執筆者 Modern English | 2014年04月09日 | Idioms
Boss: “Step into my office, Jenkins. I want to have a word with you.” “Having a word” means having a short conversation, but it is usually an important conversation. In this example, the boss asks Jenkins to come into his office, so it is a private conversation that...
執筆者 Modern English | 2014年04月02日 | Idioms
“I borrowed my father’s car without asking, but I can’t stay away forever. It’s time to go home and face the music.” “The music” is the negative consequences of our actions. If someone is going to be punished for something they did, we say they will face the music. We...
執筆者 Modern English | 2014年03月26日 | Idioms
Beth: Wow, that was close! Old Mr. Johnson almost saw me writing on his car window with soap. Tom: I see you’re up to your usual shenanigans. “Shenanigans” are tricks or trouble. They can also be dishonest behavior. For example, “The politician lost the election after...
執筆者 Modern English | 2014年03月19日 | Idioms
“Three dollars for a carton of milk!? What is the world coming to?” When something is surprising, strange, and often bad, we use this phrase to express despair or amazement at the new situation. The world is becoming very strange and different from what we are used...
執筆者 Modern English | 2014年03月12日 | Idioms
Tour bus driver: “Thank you for helping to change the tire.” Tourist: “Well, we’re all in the same boat. I want to get back on the road as much as you do.” When two or more people are in the same situation, they are said to be “in the same boat”. If two people are in...
執筆者 Modern English | 2014年03月05日 | Idioms
“You should help with my new project. It’s going to be big, and you’ll be in on the ground floor.” Sometimes it’s advantageous to be involved in something when it first starts, so you have a long history with it later when it is successful. For example, if you bought...
