Sunday, November 22, 2015
Today's Idioms
CALL (SOMEONE) ON THE CARPET
to confront or hold someone responsible for some misdeed
1. The student tried to make the teacher think that his report was original, but the teacher knew it wasn’t, and called him on the carpet.
2. I got called on the carpet for being late again.
Synonyms: rake (someone) over the coals; chew (someone) out; read (someone) the riot act
This phrase originates from the military, where it used to be that only senior officers had carpet in their offices. To be called on the carpet meant that a lower-ranking soldier was brought into the senior’s office to be formally reprimanded for an offense.
CALL (SOMEONE’S) BLUFF
to challenge someone to carry out a threat or prove the truth of a statement
1. I told my parents that I had gotten passing grades in all my classes, but they didn’t believe me. They called my bluff and asked to see my report card.
2. The bank robber threatened to shoot the bank guard, but the guard called the robber’s bluff by walking up to him and taking away his gun.
This idiom is based on the literal meaning of this phrase as used in card games such as poker. A player who is bluffing may pretend to have a winning hand when in fact he or she does not. To call one’s bluff in poker is to challenge one to show his or her cards.
CALL A SPADE A SPADE
to speak plainly or call something by its right name, even if it is unpleasant
1. Some people say Ben is generous with his money, but I call a spade a spade. He’s not generous, he’s foolish.
2. It’s polite of you to refer to them as “lively” children, but let’s call a spade a spade. They are actually very naughty.
Antonym: beat about/around the bush
The expression is usually used when something is described more favorably than it deserves. Call a spade a spade is a request for a more realistic description. The phrase dates back to ancient Greece, where the words for “spade,” “boat,” and “bowl” were very similar; the original translation my have been ‘call a boat a boat
CALL THE SHOTS
to be in control or to give orders
1. In this classroom, the teacher is in control. The teacher calls the shots, not the students.
2. The lawyer tried to take control of the courtroom, but the judge reminded him that it is the judge who calls the shots.
This idiom stems from use in sports that involve aiming. For example, in darts, the thrower might call out the exact spot he/she expects to hit on the target. Calling the shots well shows the player to be in control of the outcome.
CAN OF WORMS, OPEN A
a situation that contains many unexpected and unwanted problems and consequences
1. The company’s management thought their new policy would increase employee productivity, but instead it opened a whole new can of worms.
2. His situation is completely messed up; it’s a can of worms that I’m happy not to have to deal with.
Synonym: Pandora’s box, open a
CARRY A TORCH (FOR SOMEONE)
to be in love with someone, usually someone who does not love in return
1. Why don’t you find a new boyfriend? Don’t spend your life carrying a torch for someone who doesn’t love you anymore.
2. Sara will never remarry. She will always carry a torch for Henry.
The expression suggests that love is a flame in the heart.
CARRY THE BALL
to take on work or responsibility in order to keep a project moving forward
1. We need more people to help get this work done on time. Are you going to sit there and do nothing or are you going to help carry the ball?
2. The people in the office were sorry to see Amira leave the company. She was such a dependable worker and you could always count on her to carry the ball.
CHEW (SOMEONE) OUT [GET CHEWED OUT]
to scold someone harshly
1. When Peggy came home three hours late, her parents were very angry. They chewed her out and told her she was restricted for two weeks.
2. The newspaper boy got chewed out by Mrs. James when he ran through her flower garden.
Compare to: read (someone) the riot act; rake (someone) over the coals; call (someone) on the carpet; give (someone) a piece of (one’s) mind
CHEW (SOMETHING) OVER
to think slowly and carefully about something
1. I know the idea doesn’t seem appealing at first, but why don’t you chew it over for a few days before you decide?
2. Janice is not sure she is going on vacation in August. She’s chewing it over.
The idiom probably originates from another expression, chew the cud, referring to the fact that a cow chews slowly and regurgitates its food to chew it a second time.
Sunday, November 15, 2015
Saturday, November 14, 2015
Sunday, November 8, 2015
Pronunciation Practice
Pronunciation Practice
Gonna - Going to
She’s gonna meet you at the airport.
I’m gonna be late for the meeting.
I’m gonna have to call you back later.
We’re gonna finish the report before lunch.
The film’s gonna start in 15 minutes.
He’s gonna call you back in a little while.
We’re gonna get you set up in a bigger office.
What are ya gonna have for lunch?
What’s gonna happen to Mark?
Wanna - Want to
They wanna meet with us before the end of the week.
Wanna grab a cup of coffee?
Does he wanna meet us at the airport?
Does Peter wanna ride with us to the airport?
I wanna try to beat the traffic so I’m gonna leave earlier.
We wanna make sure they’re happy with our work.
Do the managers wanna work longer hours?
They wanna buy a new house?
What do you wanna do tonight?
Wanna catch a movie?
Wanna grab a bite to eat?
Do they wanna meet us there?
Hafta - Have to
I hafta get going soon.
We hafta start getting to work on time.
They hafta stop talking so much.
We hafta take better care of ourselves.
You hafta stop smoking in the building.
We hafta leave soon.
They have to get a better handle on their employees.
I hafta work late tonight.
I hafta charge my phone soon.
You hafta work seven days a week for the foreseeable future.
We hafta finish our meeting before 2:00.
Hasta - Has to
She hasta start doing better work.
He hasta outline the new proposal in five minutes.
My car hasta get warmed up before I can drive it.
She hasta get back to me before the end of the day.
It hasta get warmer before I start walking to work.
The new logo hasta fit in with our overall branding.
He hasta start taking his job more seriously.
Our app hasta work all the time, not just once in awhile.
Mary hasta find a babysitter otherwise she won’t be able to come tonight.
Their boss hasta make some tough decisions in the near future.
Gotta - Got to
Ya gotta keep trying.
She’s gotta try harder next time.
We gotta do a better job next time.
I gotta take this call.
We gotta wrap this up soon.
He’s gotta wake up early tomorrow.
Andrey’s gotta make an important call in five minutes.
You gotta try harder next time.
We’ve gotta start showing him more respect.
Ya gotta wanna.
He’s gotta catch a plane in three hours.
The new salesman hasta start making some money for the company.
Ya gotta face the facts.
We’ve got get our act together.
Usta - Used to
She usta smoke but that was years ago.
I usta ride my bike everyday when I was a child.
They usta go the theater every weekend.
We usta have a lot more fun when we were kids.
You usta be late everyday when you first started here.
He usta walk to work almost every day.
Katy usta to call me all the time before she moved.
They usta call me by my last name in the military.
I usta drink a lot more coffee.
We usta take the subway into the city on the weekends.
Where did you usta work before you came here?
She usta be such a good employee.
We usta be best friends.
Lisa usta talk about me behind my back all the time.Sunday, November 1, 2015
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