial for a state of fear, e%citement or other mental tension. 9any people get the 'itters at e%amination time. *#e'd got the 'itters and didn't mind "ho kne"i t .*#e "as "orried, "asn't he4 <ot that "orried described it. #e "as e%cited. And 'ittery. *8eorge "as ery 'ittery all last "eek. to 'i6e so%e od, t*e s*i6ersto cause a sensation of fear in him, to frighten him +ou kno", you think "my turn ne%t" and it gi es you the shi ers. to 'et ;*a6e: cold feetto be afraid, to lose courage #e ... urged me to go ahead not to faint or get cold feet.

$. "I7MNESS AND CONT7OL ,he e%ercise of firmness and discipline is collo$uially e%pressed by these phrases: to )ut one@s foot do#nto be firm/ to insist/ firmly and "ithout $ualifications When the boy "anted to discontinue his studies to get married, his father put his foot do"n. to )in so%e od, do#n to ... (a promise, arrangement) to make him keep it/ to refuse to let him take a different course ! hope to pin her do"n to a definite undertaking to sing at our charity concert. to la, do#n t*e la#to speak as one ha ing authority and kno"ledge, though not necessarily possessing either #e could not bear ... hard-mouthed "omen "ho laid do"n the la" and kne" more than you did. to 0ee) a ti'*t rein on to be firm "ith/ to allo" little freedom to/ to control ery carefully #e has to keep a tight rein on his passion for collecting 'ade. to %a0e no ones a out so%et*in' to act firmly "ithout hesitation , he "orkers made no bones about telling the employers that they "ould go on strike unless their "ages "ere raised.

@hrases connected "ith the idea of control include the follo"ing: in *and under control to ta0e ;*a6e( 0ee): ,ourself in *andto get control of oneself ,hese unruly children need to be taken in hand. * !f he "ill take himself in hand, he ought to do "ell . to )ull oneself to'et*erto reco er one's normal self-control or balance +ou must pull yourself together and be 4

sensible. ! am in no danger not the least in the "orld.

0ee) ,our *air ;s*irt: onD Aeep calm3 All right3 Aeep your hair on3 ,here's no need to shout at me.

Absolute self-control is e%pressed in the follo"ing phrases: not to turn a *air?#it*out turnin' a *airto be $uite calm and undisturbed/ sho" no sign of being ner ous, shocked or "orried. When the general recei ed the ne"s of his army defeat he did not turn a hair. #it*out attin' an e,elid "ithout any signs of embarrassment, astonishment or other emotion not to at an e,elid not to sho" any sign of astonishment or other emotion ,he innocent person is often acutely embarrassed "hen he is ans"ering the 'udge's $uestions. =ut the guilty man "ill tell his lies "ithout so much as batting an eyelid. * " ! tell her "ithout batting an eyelid.

,he idea of losing control is contained in the phrases: ;to 'et( e: out of *and(to get, be) out of control, beyond control/ undisciplined "+ou are getting out of hand, " his "ife said to him ... to lose one@s 'ri) to lose control of circumstances command the country's confidence much longer.

,he @rime 9inister is losing his grip. #e "on't be able to

to lose one@s *eadto lose one's presence of mind/ to become irresponsible and incapable of coping "ith an emergency When accused he lost his head completely and beha ed like a fool.

>osing one's self-control and getting angry may be described by these phrases in common use: to lose one@s te%)erto lose one's self-control/ to get angry Well, she lost her temper and ! didn't mine. to fl, off t*e *andleB to fl, outsuddenly take offence/ to lose one's temper/ to burst out suddenly into anger #e flies off the handle at the least pro ocation.

&. IGNO7ANCE( INCOM27EHENSION AND MISUNDE7STANDING

I *a6en@t 'ot

t*e t*e t*e t*e t*e t*e

sli'*test faintest re%otest fo''iest 6a'uest least

idea ;notion:

I *a6en@t a notion ;an idea( a clue:. I *a6e no idea ;clue:. #o" much they could earn earnestly4 ! ha en't the slightest idea.*What on earth you are serious about ! ha en't got the remotest idea. *! had no idea he "as in 0gypt...* "What "as his name4" "! ha en't a notion." to e ;co%)letel,: in t*e dar0 (about something) means the same thing. &amn it all, man, t"o murders, and "e're still in the dark. I #ouldn@t 0no# to e%press ignorance of fact but implies * cannot really be e%pected to kno", "+ou don't kno" if 9r. )mith telephoned4""! "ouldn't kno", inspector." As0 %e anot*erD * Searc* %eD admit complete ignorance but are a bit too collo$uial for general use. "=ill, " the 0conomic Attache said, ""e "ant to kno" "ho 9ick is." ")earch me." *9rs. :an =yl gripped ;onnie's arm. "What's that4" she asked. "Ask me another, " ;onnie ans"ered.

1ther collo$uial phrases e%pressing ignorance, especially ignorance of techni$ue (not kno"ing ho"), are: it@s e,ond %eB it@s 'ot %e eaten. ,he that she kne" things "hich "ere beyond him, confounded him.

It@s ;all: Gree0 ;dou le Dutc*: to %e. ! can't understand it. !f only he could ha e understood the doctor's 'argon,

the medical niceties, ... but they "ere 8reek to him

I@% out of %, de)t*. (i.e. ! can't understand the sub'ect.) <o" ! am $uite out of my depth. ! usually amB B "hen >ord !lling"orth says anything. a fat lot of 'ood( use( etc. > not at all good or useful @aul can't dri e so he "as a fat lot of use "hen ! broke my arm. A fat lot ,ou 0no#D > +ou don't kno" anything at all3 #is brogue3 A fat lot you kno" about brogues3 I@6e lost %, #a, (my bearings) admits ignorance of direction or locality. !f you' e lost your "ay, the lift is the third on the right. to e a co%)lete stran'er to one > ! am sure they "ere complete strangers to one another.

I can@t )lace *i% (the name, face) can't fully identify him (it). ,he stranger's face "as familiar to >ammlein, though he couldn't place it.

!gnorance of future de elopments or of somebody's intentions is e%pressed by these phrases in common use: ,ou ne6er can tell ;,ou can@t e6er tell: it is impossible to kno" =ut you can't e er tell "hat "e're going to run in to . * +ou ne er kno" "hat anybody's going to say and do ne%t. ,ou ne6er 0no# ? t*ere@s no 0no#in' ;tellin': Why, there's no kno"ing "hat you'll be able to do "ith it. 8*at are ,ou dri6in' atE 8*at are ,ou u) toE to e%press ignorance of someone's intention. What are you dri ing at4 Are you cra5y4*8oodness gracious3 What are you up to4 He 0no#s no etter (#e doesn't kno" any better) is a comment on ignorant beha iour. ,his is an e%cuse for somebody "ho un"ittingly does some "rong. !t "as all my fault. ,hese people don't kno" any better, but ! do.

!ncomprehension and inability to understand use these phrases: I I I I I don@t don@t can@t don@t don@t ;Fuite: 'et ,ou ;it:. Fuite follo# ,ou. follo# ,ou ;it:. Fuite see ;#*at ,ou %eanB #*,...:. Fuite understand.

#e hesitated: "! don't $uite get you." *,he young man fro"ned. "! simply don't geti t . " *!'m afraid, 9r. )errocold, that ! don't $uite follo" you. *,hey talked about arious topics he didn't $uite follo"..*! don't $uite see "hat you mean. *"! don't $uite see "hy they tried to fi% the blame on :ohn, " ! remarked. *!'m afraid ! don't $uite see "hat all this has to do "ith it. *=y the "ay, 9r. Anderson, ! do not $uite understand.
1ther phrases similarly used include the follo"ing: I can@t %a0e *ead or tail of it. ! can't understand it in the least. >innet thought she sa" a telegram for her sticking up on the board. )o she tore it open, couldn't make head or tail of it... it eats %e ! can't understand ",his thing beats me, " he "hispered. "! don't see through it a bit."

to e all at sea.to be unable to understand, in a state of ignorance about circumstances, situation, etc. #a e you any theories4" he asked the sergeant. "! am all at sea, sir, " the other told him. I can@t %a0e so%et*i'?so%e od, out. ! can't understand it *them. ,here's one thing ! can't make out, "hy didn't he destroy it at once "hen he got hold of it4

;omplete misunderstanding (of a situation) is collo$uially e%pressed thus: to 'et it all #ron'to misunderstand it completely "! kno", " he rubbed his forehead. "! got things all "rong." to 'et t*e #ron' end of t*e stic0 has the same significance. #er eyes flashed angrily. "+ou' e got the "rong end of the stick, " she said.

+. I77ITATION AND ANNOGANCE ;ollo$uial phrases for to irritate, to annoy include the follo"ing: to 'et on one@s ner6esto irritate, to annoy &on't let @eter get on your ner es, s"eetheart. !'d almost forgotten him. to 'et under so%e od,@s s0in to irritate As a rule ! "as not touchy, but #o"ard had a knack of getting under my skin. to )ut so%eone@s ac0 u)to irritate, to antagonise to 'et one@s "+ou' e put the old boy's back up." to ru "ay. ac0 u)to become irritated "@he"3" said )imon.

;stro0e: so%eone t*e #ron' #a,to irritate him Whate er ! say these days seems to rub him up the "rong

to 'et one@s 'oatto annoy, to e%asperate "+ou only say that, &addy, to get my goat." "And only because your goat is so easy to get." to 'i6e so%eone t*e )i)to annoy Women dri ers often gi e me the pip. to 'et ;ta0e: a rise out of so%eoneto annoy, to tease them/ to act in such a "ay that they gi es a display of bad temper, sho"s annoyance (or other "eakness) #e said those unpleasant things to get a rise out of you.

,o be annoyed or e%ed is collo$uially speaking: to e )ut out (about something or "ith somebody)to be annoyed, irritated "&o you mind telling me if they're much put out "ith her4" "9y people4" "Apparently not, " said Connie... to e on ed'e > to be irritable/ to be in a state of ner ous tension ",ake it easy, >arry, "e're both a little on edge."

to e ;to 'et: sore (about something, at someone) to be (to become) annoyed, e%ed, hurt, aggrie ed sore at me, " he said. "!t's not my fault."

"&on't get

to e fed u) ;#it*: to be utterly bored "ith and tired of (,his is rather slangy.) #e said in a grating tone: "!'m fed up" "What4" cried ,om. "!'m fed up "ith being talked about." to e ;'et: sic0 and tired of to be (become) annoyed, tired of, disgusted "ith. Also: to e sic0 to deat* of ? deadl, sic0 of. "!'m sick and tired of going o er stuff you kno" as "ell as ! do, " said #o"ard...*!t "as interesting enough at first, "hile "e "ere at the phonetics/ but after that ! got deadly sick of it.

0%asperation, annoyance and irritation may be e%pressed by these e%clamations and phrases: Annoyance: Suc* a oreD 8*at a oreD 8*at a nuisanceD O*( ot*erD Ho# anno,in'D Ho# 6e3in'D Ho# a#fulD 0tc.

0%asperation: to t*e to to to e enou'* to dri6e a %an to drin0/ (it's) enough to try )atience of a saint e enou'* to %a0e a saint s#ear/ e enou'* to %a0e ,ou tear ,our *air e ;suc*: a ore

#a ing his house constantly full of gossiping "omen is enough to dri e a man to drink. *,he remonstrances... ! ha e recei ed... ha e been enough to make a saint s"ear.*">isten: "ill you dine "ith me to-night4""&arling, !'m so sorry, but ! simply can't. !' e an appointment. )uch a bore3" 1h, bother3 ,here: don't be offended, old chap. What's the use of putting your back up at e ery trifle4
!rritation may be also e%pressed by using the phrase on earth after the interrogati e "ord of a $uestion: 8*, on eart*...E 8*at on eart*...E Ho# on eart*...E 8*ere on eart*...E What on earth's he doing out here4" ,im asked.#is mother laughed. "&arling, you sound $uite e%cited." *What3 Why on earth should you say that4

-. .NO8LEDGE AND UNDE7STANDING ,horough kno"ledge (understanding) of a thing (person) is e%pressed by these phrases in common use: to 0no# so%et*in' ;so%e od,: li0e t*e )al% of one@s *and to kno" thoroughly 0 erything that can be done is being done. 9artin kno"s the place like the palm of his hand. e Fuic0?slo# on t*e u)ta0e > to be $uick*slo" to understand something !s he al"ays this slo" on the uptake4

)ome general phrases of understanding are: to 0no# #*at is #*atto ha e proper kno"ledge of the "orld and of things in general #e isn't such a fool as they took him for. #e kno"s "hat is "hat. to 0no# t*e ro)esto be thoroughly familiar "ith the details of any occupation/ to be "orldly and sophisticated "&id he find it easy4"'"! e%pect he kne" the ropes." to 0no# a t*in' or t#oto ha e practical ability and common sense +ou needn't ha e to "orry about her. )he'll be a help too. . )he kno"s a thing or t"o already, not like &oris. He #asn@t orn ,esterda,D#e is not a fool, he is a shre"d and kno"ing person. ,he ne" #eadmaster "ill stand no nonsense from anybody. #e "asn't born yesterday, ! can tell you. to 0no# on #*ic* side one@s read is uttered to kno" "here one's interests lie 9ary often stays "ith her old uncle and keeps house for him. #e is ery rich, and she kno"s on "hich side her bread is buttere d. to 0no# etter ;t*an...:to be "ise enough not to... )he ought to kno" better than to ask him.

to 'et to 0no#to become ac$uainted "Well, "ell, " he said, ""e "ant to get to kno" our ne" friends, don't "e, 9other4"

.nderstanding is often collo$uially e%pressed by these erbs: to see, ! see (! understand), to 'et and to catc* ;on:. "A man4" asked 0sa. "9an or "oman it is the same." "! see." *"! see "hat you mean, " said 9r. )atterth"aite.*",hen tie my "rist up to my shoulder someho", as hard as you can. &o you get that4 ,ie up both my arms.""+es, ! get it." *&o you catch my meaning4

An amusing phrase meaning a belated act of comprehension is: t*e )enn, dro)s?t*e )enn,@s dro))ed, (i. e. #e's at last got my meaning.)

,"o common sayings commenting on kno"ledge: .no#led'e is )o#er. (,he more a man kno"s, the greater po"er he has.) Gou li6e and learn.

/. MISTA.ES AND "AILU7ES ,he idea of making a mistake is present in the follo"ing phrases in common use: to )ut one@s foot in itto commit a blunder Why did you ask )mith ho" his "ife is "hen you kno" she's left him4 +ou are al"ays putting your foot in it. to dro) a ric0to make a bad mistake, especially to make a stupid and indiscreet social mistake by in$uiring after her husband, not kno"ing that she "as di orced last year.

! dropped a brick

9iscalculation uses the follo"ing phrases: to ar0 u) t*e #ron' tree to act under a mistake/ to blame the "rong person or thing !f you think your dri er "as responsible for the accident, you are barking up the "rong tree. to ac0 t*e #ron' *orse to misplace one's trust !n oting for the Cepublicans you backed the "rong horse, since 8

they lost thousands of otes

1 er-estimating one's strength: to ite off %ore t*an one can c*e# to try to achie e something beyond one's po"er/ to underestimate the difficulties #e "orks o ertime, attends e ening classes, and studies 2rench/ ! think he bit off more thanh e can che".

1 er-estimating one's chances: to count one@s c*ic0ens efore t*e, are *atc*edto be too hopeful of one's chances !'m not counting my chickens before they're hatched, )imon. ! tell you >innet "on't let us do"n3 Do not catc* ,our c*ic0ens efore t*e, are *atc*ed. (&o not be too optimistic)

8etting things in the "rong order: to )ut t*e cart efore t*e *orse to do or put things in the "rong order/ to re erse the proper order of things ,o read 0nglish no els before you ha e mastered 0nglish grammar is to put the cart before the horse.

;ollo$uial phrases to e%press failure include the follo"ing: to fall t*rou'*to fail to materialise/ to come to nothing/ to fail #e made careful plans but they all fell through. to %iss t*e usto fail to sei5e a ital opportunity ,here "ere se eral acancies in the ne" plant, but 8eoffrey missed the bus. to e a flo)to be a complete failure, a fiasco ,he play "as a flop. * ,he first American attempt to launch an artificial satellite pro ed to be a flop. to 'o to t*e #allto fail/ to succumb to superior force (@ro erb: T*e #ea0est 'oes to t*e #all .) !n the conflict throughout the house the "omen had gone to the "all. to co%e a cro))erto fail badly or suffer disaster/ to fall hea ily to e ar0in' u) t*e #ron' tree > to ha e the "rong idea about ho" to get or achie e something +ou're barking up the "rong tree if you're e%pecting us to lend you any money. to ac0 t*e #ron' *orse to misplace one's trust !n oting for the Cepublicans you backed the "rong horse, since they lost thousands of otes to ite off %ore t*an one can c*e# to try to achie e something beyond one's po"er/ to underestimate the difficulties #e "orks o ertime, attends e ening classes, and studies 2rench/ ! think he bit off more thanh e can che". to count one@s c*ic0ens efore t*e, are *atc*edto be too hopeful of one's chances !'m not counting my chickens before they're hatched, )imon. ! tell you >innet "on't let us do"n3 Do not catc* ,our c*ic0ens efore t*e, are *atc*ed. (&o not be too optimistic)

8etting things in the "rong order: to )ut t*e cart efore t*e *orse to do or put things in the "rong order/ to re erse the proper order of things ,o read 0nglish no els before you ha e mastered 0nglish grammar is to put the cart before the horse.

;ollo$uial phrases to e%press failure include the follo"ing: to fall t*rou'*to fail to materialise/ to come to nothing/ to fail #e made careful plans but they all fell through. to %iss t*e usto fail to sei5e a ital opportunity ,here "ere se eral acancies in the ne" plant, but 8eoffrey missed the bus. to e a flo)to be a complete failure, a fiasco ,he play "as a flop. * ,he first American attempt to launch an artificial satellite pro ed to be a flop. to 'o to t*e #allto fail/ to succumb to superior force/ to get the "orst of it (@ro erb: T*e #ea0est 'oes to t*e

#all.) to co%e a cro))erto fail badly or suffer disaster/ to fall hea ily #e came a cropper in an e%amination.

2ailure to obtain any results or make further progress may be described by the follo"ing collo$uial phrases: to dra# a lan0to get nothing/ to obtain a negati e or no result As regards a link "ith 9r. =abbington, you ha e dra"n the blank yes, but you ha e collected other suggesti e information. not to 'et ;so%eone: an,#*ereto obtain no result/ to make no progress !t's not getting us any"here.We're not making any progress.

A check to progress may be put in this "ay: a setH ac0B to *a6e ;suffer: a setH ac0. set-back. #e "as impro ing, impro ing ery much. ,hen for some reason he had a

to 'et ; e: stuc0 ;for: to e rou'*t to a *alt / to make no head"ay "Are you stuck so soon4" 0rik sat do"n and silently took one of the cigarettes from the desk. "!'m not stuck, " he said to let so%e od, do#n. to fail somebody in a time of need "ho, she "as ery positi e, "ould not let her do"n. ,he girl in the restaurant mentioned a friend a friend

;ommiseration for a failure may be e%pressed thus: 9ad luc0D 7otten luc0D Hard linesD 9etter luc0 ne3t ti%e "=ad luck3" e%claimed Connie 1"en before he kne" he had spoken. *"Cotten luck, isn't it4" "Cotten." *"1h, dear, that "as hard lines, " said 9iss 9oss, trying to appear indifferent.*#e's "on again. 9y luck is definitely out tonight.

)ome pro erbial comments: A %iss is as 'ood as a %ile. (A failure is still a failure e en though it came near to success.) It is no use cr,in' o6er s)ilt %il0. (When "e ha e made mistakes through carelessness, or suffered loss that cannot be reco ered, "e should not "aste our time "eeping or regretting "hat has happened, but should make the best of it and be more careful in the future.) "1h, dear me3" e%claimed ;arrie. ,hen she settled back "ith a sigh. ",here's no use crying o er spilt milk, " she said. "!t's too late." E6er, do' *as *is da,. (<either success nor failure is permanent, e en the most "retched person can e%pect at least one day of good fortune in his life.) Well, e ery dog has his day/ and ! ha e had mine: ! cannot complain.

1. 2E72LEIITG( INDECISION AND CON"USION @erple%ity is collo$uially e%pressed by these phrases: to e ;feel: ;all: at sea. ,his phrase is applied to somebody confused, pu55led, not kno"ing ho" to act or in uncertainty of mind. #e "as all at sea "hen he began his ne" 'ob to e at one@s #its@ end is to be greatly perple%ed, not to kno" "hat to do or say (in an emergency). ,his phrase registers complete perple%ity "ith regard to action. ,he car broke do"n on our "ay to 0dinburgh. ! could not find the defect, though ! tried my hardest and soon ! "as at my "its' end. "#ard up, are you4" to e at a loss to be pu55led and perple%ed, to be in uncertainty or unable to decide. ,his phrase is often modified by arious ad erbs of degree and fre$uency. #e is ne6er at a loss for an effecti e moral attitude*2reddie re i ed himself $uickly. #e "as seldo% at a loss, and ne er for any length of time.*"9y dear >ouisa. 9y poor daughter." #e "as so %uc* at a loss at that place, that he stopped altogether. *#e "as co%)letel, at a loss as to "hat step to take ne%t... *,he doctor "as for once sli'*tl, at a loss. *"=ut do you kno", " he asked Fuite at a loss( "the e%tent of "hat you ask4" to e in a %aJeto be in a state of confusion or be"ilderment ! "as in a ma5e "hen ! recei ed the ne"s.

10

,he perple%ity caused by ambiguous beha iour finds an outlet in these $uestions: 8*at@s *e u) toE 8*at@s *e afterE 8*at@s *is ;little: 'a%eE "What's he been up to4" said =ing "#is old tricks " "What are you after4" said )mithers in a noisy "hisper and "ith a detecti e eye on the papers... ."What's your particular little game4"

@erple%ity and indecision also use these phrases: to e in a Fuandar, to be in a perple%ing situation or in a dilemma When #urst"ood. got back to his office again he "as in greater $uandary than e er. to e in a dile%%a ? to e cau'*t ;)ut: on t*e *orns of t*e dile%%a to be faced "ith a difficult choice

to )ut ;)lace: so%eone in a dile%%a to place himself in a like dilemma.

&a"son-#ill "as in a dilemma. With a strong mental effort )ir >a"rence tried

to fall et#een t#o stools > to fail through hesitating bet"een t"o courses of action, to lose an opportunity through inability to decide bet"een t"o alternati es. )o as the pro erb puts it: 9et#een t#o stools ,ou fall to t*e 'round. (somebody "ho cannot decide "hich of t"o courses to follo" or "ho tries to follo" t"o courses at the same time may fail to follo" either.) #e tried to keep in "ith the t"o opponents, but - he fell bet"een t"o stools. to e in t#o ;t#ent,: %inds to be undecided/ to hesitate "When ! sa" you last, " he said, "! "as in t"o minds. We talked and you e%pressed your opinion." ( not to 0no# one@s ;o#n: %ind to be undecided/ to be full of doubt and hesitation 9other, ho" changeable you are3 +ou don't seem to kno" your o"n mind for a single moment. Ges and No. "&id you mind him doing that4" :ane took a moment to ans"er. "Well, yes and no." to s*ill,Hs*all,to be unable to make up one's mind/ to be undecided 9y dear, it's no good shilly-shallying. We can't go on like this.

!f you're undecided as to ho" some important problem should be sol ed, it's better: to slee) on ;o6er: it (i. e. "ait till tomorro" before taking any important decision)

)ome common phrases to e%press confusion are: a) confusion of action not to 0no# #*ic* #a, to turnto be confused and not to kno" ho" to act or "hat to do (or say) 1h, this is a"ful ! don't kno" "hat to do nor "hich "ay to turn3 not to 0no# if ,ou are standin' on ,our *ead or ,our *eels to be confused/ not to kno" ho" to act or "hat to do (say) ! got information so contradictory that ! didn't kno" "hether ! stood on my head or my heels. not to 0no# #*at to do for t*e est ? not to 0no# #*et*er one is co%in' or 'oin' are also similarly used. #e doesn't kno" "hether he is coming or going.*1h, this is a"ful. ! don't kno" "hat to do for the best.

b) confusion of thought to e ;'et: all %i3ed u) ? to e ;'et: all %uddled u) to be confused in mind &on't go no" about samples and prices and crossbreeds and things, because anyho" it's boring and ! get all mi%ed up. * !'m getting slightly muddled, " I can@t t*in0 strai'*t may be used "ith the same meaning. "! kno"." #e rubbed his forehead. "! got things all "rong. ,here are times "hen ! can't think straight. ! get muddled."

c) confusion and disorder in general ;all: at si3es and se6ens is used of things "hich are in a state of utter confusion or out of order. ,he ser ants ha e gone off lea ing e erything at si%es and se ens. u)side do#nin disorder/ in confusion "! hope they are not turning the place upside do"n."

11

To)s,tur6, is similarly used. ;to e: in a %uddie ;%ess( tan'le: in a state of confusion and disorder After he had finished packing the furniture, the "hole room "as in a mess. *elterHs0elter(in) disorderly haste (used of a precipitate action, often in making a hasty retreat) When the rain came the cricketers rushed helter-skelter for the pa ilion. )ellH%ellin a confused, disordered manner ... "hen looking do"n into the lock from the $uay, you might fancy it "as a huge bo% into "hich flo"ers of e ery hue and shade had been thro"n pell-mell. ... *i''led,H)i''led,in utter confusion or complete disorder ,rager had one of those minds in "hich little bits of obser ation, deduction, flashes of inspiration, and ideas born of a "ide e%perience floated about higgledy-piggledy. ... *a,#irein an unusual, confused manner/ confused (used of things that seem to act illogically and uncontrollably) ,his radio's gone hay"ire. a ear 'arden ;a edla%: a place full of noise and confusion =ut the "ay he's gone about it, it's making the college into a bear garden. *,he room "as 'ust like a bedlam "hen ! "ent in. a )rett, ;nice( fine: 0ettle of fis* a confused and difficult situation. When she had gone )oames reached for the letter. "A pretty kettle of fish, " he muttered. *,he apprentice had broken the dri ing motor of the machine. !t "as a nice kettle of fish.

4. 2LAINNESS AND EASINESS ,he follo"ing collo$uial phrases and comparisons are used to underline the fact that something is $uite clear and plain: ;to e: as )lain as a )i0estaff (to be) perfectly clear and ob ious Why do you ask me again4 0 erything is as plain as a pikestaff. to stic0 out a %ileto be ob ious, e%tremely conspicuous ! kne" that sooner or later she "ould break do"n. !t stuck out a mile. ;to e: as )lain as t*e nose on one@s face (to be) perfectly ob ious !t's as plain as the nose on your face that she "on't go because she doesn't "ant to be separated from this man.... ;to e: as clear ;)lain: as da, ;da,li'*t: ")urely the "hole thing is clear as daylight. ,he man's caught red-handed."

it lea)s to t*e e,e;s:it is e%tremely conspicuous/ it stands out/ it catches one's eye "+ou are "hat "e call '$uick in the uptake'." "Ah, that, it leaps to the eye." to see so%et*in' #it* *alf an e,e to see it easily because it is ob ious Anyone can see "ith half an eye that you're in lo e "ith her. it ;t*at: 'oes #it*out sa,in'it is $uite ob ious "We ha e to keep friends anyho" and hear of each other." ",hat goes "ithout saying."

;omparisons are also commonly used to underline the fact that a thing is easy to do: ;it@s: as eas, ;si%)le: as fallin' off a lo' e%tremely easy (simple) "0asy as falling off a log, if you use your head properly, " it "as saying. "All it needs is timing. @ick your moment." ;it@s: as eas, as 0iss ,our *and ;%, t*u% : e%tremely easy When t"o attendants got out their stretcher and "alked importantly through the middle of the cro"d, ;onnie follo"ed them closely like a kind of plain-clothes nurse. )he "as inside the shop as easy as kiss your hand. as eas, as #in0in'B as eas, as s*ellin' )eas are similarly used. himself.*"0asy as "inking. And a cool fifty at the end ofi t . "

"0asy as shelling peas, " he kept telling

)lain sailin' clear and straight course/ freedom from difficulties, obstacles (difficulties are o ercome). !t's all plain sailing no" *,he case "as comparati ely plain sailing.

12

Derbal phrases connected "ith the idea of easiness are: to ta0e so%et*in' in one@s stride to do it easily/ to do it "ithout any special effort "=oche patrols all o er3" ","o armored cars3"*9artin took the ne"s in his stride. #e seemed to kno" "hat "as up. to #altJ t*rou'* ;so%et*in':to do it "ith ease #e "alt5ed through his e%aminations. * ,he recruits ha e "alt5ed through their training. 1ther phrases similarly used are: I can do it lind foldB I can do it standin' on %, *eadB I can do it #it* %, *ands tied e*ind %, ac0, all meaning ! can do it $uite easily, "ithout efforts. #e can do it standing on his head. a #al0o6eran easy ictory/ a complete and easy ictory in a competition. ,hey had a "alk-o er in the men's doubles to #in *ands do#n to ha e an easy ictory #e "on all his money hands do"n.

;ollo$uial phrases that ser e to correct a misapprehension about the ease and comfort of something (a 'ob, etc.) are: it@s not all eer and s0ittlesB it@s not all la6ender it's not all pleasure, comfort and ease not all beer and skittles* !t's not all la ender being a $ueen.

An entertainer's life is

it@s no )icnic it's not easy/ it's not an easy and pleasant affair =ringing up a family "hen you're unemployed is no picnic.

15. 27OG7ESS( ACHIEKEMENT( SUCCESS @rogress and success in the affairs of life may be e%pressed by these collo$uial phrases: to %a0e 'oodto succeed in spite of obstacles/ to make a success of things Well, ! made good in the end, didn't !, and there's a little token to remember it by. to 'et on ;#ell:to progress "ith one's profession or business/ to make a success of things/ to prosper ! had been a poor young man determined to get on. to s*a)e #ellto gi e promise of success 1ur plans are shaping "ell. to %a0e out (Amer)to get along/ to succeed Well, if it ain't old =arnacle =ill back from the sea3 #o" are you making out, &ad4 to e selfH%ade. somebody "ho is successful in life through one's o"n efforts ! said ! "as a self-made man/ and ! am not ashamed of it.

,he idea of achie ement or success is also contained in the follo"ing phrases in common use: to %a0e itultimately succeed (fre$uently applied to a punctual arri al) ,here you are, 0dgar. ! thought ! "ouldn't make it in time. *,he train lea es at E.7F/ can "e make it4 (reach the station in time to catch it) to )ull? rin' off somethingto bring to a successful conclusion/ to succeed in a plan, in "inning something, etc. Also: to )ull it off and rin' it do#n. #e said: "! hope ! can pull it off." "+ou' e got to pull it off, " his partner said. * "Well, look here, " ,om "ent on, "!' e got an idea and it's a big thing. !f "e can pull it off and bring it do"n, ! belie e "e can put it o er." to do t*e tric0>to achie e one's ob'ect +ou don't need million olts. @erhaps a $uarter "ould do the trick. to co%e offto succeed/ to reach a satisfactory end ,he "ork's come off pretty "ell all things considered. to co%e off ;t*rou'*: #it* fl,in' colours to make a great success of something/ to emerge from an affair "ith honour and success At the recent e%aminations, @eter came off "ith flying colours. to s#ee) ;carr,: all ;e6er,t*in': in the school sports, efore one to ha e complete, uninterrupted success Cobert carried all before him

to %a0e a *it (often to make a great, etc., hit)to be a popular success (generally applied to a performance of some type) )he "rote 1ne-Way-,raffic. ! sa" it t"ice. !t made a great hit. 13

@ride in success is described by the phrase: ;it@s: a feat*er in one@s ca) (it's) an e ent to 'ustify satisfaction and pride. #e "on the race, "hich is another feather in his cap. to 0ill t#o irds #it* one stone to achie e t"o ob'ects "ith one action #e's an important guy in this country. !f ! only had kno"n, ! "ould ha e taken you in "ith me/ "e could ha e killed t"o birds "ith one stone.

;onfidence in ultimate success or ictory may be put in this "ay: ;to e: in t*e a' (to be) a irtual certainty/ (to be) "ell in hand. Also: to ha e something in the bag. ",hat meant the ma'ority "as in the bag, " said 9artin. it@s all o6er ut ; ar: t*e s*outin' and t*e attle@s as 'ood as #on > also e%press irtually certain achie ement. +ou can lea e all the rest to me it's all o er but the shouting, and "e "in hands do"n. to turn t*e ta les ;on so%e od,: > to con ert defeat into ictory (or success), to change possible defeat into ictory. Well, the tables are turned no". +ou' e got me "here you "ant me, ha en't you, 8ina4

A narro" margin of success, especially escaping disaster (danger, defeat, death, etc.) by a ery narro" margin,is e%pressed thus: to *a6e a narro# sFuea0?s*a6eB to *a6e a narro#?near esca)e to escape from disaster, danger, etc.,by a ery small margin ! had some narro" s$ueaks no" and then, but ! al"ays came through all right. ;to e: a near t*in' ;a close t*in'B a close s*a6e: (to be) a ery narro" escape "! see, " said ;haffery/ "but it "ill be a pretty close sha e for all that " * "!t "ill be a de ilish close thing, " touc*HandH'oan e%tremely narro" margin of safety or time (often used of a serious operation or a dangerous task) !t "as touch-and-go "hether the doctor "ould get there in time.

)uccess in escaping punishment is e%pressed thus: to 'et a#a, #it* ;it: to commit an unofficial or illegal act and escape the conse$uences "!' e been letting you get a"ay "ith murder3" Willoughby said. "And don't think that ! don't kno" it."*"+ou damned fool, " she said thickly, "do you think you can treat me as you ha e done and get a"ay "ith it4

)ome pro erbial comments: Not*in' succeeds li0e success. (1ne success leads to another. When one has learned to achie e success it is easy to be continuously successful.) ,his is often ironical. A 'ood e'innin' is *alf t*e attle. )uccess often depends on making a good start (When undertaking anything ne", it is important that you should start "ith enthusiasm and energy/ then you are more likely to succeed "ith the ne%t of the undertaking.) Well begun is half done e%presses the same idea. (A good beginning makes it easy to finish a piece of "ork successfully.)

11 7UIN AND 8ASTE Cuin and decay may be collo$uially described thus: to 'o to t*e do'sto be ruined/ to deteriorate completely ;an't make out ho" you stand >ondon )ociety. ,he thing has gone to the dogs, a lot of damned nobodies talking about nothing. ;to e: on its last le's (to be) a hopeless state of decay/ almost e%hausted/ about to die @eople had gro"n tired of saying that the "&isunion" "as on its last legs. to 'o to )iecesto break up (physically, mentally or morally) ,hen "hen his "ife died about si% or se en years ago, he seemed to go all to pieces. to fall to )ieces usually e%presses physical decay of things. ,he old building "as falling to pieces. to 'o fro% ad to #orse to become ruined !t "as the end of the good fello"ship that had so long obtained bet"een the four fat men. ,hings "ent from bad to "orse. 14

to 'o to )otto become broken, "eak or useless/ to be discarded as useless (,his is slangy.) #e shouldn't "onder if the 0mpire split up and "ent to pot. *"&on't you kno"4" said Walton. "#e's gone all to pot, poor de il." to 'o to t*e ad to deteriorate completely/ to be ruined/ to become of depra ed character/ to associate "ith e il companions !f you make idle, dissipated people your companions, you are sure to go to the bad. if t*e #orst co%es to t*e #orstif things are as bad as they can possibly be 0 en if "orst comes to "orst, !' e got enough to li e on for si% months. ;to e: done for(to be) ruined/ "orn out or beyond further use/ in'ured, etc. !'m afraid the shoes are done for/ thro" them a"ay.*,he country's done for. (i. e. ruined) ;to e: all u) ;all U. 2.:(to be) finished/ the "orst has happened "What's the use4" he thought. "!t's all up "ith me. !'ll $uit this." t*e last stra#the e ent or blo" under "hich one finally collapses/ a slight addition to a burden, task, hardship, etc. "hich makes it unbearable (1ut of the pro erb: ,he last stra" breaks the camel's back.) !f ! "ere a parishioner, she "ould be isiting me, "hich "ould be the last stra". to ride for a fallto act in such a "ay that disaster or failure "ill probably be the result/ act "ith recklessness that makes disaster practically ine itable +es, his health is all right, but he's riding for af all .

1ther phrases dealing "ith the idea of ruin include the follo"ing: bringing somebody to ruin is collo$uially described thus: to coo0 so%e od,@s 'ooseto bring to ruin, destroy/ to do for him )mith has finally cooked =ro"n's goose. to settle so%e od,@s *as*to do for, make an end of them "!' e settled her hash all right, " she said. to s)i0e so%eone@s 'uns to spolil*"reck his plans accident "as hugely comic.

,he idea of the inspector spiking 8un's guns so neatly by

to Fueer t*e ;so%e od,@s: )itc*to upset prearranged plans ! kno" ! can do it, if no one tries to $ueer my pitch. to )ut a s)o0e in so%e od,@s #*eel to spoil his plans ! could ha e easily finished the e%periments if they had not put a spoke in my "heel.

Waste is ariously e%pressed by these collo$uial phrases: Wasting effort: a #ildH'oose c*asea practically hopeless pursuit or search/ a foolish and useless enterprise "! "ish no" they'd found him in the ri er." ",hey may still/ this is a bit of a "ild-goose chase." to flo' ; eat: a dead *orse to "aste energy We discussed some incidents that had happened long ago, it "as really flogging a dead horse. to carr, coals to Ne#castle to do something "hich is unnecessary/ to use one's effort uneconomically ,o "rite another book on the same topic means to carry coals to <e"castle.

Wasting one's breath ("ords), i. e. talking uselessly, is described in this "ay: I %i'*t as #ell tal0 to a ric0 #all. I %i'*t as #ell sa6e %, 'oes in at one ear and out of t*e ot*er. reat*. M, #ords fall on deaf ears. 8*at I sa,

")o that's your line4" she said. "+ou're "asting your breath on me." *!t's no use talking to ,uppy. +ou might as "ell talk to a brick "all. *,he information "ent in one ear of >ola and out of the other. *! might as "ell sa e my breath, for all the notice they take of me.
Wasting money: to 'o do#n t*e drainto be "asted 9y G 6HH has all gone do"n the drain.

15

1!. SCOLDING( 9LAME AND COM2LAINTS )ome collo$uial phrases connected "ith the idea of scolding are: a flea in ,our ear collo$uial for a sharp reprimand. ...and if ! see you ne%t or nigh my house !'ll put you in the ditch "ith a flea in your ear: mind that no". to tic0 so%e od, off ;to 'i6e t*e% a 'ood tic0in' off: to reprimand, scold or blame him )he ga e Augustus a good ticking off for talking too much about his pictures to tell so%e od, off ;to 'i6e t*e% a 'ood tellin' off: to rebuke, scold or reprimand him >ast time he had spoken to this astounding girl it had been to tell her off for insulting his people "ho trusted and liked her. to 'i6e so%e od, a )iece ; it: of one@s %ind to rebuke him/ to tell him frankly "hat one thinks of him, his beha iour, etc. !'d like to go back there and gi e them a piece of my mind they're asleep most of the time . to e at so%e od, the same thing. 9y mother is al"ays at me about my beha iour at meals.

to 'i6e so%e od, a 'ood tal0in' to to scold or rebuke him !'ll gi e her a good talking to "hen she comes. !'m not going to stand any of her nonsense. *"! must gi e her a good talking to this afternoon, " said >e"isham...

An official reprimand may be collo$uially put in this "ay: to *a6e ;call: so%e od, on t*e car)et ;%at: to censure/ to summon for reprimand. to e on t*e car)et (to be censured or summoned for reprimand) ,he #eadmaster had me on the mat this morning. #e "anted to kno" "ho "as responsible for the uproar last night in the dormitory. * ,he unpunctual clerk "as repeatedly on the carpet. to call ;*aul: so%e od, o6er t*e coals to censure or rebuke him <o" tell me, "hy is that a conscience can't haul a man o er the coals once for an offence and then let him alone. to teac* so%e od, a lessonto gi e him a rebuke or punishment "hich "ill ser e as a "arning Well, sir, "e shall teach you and your to"nspeople a lesson they "ill not forget. to )ut so%e od, in *is )laceto make somebody feel stupid or embarrassed for sho"ing too much confidence At first she tried to take charge of the meeting but ! soon put her in her place.

An insulting or abusi e reprimand is e%pressed by the phrases: to call so%e od, na%esto insult them by using bad names ")teady-on3 &on't you go a-calling us names, please." to 'o for so%e od, to abuse, to blame, to reprimand. ,he manager "ent for the office boy, "ho he said, "as saucy. to sna)? ite so%e od,@s *ead?nose offto speak to him rudely, angrily or impatiently 9ake up your mind. 2irst you tell me it's no good. When ! agree, you snap my head off. *,he old lady bit the boy's nose off because he had broken her "indo"-pane. to 'et it in t*e nec0 to recei e hea y censure or punishment neck from me, and you can be sure of that.

Any one that "orries you, my dear, "ill get it in the

to catc* it means the same thing. !f your dad finds out you'll really catch it3 *#e'll get it hot for it. to )ut ;fi3( la,: t*e la%e on so%e od, to say that somebody is responsible for, 9y father grinned. ")he al"ays puts the blame on me. ! ha e to bear it." *"! don't $uite see "hy they tried to fi% the blame on :ohn, " ! remarked. to find fault #it* so%e od,. !t may be not so strong as to blame and ha e the meaning to complain, to critici5e. @eople sometimes find fault "ith others "hen they should blame themsel es. *9other is constantly finding fault "ith my husband. to find fault #it* a t*in' to find it deficient in some particular. ,he phrase implies that you point out the fault. ! cannot find fault "ith 9iss )harp's conduct. to )ic0 on so%e od,to find fault "ith him Why don't you pick on him4 #e's the one to benefit not me.*!t's no use picking on them "hen they're so young and tender. ! can't stand it. 8*, )ic0 on %eE may be used as a protest by somebody absol ing himself from blame. All ! say is, "hy pick on me 16

"hen ! don't benefit by her death4 *<ote also the follo"ing patterns:
to to e to la%e. ? to e to e la%ed ! admit ! "as entirely to blame. *Who is to blame4 (Who is to be blamed4)

e so%e od,@s fault It@s all ;entirel,: %, ;*is( etc.: fault. ?!t "ill be all your fault if "e're late.

I #ouldn@t )ut it )ast ; e,ond: *i%. > you suspect somebody of some misbeha iour or think that he is capable of it although you ha e no proof that he is to blame, )he may e en teach 9ark ho" to rela%. ! "ouldn't put it past her.*! "ouldn't put it beyond him to countermand my instructions "hen !' e gone. to *a6e a one to )ic0 ;#it* so%e od,:to ha e a cause of complaint against him #ere3 !' e a bone to pick "ith you about the "ay you spoke to me yesterday. it@s a it t*ic0 ? it@s a it %uc* ;or off: > for general complaints of not too e%plosi e a nature &on't you think it's a bit thick that "hen you' e been thoroughly decent "ith people they should go out of their "ay to do the dirty on you4 to %a0e a son' and dance a out it. >t o e%aggerate a complaint and make a lot of fuss about it in a hole, only in old days people didn't make a song about it.

,he "orld's al"ays

to %a0e a %ountain out of a %ole*ill to e%aggerate/ make difficulties appear much greater than they really are. ! dare say !' e been making a mountain out of a mole-hill. ! must 'ust "ait patiently for his letter.

1$. SEC7ETS ,o a oid telling a secret is to keep it. Aeeping something secret and saying nothing about it may be also collo$uially e%pressed by these phrases: to 0ee) ;it( so%et*in': dar0to keep secret. Also: to 0ee) so%eone in t*e dar0 (about something). +ou're not in lo e "ith somebody, are youand ha e been keeping it dark4*"Well, ! think it is ery unfair to keep me in the dark about the facts." Mu%@s t*e #ordDsay nothing about the matter/ be silent. Also: 0ee) %u%remain silent. "&on't say anything about this, " "9um's the "ord, " ;onnie promised. * Aeep mum about this. to 0ee) one@s %out* s*utto remain silent, say nothing about #as none of you any idea "hen it's useful to keep your mouths shut4 to 0ee) so%et*in' under one@s *atto keep it secret #e kept under his hat "hat he had seen that e ening. not to reat*e a #ord ;a s,lla le: to a soul to keep it secret/ to say nothing =efore she left ;onnie ga e her oath that she "ouldn't breathe a "ord to a soul. M, li)s are sealed. ! "on't tell it anyone/ ! can keep a secret. "9y lips are sealed, " said the statesman. "! shall not tell you "hat my policy is." to 0ee) it ;so%et*in': to oneself > not to tell anyone. "Well, :ulian4" said 9artin. "! didn't think ! ought to keep it to myself any longer." as %ute as a fis*B as silent as t*e 'ra6e. ! "ill be as silent as the gra e, but honestly ! don't understand "hat does it all mean4 *! "ill be as silent as the gra e. ! s"ear it. to 0ee) so%e od,@s o#n counsel. somebody keeping his plans secret #e "as a man "ho kept his o"n counsel, and a ery patient man.

,he fact of telling a secret is e%pressed by the follo"ing phrases: to ta0e so%e od, into one@s confidenceto tell him something pri ate or secret ",hat is "hy, " said @oirot, "! could take no one into my confidence." et#een ,ou and %e( et#een ,ou and %e and t*e door)ost ;t*e 'ate)ost( t*e #all( etc.: et#een oursel6es =et"een you and me, 2reddy, ! ne er had much time for this 9anson of yours, but that's neither here nor there.*

17

"=et"een you and me, )ir, " remarked :app, "!'d sooner ha e any amount of rumours than be arrested for murder." =et"een oursel es, there are only three distinguished men here ...
to let t*e cat out of t*e a' to re eal unintentionally !n the last cabinet meeting the @rime 9inister let the cat out of the bag re ealing the true circumstances of the case. to s)ill t*e eansto re eal a secret/ to confess all 9aybe the old boy had heard something about Ale% and "as going to spill the beans to the )errocolds. to lurt outto say something "ithout thought, unguardedly/ re eal a secret #as that fool )keffington to blurt out the "hole story before any of us ha e had a chance to ha e a look at it4 to let outto re eal a secret =lackmail3 1h, 9r. )artorius, do you think ! "ould let out a "ord about your premises4 to let on to re eal (a secret)/ to betray (a fact) ! ha en't heard a "ord about anything. )he ob iously "asn't going to let on.*&on't let on that ! told you. to let so%e od, in on (the secret, idea, plan, etc.)to make it kno"n to him/ to re eal it to him 0rik smiled. "Why not let them in on the good ne"s4" to lea0 out to become generally kno"n after being a secret (in spite of efforts to keep it secret) !t "as the sort of thing that, if talked o er, "ould certainly leak out. a little ird told %e > kno" it from anonymous sources. A little bird tells me you're getting married ne%t month.*#e has so "anted to ha e a son himself. A little bird has al"ays told me that.

!nducing somebody to talk and so to re eal a secret may be put in this "ay: to dra# so%e od, outto make him talk and so re eal a secret )he e%pressed no surprise nor emotion at )ir ;harle's o ernight decision. <or could 9r. )atterth"aite dra" her out on the point. to )u%) ;so%eone:to $uestion persistently to try to obtain all information possible "...ha e you, you nasty man, come 'ust to pump me about murders4"

,o a oid re ealing a secret: Ne6er let ,our ri'*t *and 0no# #*at ,our left *and is doin'.

1&. SUS2ICION( DECE2TION( DIS9ELIE" )uspicion may be e%pressed by these collo$uial phrases in common use: to e ;loo0( sound: fis*, to be (look, sound) suspicious or doubtful. "is*,arousing suspicion/ suspicious/ of a disreputable or doubtful character ! don't like that. !t sounds a bit fishy to me. to s%ell a rat to become suspicious/ to ha e suspicions <o, )ir, it "ouldn't do. !f he is "hat he may be, he "ould smell a rat. to *a6e ;*a6e 'ot: a *unc* to ha e a strong feeling of suspicion/ to ha e a suspicion "hich has no logical basis, a premonition !' e got a hunch that he did it, but there's nothing to go on. *#e says he's got a hunch there's something "rong "ith the plan, but he can't put his finger on it. T*ere@s a catc* in it (some"here) e%presses suspicion that e erything is not "hat it appears to be, a hidden difficulty or disad antage "&o you remember "hat it "as you fell o er4" ;onnie thought again. )he felt that there "as a catch in it some"here. a %are@s nestan unfounded suspicion/ a baseless rumour/ a mere in ention. 1ften: to find a %are@s nest., !'m much obliged to you. A pretty mare's nest arresting him "ould ha e been.

Among collo$uial phrases containing the idea of deception the follo"ing are ery common: to ta0e so%eone into decei e him/ to cheat ! am sure you could be taken in, you kno", if a cle er person "orked on 18

your good nature.

to )ull so%eone@s le'to play a 'oke on somebody, usually by making them belie e something that is not true +ou're losing your sense of humour, Wendy. ! "on't dare try to pull your leg in future. to *a6e so%eone onB to 0id so%eoneto decei e. ,hey mean almost the same as to pull someone's leg. I@% 0iddin'>I@% <o0in'/ !'m not telling the truth/ it is only intended as a 'oke. +ou're ha ing me on.+ou're not serious/ you don't mean "hat you say/ you're making fun of me. #e kidded her into belie ing that he "as a bachelor. to )ull t*e #ool o6er so%eone@s e,es to try to trick somebody/ to hide your real actions or intentions from somebody !t is hardly to be supposed that his friend could pull the "ool o er his eyes. to )ut one o6er so%e od, to persuade somebody to belie e something that is not true &on't try to put one o er on me3 to let so%e od, do#nto decei e and disappoint him/ to fail him in a time of need &eplorable if she lets you do"n. !'m a trusting kind of fello" and it pays, you kno". !' e hardly e er been let do"n. to )ull so%et*in' ;one: on so%e od, (Amer.)to decei e him =y 8od, you'll suffer for insulting me and my guests in this "ay. =y 8od, you "ill3 ,hink you could pull this one on me, eh4 to do t*e dirt, on ;so%e od,: to cheat somebody "ho trusts you/ to treat somebody badly or unfairly !'d ne er do the dirty on my friends. to do so%eone do#n > to critici5e somebody unfairly !' e been done do"n by my best friend. *"#o" many people ha e you seen done do"n in your time4" to do ro#nto s"indle/ often in the passi e: to be done bro"nto be s"indled &on't go to that shop or you'll be done bro"n.*#e "as too cle er for me and ! "as done bro"n. to )ull a fast one ;o6er( on: to take a tactical ad antage of, by a sudden manoeu re or a cle er s"indle (trick, deception) #e tried to pull a fast one on me, and ! listened like ! "as in a hopdream.*,his mug 8rant then pulls another fast one.

,o mislead someone deliberately is: to dra# a red *errin' across t*e trac0 ;)at*: to introduce an irrele ant matter, to distract attention "hate er possessed you to dra" that absurd red herring4 *,he butler seems to me a ery clumsy red herring.

=ut

to )ut ;t*ro#: so%eone off t*e scent to do something to stop somebody from finding you or disco ering something )he changed ta%is to thro" her pursuers off the scent. to lead so%eone u) t*e )at* ;'arden )at*: is similarly used "ith the meaning to decei e/ to impose on. ,he young man led 9ary up the garden path. a sna0e in t*e 'rass> a deceitful person "as confirmed.

We had al"ays suspected she "as a snake in the grass/ no" our suspicion

to fall for it or to s#allo# it> to belie e, to accept as true something that is untrue/ to become a ictim of deception ! ne er thought she'd fall for that old story. *9r. )atterth"aite thought: "#e's looking to see if ! s"allo" this story."

@ro erbial reminders not to be decei ed by the appearance of things or people: All t*at 'litters is not 'oldB A))earances are dece)ti6eB T*ere@s %ore to it t*an %eets t*e e,e. "! mean that all is not gold that glitters. that though this lady is rich and beautiful and belo ed, there is all the same something that is not right."*",here's more here, )ir, ho"e er, " he said, "than meets the eye. ! don't belie e in suicide, nor in pure accident myself."

&isbelief uses the follo"ing phrases: Tell %e anot*er oneD ! don't belie e this story. @ygmalion ... )o come to the point, ! ha e succeeded in making artificial human beings. Ceal li e ones, ! mean. !ncredulous oices. 1h, come3 ,ell us another.

19

Gou@re tellin' %eD may be similarly used. !'m not a guy "ho goes for dames." "+ou're telling me3" she says. Get a#a, #it* ,ouD or Go ;'et: alon' #it* ,ouD friendly e%pressions of disbelief, meaning ! don't belie e a "ord of "hat you are saying. +ou don't say3 ...%, footDe%clamation of disbelief follo"ing repetition of a pre ious remark: "@retty little thing, " said 9r. )unbury tentati ely after the young things ha e left. "@retty my foot3 All that paint and po"der." *"! may ha e been fascinated held in a kind of spell by a certain $uality of life " "1h, $uality of life my foot. a li0el, stor, (informal, ironic) used to sho" that you do not belie e "hat somebody has said +ou 'ust found it lying in the street4 A likely story3

2igments of the imagination are described thus: a tall stor,a story difficult to belie e/ an e%aggerated story ",all story, " said ,roy.

!n Ciga the 8ermans caught him and tortured him."

a coc0HandH ull stor, (tale, yarn)a fantastic and incredible story #e told us that cock-and-bull story before. ,he 'udge did not belie e the defendant's cock-and-bull story. It@s farHfetc*ed( (i. e. !t strains one's credulity.) ,hat's far-fetched, ! am afraid. t*in (generally a bit thin. It@s too 'ood to good to be true. it t*in) uncon incing, improbably "eak #er story about lea ing her purse on the piano sounded a

e true > unbelie able good fortune

#is oice trembled a little as he spoke. !t all seemed too

1+.

TASTES( 27E"E7ENCES( INCLINATIONS

,astes differ, or as another pro erb puts it: one %an@s %eat is anot*er %an@s )oisonone person may hate "hat another likes. T*ere is no accountin' for tastes is another pro erb meaning the same thing. =ut it often implies that the speaker has the better taste.

,o like someone (or something) may be collo$uially e%pressed by these phrases: to ta0e a fanc, ;li0in': to someone (something) > to start liking somebody*something, often "ithout an ob ious reason #e's taken $uite a fancy to his ne%t-door neighbour.*)he might take $uite a liking to her brother-in-la". to ta0e to so%e od,to become fond of somebody/ to form a liking for somebody #etty had already taken to the girl. ..*9y father took to him a lot the only time they met, and my father's darned difficult to please. to *a6e a soft s)ot for so%e od, ;so%et*in': <e ertheless, ! thought she had a soft spot for him. > to like somebody (something)

)he still sounded ratty.

to e fond of so%e od, ;so%et*in': #e "as fond of mysteries, and he liked obser ing human nature, and he had a soft spot for lo ers.*#e's close, he's narro", he's not ery fond of anyone e%cept himself and his "ife. to 'ro# on so%eone > to "in the liking, fa our or admiration of. ...)he's 'ust a child of <ature "ho positi ely gro"s on you.*+ou may not like the picture at first but it "ill gro" on you. ;to e: after ,our o#n *eart > (to be) a man*"oman "ho likes the same things or has the same opinions as you 9ichael says your ne" 9ember, &ornford is after his o"n heart.*#o"e er, cheer up/ "e are going to ha e a day after your o"n heart. a lueHe,ed o, ? a #*iteH*eaded o, > a fa ourite for the time being. ,ake care of young Cogers he's the blueeyed boy in this office. to e craJ, ;%ad: a out ;on: something (somebody) > to be greatly attached to/ ery fond of or enthusiastic about. !'m cra5y about him. #e's cra5y about me. We can't li e "ithout each other. *)he's mad about music. 20

to e 0een on ;a out: ? to e nuts on ;a out: ha e the same significance. "Which of us is it you're so keen on kno"ing4" "!t's all three, " ! said earnestly. *>uckily ! really am frightfully keen about horses.

)ome other phrases in common use are: ;to e: u) ,our streetto be ery suitable for you because it is something that you kno" a lot about or are ery interested in ,his 'ob seems right up your street. to e one@s cu) of tea the sort of thing (person) that 'pleases or appeals to one A camping holiday is 'ust my cup of tea. *"! can't pretend, " ! said, "that he's e%actly my cup of tea." to suit so%e od, do#n to t*e 'round to be ery con enient or acceptable for somebody ,his 'ob suits me do"n to the ground. to 'et a 0ic0 out of so%et*in' to ha e a strong feeling of e%citement and pleasure satisfaction. ! get a kick out of dri ing fast cars.*What do you do for kicks4

,o prefer one course of action to another or to like it more than another may be collo$uially e%pressed by these phrases: I@d rat*er... I@d sooner... I@d <ust as soon...

Which "ould you rather ha e, tea or coffee4 *9e and 9oosier here ha e met before and there's no man's 'udgement !'d sooner take than his.*! "ould much sooner dance "ith you.*)he says she'd 'ust as soon sit and "atch the tennis.
!ndifference is e%pressed by these phrases in common use: not to care ?'i6e a *oot a da%n tu))ence t#o *oots It@s all one ;t*e sa%e: to %e. "=utterfly or 1%ford, " he said. "!t's all one to me3" *")ay "hat you think, " said =anford. "!t's all the same to me, " said 9arch.

"! don't care t"opence about money, " said #erbert. *! don't care a rap "hat your stepfather is. *! don't care t"o hoots "hat counsel'66 do.
,o dislike something or somebody may be collo$uially put in this "ay: it@s ;*e@s: not %, cu) of teait (he) doesn't suit my taste/ it is not the sort of thing (person) to appeal to me '')he's not my cup of tea." #e grinned. "And !'m not hers." *9ountaineering isn't e%actly my cup of tea. to *a6e no ti%e for so%e od, ;so%et*in':to dislike (him, it) =et"een you and me, 2reddy, ! ne er had much time for this 9anson, but that's neither here nor there. *!' e no time for this sensational 'ournalism. I can@t stand? ear it (him) * I can@t stand?; ear t*e si'*t of him (it)! dislike it (him) ery much ! can't play. 9y fingers "on't obey me. And ! can't stand the sound of piano.*! can't stand a"ful old men. )he 'ust can't bear the sight of me. I couldn@t care less > used to say, often rudely, that you do not think that somebody*something is important or "orth "orrying about ?uite honestly, ! couldn't care less "hat they do. I don@t care for it/ I *a6e no li0in' for it/ It is not to %, li0in' ;taste: it is not to my taste/ ! don't like it.

! don't care for the book*! don't care for chips fried in oli e oil,*9r. ;laye sighed. "!t's a 'ob !' e no liking for, " he said. *:ohn's "ay of doing things is not at all to my liking. to 'o ; e: a'ainst t*e 'rainto be distasteful or contrary to inclination (Ide mala ganaJ) )he'd rather you did a thing against the grain than not do it at all
21

;ollo$uial phrases to e%press a ersion and disgust include the follo"ing: It stic0s in %, t*roat?cra# !t lea es a feeling of strong dislike or disgust. ,hat business "ith 2leur sticks in my throat, as old 2orsyte "ould ha e said.*)he didn't sentimentalise herself but 'ust admitted that this &essie business stuck in her cra". to 'i6e so%eone t*e cree)s ;t*e #illies:to make somebody feel ner ous and slightly frightened, especially because somebody*something is unpleasant or strange ,his old house gi es me the creeps. to %a0e one sic0 ;s*udder: means the same thing. If ,ou don@t li0e it( ,ou can lu%) it !f you don't like it, all you can do is to resign yourself and put up "ith it, ho"e er un"illingly. "2lying a kite, you, a gro"n man. ;ontemptible ! call it." "! don't care "hat you call it. ! like it, and if you don't like it you can lump it." *,hat's the situationlike it or lump it3

1-. TAL. AND DISCUSSION !nformal con ersation may be collo$uially described by these general phrases: to *a6e a fe# #ords #it* ? to *a6e a #ord #it* to ha e a short talk "ith/ to discuss briefly . After breakfast, &orcas came up to me rather mysteriously, and asked if she might ha e a fe" "ords "ith me*"! should like a "ord "ith you." to *a6e a ;little: c*at ;#it*: one more phrase "ith the same meaning "+our mother and ! ha e been ha ing a little chat, " 9ark e%plained. t*e 'ift of t*e 'a the ability to speak easily and to persuade other people "ith your "ords :oe's got the gift of the gabhe can sell anything. s%all tal0 polite con ersation about ordinary or unimportant sub'ects, especially at social occasions At emotional moments like this, 9r. :osser "as al"ays a bit a"k"ard. #e hadn't got any flo" of small talk. c*itHc*at has the same significance tri ial con ersation" All right, " she said. ">et's talk about you. ! don't feel like chit-chat either." #affle * 'a le (noun and erb) is also similarly used "ith the meaning talk "ithout pausing/

'ossi) (noun and erb) tittleHtattle (noun) is small talk usually about people and their li es (idle talk and rumours). )he likes to ha e a good gossip "ith a neighbor o er the garden fence.*)he is too fond of gossip (or tittle-tattle).

A 'arrulous person (a c*atter o3) is said: to tal0 ;c*atter: nineteen to t*e doJen to chatter incessantly )o as a rule !'m silent, but "hen ! find a sympathetic ictim "ell, you' e already had a bitter e%perience of ho" ! chatter nineteen to the do5en. to tal0 so%e od,@s *ead offB to tal0 t*e le' off an iron )otB to tal0 t*e *ind le' off a don0e, to talk too much, especially about boring or unimportant things , he insurance-agent talked 2ather's head off. *)he could talk the hind leg off a donkey. ;not: 'et a #ord in ed'e#a,s (not) to be able to say anything because somebody else is speaking too much When 9ary starts talking, no one else can get a "ord in edge"ays. lon'H#indedtediously long, erbose/ fond of hearing oneself talk preacher "as ery long-"inded e en for a preacher.

,he speaker "as dreadfully long-"inded.*,he

1n the other hand a oidance of proli%ity is collo$uially e%pressed by these phrases: ;to )ut so%et*in': in a nuts*ell in the fe"est possible "ords/ in brief ,his is the story in a nutshell.*!n a nutshell, ! ha e gi en him notice and "ill go to 9anchester ne%t "eek. to cut ;%a0e: a lon' stor, s*ort...the substance of it... / all that need be said... Well, to cut a long story short, they thoughtit "ould be more economical to li e at the illa . *Well, to make a long story short, she asked me to go to @aris

22

for a "eek or t"o till she had consolidated her position.

t*e lon' and t*e s*ort of it... all that need be said/ the upshot Well, the long and the short of it is that officials mustn't gamble.

,"o common pro erbs commenting on speech and silence: S)eec* is sil6er( silence is 'old. ()ilence is better than speech in some circumstances. ,he pro erb is usually $uotedto children "ho talk too much.) Least said soonest %ended. (=y saying ery little or keeping silence one may a oid getting into trouble. =y saying too much one may bring trouble on oneself or one's friends and may often find it difficult to repair the damage that has been done.)

.sing (and not using) plain speaking: to call a s)ade a s)ade to speak plainly/ to speak "ith complete and generally unpopular frankness ! am talking about facts, mademoiselle plain ugly facts. >et's call the spade the spade and say it in one short sentence. +our mother drinks, mademoiselle. to 'o strai'*t to t*e )oint ? to co%e to t*e )oint to speak directly about the matter being discussed and stop talking about unimportant and less important matters #e "as silent for a minute or t"o. ,hen he "ent straight to the point. "#a e you come to a decision, >innet4" not to eat a out t*e us* to concentrate on the main sub'ect/ not to ramble around "ithout e er getting to the point <ot to beat about the bush, ! ha e reason to belie e that that s"eet and innocent lady is being slo"ly poisoned to eat a out t*e us*to talk about something for a long time "ithout coming to the main point #e spoke bluntly, a"are that it "as no use to beat about the bush. to ;'et do#n to: rass tac0s to start to consider the basic facts or practical details of something ! ha en't got all the afternoon to "aste. !t's time "e got do"n to brass tacks. to *a6e ,our sa, to ha e the opportunity to e%press yourself fully about something )he "on't be happy until she's had her say.

@lain speaking also implies the use of firm language. !n this case the follo"ing phrases are common: not to %ince ;,our: #ordsto say something in a direct "ay e en though it might offend other people ,hey "ere se erely critici5ed by the chairman, "ho "as not a man to mince his "ords. not to )ull one@s )unc*es is used "ith the same meaning. ! didn't pull my punches.*#er articles certainly don't pull any punches. to tell so%e od, strai'*t t*at... to say forcibly and firmly to him that... Also: to 'i6e it *i% strai'*t. ! told him straight that ! didn't "ant him around the place any longer.*!'ll gi e it to you straight, )a ina. We're stuck for another year. to s)ea0 ,our %ind to say e%actly "hat you think, in a ery direct "ay )he's ne er hesitated about speaking her mind. to dra# so%e od, out to encourage them to talk. )he kne" ho" to dra" people out and "hene er a topic seemed to be e%hausted she had a remark ready to re i e it...

1ther e%pressions: to tal0 s*o) >to talk about or discuss one's business or profession in non-professional hours &on't let's talk shop out of hours, 0llis. !t can "ait. ,omorro" is also a day. Queen Ann is deadD is an ironical ans"er to somebody imparting old ne"s. ,alk about ?ueen Ann being dead3 ,alk about ne"s "ith "hiskers on3 to rea0 t*e ne#s > to impart bad ne"s only. !f it's good ne"s one simply tells it to someone. ;ouldn't you ha e broken the ne"s more gently4 you' e nearly killed him. *,he minister is to break the ne"s to you. #e'll be here presently.

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to utt in ;cut in: i> to interrupt a con ersation/ to interfere in a con ersation. ! hope !'m not butting in, but you must let me say ho" much ! admire your business-like capacity. to ans#er ;so%e od,: ac0to gi e a rude ans"er/ to be impolite/ to reply impudently 9ary, 9ary, don't ans"er your father back3 !t's dreadful to hear you speak up to him like that ...

;ommon phrases for introducing some topic (remark) into a con ersation or discussion are: , t*e #a, incidentall, tal0in' of t*at re%inds %e

,hey may be similarly used and usually refer to something the speaker has 'ust thought of.*=y the "ay, you kno" there are still t"o more people to come. +our friends the <i%eys.*"!ncidentally, " said ;oot, "ha en't you got on the track of these pictures from the @apoulis collection yet4" *",alking of ser ants, " said 9r. )mith, "hen he had applauded the cook. "! suppose that detecti e fello" told you "hat @eter had been4" *Ah3 ,hat reminds me ! "ant some money.
to roac* t*e idea ;su <ect( %atter( etc.: to begin talking about a sub'ect that is difficult to discuss, especially because it is embarrassing or because people disagree about it )he "as dreading ha ing to broach the sub'ect of money to her father. to 0ee) t*e all rollin' to pre ent the con ersation (or the e%citement, amusement) from flagging Whene er our con ersation began to flag, it "as 9r. Aungiers "ho kept the ball rolling by telling some amusing episode from his life.

@hrases dealing "ith discussion include the follo"ing: to tal0 ;t*in's: o6er to discuss something in a friendly manner #e "as going to talk o er one or t"o points "ith &r. 9a erick this e ening. to t*ras* so%et*in' outto discuss it thoroughly/ to clear up (a problem, etc.) by discussion At four o'clock, "hen it "as all o er, Andre" thrashed the matter out "ith 8ill and #ope in 8ill's room. 'et?'o into a *uddle ("ith somebody) to mo e close to somebody so that you can talk about something "ithout other people hearing ,hen the foreman said something about tackle, and the t"o teams "ent into a huddle to discuss it . 'et to'et*er ;#it* so%e od,: > (informal) to meet "ith somebody socially or in order to discuss something We must get together for a drink sometime. )ut our?,our?t*eir *eads to'et*er > to think about or discuss something as a group !f "e put our heads together, "e may find a solution. to #ei'* ;discuss: t*e )ros and cons to balance the points in fa our "ith those against We must al"ays "eigh the pros and cons before deciding "hether to in est our money or to let it stay in the bank. eside t*e )oint > an irrele ant topic in the discussion or con ersation ,here "as a silence. >innet controlled herself "ith an effort and said in a cold oice: "All this is $uite beside the point3"

#ere is pro erbial comment on ad isability of consultation and discussion: T#o *eads are etter t*an one . (,"o persons in consultation may find the right ans"er to a problem.) ,o turn to #ilary "as second nature "ith him and surely, in such a task t"o heads "ere better than one3

1/. TIME AND O22O7TUNITG Ti%e flies( *o# ti%e flies( ti%e does fl, are collo$uial comments on the rapid flo" of time. ,hey often imply: time passes $uickly so don't "aste it.

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)ome collo$uial phrases that e%press the idea of $uickness are: in no ti%e ;in less t*an no ti%e: so soon or so $uickly that it is surprising ,he kids "ill be lea ing home in no time. )he "as back in no time "ith a tray ... *... and then, in less than no time, off you dro"se to sleep ... in t*e t#in0lin' of an e,e ery $uickly, in a moment )uddenly, in the t"inkling of an eye, her "hole life had been turned upside do"n. in a <iff,B in a second ;in *alf a second:B in a %inute are similarly used, all meaning ery soon/ ery $uickly. ;ome up to my room and ha e a "ash. >unch'll be ready in a 'iffy. *Wait there, !'ll be back in half a second.*)ho" him into the study, please, and say !'ll be there in a minute. Half a %inute?second usually means "ait a little time. #ang on. !'ll be ready in half a minute.

1n the other hand a long time is collo$uially e%pressed by these phrases of e%aggeration: ;for: don0e,@s ,earsa long time/ (for) ages #ello3 ! ha en't seen you for donkey's years. till doo%sda, a long time/ for e er 8o on3 !f you "ait for me, you'll "ait till doomsday. in a %ont* of Sunda,s used to emphasi5e that something "ill ne er happen +ou "on't find it, not in a month of )undays. Don@t e *alf an *our &on't be long about it 8o and put on your hat and don't be half an hour about it. lue %oon ery rarely or ne er. ,hat only happens once in a blue moon. *) #e calls on me once in a blue

once in a moon.

it@s *i'* ti%e (he came)/ it@s a out ti%e ("e left) said of things that in your opinion bear no more delay or should ha e happened long ago. <ote the form of the erb in the follo"ing clauses, if there is one. What3 +ou ha e not learnt geography4 Well, "ell, it's high time you did. *!t's about time you kne" ho" to beha e yourself. <ote also these patterns "ith similar meaning: ... and a out ti%e tooB ... and not efore it@s ti%e. ";ome along, " he said. "We're" ready for you." "About time too, " ;onnie ans"ered and 'oined the little $ueue that "as going upstairs. *)o you're ready4 And not before it's time3 ;rat*er: late in t*e da, after the time "hen an action could be successful ";onsent4" thought :olyon. "Cather late in the day to ask for that." 0ill ti%e ? 0ill an *our( a cou)le of *ours to spend time doing something that is not important "hile you are "aiting for something else to happen "What ha e you been doing4" "1h, hanging about 'ust to kill time." to ta0e ,our ti%e not to be in a hurry, and the ad ice ,ake your time means: &o not hurry. "! don't kno", " ! ans"ered. ! took my time to think. 9etter late t*an ne6er used especially "hen you, or somebody else, arri e*arri es late, or "hen something such as success happens late, to say that this is better than not coming or happening at all. Another pro erb deri ed from this one is: 9ut etter ne6er late. on t*e dot > e%actly on time =reakfast is ser ed at K on the dot. "We'll be ready on the dot, " said #etty. to %a0e 'ood ti%e > to complete a 'ourney $uickly We made e%cellent time and arri ed in )pain in t"o days. to e e*ind ti%e > to be late

to %a0e u) for lost ti%e > to do something $uickly or ery often because you "ish you had started doing it sooner !'ll ha e to "ork hard no" to make up for lost time. s)end ti%e or )ass t*e ti%e (use it up)/ #aste ti%e (spend time uselessly) and lose ti%e (let time pass "ithout turning it to account), but one should remember the pro erb: Lost ti%e is ne6er found a'ain. at a ;%ore: con6enient ? fa6oura le ti%e ;or occasion: is an opportunity and to sei5e (grasp) an (the) opportunity means to see and promptly make use of one. to seiJe a c*ance( an o))ortunit, > to be $uick to make use of a chance, an opportunity, etc. 1ld :olyon "as not slo" to sei5e the opportunity this ga e him. 25

11.

8O7. AND 9USINESS

;ollo$uial phrases concerned "ith "ork and business include the follo"ing: to e on t*e <o to be at "ork/ to be "orking/ especially "orking "ell &espite all 9rs. :osser's "arnings, 9r. :osser "as back on the 'ob again. to e on t*e 'o (to be) at "ork or doing something acti e !'ll keep the car on the go about here till you come. *! do my best. !'m on the go night and day. to 'et do#n to so%et*in' (somebody's "ork, business)to settle do"n to it seriously ,he holidays are o er/ "e must get do"n to "ork again. to 'et on #it* #or0 ('ob, etc.)to ad ance in doing it/ to progress "ith one's business "#o" are you getting on "ith my cousin's house4" "!t'll be finished in about a "eek."

,he general idea of being ( ery) busy may be e%pressed by the follo"ing phrase in common use: to *a6e ,our *ands fulltto be ery busy or too busy to do something else )he certainly has her hands full "ith four kids in the house. to *a6e a lot of #or0 on ,our *ands means the same thing )houldn't ! look foolish to forgo a competent ad iser no" that !' e got a lot of "ork on my hands. to *a6e ;a lot: on also means to be ery busy, !' e a lot on this "eek, but ne%t "eek ! shall probably ha e more time to spare.

1ther phrases e%pressing the notion of being busy include the follo"ing: to e sno#ed under #it* #or0B not to *a6e a %inute to s)areB to e ;*ard: at it.

After so much inacti ity it's good to be hard at it again. *!f "ell-beha ed they e en on occasion ser ed as house-boys. ;ooper kept them hard at it. #e liked to see them "ork.*! "ish ! could help you "ith the 8arden @arty, but ! really ha en't a minute to spare. *!'m sno"ed under "ith "ork this "eek, but ne%t "eek !'ll probably ha e more time.
;to *a6e: ot*er fis* to fr,(to ha e) other business to do (and therefore be busy) <o/ ! can't go no". !' e got other fish to fry. as us, as a ee > a busy person more, as brisk and busy as a bee..

)he had no sooner done this, than off she "as again/ and there she stood once

I *a6e onl, one )air of *ands > a busy person may protest (against some additional "ork, etc.) in the follo"ing "ords ";an't you look after yoursel es for once4 !' e only got one pair of hands, you kno", " said their harassed mother.

,he idea of "orking too hard is e%pressed in the follo"ing phrases: to urn t*e candle at ot* ends to become ery tired by trying to do too many things and going to bed late and getting up early "!'m "orried about you, " she said. "What's the matter4" "+ou mustn't burn the candle at both ends, to o6erdo itto make oneself too tired by "orking too hard "9ind you don't go o erdoing it no" you are here, " he remarked at last, as though 9r. :osser's return had been his o"n idea entirely. ",ake it easy, remember no late hours." to #or0 ,our fin'ers to t*e to the bone. to )ut ,our one to "ork ery hard !n the cotton-mills young girls and "omen "orked their fingers

ac0 into so%et*in'to "ork ery hard at it "! shall be accused of not putting my back into the 'ob"

to 0ee) ,our nose to t*e 'rindstoneto "ork hard for a long period of time "ithout stopping :ohn "ants to take the doctor's degree/ he has to keep his nose to the grindstone.

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to *a6e ,our #or0 cut out (for one)to be likely to ha e difficulty doing something +ou'll ha e your "ork cut out to get there by nine o'clock. *! e%pect to ha e my "ork cut out for me. ! shall act and ! shall act promptly.

8etting o er the hard, preliminary "ork may be collo$uially put in this "ay: to rea0 t*e ac0 ;t*e nec0: of a t*in' ('ob, etc.)to ha e disposed of the main part of the task We ha e broken the back of it/ "hat remains to be done is easy.

1ther common phrases dealing "ith "ork are: to sac0 so%e od, to dismiss him from "ork to 'et ; e 'i6en: t*e sac0 to be dismissed from a 'ob As a matter of fact, ! hadn't thought they "ould "ant to sack me, but*#e's 'ust gi en me the sack/ and ! ha e four children looking to me for their bread. to 'et ; e 'i6en: ,our cards means the same thing !f the men don't return by tomorro" they'll get their cards. to e 0ic0ed outto be thro"n out/ to be dismissed "ith contempt ",hey kicked him out of the team last season."

to 'i6e notice (to one's employer)to gi e official "arning of one's intention to cease employment (Idar la carta de despidoJ) "! ha e gi en him notice. !n a couple of "eeks ! shall ha e shaken off his accursed sla ery." to 0noc0 offto stop "ork for a (short) period ,oday's 2riday. >et's knock off until 9onday. to )ac0 ;it: u) ? to )ac0 in ha e the same significance to lea e off "ork >et's pack in and ha e a drink together. =ut "e can't pack up. ... We ha e to carry on. to call it a da, to consider that particular period of "ork finished. "+ou must ha e had something in mind4" said &e Witt. "+ou didn't think you'd close shop and call it a day4" a rea0>a rest from "ork is When ! came to Aremmen ! said to myself: <o" you're going to take a little break.

to e at a loose endto be "ithout definite occupation/ to ha e nothing to do although you "ould like to be occupied !'m at a loose end so ! "as telling 9r. ;ro%ton a thing or t"o about the ;ity. to 0ic0 ,our *eelsto be "aiting for "ork/ to "aste time "aiting uselessly some customers.

We "ere kicking our heels, "aiting for

to t#iddle one@s t*u% sto do nothing "hile you are "aiting for something to happen/ to be idle ! can't stay here for e er t"iddling my thumbs. =etter gi e it up and call on her in the late afternoon. to s*ir0 #or0 (i. e. to a oid it) may be also collo$uially put in this "ay to )la, truant (play hookey)to remain a"ay from one's place of "ork, especially school, "ithout a good reason !t "as a "onderful day, so the t"o boys decided to play truant and go s"imming. )ut ,our s*oulder to t*e #*eel > to start "orking ery hard at a particular task 0 eryone is going to ha e to put their shoulder to the "heel.

14.

7ES2ONSI9ILITG

;ollo$uial phrases concerned "ith the idea of responsibility include the follo"ing: Lea6e it to %e ? I@ll %a0e %,self e%press a "illingness to undertake responsibility and means responsible for it. +ou must stay and ha e dinner "ith us. >ea e it to me to tell your father. *! should make myself responsible for his mistakes. it@s u) to ,ou it is your responsibility/ the responsibility rests "ith you !t "as up to her to take that decision. to ta0e ;so%et*in': on to accept responsibility +ou' e taken a bit too much, on ... 9ost of the stuff isn't your responsibility. to ta0e it on ,ourself means undertaking something abitrarily, i. e. "ithout proper authorisation. #e strikes me as taking a bit too much on himself.*>ook here, ;harles. ! take all responsibility on myself. 27

to *a6e so%et*in' on ,our *and;s:to ha e it resting on one as a responsibility, under your charge 9yself, ! don't bother about the surgeries, ! ha e the hospital on my hands. to let ,ourself in for being in ol ed in some unpleasant responsibility (difficulty, loss) )he doesn't kno" "hat she's letting herself in for. ;to do so%et*in': off ,our o#n at (to do it) on one's o"n initiati e, and the action is usually regarded fa ourably #e arranged the sho" completely off his o"n bat. land so%e od,?,ourself #it* so%et*in'?so%e od, to gi e somebody*yourself something unpleasant to do, especially because nobody else "ants to do it As usual, ! got landed "ith all the boring 'obs. to carr, ;ta0e: t*e can ;for so%e od,?so%et*in': to accept the blame for something, especially "hen it is not your fault !'m not responsible and !'m certainly not going to carry the can. to lea6e so%e od, *oldin' t*e a , to suddenly make somebody responsible for something important that is really your responsibility #e changed to another 'ob and "e "ere left holding the baby. to )ass t*e uc0 ; a ,: > make somebody else responsible +ou're al"ays trying to pass the buck to somebody.

1ther e%pressions for e asion of responsibility are: it@s ,our funeral > used to tell somebody that they, and nobody else, "ill ha e to deal "ith the unpleasant results oftheir o"n actions !f the car breaks do"n, it "ill be your funeral. it@s ,our loo0out used to say that you do not think somebody's actions are sensible, but that it is their o"n problem or responsibility. !f he "ants to "aste his money, that's his lookout. to #as* one@s *and of so%et*in' ;so%e od,: to refuse to be responsible for or in ol ed "ith somebody*something When her son "as arrested again she "ashed her hands of him. !' e "ashed my hands of the "hole sordid business.

,he e asion of responsibility is also e%pressed thus: to *an' ac0to be reluctant to assume responsibility/ sho" un"ilingness to act or mo e When the officer asked for olunteers, not one soldier hung back. to ac0 out (of something) to decide that you are no longer going to take part in something that has been agreed Aren't you going to help us4 Are you backing out4 to s*ir0 so%et*in' (responsibility, danger, "ork, etc.)?doin' so%et*in' to a oid it 1ne mustn't shirk one's responsibilities. *.npleasant to be thought a shirker by one's o"n mother. =ut it "asn't shirking. Ha6e it ,our o#n #a,D &o 'ust "hat you "ant to, ! refuse to argue or discuss it further #e grinned. "#a e it your o"n "ay. +ou al"ays do."

!5. THOUGHTS( CONCLUSIONS AND DECISIONS #ere belong such collo$uial phrases in common use: to )ut on ,our t*in0in' ca) to try to sol e a problem by thinking about it ! must put on my thinking cap, before ! can take a decision.*!t's no good asking me no". !' e got to put on my thinking cap. ! "ant to get to the bottom of this affair. to t*in0 so%et*in' o6erto consider something carefully, especially before reaching a decision !' e been thinking things o er and !' e made up my mind to go. to to,?flirt?)la, #it* t*e ideato consider an idea or a plan, but not ery seriously and not for a long time !'m toying "ith the idea of spending ne%t "inter on a lecture tour o erseas. *#e played "ith the idea of calling the man, as if his oice could ha e some mystic significance. to )ut t#o and t#o to'et*er to 'udge or guess the significance of pieces of information or e idence/ to form an 28

opinion or conclusion after considering fact &id you not put t"o and t"o together, and reflect that it "as not Alfred !nglethorp "ho "as $uarreling "ith his "ife4 to 'et to t*e otto% to find out the real cause of something, especially something unpleasant ! "on't rest until !' e got to the bottom of this3

,o dissol e any doubts about a conclusion or 'udgement, it may be necessary: to c*ec0 u) on it to find out if something is true or correct ! need to check up on a fe" things before ! can decide. to t*in0 t#ice a out doin' so%et*in' to think carefully "hether to do it or not =ut one or t"o members of the society ha e put an interesting point of ie"s "hich has made me think t"ice before saying no once and for all. on second t*ou'*ts - used to say that you ha e changed your opinion !'ll "ait here. <o, on second thoughts, !'ll come "ith you. ",he day has been too much for her." ")eems so, " +ates agreed. Women cracked easily. 1n second thoughts he felt that this "asn't the ans"er, that there must be something more behind her hysteria. est.

Wisdom of careful thinking and caution is summed up in the pro erb: Second t*ou'*ts are

to <u%) to conclusionsto make a decision about somebody*something too $uickly, before you kno" or ha e thoughtabout all the facts &on't 'ump to conclusions you might get a nasty fall. to co%e to a decision to reach a decision, to decide #e "as silent for a minute or t"o. ,hen he "ent straight to the point. "#a e you come to a decision, >innet4" to %a0e u) ,our %indto come to a decision to c*an'e ,our %indto alter one's decision or purpose !' e been thinking things o er and !' e made up my mind to go. to t*in0 etter of so%et*in'?doin' so%et*in' to think about again and decide to gi e up (a plan, idea, etc.)/ to reconsider @erhaps he had thought better of the idea of ha ing a pri ate chat "ith Wendy. *!' e got to make sure >eslie doesn't think better of gi ing me my chance. to urn ,our oats? rid'es to do something that makes it impossible to return to the pre ious situation later ,hink carefully before you resignyou don't "ant to burn your bridges. to toss u) for so%et*in'? et#een A and 9 to let chance*luck decide an iss to decide something by tossing up a coin. ("#eads" or ",ails"4) Who's to pay for the drinks4 >et's toss up for it .*#e had to toss up bet"een (( decide bet"een) paying the rent or buying food.

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