By hand
Context #1 Mark: Hi Dave, how are you? Oh, why do you look so worried? Dave: Yeah, I’m a little worried about pollution. Mark: I know, Earth is suffering. Pollution is terrible! That’s why I always have my bag made by hand with me. They
Taking a “Learning Vacation”
“What is a learning vacation?” I asked Mika, one of my best students during my time as an ESL teacher in Tokyo. In my mind, a vacation was doing absolutely nothing and just “vegging out” by the pool on a beautiful sunny day. Whoever said
To pig out
Context #1 Matt and Pete are about to leave for a party. Matt: Are you ready for the party?Pete: Oh yeah! I’m starving!Matt: What? Really?Pete: Yes! I haven’t eaten all day. I’ve been waiting for the party so I can pig out!Matt: Ah, Pete: I don’t
Crocodile tears
Meaning: A display of an emotion that is not real; or showing an emotion but not feeling that emotion. If a person is not sad but wants to look sad, he or she will shed crocodile tears, meaning that person is acting sad rather than
You can't teach an old dog new tricks
Idiom: You can’t teach an old dog new tricks – You cannot make people change their habits or character; it is very difficult to change the way a person does something when they have been doing it the same way for many years Context #1 Students
To let the cat out of the bag
Idiom: to let the cat out of the bag – to reveal or tell secret information by mistake, to reveal facts that were hidden before, to let a secret be known without intending to Context #1 Three Friends are talking about a surprise party next Friday
To take a shortcut
Context #1 Tom: Wow! The traffic is really bad on this freeway. I think we are going to be late for class. Jim: Don’t worry! Get off at the next exit. I know a shortcut that we can take. Context #2 Samantha: This Friday me and my
Get out of here
Context #1 Sam:Guess what? I got a new car. I got a brand new BMW. Chris:Get out of here! Sam: Really! Context #2 Sharon: I finally broke up with Matt. Tammy: Now way. Get out of here! Sharon: Really. This time it’s is over. Meaning:
A Basket Case
Context #1 My dogs are my babies. I treat them like my children and they always have the best food, toys, beds, everything. I remember once when one of my dogs got sick. I was a complete basket case. I dropped everything and rushed my
Have second thoughts
Context #1 Getting married is one of the biggest steps someone can take in life and it is always wise to consider many things before making this huge commitment. Some people may say that being in love is the only requirement for getting married; others