phrases

English Phrases and Idioms

Missy — Wed, 09 Dec 2009 11:13:40 -0600

- "Back to square one"
meaning: to start all over again
Example: Well, that science experiment was a failure, back to square one to try to find another solution.

-"Whatever floats your boat"
meaning: whatever it is that makes you happy
Example: Charlie loves skiing, but I hate the snow. Oh well, whatever floats his boat is fine with me!

-"It's like finding a needle in a haystack"
meaning: it will be impossible to find
Example: I had to find my book in my brother's room but since it was so messy it was like finding a needle in a haystack.

Phrases with the Word "Turn"

Missy — Fri, 27 Feb 2009 12:31:25 -0600

Here are a few phrases you can memorize using the word "turn":

1) turn in - to give someone something that is required such as papers or homework.
Examples:
I have to turn in the report by Wednesday to my boss.
The teacher told me that we will be turning in the homework tomorrow.

2) turn over - to rotate or flip something onto its other side.
Examples:
Can you please turn over the chicken on the BBQ before it gets burnt?
Turn over the patient onto his right side so we can inject the shot.

3) turn off - to make something go off, such as a light or music
Examples:
Turn off the lights, I can't sleep while they are on.
Don't forget to turn off the computer before you go to sleep.

4) turn away - to go or look the other direction
Examples:
Turn away from here, she doesn't want you to see her.
Turn your head the other way so the light doesn't go in your eyes.

5) turn up - to show up or appear
Examples:

A Few English Phrases

Missy — Fri, 18 Jul 2008 10:26:09 -0500

"Hunky Dory" - for everything to be good or okay.

Example sentence: If you would only finish your homework on time, everything would be hunky dory.

"Down the Hatch" - to swallow food or drink.

Example sentence: You've been talking for long enough, now put your food down the hatch.

Word Order

Missy — Wed, 11 Jun 2008 11:19:05 -0500

In some phrases that we say in English, word order is very important. Some phrases are so common that the word order simply cannot be changed. These phrases just have to be memorized.

Two examples of this are:

Red, white and blue.
(These are the colors of the American flag. We cannot say blue, white and red or red, blue and white. The order simply must always stay the same.)

He was soaked from head to toe.
(We cannot say toe to head. It just sounds wrong.)

Memorize these examples and you will know the word order of some important phrases.