‘Using English’ Archives
English Idioms Eggs
It's soon going to be Shrove Tuesday, or as kids in Britain call it Pancake Day. The key ingredient for a pancake is an egg. So we'll warm up for Shrove Tuesday with idioms that use egg. If you have egg on your face is means that you are very embarrassed or look stupid because of something you did or said. My brother said [...]
Crosswords for English Learners – Change & Trends
I am experimenting with making some crosswords for English learners. One of the problems of learners have with vocabulary is how to approach memorizing the words. Almost everybody tries to make list and learn the list of words. There are problems with this method, the biggest of which is boredom. Another popular method for both teachers of English [...]
The Definite Article -Using The
The Definite Article Even though it is such a small word and it is used so often, “the” can cause many problems for people learning English. This article looks at when you should or shouldn’t use “the” and finishes with a short exercise to help you practice. Before we start explaining the rules we had better review some key terms: [...]
English Idioms Ducks
English has quite a few idioms using animals. Today we look at some using ducks. When you are lame it means that you have a problem with a leg or both legs, which means that you can't walk properly. If you describe someone as a lame duck it means that they are weak or powerless. We often use it to describe people or things that are past their [...]
English Idioms Glove
English Idioms Glove In this post we are going to talk about commonly used idioms using the word "glove". If something fits like a glove it means that it is exactly the right size and shape. We don't just use fits like a glove to describe clothes. We can also use it to describe situations where things match each other [...]
English Dialogs Shopping for Fruit and Vegetables
Although most people do their grocery shopping at the supermarkets, you can still see local greengrocer’s shops even in cities like London. Most of the people who shop at greengrocer’s say that the quality and the prices are better than most supermarkets, and that they like friendly atmosphere of a small shop. C = customer G = [...]
English Idioms Big fish
English Idioms You will often hear someone referred to as a big fish. This doesn't mean they are fat or that they are cold and wet, although they might be both of these as well. No, a big fish is someone who is important or powerful. "The police were not interesting in the small time drug dealer. They were after the big [...]
English Idioms Toes
English Idioms The previous idiom article was about fingers. In this article we go to the other end of the body and look at some idioms using toes. step on someone's toes keep you on your toes a toe in the water If you step/tread on someone's toes it means you interfere in their affairs, get in their way or upset them by [...]
English Phrasal Verbs Nail
In the last entry on phrasal verbs we looked at the verb to hammer. Today we'll take a look at to verb to nail. Nail down has several meanings. When you nail something down it means that you fix it tightly with nails. We had better nail down that loose floorboard or someone is going to have [...]
English Idioms With Finger
There are many English idioms using the word finger. Today we will look at three of the most commonly used. * Finger on the pulse * Point your finger at somebody or something * Put your finger on something If you have your finger on the pulse it means that know the latest information [...]
