Ret's Word Of The Day

Expressions with "French" in Them

2011-12-21T11:35:00.002+01:00

Ret's 3rd Conditional Quiz

2011-11-29T21:41:00.001+01:00

Thanks for the above video lesson, iswearenglish.
&lt;p&gt;&amp;amp;amp;amp;lt;p&amp;amp;amp;amp;gt;&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;lt;p&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;gt;&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;lt;p&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;gt;&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;lt;p&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;gt;Loading...&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;lt;/p&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;gt;&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;lt;/p&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;gt;&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;lt;/p&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;gt;&amp;amp;amp;amp;lt;/p&amp;amp;amp;amp;gt;&lt;/p&gt;

Ret's "Make" Or "Do" Quiz

2011-11-29T12:54:00.001+01:00

Ret's 2nd Conditional Quiz

2011-11-29T07:17:00.001+01:00

Thanks for the above video lesson, iswearenglish.
&lt;p&gt;&amp;amp;amp;amp;lt;p&amp;amp;amp;amp;gt;Loading...&amp;amp;amp;amp;lt;/p&amp;amp;amp;amp;gt;&lt;/p&gt;

Ret's 1st Conditional Quiz

2011-11-27T23:43:00.001+01:00

Thanks for the above video lesson, Jennifer.
&lt;p&gt;&amp;amp;amp;amp;lt;p&amp;amp;amp;amp;gt;&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;lt;p&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;gt;&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;lt;p&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;gt;Loading...&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;lt;/p&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;gt;&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;lt;/p&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;gt;&amp;amp;amp;amp;lt;/p&amp;amp;amp;amp;gt;&lt;/p&gt;

Ret's AT ON IN Quiz

2011-11-25T14:34:00.001+01:00

Ret's Present Perfect vs. Past Simple Quiz

2011-11-23T22:27:00.001+01:00

&lt;p&gt;Loading...&lt;/p&gt;

Ret's Meetings English Quiz

2011-11-23T06:19:00.001+01:00

&lt;p&gt;&amp;amp;amp;amp;lt;p&amp;amp;amp;amp;gt;&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;lt;p&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;gt;Loading...&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;lt;/p&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;gt;&amp;amp;amp;amp;lt;/p&amp;amp;amp;amp;gt;&lt;/p&gt;

Ret's Words That Go Together Quiz

2011-11-22T01:07:00.002+01:00

&lt;p&gt;Loading...&lt;/p&gt;

Ret's Human Resources Vocabulary Quiz

2011-11-20T21:59:00.000+01:00

Ret's False Cognates Quiz

2011-11-20T09:59:00.002+01:00

Ret's Food-Related Word Quiz

2011-11-18T16:18:00.000+01:00

Marvin Gaye singing "I Heard it Through the Grapevine" Acappella

2011-10-15T12:58:00.007+02:00

Expression	Meaning	Example
I must say	I'm obliged to admit	You certainly look tired, I must say.
To find out	To discover, to learn	Don't worry, the police will find out who did it
The grapevine	An informal person-to-person means of circulating information or gossip	The grapevine tells me that you're getting married soon?

I HEARD IT THROUGH THE GRAPEVINE, by Marvin Gaye
(Written by Norman Whitfield and Barrett Strong)

Ooh, I bet you're wondering how I knew
About you're plans to make me blue
With some other guy that you knew before.
Between the two of us guys
You know I love you more.
It took me by surprise I must say,
When I found out yesterday.
Don't you know that...

(Chorus:)

I heard it through the grapevine
Not much longer would you be mine.
Oh I heard it through the grapevine,
Oh and I'm just about to lose my mind.
Honey, honey, well.

I know at a man ain't supposed to cry,
But these tears I can't hold inside.
Losin' you would end my life you see,
'Cause you mean that much to me.
You could have told me yourself
That you love someone else.
Instead...

(Chorus)

People say believe half of what you see,
Son, and none of what you hear.
But I can't help bein' confused
If it's true please tell me dear?
Do you plan to let me go
For the other guy you loved before?
Don't you know...

(Chorus)

Marvin Gaye - I Heard It Through The Grapevine... Posted by ccosterg

blue: triste
ain't: isn't, am not, are not
instead: à la place

Backstabbers

2011-10-13T04:08:00.001+02:00

Expression	Meaning	In French
Out to get	In this context: determined to win over or seduce	Ici: désireux de draguer, de conquérir
To get on the right track	To find the correct road to follow	Trouver la bonne voie
To look shady	To seem dishonest	Avoir l'air louche, véreux

BACK-STABBERS,
by The O'jays

(What they do)
(They smiling in your face)
All the time they wanna take your place
The back-stabbers (back-stabbers)
(They smiling in your face)
All the time they wanna take your place
The back-stabbers (back-stabbers)

All you fellows who have someone
And you really care, yeah, yeah
Then it's all of you fellows
Who better beware, yeah yeah
Somebody's out to get your lady
A few of your buddies they sure look shady
Blades are long, clenched tight in their fist
Aimin' straight at your back
And I don't think they'll miss

(What they do)
(They smiling in your face)
All the time they wanna take your place
The back-stabbers (back-stabbers)
I keep gettin' all these visits
From my friends, yeah, what they doin' to me
They come to my house
Again and again and again and again, yeah
So are they there to see my woman?
I don't even be home but they just keep on comin'
What can I do to get on the right track
I wish they'd take some of these knives off my back

(What they do)
(They smiling in your face)
All the time they wanna take your place
The back-stabbers
(back-stabbers)
Low down, dirty

(What they do)
(They smiling in your face)
Smiling faces
Smiling faces, sometimes, tell lies (back-stabbers)
(They smiling in your face)
I don't need low down, dirty bastards (back-stabbers)

Video posted by Discodandan

to back-stab: planter un couteau dans le dos
fellow: gars, type
to beware: prendre garde
buddy: copain
razor blade: lame de rasoir
fist-fight: combat à coups de poing, rixe
aim of the game: but du jeu
to lie through the teeth: mentir comme un arracheur de dents

for once

2011-10-11T12:38:00.008+02:00

Learn some expressions with Stevie Wonder singing "For Once in my Life"

Expression	Meaning	Example
For once	this time, even if at no other time	For once, stop talking and start working!
Used to	used for saying what was true or what happened regularly in the past	I used to smoke, but I quit last year.
As long as	provided that, inasmuch as, in the degree that	You can walk there, as long as you arrive on time.
To make it	to succeed	If you can make it in New York, you can make it anywhere.

FOR ONCE IN MY LIFE,
by Stevie Wonder

For once in my life I have someone who needs me
Someone I've needed so long
For once, unafraid, I can go where life leads me
Somehow I know I'll be strong

For once I can touch what my heart used to dream of
Long before I knew
Ooooh someone warm like you
Would make my dream come true

For Once in my Life - Stevie Wonder by unzip

For once in my life I won't let sorrow hurt me
Not like it's hurt me before
For once, I have something I know won't desert me
I'm not alone anymore

For once, I can say, this is mine, you can't take it
As long as I know I have love, I can make it
For once in my life, I have someone who needs me

Written by Ron Miller and Orlando Murden for Motown Records

for once: pour une fois
used to do: faisait
as long as: pourvu que
sorrow: chagrin, tristesse profonde
to make it: réussir, y arriver

Smokey Robinson singing "Cruisin'"

2011-10-09T22:27:00.001+02:00

Imperative => giving an order (donner un ordre)

(2nd person singular/plural)
Come here!
Sit down!

(1st person plural)
Let's go!
Let's sit down!

(3rd person singular/plural)
Let him/her/them go!
Let him/her/them sit down!

Voici, en gras, les impératifs de la chanson, "Cruisin'".

"CRUISIN'"
Written, produced, and recorded by Smokey Robinson

Baby, let's cruise away from here
Don't be confused, the way is clear
And if you want it you got it forever
This is not a one-night stand, babe, yeah
So let the music take your mind, oooh...
Just release and you will find

You're gonna fly away, glad you're going my way
I love it when we're cruisin' together
The music is played for love, cruisin' is made for love
I love it when we're cruisin' together
Babe, tonight belongs to us
Everything's right, do what you must
And inch by inch we get closer and closer
To every little part of each other
Ooh, babe, yes
Let the music take your mind, babe
Just release and you will find

You're gonna fly away, glad you're going my way
I love it when we're cruisin' together
The music is played for love, cruisin' is made for love
I love it when we're cruisin' together

(Cruise with me, babe) x 2

Cruuuuuuuuuise
Oh, oh, babe, yeah
Oooooh, babe
Oooooh, ooooooh
Aaaah, Babe
It's so good to cruise with you, babe
It's so good to cruise with you
Owww, yeah
You need me, babe
Aaaaah, babe let's cruise
Let's flow, let's glide
Ooooh let's open up, and go inside
And if you want it you got it forever
I can just stay there inside you
And love you, babe, oh
Let the music take your mind
Just release and you will find

You're gonna fly, yeah, glad you're going my way
I love it when we're cruisin' together
The music is played for love, cruisin' is made for love
I love it when we're cruisin' together
Oh, babe
We're gonna fly away
Ohhh, yeah
Glad you're going my way
I love it when we're cruisin' together
The music is played for love, cruisin' is made for love
I love it, I love it, I love it, I love it
__________

Exercises

to cruise: to drive or be driven slowly, usually without a purpose
a one-night stand: a situation in which you have sex with sb once, then discontinue the relationship
glad: a synonym of "happy"
to belong to: to be owned by, to be the possession of
inch by inch: very slowly
to flow: to move in a continuous and smooth way (like water)
to glide: to move in a smooth, uninterrupted way (like a skier on snow)

my bad

2011-09-20T07:55:00.000+02:00

(gen.) if you say 'my bad', you admit your mistake, that you're responsible for the error (mea culpa).

Example: "Hey, you spilled your soda on my book!" / "Oops! My bad."

Dictionary: my bad
Bonus link: my bad vs. I'm sorry

Link to this idiom:
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my bad, english idioms, english expressions, esl

fast asleep

2011-09-19T07:55:00.000+02:00

(gen.) sleeping soundly (sleeping like a baby).

Example: "Thabiso is already at work? Half an hour ago his wife said he was still fast asleep!"
In the news: Fast Asleep in Philosophical Tranquility and Fast Asleep to Wide Awake: Hibernating Bears
Dictionary: fast asleep
Bonus link: fast asleep (etymology)

Link to this idiom:
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fast asleep, english idioms, english expressions, esl

go down the tubes

2011-09-09T07:59:00.001+02:00

(mostly gen.) if something has gone down the tubes, it has been ruined or destroyed.

Example: "The factory went down the tubes, when it became harder to get raw materials."

In the news: Chrysler's going down the tubes, too
Dictionary: go down the tubes
Bonus link: go down the tunes (origin of the expression)

Link to this idiom:
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down the tubes, english idioms, english expressions, esl

tie up loose ends

2011-09-08T07:59:00.001+02:00

(gen.) fix all the minor problems related to a bigger issue.

Example: "We've done almost all the hard work. We just need to tie up any loose ends now."
In the news: Tying up some loose ends and Town Council ties up loose ends
Bonus link: loose ends
Dictionary: loose ends

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tie up loose ends, english idioms, english expressions

in the bag

2011-09-07T07:59:00.002+02:00

(gen.) if sth is in the bag, then it has been secured.

Example: "I think this contract's already in the bag -- I know one of their chief negotiators."
In the news: More cancer research funding is in the bag and Victory is in the bag for Giants
Dictionary: in the bag
Bonus link: in the bag

Link to this post:
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in the bag, english idioms, english expressions, esl

all ears

2011-09-06T07:55:00.001+02:00

(gen.) if you're all ears, you are ready and willing to hear what sb has to say.

Example: "Mr Schmidt here says he's got a proposal for us. Ok, Mr Schmidt, we're all ears."
In the news: Commisioner says he's all ears and Sun Valley was all ears for Robert F. Kennedy Jr.
Dictionary: be all ears
Cartoon: toonpool.com and 4.bp.blogspot.com

Link to this idiom:
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all ears, english idioms, english expressions

call it a day

2011-09-05T08:51:00.000+02:00

(gen.) stop doing something for a while, usually until the next day.

Example: "Goddam! I'm tired, and it's getting late. C'mon, let's call it a day, man."
In the news: financialexpress.com
Dictionary: call it a day
Bonus link: call it a day

Link to this idiom:
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call it a day, english idioms, english expressions

Word of the Day

2011-07-14T23:19:00.000+02:00

Word of the Day

Word of the Day
provided by TheFreeDictionary

in hot water

2011-06-17T00:02:00.001+02:00

(gen.) in trouble because of something you've done.

Example: "If you don't come to the year-end party, you'll really get into hot water with your boss."
In the news: andalusiastarnews.com and examiner.com
Dictionary: in hot water

Link to this idiom:
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in hot water, english idioms, english expressions, esl, idioms

rip-off

2011-06-16T00:02:00.002+02:00

(gen., n.) an unfair price, rule, etc. /something priced too high

Example: "The price of bread is a rip-off these days. A simple baguette costs a whopping €1.10!"
In the news: pittsburghlive.com and terminalu.com
Dictionary: rip off
Bonus link: en.wikipedia.org

Link to this post:
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rip off, english idioms, english expressions, esl, idioms

traffic jam

2011-06-15T00:02:00.001+02:00

(gen.) traffic that isn't moving, because of many cars on the road, or because of a traffic accident

Example: "I told her I was late for our appointment because of a traffic jam. And she didn't believe me."
In the news: 27east.com and metro.us
Dictionary: traffic jam

Link to this idiom:
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traffic jam, english idioms, english expressions, esl, idioms

icing on the cake

2011-06-14T00:02:00.001+02:00

(gen.) when you already have all you need, and you get something else in addition.

Example: "I've just been promoted to head of Sales! And they've just raised me, too. Pure icing on the cake!"
In the news: wexfordpeople.ie/news
Dictionary: icing on the cake
Bonus link: en.wiktionary.org

Link to this idiom:
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Technorati Tags: icing on the cake, english expressions, english idioms, esl

will vs. going to 2

2011-06-08T00:05:00.000+02:00

labour day

2011-06-07T23:06:00.000+02:00

fête du travail, le 1^er mai

will vs. going to

2011-06-07T05:38:00.002+02:00

at, on, in

2011-06-06T09:17:00.000+02:00

cutting edge

2011-05-26T00:41:00.002+02:00

(mostly bus.) if something is at the cutting edge, it is at the centre of progress in its area.

Example: "I'd love to work for a company that is at the cutting edge of language training, if you know what I mean."
In the news: news.zdnet.co.uk
Dictionary: at the cutting edge
Bonus link: cutting edge
More idioms: wordsbiz.blogspot.com

Link to this idiom:
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cutting edge, english idioms, english expressions

lay off

2011-05-25T00:09:00.000+02:00

(bus.) to stop employing sb, especially if the reasons are economic, like the need to cut costs.

Example: "With this credit crunch, many factory workers will be laid off this year."
In the news: encyclopedia.com and variety.com
Dictionary: lay off
Cartoon: images.ocregister.com
More idioms: wordsbiz.blogspot.com

Link to this idiom:
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lay off, english idioms, english expressions

all day long

2011-05-24T00:36:00.000+02:00

(gen.) the whole day, the entire day [never say: all the day]

Example: "My training is tomorrow, and we'll probably be in class all day long: don't call me; I'll call you."
In the news: gazettelive.co.uk
Dictionary: all day long
More idioms: wordsbiz.blogspot.com

--------------------
Video: how to maintain straight hair all day long
Video: Watch Duracell's 'all day long' commercial below

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all day long, english idioms, english expressions, esl

red tape

2011-05-23T00:30:00.001+02:00

(gen. & bus.) bureaucratic paperwork, usually heavy and/or unnecessary.

Example: "In this country, you have to cut through lots of red tape before you can get anything done."
In the news: news.bbc.co.uk and iht.com
Dictionary: red tape
Quotation: red tape
More idioms: wordsbiz.blogspot.com

Link to this idiom:
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red tape, english idioms, english expressions

fascinating

2011-05-20T00:03:00.001+02:00

status quo

2011-05-19T00:03:00.004+02:00

renounce

2011-05-18T00:03:00.002+02:00

queue

2011-05-17T00:03:00.003+02:00

hierarchy

2011-05-16T00:02:00.003+02:00

hard copy

2011-05-05T12:28:00.000+02:00

copie sur papier
Merriam-Webster's definition

the bottom line

2011-04-29T00:04:00.001+02:00

(bus. & gen.) the total, the final figure on a balance sheet, usually just used to mean "the important thing" -- in business, it's equivalent to "net income"

Example: "You can put it up for sale at whatever price you want. The bottom line is that we need to sell it asap."
In the news: indiainfoline.com and badgerherald.com
Forum discussion: the bottom line
Dictionary: the bottom line

Link to this idiom:
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Technorati Tags: idioms, english expressions, bottom line, esl

child's play

2011-04-28T00:03:00.001+02:00

(gen.) sth that is child's play is very easy and simple.

Example: "This is child's play. I can almost do it with my eyes closed."
In the news: lancashiretelegraph.co.uk and iht.com
Dictionary: be child's play
Bonus link: child's play

Link to this idiom:
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child's play, english idioms, english expressions

gavel–to–gavel

2011-04-27T00:12:00.001+02:00

(radio & TV.) extending from the beginning to the end of a meeting, conference, session, etc.

Example: "They said that there'd be gavel-to-gavel TV coverage of the convention."
In the news: abcnews.go.com and reuters.com
Dictionary: gavel-to-gavel
What's a gavel?: pictures of a gavel

Link to this idiom:
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Technorati Tags: gavel-to-gavel, english expressions, english idioms, esl

well-off

2011-04-26T00:05:00.005+02:00

(gen.) wealthy, having enough money to live comfortably.

Example: "Her mum's a surgeon, his dad's a high-profile lawyer. Of course they're well-off."
In the news: herald.ie and guardian.co.uk
Dictionary: well-off
More idioms: wordsbiz.blogspot.com
--------------------
Joke: wordsbiz.blogspot.com/2006/06/joke-well-off.html

Link to this idiom:
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well-off, english idioms, english expressions, esl

Jodie Foster to Bob De Niro

2011-04-05T07:04:00.008+02:00

Announcer: Ladies and gentlemen, from "Taxidriver", Jodie Foster.

Jodie Foster: Well, when I was 12 years old, a strange man kept coming to my hotel room every day.

He would pick me up, and he would take me to various delis and diners around the seamier parts of Manhattan.

But mostly he would order black coffee for himself looking very uncomfortable, indeed, while I amused myself with the cutlery, or I joked with the waiters. Because God knows he was not about to talk.

And then the next day he'd pick me up, and he'd do the same thing all over again.

And if I hadn't been a "Mean Streets" fan already I'm pretty sure I would have called social services.

Finally, you know, he started running the lines in the script of Taxidriver with me over and over again. And by the last day when I was so bored with this routine, I was about ready to scream, he started saying weird things during the scenes, that had nothing to do with the dialogue.

So I quickly learned how to follow his improvisations, while weaving us back to the original script, that at this point felt as familiar as my own right hand.

So, Bob DeNiro took upon himself to introduce me to the craft of acting.

And although I'd already been working for 9 years, no one had ever trusted that I was capable of understanding what an actor really does. Because nobody had bothered.

He taught me how to build a character. And for that I'm grateful to you, Bob. You make a fine Henry Higgins. But an even better Travis Bickle.

work council

2011-04-03T02:25:00.000+02:00

comité d'entreprise

keep someone posted

2011-04-01T01:20:00.000+02:00

(gen. and inf.) If someone says "keep me posted," they want you to inform them about a specific situation.

Example: "Tom had promised to keep us posted. But he stopped e-mailing us three months ago."
In the news: phrases.org.uk
Dictionary: keep posted
Last week's quiz: week-140909
Another definition: keep someone posted
Forum discussion: forum.wordreference.com

Link to this idiom:
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keep someone posted, english idioms, english expressions, esl, idioms

the shit hits the fan

2011-03-29T17:38:00.004+02:00

(taboo expr.) if the shit hits the fan, a person or a group gets into very serious trouble.

Example:
If the boss finds out how much risk you took, the shit will really hit the fan.
In the news: la fin du capitalisme
Dictionary: the shit hits the fan

Link to this idiom:
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the shit hits the fan, english idioms, english expressions, esl

Hungary... that's a country!

2011-03-28T17:56:00.001+02:00

Host: You're ready? The 3rd grade World Geography question is: "Budapest is the capital of what European country? Budapest is the capital of what European country?" Nathan has already locked in.
Guest: -- This might be a stupid question...
Host: -- I'm guessing that it's probably gonna be.
Guest: -- OK, like, I thought Europe was a country. Let's see... Budess... Budapest? I never even heard of that. France?
Host: -- Awright, here's your options, I mean, you could drop out with $10 000
Guest: -- Like, I know they speak French there, don't they? Like I wanna say, is France a country? I don't know what I'm doing.
Host: -- You know what...let's talk...
Guest: -- Can I just like...
Host: -- Let's talk about your options. Kelly, focus.
Guest: -- I am, like I'm listening to what you're saying but I only hear what I want to.
Host: -- That's just called being a woman.
Guest: -- Oh.
[Booooo!]
Guest: -- Well you can't just call this show "Are you smarter than a man?" I'd win that one.
Host: -- Women don't really wanna hear a man's opinion, they just wanna hear their opinion in a deeper voice. That's what they want when they talk to us. Let's talk about this. I really want you to get the 25 000 because no matter what happens after that you're walking out of here with 25 000...
Guest: -- All that for charity, so...
Host: -- It is...
Guest: -- I gotta think what's best for them. Let's see... I am just going to.... copy.
Host: -- Copy?
[Applause]
Guest: -- Come on, Nathan
Host: -- If you'd have had to guess, if you'd have had to guess, do you have a guess?
Guest: -- I don't think France is a country but I'll just say that I don't know. I don't know. I'm just gonna say France. I don't know.
Host: -- OK. France is a country, I will tell you that. If you had said France, you would have gone home with nothing. That was not the right answer. The right answer... is Hungary.
Guest: -- It's what?
Host: -- Hungary.
Guest: -- Hungry?
Host: -- Like, I'm hungry.
Guest: -- That's a country?
[Laughter]
Guest: -- Now, I've heard of Turkey. But... Hungary? Never heard of it.
Host: -- But the answer is Hungary, so, if Nathan said Hungary, your charity's got $25 000, if he didn't, you walk away with nothing.
Guest: -- You're not smiling, Nathan. You're not smiling... oooh!
Host: -- Kelly, take a look at the board. For $25 000, your 5th grade classmate Nathan said: HUNGARY!
Guest: -- Great! You're the best! Thank you. Yeah... you tried to trick me. He tricked me.
Host: -- He tricked you?
Guest: -- Yeah, I was looking at his face and he looked like, "Uh huh... I messed it up, I failed." But you got it right. yeah!

your guess is as good as mine

2011-03-25T01:28:00.000+01:00

(gen.) something you say when you don't know the answer to a question.

Example:
A: "Excuse me, madam, when's the next train?"
B: "I'm not so sure. Your guess is as good as mine."
In the news: bleacherreport.com
Dictionary: your guess is as good as mine
Bonus link: englishclub.com

Link to this idiom:
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your guess is as good as mine, english idioms, english expressions, esl

present perfect vs. past simple

2011-03-22T21:58:00.005+01:00

break a leg

2011-03-18T07:00:00.000+01:00

(gen.) a superstitious way to say "good luck" without actually saying it, but instead saying the opposite.

Example: "Your exam is tonight? Well, what I can I say? Break a leg, man!"
In the news: browndailyherald.com
Dictionary: break a leg
Bonus link: worldwidewords.org
More idioms: wordsbiz.blogspot.com

[This card's for sale here]

Link to this idiom:
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break a leg, english idioms, english expressions, esl, idioms

pissed off

2011-03-15T02:50:00.000+01:00

(gen.) to be (very) angry, upset

Example: "I got home at three in the morning yesterday; I've never seen my wife so pissed off!"
In the news: bbc.co.uk and serioussportsnewsnetwork.com
Dictionary: pissed off
More idioms: wordsbiz.blogspot.com
Last week's quiz: week 090209

Link to this idiom:
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pissed off, english idioms, english expressions

roll out the red carpet

2011-03-14T06:53:00.000+01:00

(gen.) welcome someone in a special way, with a lot of hospitality.

Example: "When Mrs Merkel came to France last year, Mr Sarkozy rolled out the red carpet for her."
In the news: gainesvilletimes.com and gadling.com
Dictionary: roll out the red carpet
More idioms: wordsbiz.blogspot.com
Last week's quiz: week 220609

Link to this idiom:
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roll out the red carpet, english idioms, english expressions, esl, idioms

de niro selling a car

2011-03-11T00:02:00.006+01:00

De Niro: Look at the size of that trunk -- you can put three bodies in there. Just kidding. Just trying to levitate the situation.
Man: Okay. Thank you. We appreciate it.
De Niro: Josh, eh, what kind of car do you drive, anyway?
Man: Uh, it's a Lexus 430 LS.
De Niro: It's like a... Toyota.
Man: It's a Lexus.
De Niro: Yeah. Toyota... Lexus... same thing. Japanese, right? Let's not forget Pearl Harbor. Anyway, let's get serious. You wanna buy this car or what? Yay or nay.
Woman: Well, you know, we have to think about it.
De Niro: What's there to think about? I mean, you told me you liked it. You asked me ten thousand questions, I answered every single one 'o them. You drove it, you love it. What more do you need to know?
Man: Errr, you know, it's a lot money, and we just need the time to consider it.
De Niro: Consider it! Well, why don't you consider this: you've been breaking my balls for about an hour asking me about every goddam accessory in this car. "What about the light, what about this, what about this?"
Woman: You cannot talk to customers like that!
De Niro: You're not customers as far as I'm concerned. You wanna buy the car or not?
Man: Not from you. I wanna see the manager.
De Niro: You wanna see the manager?
Man: Yeah.
De Niro: I'll show you the manager. Here's the manager, right here. Here's the manager.
Woman: Unbelievable!
De Niro: You wanna talk to him?
(To the 'manager': What should I do?)
(The 'manager': Throw 'em out!)
You hear him? He just said Throw 'em out. He's the boss.
(To the 'manager': What should they get?)
(The 'manager': Tell 'em to get a hotdog!)
Hey, he just said it. He's the boss!

trunk: coffre
just kidding: je plaisante
yay or nay: yes or no
wanna: want to
to break sb's balls: casser des c******* à qqn
to throw sb out: jeter qqn dehors

blood from a turnip

2011-03-09T00:01:00.000+01:00

(gen.) It's impossible to get something from someone who doesn't have it, just like it's impossible to get blood from a turnip.

Example: "The victim of a dog-bite, Tim is trying to squeeze blood from a turnip by suing the homeless man who owns the dog."
In the news: theinsider.com and nashuaadvocate.blogspot.com
Dictionary: You cannot get blood from a stone
Photos of turnips: images.google.com
More idioms: wordsbiz.blogspot.com

Link to it:
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Technorati Tags: blood from a turnip, english expressions, english idioms, esl

up to

2011-02-25T00:05:00.001+01:00

(gen.) if you've been up to sth, you have been doing that thing.

Example: "So, what have you been up to recently, John?"
In the news: youtube.com (video) and jazzynupe.net
Dictionary: up to
Audio: what do 'to end up' and 'to be up to' mean?
More idioms: wordsbiz.blogspot.com
Last week's quiz: week 090209

Link to this idiom:
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up to, english idioms, english expressions

work overtime

2011-02-24T00:05:00.001+01:00

(bus. & gen.) if you work overtime, you work more hours than you usually do, you work more than your regular hours

Example: "Production was late, so my boss asked me to work overtime last week."
In the news: blogs.zdnet.com and klas-tv.com
Dictionary: overtime
More idioms: wordsbiz.blogspot.com
Last week's quiz: week 200409

Link to it:
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Technorati Tags: work overtime, english expressions, english idioms, esl

cry wolf

2011-02-23T00:05:00.001+01:00

(mostly non-bus.) intentionally raise a false alarm.

Example: "She calls us often to complain about fake criminals in her home. I've tried to explain to her that we now refuse to respond to those who cry wolf."
In the news: antiwar.com and query.nytimes.com
Dictionary: cry wolf
More idioms: wordsbiz.blogspot.com
Last week's quiz: week 020209

Link to this idiom:
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cry wolf, english idioms, english expressions

dry run

2011-02-22T00:04:00.001+01:00

an experiment or exercise with a machine or a project, under realistic but unreal conditions.

Example: "It's always best to do a dry run with any expensive machinery before buying it."
In the news: iht.com and washingtonpost.com
Dictionary: dry run

Bonus link: why is a 'dry run' dry?
More idioms: wordsbiz.blogspot.com

Last week's quiz: week 260109

Link to this idiom:
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dry run, english idioms, english expressions

french toast

2011-02-21T00:05:00.001+01:00

bread dipped in a mixture of egg and milk, and sautéed.

In the news: slate.com
Dictionary: French toast
Joke: French toast joke
Picture: upload.wikimedia.org
More idioms: wordsbiz.blogspot.com

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french toast, english idioms, english expressions

toothbrush salesman

2011-02-17T08:17:00.005+01:00

The nicely dressed salesman stopped a man in the street and asked, "Would you like to buy a toothbrush for twenty-five euros, Sir?"
Horrified, the passer-by said, "I don't think so. That's plain robbery!"
The salesman seemed a little hurt. "Well, what do you say to a home-made brownie for a euro?"
This seemed fair to the passer-by, who gave a euro to the salesman. Unwrapping the brownie, he took a bite. And suddenly he spat out the mouthful.
"This brownie tastes like shit!" he snarled.
"Well, it is," replied the salesman. "Do you want to buy a toothbrush?"

sick soldiers

2011-02-16T06:46:00.001+01:00

An army Major visits the sick soldiers of his platoon, approaches one private and asks:
"What's your problem, Soldier?"
"Chronic syphilis, Sir"
"What treatment are you getting?"
"Five minutes with the wire brush each day."
"What's your ambition?"
"To go back to the front, Sir."
"Good man." says the Major.
He goes to the next bed.
"What's your problem, Soldier?"
"Chronic piles, Sir"
"What treatment are you getting?"
"Five minutes with the wire brush each day."
"What's your ambition?"
"To go back to the front, Sir."
"Good man, "says the Major.
He goes to the next bed.
"What's your problem, Soldier?"
"Chronic gum disease, Sir"
"What treatment are you getting?"
"Five minutes with the wire brush each day."
"What's your ambition?"
"To get the wire brush before the other two, Sir"

origin of species

2011-02-15T06:58:00.002+01:00

A little girl asked her mother, "How did the human race appear?"
The mother answered, "God made Adam and Eve and they had children, and that is how all mankind was made."
Two days later the girl asked her father the same question. The father answered, "Many years ago there were monkeys from which the human race evolved."
The confused girl returned to her mother and said, "Mum, how is it possible that you told me the human race was created by God, and Dad said they evolved from monkeys?"
The mother answered, "Well, dear, it is very simple. I told you about my side of the family and your father told you about his."

two morons

2011-02-11T00:42:00.003+01:00

Two morons are watching a video clip of Madonna on MTV.

The first one says, 'Do you think that Madonna is her real name?'

The other one thinks for a minute, then replies, 'You're asking me if I think Madonna is the real name of who?'

call in sick

2011-02-10T04:16:00.000+01:00

(gen.) phone one's employer (or school, for example) to say that one is ill and can't come to work (or class).

Example: "There was an important meeting last Friday, but Sheila had to call in sick and tell her boss she couldn't be there."
In the news: careerbuilder.com and foxnews.com
Dictionary: call in sick
More idioms: wordsbiz.blogspot.com
--------------------
How to call in sick: wikihow.com
Record your call-in-sick message: for your boss's voice mail (heh heh)
Video: What does "no call-no show" mean?

Link to this idiom:
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call in sick, english idioms, english expressions, esl

secretary in training

2011-02-08T00:49:00.001+01:00

The boss didn't know what to do with his new secretary. She ignored the telephone when it rang.

"You must answer the telephone," the boss told her several times.

"Alright," she replied, "but it seems silly to answer it. Nine times out of ten, it's for you!"

mugging

2011-02-07T05:12:00.004+01:00

A man being mugged by two thugs put up a good fight! Finally, the thugs subdued him and took his wallet. When finding only two euros in the wallet, the surprised thug said "Why did you put up such a good fight?" To which the man quickly replied "I was afraid that you would find the €300 hidden in my shoe!"

junk mail

2011-02-03T06:58:00.000+01:00

pourriel
also: courrier indésirable

captain speaking

2011-02-02T00:10:00.002+01:00

A plane was taking off from La Guardia Airport. After it reached a comfortable cruising altitude, the captain made an announcement over the intercom: "Ladies and gentlemen, this is the captain speaking. Welcome to Flight Number 869, from New York to San Francisco.

The weather ahead is good, and we should have a smooth and uneventful flight.

Now sit back and relax... Oh, shit!"

Silence followed, and after a few minutes the captain came back on the intercom and said, "Ladies and Gentlemen, I am sorry if I scared you earlier; but, while I was talking, the stewardess brought me a cup of coffee and spilled the hot coffee in my lap. You you should see the front of my pants!"

A passenger in Economy said, "That's nothing. He should see the back of mine!"

[from Ret's ESL Jokes]

at the drop of a hat

2011-02-01T00:15:00.000+01:00

(gen.) quickly and easily, with no need to reflect and decide

Example: "If I found a ticket for the Stevie Wonder concert at Bercy, expensive or not, I'd buy it at the drop of a hat."
In the news: film.com/tv
Dictionary: at the drop of a hat

Link to this idiom:
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at the drop of a hat, english idioms, english expressions, esl, idioms

french window

2011-01-31T00:12:00.000+01:00

(gen.) NOUN -- an outside door with glass panes, serving as a window and a door.

Example: "I like to sit on the balcony with the French windows open, so I can listen to music from inside the flat."
In the news: timeshighereducation.co.uk (play on words) and en.easyart.com (Matisse French Window)
Dictionary: French window

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french window, english idioms, english expressions

business partners

2011-01-27T19:34:00.001+01:00

"Bob," whispered the bedridden young man, "I--I--I just can't die without telling you what a lousy partner I've been to you. I embezzled more than a m--million dollars from the firm. I--I m--m--made a million more by selling our best secrets to the competition, and just to be sp--spiteful I fired the new receptionist because I knew you were s--s--sleeping with her."
"That's OK," said Bob with a smile. "I'm the one who poisoned you."

shop dog

2011-01-26T00:03:00.009+01:00

A man walks into a shop and sees a cute little dog. He asks the shopkeeper, "Does your dog bite?"

The shopkeeper says, "No, my dog does not bite."

The man tries to pet the dog and the dog bites him.

"Ouch!" He says, "I thought you said your dog does not bite!"

The shopkeeper replies, "That's not my dog!"

hangman (le pendu)

2011-01-25T00:09:00.002+01:00

You have five free minutes at work? Play... and increase your vocabulary.
LINK: http://www.manythings.org/hmf/

Hangman (Le pendu in French). Choose a subject (office, animals, clothes, etc) and try to find the word.

offal

2011-01-21T23:15:00.001+01:00

abats ou triperie

mould

2011-01-19T19:00:00.001+01:00

moisissure

workaholic

2011-01-18T00:48:00.000+01:00

bourreau de travail

christmas eve

2011-01-13T00:40:00.000+01:00

the evening before Christmas; the day before Christmas.

Example: "We had dinner with the in-laws on Christmas eve. I think New Year's eve will be with friends only."
In the news: latimes.com and woodlands.com
Dictionary: Christmas eve
More idioms: wordsbiz.blogspot.com

Link to this idiom:
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christmas eve, english idioms, english expressions

french leave

2011-01-12T00:13:00.000+01:00

informal, unannounced, and/or abrupt departure.

Example: "The girl I met at the party took French leave -- when I woke up this morning, she was gone."
In the news: theage.com.au
Dictionary: French leave
Bonus link: en.wikipedia.org
More idioms: wordsbiz.blogspot.com

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french leave, english idioms, english expressions

negotiating

2011-01-10T14:46:00.002+01:00

A woman went to the dentist's. As he leaned over to begin working on her, she grabbed his testicles.

The dentist said, "Madam, I believe you've just grabbed my testicles."

The woman replied, "Yes. We're going to be careful not to hurt each other, aren't we?"

anger management

2011-01-07T00:09:00.004+01:00

Husband: "When I get mad at you, you never fight back. How do you control your anger?"

Wife: "I clean the toilet."

Husband: "And how does that help?"

Wife: "I use your toothbrush."

lay your cards on the table

2011-01-06T00:02:00.002+01:00

(bus.) VERB -- be completely honest

Example: "I think it's time you laid your cards on the table. What exactly do you need?"
In the news: starpulse.com and kykernel.com
Dictionary: lay cards on the table

Link to this post:
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lay your cards on the table, english idioms, english expressions, esl, idioms

good news and bad news

2011-01-05T18:02:00.003+01:00

A man receives a phone call from his doctor.
The doctor says, "I have some good news and some bad news."
The man says, "OK, give me the good news first."
The doctor says, "The good news is, you have 24 hours to live."
The man replies, "Oh no! If that's the good news, then what's the bad news?"
The doctor says, "The bad news is, I forgot to call you yesterday."

walking papers

2011-01-03T00:11:00.000+01:00

If you get your walking papers, your contract, or another relationship, is ended.

Example: "He got his walking papers because of that grave mistake he made last month."
In the news: cbc.ca and zdnetasia.com
Dictionary: give walking papers
More idioms: wordsbiz.blogspot.com

Link to this idiom:
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walking papers, english idioms, english expressions

Anthony Hopkins Oscar moment

2010-11-18T16:10:00.001+01:00

Watch the video on You Tube, and decide for yourself what the word tremendous means.

Five remarkably gifted men were nominated as actors in a leading role. Here they are:
1. Warren Beatty in "Bugsy"
2. Robert de Niro in "Cape Fear"
3. Anthony Hopkins in "The Silence of the Lambs"
4. Nick Nolte in "The Prince of Tides"
5. Robin Williams in "The Fisherking"

And the Oscar goes to: Anthony Hopkins in "The Silence of the Lambs"

My God! I can't believe it. I... ehh... This is really unexpected, I... It's a great honour to be here, especially with such great actors, like Nick Nolte, and Warren Beatty, and Robin Williams, Robert de Niro.
First of all, before I say any... I wanna say hello to my mother. She's in Wales watching this on television, uhh, with Eve and Jean and Jill and Tony
My father died eleven years ago tonight, so maybe he had something to do with this I don't know. But I want to say "thank you" to the Academy, for your tremendous generosity.
To my friend, Bob Palmer, my friend and publicist. My dear, beloved wife, Jenny. And I have many people to thank here in Los Angeles who over the years have given me tremendous support, without whose help I wouldn't be here. I know.
And I... I am greatly honoured and tremendously moved. And I... God bless you all. Thank you very much.

Do you...?

2010-10-19T15:45:00.002+02:00

In English, there are 3 ways to ask a question:

When there's "TO BE" (We put "to be" before the subject)
Are you sure you're OK? / Is he coming tomorrow?
When there's an auxiliary verb (must, can, should, could, will, etc) other than "to be" (We put the auxiliary verb before the subject)
Can you help me? / Will you come tomorrow?
When there's no "to be" and no auxiliary verb (We put the auxiliary verb before the subject, and the auxiliary verb is always "do")
Do you think she'll come? / Does she play tennis?

DO YOU LIKE GOOD MUSIC?

After listening to and reading the lyrics, try this: http://ww2.college-em.qc.ca/prof/epritchard/trivpsqu.htm

SWEET SOUL MUSIC, by Arthur Conley
(Written by Sam Cooke, Arthur Conley and Otis Redding)

Do you like good music
That sweet soul music
Just as long as it's swingin'
Oh yeah, oh yeah

We're out here on the floor now
We're going to a go go
honey dancin to the music
Oh yeah, oh yeah

Spotlight on Lou Rawls y'all
Ah don't he look tall y'all
Singin' loves a hurtin' thing
Oh yeah, oh yeah

Spotlight on Sam and Dave now
Ah don't they look great y'all
Hold on I'm comin'
Oh yeah, oh yeah

Spotlight on Wilson Pickett
That wicked picket Pickett
Singin' Mustang Sally
Yeah, oh yeah

Spotlight on Otis Redding now
Fa fa fa fa fa fa fa fa
Fa fa fa fa fa fa fa fa
Oh yeah, oh yeah

Spotlight on James Brow
He's the king of them all, y'all
He's the king of them all, now
Oh yeah, oh yeah

So and such

2010-10-06T00:25:00.001+02:00

In his song, "Ride Like the Wind", Christopher Cross sings:

"And I've got such a long way to go."
We use such with a noun (or adjective + noun): there must be a noun

"And it is so long."
We use so with an adjective: there must be an adjective alone

Try these quizzes:

have got to

2010-10-04T00:40:00.000+02:00

I have to do / I've got to do => obligation (I have to leave now / I've got to leave now)
I have sth / I've got sth => possession (I have four pets / I've got four pets)

In his song, Ride Like the Wind, Christopher Cross sings, "I've got to ride like the wind", which means that he has to. He must. It's an obligation.

Listen

RIDE LIKE THE WIND, by Christopher Cross
(Written by Christopher Cross)

It is the night. My body's weak.
I'm on the run. No time to sleep.
I've got to ride.

Ride like the wind to be free again.
And I've got such a long way to go.
To make it to the border of Mexico.
So I'll ride like the wind, ride like the wind.

I was born the son of a lawless man.
Always spoke my mind with a gun in my hand.
Lived nine lives
gunned down ten.
Gonna ride like the wind.

And I've got such a long way to go.
To make it to the border of Mexico.
So I'll ride like the wind.
Ride like the wind.
Ride like the wind.

Gonna ride...

Accused and tried and told to hang
I was nowhere in sight
when the church bells rang.
Never was the kind to do as I was told.
Gonna ride like the wind before I get old.

It is the night. My body's weak.
I'm on the run. No time to sleep.
I've got to ride.
Ride like the wind to be free again.

And I've got such a long way to go.
To make it to the border of Mexico.
So I'll ride like the wind.
Ride like the wind.

And I've got a long way to go.
To make it to the border of Mexico.
So I'll ride like the wind, ride like the wind.
Gonna run like the wind.

Robin Williams on Bush and Obama

2010-09-23T00:46:00.002+02:00

Cleese introduction: Thank you, thank you. Now, before I go on, I just want to thank you all so much for making the effort to be here tonight when you could have been at home, enjoying yourselves. It's the kind of self-sacrifice that makes this country the greatest country in the British Isles.

Now, where are we...

Oh, yes. our next act is someone I've actually heard of. An old friend of mine. Star of Good Morning Vietnam, The Dead Poet Society and Mrs Doubtfire.

A big hand, please, for Mr. William Robin. Oh I'm sorry. Robbie Williams. Mr Robbie Williams.

RW: Thank you. Chuck, Cam, great to see you. Yo, yo, what's up Wales, house of Windsor, keeping it real.

Obama, yeah. Yes indeed. Yeah. The dream came true. Great God almighty the dream came true. Obama bobama-bosama. Obama, yeah!

Barack which means blessing. Hussein, don't ask. Obama which is an old Kenyan word for Kennedy, God bless us!

A lot of Irish people are going "He's black, Irish as in O'Bama"

But he's an eloquent, eloquent man. I know at the inauguration people are hoping maybe he kicks it up a notch going: What's up Washington? Yo yo yo let's keep it real right now. I'm gonna bring out the members of my political party, my cabinet, right now. This is Little Ray-Ray. This is G-man, Kanye, Kobe and Colin Powell, who's bad to the bone. We're going down Pennsylvania Avenue with the top down. We're gonna build a basketball court in the Rose garden.

But we do have to take a moment of silence and bid a fond farewell to George W. Bush. Yes, it's the end of the reign of George II. The reign of error is over. America is officially out of rehab. Welcome it. We've come back.

He's a gift to comedy, though, he's a comedy piñata, I'm gonna miss him. A man who said, "I'm the decider!" No, sir, you're the president, you make decisions. The cider is what they sell in the little jugs.

A lot of people -- he also said, "I am misunderestimated." And they went, "No, not really."

And you think what is he... I have to think: what is he gonna do, after he leaves office? No, he cannot go on a speaking tour, that's a given!

But I do think he could do stand-up comedy, because he has eight years of amazing material. He has stuff, and here are some of W's greatest hits:
1. The question that's never asked... is our children learning?
2. I just found out that a lot of our imports come from other countries.
3. America, a country where you can put food on your family.
4. Our enemies are looking for terrible ways to destroy this country, and so are we.

And you have to have a little sympathy, though. W comes from a family where the smart brother is named Jeb. So you have to kinda... Take a moment, just a little moment...

And you can't blame the economy on him. They say the economy is essentially sound because people are considering buying things. That's like saying fat people are healthy because they might exercise. I said "No", we need help, we went to the world.

I like the fact that the American government went all around the world, and the French were going, "I feel so bad for you, huh." [imitating French accent]

They say, "Who has 750 billion dollars they can spare?" And I'm going, "The only people in the world are the Saudis, the Saudis."

"Can you spare seven hun..."

"I will give you 750 billion dollars. All I want is a picture of Angelina Jolie. And Louis Walsh." I changed that reference for England, thank God that worked. Thank you.

But it was the economy, the whole thing, and the whole debate. Basically it was... we had Obama, fresh prince, McCain, Uncle Fester on the Addam's family.

And the debates were so amazing... the first debate, two people speaking in complete sentences after eight years of 'W' -- I was going, "Thank you God."

I was beginning to think our electoral process was like the special Olympics of politics, it was like "No!"

The second debate, McCain started to get a little like: "Hm-hm, haaa! That one!"

And then the third debate, oh wow! McCain was just like: "g@=°#"~&!"

He starts to look like your uncle who's on a new drug and he hasn't got the dosage right. And you find him wandering around the mall going: "I've got a plan! I know where Osama is."

"Tell us!"

"I'm not gonna tell you yet. Where's the plumber? Where's Joe? Where's the plumber?"

"Get in the car, uncle John. Get in the car."

But it was pretty wild, that whole concept. What is he doing there? It was like... where, where did they get Sarah Palin? Where did they find her? Wow!

Did Ronald Reagan have a kid with Posh spice? I don't know. It's like she... it's like she came from some sort of reality show. 'Project Running Mate'. Here she comes... Here comes Sarah. Her hobbies are breast-feeding and helicopter hunting. She can skin a moose and balance a budget. Come on down. With that "shucks" and all kinds of... oh my gosh, that "shucks" -- polar bears are not endangered, they're just unlucky. Come on.

It was pretty amazing, too. The last few days of the election she let her hair down, she took her glasses off and, I thought the last day she'd just be like: Phooom! Check it out. How do you like my northern slopes, now, boys?

Drill, baby. Drill! Drill!

You'd think Bill Clinton was sitting at home the whole time going: "Where was she when I was in office? Damn!"

What's up?

And Bill has some bad luck. He found the only Jewish girl who couldn't get a stain out. That is so sad.

But the whole thing is... American politics... are always crazy. I live in California. We're a 60% Hispanic State; we have an Austrian governor. Even old Nazis are going: "That's weird. That is not right."

And Arnold could be president, if it wasn't for that tiny clause: if you're not born in America you can't run for president. Arnold, the little immigrant boy who had a dream and a vial of anabolic steroids. And he lives with... and married to Maria Shriver who's a Kennedy, who's getting smaller, and smaller: I believe he's living off of her. I believe he's sucking the Kennedy out of her slowly but surely. And that's why he's become a modern Republican. It's like a Volvo with a gun rack, you don't see a lot of them.

But... I was thinking... maybe there's one person… and I wanna get a guy out there running. You know when Sarah and... Who can we get to run and have the whole world go, "Wow!" And that guy, would be Jack Nicholson. Yeah, baby. He's got cooler movies than Arnold. "You can't handle the truth!"

We'd never have a sex scandal with Jack. He's done everybody. "I had Angelina Jolie, and afterwards she adopted me."

And we'd never have a drug scandal. Jack has done every drug known to mankind. He's the only guy in the world that Keith Richards would go: "I have to go home, now, Jack."

But... I'll leave you right now because some people say that I look like Bono, and I'd have to say, "Stop drinking."

And recently Bono was on stage in Scotland, and it was very quiet, like right now. And he started clapping his hands, and he clapped his hands, and he said, "Every time I clap my hands, a child in Africa dies."

And from the back of the Scottish audience someone went: "Then stop clapping your hands!"

Good night. Thank you so much.

first conditional

2010-09-23T00:31:00.001+02:00

Listen to Diana Ross singing "It's my House" -- somewhere in the song she says:

If you come on in, you're gonna get much more

The first conditional is IF + PRESENT SIMPLE, WILL + PRESENT SIMPLE and is used to talk about probable, likely things. The "if" part tells you about something highly probable, the "will" part about the possible result of that thing.

If you come on in... (I think you wanna come on in, it's probable)

...you're gonna get much more. (This is what will happen if you do come in)

Learn more about the first conditional, then do these quizzes:

drop by

2010-09-21T07:17:00.002+02:00

Listen to Diana Ross singing "It's my House" -- in the middle of the song she says:

You say you wanna move in with me
You say you wanna move in with me
Gotta follow the rules to get me
Gotta follow the rules to get me
You wanna visit my house
You say you wanna drop by
Wanna visit my house
To see me

When you move in with somebody, you go to live with them in a room or a flat or a house.
"The bank repossessed his house, so he moved in with his brother."
When you drop by, you pay (somebody) a short visit.
On the phone: "So, when's a good time for me to drop by? We need to discuss the Qoaling Dam project."

It's my house

2010-09-20T19:58:00.000+02:00

Diana Ross uses the following contractions in her song:

Gonna: "Going to," as in "I'm gonna see them tonight."
Wanna: "Want to," as in "I wanna hold your hand" by the Beatles.
Gotta: "Have got to", as in "I gotta go. See you tomorrow."
Ya: "You," as in "See ya later."
'Cause: "Because," as in "'Cause it was built for love."

IT'S MY HOUSE, by DIANA ROSS
(Written by Nickolas Ashford/Valerie Simpson)

It's my house and I live here
It's my house and I live here

There's a welcome mat at the door
If you come on in
You're gonna get much more
There's my chair
I put it there
Everything you see
Is love and care

It's my house and I live here
(I wanna tell ya)
It's my house and I live here

There's music on the radio,
And good vibrations won't let you go,
I put my name on the ceiling above,
'Cause it was built for love
It was built for love

Ooooh, huh!
Ooooh!

You say you wanna move in with me
You say you wanna move in with me
Gotta follow the rules to get me
Gotta follow the rules to get me
You wanna visit my house
You say you wanna drop by
Wanna visit my house
To see me

It's my house, my house, yeah
It's my house, my house,

No one, no one gets the prize...
(The beginning of another song, as this was a concert)

pull someone's leg

2010-09-17T00:02:00.000+02:00

(gen.) tell something that is not true as a joke.

Example: "When Palesa said her boss had given her a $1500 raise per month, she was just pulling your leg."
In the news: microsoft.com
Dictionary: pull leg

Link to this idiom:
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pull someone's leg, english idioms, english expressions

third person singular in the present

2010-09-15T00:22:00.001+02:00

The following is part of the lyrics of Stevie Wonder's song, "For Once in my Life" (video clip and full lyrics)

For once in my life I have someone who needs me
Someone I've needed so long
For once, unafraid, I can go where life leads me
And somehow I know I'll be strong

(Listen to the song and see if you hear the "s" sound attached to the verb)

In the simple present tense, the verb of the third person singular takes an "S". We say "I need help," but "She needs help."

3rd PERSON SINGULAR (SIMPLE PRESENT) + VERB + S

Learn more about this rule at the following page: English Tenses

second conditional

2010-09-13T23:43:00.000+02:00

The following is part of the lyrics of Stevie Wonder's song, "For Once in my Life" (video clip and full lyrics)

For once I can touch what my heart used to dream of
Long before I knew
Someone warm like you
Would make my dreams come true

The second conditional says we should use the
SIMPLE PAST + WOULD + SIMPLE PRESENT

(I knew + someone warm like you would + make my dreams come true)

An example of a complete second conditional sentence: "If I jogged regularly I would lose weight."

Why we use the second conditional: 410 Grammar

embezzle

2010-07-15T23:13:00.001+02:00

(gen.) VERB -- fraudulently appropriate property, money, etc, put in your care, and use it for yourself

Example: "The big question now is whether some government ministers embezzled public funds."
In the news: thejakartaglobe.com and ktla.com
Dictionary: embezzle
Cartoon: harley davidson

Link to this post:
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embezzle, english idioms, english expressions, esl

runner-up

2010-07-12T00:51:00.001+02:00

(gen.) NOUN -- a term used to describe a participant who finishes second in any of a variety of competitive activities, like sport

Example: "Spain won the World Cup tonight, making the Netherlands runners-up for the third time ('74, '78, '10)."
In the news: nydailynews.com and gostanford.com
Dictionary: runner-up
Cartoon: late

Link to this idiom:
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runner-up, english idioms, english expressions, esl

rappel
Definition:	Lower oneself with a rope coiled around the body from a mountainside.
Synonyms:	abseil, rope down

Ret's Word Of The Day

Expressions with "French" in Them

Ret's 3rd Conditional Quiz

Ret's "Make" Or "Do" Quiz

Ret's 2nd Conditional Quiz

Ret's 1st Conditional Quiz

Ret's AT ON IN Quiz

Ret's Present Perfect vs. Past Simple Quiz

Ret's Meetings English Quiz

Ret's Words That Go Together Quiz

Ret's Human Resources Vocabulary Quiz

Ret's False Cognates Quiz

Ret's Food-Related Word Quiz

Marvin Gaye singing "I Heard it Through the Grapevine" Acappella

Backstabbers

for once

Learn some expressions with Stevie Wonder singing "For Once in my Life"

Smokey Robinson singing "Cruisin'"

my bad

fast asleep

go down the tubes

tie up loose ends

in the bag

all ears

call it a day

Word of the Day

rappel

in hot water

rip-off

traffic jam

icing on the cake

will vs. going to 2

labour day

will vs. going to

at, on, in

cutting edge

lay off

all day long

red tape

fascinating

status quo

renounce

queue

hierarchy

hard copy

the bottom line

child's play

gavel–to–gavel

well-off

Jodie Foster to Bob De Niro

work council

keep someone posted

the shit hits the fan

Hungary... that's a country!

your guess is as good as mine

present perfect vs. past simple

break a leg

pissed off

roll out the red carpet

de niro selling a car

blood from a turnip

up to

work overtime

cry wolf

dry run

french toast

toothbrush salesman

sick soldiers

origin of species

two morons

call in sick

secretary in training

mugging

junk mail

captain speaking

at the drop of a hat

french window

business partners

shop dog

hangman (le pendu)