The ball is in your court.
This idiom means it is your turn to speak or do something. Read the dialog below to get a good example of how to use this expression.
Fred – So, did you do it?
Nat – Do what?
Fred – You know…
Nat – No, I don’t know.
Fred – Did you ask Carol if she likes me?
Nat – Oh, yeah, I did ask.
Fred – And?
Nat – She said she does. Now the ball is in your court.
Fred – I guess you are right. I’ll wait for her to ask me out.
Nat – No silly! You need to ask her out!
“Hole in one!”
“Hole in one!” is a expression used when a golfer gets their golf ball in the hole in only one stroke. However, it can also be used in other circumstances. It can mean that you succeeded on your first try. Read this dialog to see how else you can use it:
Paul – I scored a hole in one today!
Pete – Really? You golf?
Paul – No, not me, but I sold my house right after the first viewing!
Pete – Wow, that is a hole in one, especially in this economy.
“I can’t find my glasses anywhere and without them I’m as blind as a bat! Is that a mouse in front of me?”
Slang of the day: blind as a bat
Meaning: one’s eyesight is very bad
Usage: I think I need to get some glasses. I’m as blind as a bat lately.
Dialog:
Doctor – How’s your eyesight these days? Can you see the big E on the chart?
George – No Doc. Not at all. I’m as blind as a bat.
Doctor – Well, let’s get you some glasses then.
George – Thanks Doc.
Proverbs are simple sayings that are based on common sense and are repeated often. Here are a few of my favorite English proverbs.
This means that success will come to people who are well prepared and put forth great effort.
This can refer to a team or a group of people and that they (as a unit) are only as strong as the weakest person on that team.
This means that it is just as useful to save the money you have, as it is to earn more money.
This is a proverb that is referring to patience.
Have you ever felt like sometimes things go your way and sometimes they don’t? Read this story below and answer the questions to see if you can find out what is going Fred’s way and what is not going his way today.
April 11, 2011
Dear Diary,
Today has been a truly bizarre day. So many good things have happened to me and at the same time, so many bad things have happened. My day started out like any other day. I woke up, showered and got dressed. Then, I went downstairs to have breakfast. I opened up the fridge and a milk carton fell out and milk spilled everywhere. It took me a while to clean it up. After I cleaned it up, the door bell rang and on my door step was an envelope. I opened it up and it was a letter from the girl who lived next door. She wanted to meet me at the park. I was on cloud nine!!
After I ate my breakfast, I ran the whole way to the park and then I saw her. Her name was Nicole. She’s so pretty. I walked over to her and we started talking. We decided to have get some ice cream from the vendor and wouldn’t you know it, after I had only 2 licks, my ice cream fell on the ground. I would’ve gotten more, but I didn’t have any more money. Nicole smiled at me and handed me a present. Ahhh, she remembered that it was my birthday. I opened it up. It was a beautiful scarf that she had knitted. I put on the scarf and we started to walk back home, unfortunately, I tripped on the scarf and fell. Nicole just smiled at me and offered me her hand. Luckily, she didn’t care that I was having a lot of back luck today.
Overall, I had a great day! Until tomorrow diary,
Fred
Questions –
1. What were the three bad things that happened to Fred?
2. What were the two good things that happened to Fred?
3. Why was today special for Fred?
4. What does ‘You win some and you lose some” mean?
This means that if you wait too long, you may miss an opportunity.
Tim – Hey, I was going to sit there!
Sally – Well, if you snooze, you lose!
This is a fun way to say bye.
This is the response to See you later alligator.
Even though the person you are talking to is not named Stan, you still use the word Stan because it rhymes. This phrase is used to find out what someone has planned for that day.
This is like above, even though the person you are talking to is not named Charlie, you still say Charlie to them. This is a sarcastic way to say sorry.
Little girl – I wanted the last corn chip.
Mother – Sorry, Charlie!
Here are some great slang expressions that I really love to use:
I use this expression so much with my children that now my daughter is using it. It means that you want someone to speed up or get going.
Mom, I’m going to be late for school, let’s get a move on!
This means to get started doing something.
Right after the alarm rang, I jumped out of bed and yelled, “Let’s get cracking!”
This means the person you are talking about is a good person.
That little boy, Henry, he’s really a good egg. I think you should invite him to your party.
This can refer to using drugs, but it can also mean that you have studied or learned a lot and your brain is mentally tired.
Wow, I just took a 5 hour exam, my brain is totally fried!
Here are five unique ways to say I’m nervous in English. Of course they all have a slight difference in meaning, but all convey similar meanings.
I’m anxious about hearing the results of my test.
I’m totally freaked out about going to the party tonight. This is slang and can also mean that you are scared.
I’m on pins and needles waiting to see if I’m pregnant.
Sally walked into the classroom for the first time and felt butterflies in her tummy.
After talking to that handsome boy, I’m just a bundle of nerves!
These are symbols of luck in the United States. Post a comment about things that bring luck in your country.
Four leaf clover – If you find a 4 leaf clover in a clover patch, then you will have very good luck. Usually they are only 3 leaf clovers. The 4 leaves represent fame, wealth, love and health!
Rabbit’s foot – To carry a rabbit’s foot is good luck. I had one as a child, I sure do hope it was fake, because to me carrying a foot around is kind of gross.
Break a leg – This is something you say to an actor/actress right before they perform. It’s believed if you say this, then the opposite will occur – good luck. If you say ‘good luck’ to an actor before a performance, then something bad will happen to them.
Crossing your fingers – Many believe that if you cross your fingers it will bring you good luck. Also, sometimes people cross their fingers if they are lying. It’s almost as if it is okay to lie if you cross your fingers.
Pinch, poke, you owe me a coke.
Have you ever heard that phrase? It’s a silly thing some kids say (and some adults too), when two people say the exact same thing at the same time.
For example:
Person A and person B both say at the same time: “Glee is my favorite TV show.”
Then, Person A (or B) will quickly say, “Pinch, poke, you owe me a coke.”
Sometimes with kids there might be a little pinching or poking, but nothing serious. And rarely does anyone ever really get a free coke. 🙂