執筆者 Modern English | 2013年03月30日 | Phrases
Jane: Did Spot like the toy I bought him? Martha: Yes, he has already ripped it to shreds. Jane: Well, so much for that toy! We say “so much for X” when X has been destroyed or ended. In this case “so much” doesn’t mean “a lot” but “that specific amount.” The thing we...
執筆者 Modern English | 2013年03月23日 | Phrases
Fred: I can’t believe the butler did it! What about the maid’s missing alibi? George: That was just a red herring. A red herring is something that seems important, but is actually just there to distract you from what is really important. It is common in mystery...
執筆者 Modern English | 2013年03月16日 | Phrases
Bob: This cake is delicious! Where did you get it? Terry: I made it myself. Bob: Did you use a cake mix? Terry: No, I made it from scratch. When you make something from the raw ingredients, you make it from scratch. If you use anything pre-made, like a sauce, mix, or...
執筆者 Modern English | 2013年03月09日 | Phrases
“This is a really great book. But you don’t have to take my word for it. Read it yourself and see.” “I don’t like reading much, so I’ll just take your word for it.” To take someone’s word is to believe something they say. If you don’t take their word for it, you have...
執筆者 Modern English | 2013年03月02日 | Phrases
Salesperson: Excuse me, ma’am, could you tell me how you heard of our product? Did you see our TV commercial or our magazine ad? Woman: No, I heard about it by word of mouth. All my friends are using it. “Word of mouth” means the spread of information by people...
執筆者 Modern English | 2013年02月23日 | Phrases
Bill: Look, I found a clarinet in the attic. Ted: Can you play it? Bill: *SQEUAK HONK BLAT* Bill: I guess I’m not much of a musician. If you are not a very good writer, you are not much of a writer. If I build a secret base, but it is just a cardboard box in my living...
