Idiom of the Week: Jack of All Trades

執筆者 | 2014年04月23日 | Idioms

“Wow, you can program computers, too? I thought you were an art major.” “I’m something of a jack of all trades.” A jack of all trades is a person who can do many different kinds of things. However, he is not an expert at any one thing. The longer version of the phrase...

Idiom of the Week: Play Your Cards Right

執筆者 | 2014年04月16日 | Idioms

“I’m in the same group as Linda for the history project! If I play my cards right, I can ask her to the school dance.” In a card game, you are much more likely to win if you play your cards cleverly, to give yourself as much advantage as possible. We use cards as a...

Idiom of the Week: I want to have a word with you

執筆者 | 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...

Idiom of the Week: Face the Music

執筆者 | 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...

Idiom of the Week: Shenanigans

執筆者 | 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...