In today’s “English Idioms for Newcomers“, let’s take a look at this expression: Put one’s finger on…. What does “put one’s finger on…” mean? to discover the reason why something is wrong to understand exactly what causes a problem to say exactly what the answer to a question is Examples: I cannot quite put my finger on what has gone …
Be Put or Go through the Wringer
In today’s “English Idioms for Newcomers“, let’s take a look at this expression: Be Put or Go through the Wringer. What does “be put/go through the wringer” mean? to go through difficulty, punishment, or unpleasant experience. Examples: The internal investigation has really put the officer through the wringer. Between losing her job, and divorce hearings, the foreclosure of her house, …
The Tide Has Turned
In today’s “English Idioms for Newcomers“, let’s take a look at this expression: The Tide Has Turned. What does “the tide has turned” mean? one’s luck has changed, especially for the better things has began to change in favor of someone or something How to use it? This idiom is quite flexible. Use this idiom as a sentence, which can be in different tenses depending on the context. …
Double Take
In today’s “English Idioms for Newcomers“, let’s take a look at this expression: Double Take. What does “Double Take” mean? a delayed surprised reaction at seeing something or someone a surprised second look at a something whose significance wasn’t completed grasped at first How to use “Double Take”? Use it in this phrase Do a double take Examples: I did …
Get a Word in Edgewise
In today’s “English Idioms for Newcomers“, let’s take a look at this expression: Get a Word in Edgewise. What does “get a word in edgewise” mean? To have an opportunity to speak To successfully interrupt a conversation in which someone else is talking nonstop How to use “get a word in edgewise”? This phrase is usually used with a negative …
To Split Hairs
In today’s “English Idioms for Newcomers“, let’s take a look at this expression: To Split Hairs What does “to split hairs” mean? To find fault, to nitpick or quibble about something small and unimportant Make unnecessary, tiny distinctions between things Argue about small and unimportant details of something How to use it? Add “about…” or “over…” after it, to indicate …
Fit as a Fiddle
In today’s “English Idioms for Newcomers“, let’s take a look at this expression: Fit as a Fiddle What does “fit as a fiddle” mean? It’s used to describe a person who is Very strong and health Full of energy in good physical condition How to use it? It’s used to describe a person You can use it as a predicate …
Fly off the Handle
In today’s “English Idioms for Newcomers“, let’s take a look at this expression: Fly off the Handle. What does “fly off the handle” mean? To lose control of one’s emotions all of a sudden To lose one’s temper and become extremely angry How to use it? Note that “fly off the handle” is a very informal phrase. Use “fly off …
Common Uncountable Nouns
In the first article of our new series “English Learning Tips for Newcomers“. English learners tend to overuse plural forms on uncountable nouns. Uncountable nouns are nouns that cannot be counted, e.g. water, weather, air, etc. Most uncountable nouns are liquid, abstract concept, mass nouns, states of being, or feelings. Here are 10 uncountable nouns which English learners tend to …
Cool as A Cucumber
In today’s “English Idioms for Newcomers“, let’s take a look at this expression: Cool as A Cucumber. What does “cool as a cucumber” mean? Very calm, collected or unemotional when faced with something surprising Composed or self-possessed in times of stress The origin of “cool as a cucumber”: The inside of cucumbers remains cooler than the air even in extremely …