Idiom

Idiom

Idiom of the week

Idiom of the week

Idiom of the week

Another idiom explained:

Holiday idioms

- Hurray! It's the holiday! Let's paint the town red! We can go to a restaurant, then go to the pub and some clubs and dance all night!

- Actually, I can't come tonight. Can I take a raincheck? I'll come to the next night out.

- OK, but we're also going to go to a big midnight party, which will really be the icing on the cake.

Cold

To reflect the cold weather, here are some idioms that use the word cold...

- I never know how he's feeling... He's a real cold fish

- Oh, it's terrible. He asked her to marry him, but before the wedding he got cold feet and cancelled it!

- She made me really angry, but instead of having an argument at work I'm going to give her the cold shoulder and ignore her!

- He asked me to help him, but after he was so rude to my sister, it'll be a cold day in Hell before I ever help him!

- He couldn't defend himself - they just killed him in cold blood!

- My manager blows hot and cold! We can never get him to make a decision because he's always changing his mind.

Warm

A couple of idioms using the word 'warm' to warm you up...

- Look at those two children holding hands and helping each other. It makes me feel all warm and fuzzy!

- I was struggling to get home with my shopping, but someone stopped and helped me for no reason. It warms the cockles of your heart!

Snow

England has had a lot of snow this week, and people can't get to work, so in preparation for Georgia's winter, here is some language to help:

I spoke to my brother today. He told me he hasn't gone to work because he's snowed in. The snow plough was supposed to clear the roads, but because of the heavy snowfall, it hasn't been able to do all the roads. My brother is a little annoyed, because he's snowed under at work, but he's looking forward to building a snowman and going sledging.

More idioms

Today I'm very sleepy, so here are some idioms connected with sleep:

- Is that Nick on the sofa.

- Yes, but be quiet. He's gone to the land of nod.

- How are you? Did you sleep well last night?

- Oh, yes! I slept like a log.

- Have you seen Nick today?

- Yes, but you shouldn't ask him anything. He obviously got out of bed on the wrong side this morning!

- Look at Nick on the sofa - he's sleeping like a baby!

- I'm going to bed.

- OK. Sleep well. Don't let the bed bugs bite!

Goodnight!

Mid-week idiom

a dark horse

Mark's a bit of a dark horse. Apparently he's been married for ten years, to a supermodel, and I never knew, even though I work with him every day...

Phrasal verbs with 'eat'

Eating is my favourite hobby, so here are some phrasal verbs containing one of my favourite words. Enjoy.

eat away - I love smoking, but it's slowly eating away at my health.

eat into - I'm studying English so much. It's really eating into my spare time.

eat out - Today it's my birthday, so I don't want to stay at home. Let's eat out.

eat up - Eat up all your food, then you can have some ice-cream.

- Nice car. Is it fast? - Yeah, it is, but it eats up petrol...

Saturday's idiom

- "How many people are there in Tbilisi?"

- "I'm not sure. Off the top of my head, I'd say just over a million."

Today's idiom

I'm doing some voluntary work with the local sports committee, but it's keeping me busy because I have many hats - I'm the chairman, the treasurer and I also arrange the meeting hall.

to wear many hats

News from the BBC

Royal wedding: Prince William gives Kate Diana's ring

Prince William has spoken of his and fiancee Kate Middleton's happiness, as the newly-engaged couple faced the cameras for the first time.

The couple, both 28, will marry next spring or summer after he proposed while on holiday in Kenya in October.

The prince said: "The timing is right now." His brother Harry said he would be gaining a sister.

William gave Kate his mother's engagement ring, saying: "It was right to put the two together."

Speaking as they stood arm-in-arm before photographers, and later as they gave a TV interview, Prince William said giving Kate his mother Diana's distinctive sapphire and diamond engagement ring was "my way of making sure my mother didn't miss out on today and the excitement".

He stressed that no-one was "trying to fill my mother's shoes". Miss Middleton paid tribute to the princess as an "inspirational woman".

She admitted joining the Royal Family was a "daunting prospect" but she added: "Hopefully I'll take it in my stride."

Ring 'in rucksack'

The Prince would not be drawn on whether he went down on one knee to propose, but, as the couple laughed, Miss Middleton said: "It was very romantic, and it was very personal."

The couple met while they were students at St Andrews University, Fife.

Speaking about their relatively long courtship, William said: "I didn't realise it was a race, otherwise I probably would have been a lot quicker.

"The time is right now. We're both very, very happy and I'm very glad that I have done it."

Miss Middleton added: "We have been going out a long time. We had spoken about our future and it just seemed the natural step for both of us."

Prince William told how he carried the ring around in the royal rucksack for about three weeks before he chose the right time to propose.

He said he knew he would be in trouble if he lost it, so he held onto it tightly.

And he revealed he asked Kate's father for her hand in marriage after he asked her.

"I thought if I ask Kate first then he can't really say no," he said.

Prince Harry's spokesman released a statement late on Tuesday after the prince had returned from flying training in Hampshire.

"I am delighted that my brother has popped the question. It means I get a sister, which I have always wanted," the statement read.

The couple will marry in London in 2011 and live in north Wales, where Prince William, second in line the throne, is serving with the RAF.

They said they hoped to have children. Miss Middleton said a close-knit family was important: "I hope we will be able to have a happy family ourselves.

Smiling, Prince William added: "I think we'll take it one step at a time. We'll sort of get over the marriage first and then maybe look at the kids. But obviously we want a family."

BBC © MMX

Weekly idioms

We are hoping that spring will arrive soon, so here are some idioms connected to spring.

'We like Nick, but he's no spring chicken!'

'What a mess my flat is! It's time for a spring-clean!'

'The sun is out and everybody's happy - I think we've all got spring-fever.'

'Nick looks happy - he's full of the joy's of spring!'

Weekly idioms

This week, idioms with the word 'rain'...

Take a rain check

Come rain or shine

Rain on someone's parade

Right as rain

Enjoy!

Weekly idioms

A new feature of our blog: Weekly idioms. Click on the idiom to see its meaning. This week's theme, idioms using 'break / broke'. Guess what they mean, then check...

Go for broke

A broken record

Break a leg

Break the ice