Author: Louise

Posted on

Like … (2)

There are many expressions commonly used in English to express similarity. 

There is no magic rule to help you remember them.  You just have to learn them.  Sorry!

Take a look at the examples below.

Like a bear with a sore head.

If someone is like a bear with a sore head they are extremely grumpy, irritable, bad-tempered or annoyed.

E.g. He’s always like a bear with a sore head in the mornings.  Don’t try to speak to him until he’s had his coffee.

Like bringing a knife to a gunfight.

This expression indicates a lack of preparation or being inadequately equipped to deal with a confrontation or a challenging situation.

E.g.  If you haven’t studied Law, choosing to represent yourself in court is like bringing a knife to a gunfight.

Have fun learning English!

Louise

Posted on

As … as (9)

There are many expressions commonly used in English with the comparison form ‘as … as’.

There is no magic rule to help you remember them.  You just have to learn them.  Sorry!

Take a look at the examples below.

As dead a dodo.

If something is as dead as a dodo it is no longer alive, in existence, active, relevant or popular.

E.g.  The last round of negotiations went really badly.  At the moment the deal looks to be as dead as a dodo.

As different as chalk and cheese.

If two people are as different as chalk and cheese they are very, very different from one another.  They are incompatible and may be in conflict.

E.g.  His two daughters are like chalk and cheese.  They dress very differently and have totally different hobbies and interests.

As dull as ditchwater.

If someone or something is as dull as ditchwater they are very boring, unexciting and just not very interesting.

E.g.  The presentation was as dull as ditchwater.  I nearly fell asleep.

Have fun learning English!

Louise

Posted on

Merry Christmas

Thanks for taking the time to read my posts this year.
Have a great Christmas and see you next year for more tips on how to improve your English.
Louise
Posted on

Like … (1)

There are many expressions commonly used in English to express similarity.

There is no magic rule to help you remember them.  You just have to learn them.  Sorry!

Take a look at the examples below.

 

Like the back of one’s hand.

If you know something like the back of your hand, you know it in great detail and are very familiar with it.

E.g. I know this city like the back of my hand.  I’ve lived here all my life.

 

Like a bat out of hell.

If something or someone moves like a bat out of hell, they move extremely quickly (and perhaps suddenly or abruptly).

E.g.  The tyres squealed as he pulled away from the curb and sped like a bat out of hell down the road.

 

Have fun learning English!

Louise

Posted on

As … as (8)

There are many expressions commonly used in English with the comparison form ‘as … as’.

There is no magic rule to help you remember them.  You just have to learn them.  Sorry!

Take a look at the examples below.

 

As quiet as a mouse.

If someone is as quiet as a mouse they are extremely quiet and making very little or no noise.

E.g.  She was as quiet as a mouse as she moved around the house.  She didn’t want to wake the baby.

 

As right as rain.

If someone or something is as right as rain it means that things are exactly as they should be.  The person is in good health and fully fit; things are working and running well.

E.g.  I broke a bone in my foot last month.  The doctor told me I’d be as right as rain in just a couple more weeks.

 

As sick as a dog.

If someone is as sick as a dog they are very unwell.  It’s often, but not only, used with reference to stomach problems.

E.g.  The last time he ate shellfish he was as sick as a dog for 2 days.

 

Have fun learning English!

Louise

Posted on

As … as (7)

There are many expressions commonly used in English with the comparison form ‘as … as’.

There is no magic rule to help you remember them.  You just have to learn them.  Sorry!

Take a look at the examples below.

 

As good as done.

If something is as good as done it means it is virtually (or almost, or nearly) finished or accomplished.

E.g.  The presentation for tomorrow is as good as done.  Just give us a few more minutes to complete it.

 

As mad as a hatter.

If someone is as mad as a hatter it means they are mentally deranged, crazy or insane.

E.g.  She’s as mad as a hatter.  She says some of the strangest things I’ve ever heard!

 

As pleased as Punch.

If someone is as pleased as Punch they are very happy or delighted about something.

E.g.  My boss was as pleased as Punch when he heard we had won the pitch and gained a new client.

 

(This phrase refers to the character of Mr. Punch in the British puppet play Punch and Judy.)

 

Have fun learning English!

Louise

Posted on

Make or do? (14)

Let’s be honest, sometimes English can be confusing.  Sometimes when learning English it is easy to mix up words or be unsure when to use them.

I often hear German speakers who are learning English make mistakes with the words ‘make’ and ‘do’.  Often (but not always) it is because the German word ‘machen’ is mistranslated.

There are many phrases and expressions that exist in English where there is no real rule to help you remember the difference between ‘make’ and ‘do’.  You just have to learn them.  Sorry!

Take a look at the examples below.  Hopefully they will make things clearer for you.

 

Do the dishes / washing up.

E.g.  I really need to get a dishwasher.  I don’t like doing the dishes.

 

Make your way.

E.g.  After the presentation had ended, they all made their way back to the main building where they had lunch.

 

Make a noise.

E.g.  Try not to make a noise when you come home as the children will be asleep.

 

Have fun learning English!

Louise

Posted on

As … as (6)

There are many expressions commonly used in English with the comparison form ‘as … as’.

There is no magic rule to help you remember them.  You just have to learn them.  Sorry!

Take a look at the examples below.

 

As plain as day.

If something is as plain as day it is very obvious or very noticeable.

E.g.  After the disastrous presentation and terrible feedback it was as plain as day that we would not win the contract.

 

As busy as a bee.

If someone is as busy as a bee they are extremely busy or very active.

E.g.  He never stops.  He’s as busy as a bee the whole day.  It’s no surprise he’s so tired in the evenings.

 

As dead as a doornail.

If someone or something is as dead as a doornail they are undoubtedly dead.  It can also be used to describe an idea, a project or a proposal that now has no chance of being realised and is totally defunct.

E.g.  Forget it.  Your idea from yesterday’s meeting is as dead as a doornail.  The CEO will not approve extra funding for the project.

 

Have fun learning English!

Louise

Posted on

Make or do? (13)

Let’s be honest, sometimes English can be confusing.  Sometimes when learning English it is easy to mix up words or be unsure when to use them.

I often hear German speakers who are learning English make mistakes with the words ‘make’ and ‘do’.  Often (but not always) it is because the German word ‘machen’ is mistranslated.

There are many phrases and expressions that exist in English where there is no real rule to help you remember the difference between ‘make’ and ‘do’.  You just have to learn them.  Sorry!

Take a look at the examples below.  Hopefully they will make things clearer for you.

 

Do paperwork.

E.g.  I don’t enjoy doing paperwork but I don’t have a choice.  It has to be done.

 

Make a change.

E.g.  Her boss was pleased with the report.  She only had to make a few small changes.

 

Make a remark.

E.g.  He wasn’t very pleased because his boss made a few negative remarks about his presentation.

 

Have fun learning English!

Louise