Phrase of the Week: Point of No Return

執筆者 | 2014年03月29日 | Phrases

“This is your last chance to change your mind. We are about to pass the point of no return.” The point of no return is a place where, if you go any further, you will not be able to go back. For example, if you have fuel or supplies for a ten-day journey, if you travel...

Phrase of the Week: I can’t thank you enough!

執筆者 | 2014年03月22日 | Phrases

“You saved our cat from the fire! I can’t thank you enough!” We use this phrase when we are very, very thankful. No matter how much we thank the person, it won’t be “enough”. Here is a similar phrase: “I cannot overemphasize how important this is.” No matter how much...

Phrase of the Week: You can’t be too careful

執筆者 | 2014年03月15日 | Phrases

“Mountain climbing can be very dangerous. You can’t be too careful.” No matter how careful you are, it isn’t too careful. It’s impossible to be too careful. In some contexts, though, this phrase can have almost the opposite meaning. “Jim is very sensitive. You can’t...

Phrase of the Week: Bit by Bit

執筆者 | 2014年03月08日 | Phrases

“Learning Japanese is so hard! I don’t feel like I’m making any progress.” “Don’t worry. Keep studying and practicing, and you’ll learn it bit by bit.” A bit can mean “a little” or “a small piece of something bigger”. “Bit by bit” describes something that happens very...

Phrase of the Week: Take it for granted

執筆者 | 2014年03月01日 | Phrases

Daughter: “Aw, spaghetti again? I hate spaghetti.” Father: “Don’t take your mother’s cooking for granted. You’ll miss it when you go to college next year and have to take care of yourself.” When we take something for granted, we don’t appreciate it. We think we have...

Phrase of the Week: Get a load of this

執筆者 | 2014年02月22日 | Phrases

“Hey, Dad! Get a load of this! Rover brought home a huge stick!” “You call that a trick? Get a load of this! I can do a backflip!” “Get a load of this” means “look at this”. We use it to draw someone’s attention to something surprising or amazing. Rover is an old...