Author: Louise

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As … as (14)

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 light as a feather.

If something is as light as a feather it is extremely light and doesn’t weigh much.

E.g.  You can pick this up easily – it’s as light as a feather.

As bold as brass.

If someone is as bold as brass they are extremely confident, brazen and can be perceived as being rude or impolite.

E.g.  She walked up to the counter, as bold as brass, and demanded her money back, saying she had been treated poorly.

Have fun learning English!

Louise

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Make or do? (16)

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 chores.

E.g.  Let’s do our chores.  Then we can go out.

Make a confession.

E.g.  I have to make a confession.  The figures are wrong.  I’ve made a mistake.  Sorry!

Make time ( = find time to do something.)

E.g.  If you want to do well on the exam, you have to make time to study and learn.

Have fun learning English!

Louise

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Like … (5)

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 cat and dog.

If two people argue or fight like cat and dog it means they argue frequently but are still very fond of each other.

E.g.  Even though they fight like cat and dog they’re still together after more than 20 years.

Like death warmed up.

If someone looks like death warmed up it means they look ill or very tired.

E.g.  My supervisor sent me home from work today.  He said I looked like death warmed up.

Have fun learning English!

Louise

Posted on

As … as (13)

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 smooth as silk.

If something is as smooth as silk it feels very soft.

E.g.  My skins always feels as smooth as silk after using that cream.

It can also be used to describe a process or event that ran without problems, obstacles or hindrances.

E.g.  The negotiations were as smooth as silk.  The deal is done!

It can also be used to describe a person who appears to be very polite and confident but is often not sincere in what they say or do.

E.g.  Be careful dealing with him.  He’s as smooth as silk.

Have fun learning English!

Louise

Posted on

Make or do? (15)

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 badly.

E.g.  He did really badly on the exam last week.  He’ll probably have to do it again at a later date.

Make an attempt.

E.g.  He made an attempt to learn Spanish but he found it really difficult.

Make an observation.

E.g.  Could I make an observation?  Customer feedback shows we still have some major problems with the advertising campaign.

Have fun learning English!

Louise

Posted on

Like … (4)

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 cat that got the cream (UK) / Like the cat that ate a canary (USA)

If someone looks like the cat that got the cream they look pleased with themselves, self-satisfied or smug (usually after having achieved their objective).

E.g. After his promotion he spent the rest of the day looking like the cat that got the cream.

Like something the cat dragged in.

If you compare a person to something the cat dragged in you are saying they look very untidy, unkempt, dirty or bedraggled.

E.g.  After playing outside in the mud and rain the kids came home looking like something the cat had dragged in.

Have fun learning English!

Louise

Posted on

As … as (12)

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 useful as a chocolate teapot.

If someone or something is as useful as a chocolate teapot they are of no practical use at all.  They are useless.

E.g.  When there are no roads a car is about as useful as a chocolate teapot.

As white as a ghost.

If someone is as white as a ghost it means they are very pale in the face (possibly due to feeling frightened).

E.g.  When she saw him pull out the knife she turned as white as a ghost and started to run.

Have fun learning English!

Louise

Posted on

As … as (11)

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 fresh as a daisy.

If someone is as fresh as a daisy they are alert, not at all tired, full of energy and ready to go.

E.g.  How can you be as fresh as a daisy after a long-haul flight?  I still feel jet-lagged.

As snug as a bug in a rug.

If someone is as snug as a bug in a rug they are very comfortable, cosy and warm.  It often, but not always, refers to the use of blankets, covers or a duvet.

E.g.  We wrapped the kids up in their blankets and put them to bed.  They were as snug as a bug in a rug and fell asleep straight away.

Have fun learning English!

Louise

Posted on

Like … (3)

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 broken record.

If someone sounds like a broken record, they repeat themselves over and over again.

E.g.  Mum!  Stop telling me to clean my room.  You sound like a broken record!

Like a cat on hot bricks.

If someone is like a cat on hot bricks they are behaving in a restless or nervous way.

E.g.  She was like a cat on hot bricks waiting for the results of her job interview.

Have fun learning English!

Louise

Posted on

As … as (10)

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 strong as an ox.

If someone is as strong as an ox they are extremely strong and have great physical strength.

E.g.  Ask John to help you move the office furniture.  He’s as strong as an ox.  It will be easy for him.

As keen as mustard.

If someone is as keen as mustard they are very eager, enthusiastic and excited (about or to do something).

E.g.  He’s still not the most skillful footballer but he’s as keen as mustard.  He’s always the first one to arrive at training and the last one to leave.

As nutty as a fruitcake.

If someone is as nutty as a fruitcake they are crazy, idiotic or wacky.

E.g.  He always comes up with the craziest ideas.  They never work.  Take no notice of him – he’s as nutty as a fruitcake.

Have fun learning English!

Louise