Re: 2)English idioms

gerardM Sam 16 Jan - 15:05

If you put your foot in your mouth, it can be awkward—in more ways than one!

Put Your Foot In Your Mouth - English Idioms & Slang Dictionary
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gerardM Sam 16 Jan - 15:09

What is a red herring? Hint: it's not a fish.

Red Herring - English Idioms & Slang Dictionary
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gerardM Sam 16 Jan - 21:44

In the USA or Canada, where the North American game of football is played, someone might call you a Monday morning quarterback, and it might not even be Monday. What is the meaning of this idiom?

Monday Morning Quarterback - English Idioms & Slang Dictionary
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gerardM Dim 17 Jan - 15:28

Knock on Wood; Touch Wood - English Idioms & Slang Dictionary
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gerardM Dim 17 Jan - 16:11

If you hear someone say "have a kangaroo loose in the top paddock," you're probably in Australia.

(Have a) Kangaroo Loose In The Top Paddock - English Idioms & Slang Dictionary
IDIOMSANDSLANG.COM|PAR SINBAD789

The pronunciations of "lose" and "loose" are not the same.

gerardM Dim 17 Jan - 16:31

Off the top of my head, I'd estimate there are about 20,000 idioms in English.

Off the Top of My Head - English Idioms & Slang Dictionary
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gerardM Dim 17 Jan - 20:59

Again, sorry this is theoretical and academic; yes you can speak to Shakespeare, the Queen or a policeman
but not to friends.
I rather hear:
- one fifteen pm
- ten to
- nine forty-five am
- noon
- twelve midday

MurielB Dim 17 Jan - 21:05

gerardM a écrit:
If you hear someone say "have a kangaroo loose in the top paddock," you're probably in Australia
you can also be crazy as a betsy bug, crazy as a peach-orchard board and crazy as a loon. .

(Have a) Kangaroo Loose In The Top Paddock - English Idioms & Slang Dictionary
IDIOMSANDSLANG.COM|PAR SINBAD789

The pronunciations of "lose" and "loose" are not the same.

gerardM Dim 17 Jan - 21:09

Yes Muriel? Smile

~~ edit
OK got it

gerardM a écrit:
If you hear someone say "have a kangaroo loose in the top paddock," you're probably in Australia
you can also be crazy as a betsy bug, crazy as a peach-orchard board and crazy as a loon. .

Thanks Muriel.
Pls, better to add words outside the "Quote".

MurielB Dim 17 Jan - 21:13

Gérard i didn't know these expressions and I would rather use "He has got bats in his belfry" and I know it is a bit old-fashioned

MurielB Dim 17 Jan - 21:17

Thanks Muriel.
Pls, better to add words outside the "Quote

Ok

gerardM Dim 17 Jan - 21:23

Muriel,

Speking English consists of speaking but also hearing and understanding what people say.
That's why -at advanced level- we need to read the maximum of expressions: not necessary to learn by heart but let's try to relate them to their meanings; not necessary to use them (idiomatic expressions are used in specific cases, I'd even say: avoid to use them).
I always have in mind the words of an American girlfriend: "it's funny, I understand what you say but the words are not the ones I would use.", so understand, yes if you don't want to ask people to repeat, use them if you perfectly know the meaning and specificities. By definition "idioms" are specific expressions.

MurielB Dim 17 Jan - 21:28

I'd even say: avoid to use them

Gérard you mean that it is no good to use them. I suppose that when we are not sure how to use them, it is better not to use them;

gerardM Dim 17 Jan - 21:32

Yes that's what I meant Muriel.

I write again my last words as I edited my latest post:

I always have in mind the words of an American girlfriend: "it's funny, I understand what you say but the words are not the ones I would use.", so understand, yes if you don't want to ask people to repeat, use them if you perfectly know the meaning and specificities. By definition "idioms" are specific expressions.

We must perfectly know an idiom before using... but we have to understand: again, let's not bother learning by heart till we don't hear them frequently.

That's my opinion.

MurielB Dim 17 Jan - 21:39

Gérard, i agree. Anyway they represent the culture of the language you are Learning and they are very interesting.

gerardM Lun 18 Jan - 19:47

What does "flat out like a lizard drinking" mean? This idiom is Australian, and its meaning would be hard to guess. It's not much known outside Australia.

Flat Out Like a Lizard Drinking - English Idioms & Slang Dictionary
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gerardM Lun 18 Jan - 21:51

Have Hand of Aces/Hold All the Aces - English Idioms & Slang Dictionary
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MurielB Lun 18 Jan - 22:41

Do you know what a ace is ?

A playing card with a single spot on it, ranked as the highest card in its suit in most card games

gerardM Mar 19 Jan - 11:23

Never Look a Gift Horse in the Mouth - English Idioms & Slang Dictionary
IDIOMSANDSLANG.COM|PAR ADMIN2

gerardM Mar 19 Jan - 11:32

"A dime a dozen" is a North American idiom—the ten-cent coins of the U.S. and Canada are called dimes.

(A) Dime a Dozen - English Idioms & Slang Dictionary
(A) Dime a Dozen idiom, idiom (A) Dime a Dozen ,(A) Dime a Dozen definition ,(A) Dime a Dozen meaning
IDIOMSANDSLANG.COM|PAR ADMIN2

gerardM Mar 19 Jan - 16:19

We all feel "down in the dumps" once in a while, but if you're seriously depressed it may be necessary to seek help.

Down in the Dumps - English Idioms & Slang Dictionary
IDIOMSANDSLANG.COM|PAR ADMIN2

MurielB Mar 19 Jan - 21:15

Thanks Gérard because the reported speech is not easy ! If you want to know more ! In the first column you will find the Tense, then the Direct Speech and then the Reported Speech

[th][/th][th][/th][th][/th]
present simple I like ice cream She said (that) she liked ice cream.
present continuous I am living in London She said (that) she was living in London.
past simple I bought a car She said (that) she had bought a car OR She said (that) she bought a car.
past continuous I was walking along the street She said (that) she had been walking along the street.
present perfect I haven't seen Julie She said (that) she hadn't seen Julie.
past perfect* I had taken English lessons before She said (that) she had taken English lessons before.
will I'll see you later She said (that) she would see me later.
would* I would help, but.. She said (that) she would help but...
can I can speak perfect English She said (that) she could speak perfect English.
could* I could swim when I was four She said (that) she could swim when she was four.
shall I shall come later She said (that) she would come later.
should* I should call my mother She said (that) she should call her mother
might* "I might be late" She said (that) she might be late
must "I must study at the weekend" She said (that) she must study at the weekend OR She said she had to study at the weekend

gerardM Mar 19 Jan - 21:40

Hi Muriel,

Thanks for this document.
It displays an example of reported speech pointing out the necessary tense agreement.
There're other aspect such as
- direct speech=question - to be or not to be: is that the question?
- reported speech - she asks whether that is the question.
-- direct speech=question - does she like strawberries?
-- reported speech - we wonder if she likes strawberries.
(I voluntarily use the present tense)
Here we can see the change in the word order (interrogative mode->affirmative mode).
Many mistakes both in English (and in French) consists in: ~~we wonder does she like strawberries~~ or worse (in French): "~~on se demande est-ce qu'elle aime les fraises~~" or stille "worser", the so frequent: "~~on se demande qu'est ce qu'elle aime...~~ instead of "on se demande ce qu'elle aime..."

NB: "worser" is incorrect but voluntarily often used in English -as a wink- to insist on how much it is bad!!
When there's a mistake in English, we have to wonder whether it shows the incompetence of the speaker or if it's made on purpose, to better draw our attention ie to insist on this point (in French we'd smile to show the mistake is intentional but in English, no).

gerardM Mar 19 Jan - 22:03

... of course you noticed the weird "hang up" and "hang down". the true explanation lies in the old wall phone appliances (

).

gerardM Mar 19 Jan - 22:26

What does the idiom "go cold turkey" mean? No turkeys were chilled in the creation of this definition.

Go Cold Turkey - English Idioms & Slang Dictionary
IDIOMSANDSLANG.COM|PAR ADMIN2

present simple	I like ice cream	She said (that) she liked ice cream.
present continuous	I am living in London	She said (that) she was living in London.
past simple	I bought a car	She said (that) she had bought a car OR She said (that) she bought a car.
past continuous	I was walking along the street	She said (that) she had been walking along the street.
present perfect	I haven't seen Julie	She said (that) she hadn't seen Julie.
past perfect*	I had taken English lessons before	She said (that) she had taken English lessons before.
will	I'll see you later	She said (that) she would see me later.
would*	I would help, but..	She said (that) she would help but...
can	I can speak perfect English	She said (that) she could speak perfect English.
could*	I could swim when I was four	She said (that) she could swim when she was four.
shall	I shall come later	She said (that) she would come later.
should*	I should call my mother	She said (that) she should call her mother
might*	"I might be late"	She said (that) she might be late
must	"I must study at the weekend"	She said (that) she must study at the weekend OR She said she had to study at the weekend