We say something came out of left field, when it (especially a problem) occurred unexpectedly.
The customer seemed really happy with his dinner and the service, so his complaint to the restaurant manager came out of left field.
Sunday, June 16, 2013
COME OUT OF LEFT FIELD
In English there are many idioms referencing baseball.
We say something came out of left field, when it (especially a problem) occurred unexpectedly.
The customer seemed really happy with his dinner and the service, so his complaint to the restaurant manager came out of left field.
We say something came out of left field, when it (especially a problem) occurred unexpectedly.
The customer seemed really happy with his dinner and the service, so his complaint to the restaurant manager came out of left field.
Monday, June 10, 2013
ONCE IN A BLUE MOON
If something happens once in a blue moon, it happens rarely.
Example:
Dan: Hey, do you want some potato chips?
Frances: No thanks. I am very careful about what I eat. I eat junk food only once in a blue moon.
Example:
Dan: Hey, do you want some potato chips?
Frances: No thanks. I am very careful about what I eat. I eat junk food only once in a blue moon.
Monday, June 3, 2013
PULLING ONE'S LEG
To be pulling one's leg means to be teasing someone by saying something that cannot possibly be true.
It is often used to express disbelief.
Mike: I started taking yoga classes.
Janice: No way, Mike! You are pulling my leg!
image courtesy of dreamstime.com
It is often used to express disbelief.
Mike: I started taking yoga classes.
Janice: No way, Mike! You are pulling my leg!
Monday, May 27, 2013
Eighty-Six
We say something is Eighty Six (86) when it is no longer available or when it needs to be thrown away.
In a restaurant, a chef to a waiter: "86 on the beef special. That went fast!"
image courtesy of dreamstime.com
In a restaurant, a chef to a waiter: "86 on the beef special. That went fast!"
image courtesy of dreamstime.com
Monday, May 20, 2013
YOU CAN LEAD A HORSE TO WATER (BUT YOU CAN'T MAKE IT DRINK)
The idiom "you can lead a horse to water, but you can't make it drink" means that you can offer someone an opportunity to do something in order to succeed, but you cannot force him or her to actually take advantage of this opportunity.
Max: "John's aunt offered him a summer job at her store, but John never called her back. I thought he was really trying to make some money for college."
Jane: "Well, you can lead a horse to water, but you can't make it drink."
Max: "John's aunt offered him a summer job at her store, but John never called her back. I thought he was really trying to make some money for college."
Jane: "Well, you can lead a horse to water, but you can't make it drink."
Sunday, May 12, 2013
ALL IN THE SAME BOAT
When we are "all in the same boat," it means that we are all facing the same challenges.
For example:
Mary: Can you lend me 20 dollars? I'm so broke this week.
Tom: I'm sorry. I'm in the same boat. I don't have any money either.
For example:
Mary: Can you lend me 20 dollars? I'm so broke this week.
Tom: I'm sorry. I'm in the same boat. I don't have any money either.
image courtesy of dreamstime.com
Sunday, April 28, 2013
(IT) SUITS ME (FINE)
People say "it suits me" or "it suits me fine" to express that they are agreeable to an idea.
For example:
- "When do you want to meet for lunch? How about Wednesday at 1pm?"
- "That suits me fine."
On the other hand, you can also show displeasure by saying something doesn't quite suit you.
For example:
- "When do you want to meet for lunch? How about Wednesday at 1pm?"
- "That suits me fine."
On the other hand, you can also show displeasure by saying something doesn't quite suit you.
image courtesy of dreamstime.com
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