In a pickle

Although pickles are small, did you know that you can be in one? It's true  . . . but only for the idiom in a pickle. 

Pickles are small cucumbers that are preserved in vinegar or a brine (very salty water). They’re usually served with sandwiches or hamburgers, or they can be chopped up into a relish (a condiment). My sister loves pickles although I can take them or leave them.

There are many food idioms in the English language. A piece of cake is an example, and now we can add in a pickle to that list. 

To be in a pickle is when you’re in a difficult, troublesome situation where the solution is unclear or difficult. 

Examples: 

John is in a pickle: he has two dates for the party. 
Now we are in a pickle because we’re out of gas.
I’m in a real pickle because my computer crashed and I need several documents. 
Can you help me? I’m in a bit of a pickle.

Have you ever been in a pickle? 

Put in your two cents

Are you the type of person who willingly offers opinions and suggestions? Maybe you know people like that.

An English expression that conveys a humble way of giving your opinion (sometimes without being asked for it) is to offer or put in your two cents.



Examples:

- It's just my two cents but I believe the Green Bay Pakcers football team is the best in the world.
- I have an idea but I’d like to get your two cents.
- I’ll give you my two cents if you really want to know what I think.

This phrase came from the original English idiom to put in my two pennies worth which has been shortened to just my two cents.

This is a way of offering your opinion and saying it is only worth two pennies. It represents a modest way of giving your opinion because you are valuing it at only two cents.

Make a splash!

The word splash is associated with water. Rain splashes on my windshield, children splash each other in the swimming pool, you splash water on your face, etc.

To splash is to move water around energetically, causing it to fly around noisily. You get many things wet by splashing.

There is also an English expression (a dry way of splashing), which is to make a splash. When you make a splash, you do or say something to attract a great deal of attention. It’s an informal way to talk about getting noticed or making an impression.

• The unknown painter made a splash in the artistic community with his abstract designs.
• Lorenzo’s original presentation made a splash with our most important client.
• The Beatles made a big splash during their first visit to the U.S. in 1964.

Making a splash always involves excitement so I hope someone makes a splash in your life soon!

Get your feet wet

Getting wet is a great way to stay cool during the summer and you’re lucky if you live near the beach, a lake, or a swimming pool.

Since this blog is all about improving English, our focus is only on getting our feet wet, an idiom.

When you get your feet wet, you’re experiencing something for the first time and are slowing becoming used to the situation. The expression suggests the image of a swimmer slowly getting into the water rather than jumping in. Here are some examples:


- Christian has never played basketball so he practiced dribbling the ball just to get his feet wet.
- To prepare for her first public speech, Lisa rehearsed in front of her family to get her feet wet.
- Greg was excited to get his feet wet behind the wheel at his first driving lesson.


Are you getting your feet wet in some new activity? If so, please leave a comment. I would love to hear about it :)

Finger fun - idioms and slang

I began my previous post with shoplifting slang, the five finger discount, to introduce the English names of our fingers. Now that we can identify our fingers in English, let’s build our finger slang and idioms.

If you’re a fan of the five finger discount (shoplifting), then you also have sticky fingers (the habit of stealing things).

A person who is involved in too many activities or projects has their finger in too many pies. Sometimes they are so overly involved that they can’t do any of them well. In this case, they probably don’t have enough time to fully participate.

On the other hand, if you’re awkward, clumsy and have difficulty fixing things or working with your hands, you are all thumbs.

What about that pinky finger, the little finger? Did you know that it can be powerful enough to have complete control over someone? When you can manipulate a person, you have them wrapped around your little finger. Who would have thought that the pinky could be so influential?

The thumb is pretty good at controlling people too. To be obedient to someone or to be controlled by someone is to be under their thumb.

To give thumbs up (or down) communicates an indication of satisfaction or approval (or of rejection or failure). Since you’re reading this post, I give you an enthusiastic thumbs up!

Make or Break

Among all of the English verbs, “make” (construct; create) is one that most speakers learn rather early in their lessons. Another simple verb is “break” (bust; become inoperative). Put them together and you have a popular idiom: make or break.

The verb to “make or break” (something or someone) is to cause either total success or total failure. There is no middle ground between these two extremes. Used as an adjective, a make-or-break situation will bring great success or complete failure.

- Danny’s “make-or-break” speech will determine whether he passes or fails his English course.

- A review from the New York Times restaurant critic can “make or break” a restaurant’s business.

- Introduction to Criminal Law is a "make-or-break" course for all freshman law students at the university.


Have you ever experienced a make or break situation?

Elbow Grease

Dish soap, wood polish, glass cleaner, laundry detergent, or simply soap and water--these are my preferred cleaning products when I have a dirty house. Sometimes, however, another element is essential: elbow grease. Maybe it’s the best cleaner there is.

Although elbow grease sounds like an amazing and mysterious cleaner, it isn’t a thing at all. It is, literally, an idiom for hard physical work, especially vigorous polishing or cleaning. It is a humorous reflection of the fact that some tasks can only be achieved by hard effort and human energy, contrasting with the idea that there should be some special oil, tool or chemical product to make the job easier.

- I couldn't get the spots off of the mirror until I applied some "elbow grease".
- After using some car wax and a lot of "elbow grease", Frank's Ford Fiesta looked brand new.

Elbow grease is a rather old term, dating back to England in the 1600s, meaning sweat or effort, most likely work done by the lower classes. Not anymore. Everyone has elbow grease but the supply depends on you.

Crash course

Have you ever taken a crash course? I bet you have.

Crash courses don’t involve obstacles, automobiles, crashing, or danger--but they are intense.

A crash course is a class in which a lot of information is taught in a short period of time, a rapid and intense course of study.

If you’re visiting another country where you don’t speak the language, you might take a crash course to prepare you. I’ve never been to Germany, for example, and I would need to do some quick studying so I could communicate better while I’m there. I would need a crash course in German.

- Before Eva’s trip to Japan, she took a "crash course" in Japanese culture and history at the local university.

Sometimes crash course is used in a metaphorical way when referring to an experience that forces you to learn quickly.

- I took a "crash course" in swimming when my canoe tipped over. (I didn’t take any class but was forced to learn swimming quickly after falling in the water.)


Do you have a crash course experience?

I'm still working on it

I have a helpful little phrase you can use when dining in restaurants in the U.S.

When you’re near the end of a meal, perhaps finishing your entree, your server might ask if he/she can take your plate or if you would like a box to take leftovers home (a doggie bag). If you are still eating, simply say, “I’m still working on it.” This is an informal way to tell your server that you haven’t finished eating and you don't want your plate removed yet. (Conversely, your server might ask you first, “Are you still working on that?”)


I don’t think eating is work at all but “I’m still working on it” is something we say in this type of situation. Of course you can always be literal and formal and tell your server that you haven’t finished eating, or that you’re still eating, but using the idiom will have you speaking like a local.

I’m Good

The expression “I’m good” is convenient, but not in the way you may think--not in its literal meaning. Informally, “I’m good” is a way to say “No, thank you” or “I’m fine” or “I don’t need it.”

If you’re an English learner visiting the USA, you may hear a conversation that goes like this:

Waitress/Waiter: Would you like some more coffee?
Customer: I’m good (meaning “No, thank you”).

OR

Do you need any help carrying those bags?
No, I’m good (meaning “I don’t need any help”).

This is a typical example of the idiomatic way we often speak and using “I’m good” will show that you know American English rather well.

Make up your mind = decide

Should I have the chicken or the salmon? Should I buy the sunglasses or the leather jacket? Should I accept the offer?

"Decide" is a useful verb to express choice. The idiom to make up my mind also means to decide “There are so many choices in this menu. It’s going to take a while to make up my mind/decide.” You can finish this sentence with either the idiom or the verb “decide.”

There are two ways to decide somthing / make up your mind about something:

1) To decide what to choose: Alessandra can't make up her mind / decide whether to accept the position in London or NYC.

2) To become very certain that you want to do something: At a very early age Sally “made up her mind / decided” to become a ballerina.

With so many choices in life, it’s difficult for me to make up my mind sometimes.

Emotional roller coaster

A roller coaster is a thrill ride that features extreme heights and sharp curves. If you think the only place you can encounter a roller coaster is at an amusement park, I have a different kind that we all experience in our lives: the emotional roller coaster.

An emotional roller coaster (also called a roller coaster or a roller coaster ride) is an English idiom used to describe an experience that involves many emotional highs and lows, or really good times alternating with really difficult times. The expression’s origin refers to the fact that a roller coaster ride has many steep climbs and falls, and riding one at high speed is both exciting and terrifying. It perfectly illustrates many of life’s experiences such as travel, getting married, having a baby, or changing jobs.

A situation or experience that alternates between making you feel excited, exhilarated, or happy and making you feel sad, disappointed, or desperate is an emotional roller coaster. What in your life has been an emotional roller coaster?

Heavy lifting

Heavy lifting - what does that make you think of? Strength? Muscles? Hard work?

While it's true that heavy lifting requires physical effort, we use this idiomatic expression in everyday English to mean serious or difficult work, something that is not physically demanding but more mentally demanding. It’s an action or activity requiring the most effort, resources, or consideration.

- Lawrence doesn’t like the team environment at his office because he usually does most of the "heavy lifting".
- Elizabeth did all the "heavy lifting" while in Paris because her friends didn’t speak French.
- Although Andrew did all the "heavy lifting" for the project, his boss accepted all the praise.

With this expression you don’t have to be strong to do heavy lifting, but it’s not a desireable situation in any case.

I'm sold

When you make a purchase, you are sold something. That situation applies to shopping and transactions. However, when you cause someone to be enthusiastic about something, they are sold on it.

You convince me that something has value ---> I’m sold.
("Something" could be an idea, an endeavor, an activity, a thing.)


- Lisa is "sold on" the idea of spending the winter in Palm Springs.

- I’ve been "sold on" Zumba since I tried that free class.

- Gary isn’t "sold on" the iPad Mini as the best tablet for his job.

To be sold on something means that you've decided that something is worth its cost or is worth doing.
Saying “I’m sold” is a common idiomatic response to say “I’m convinced”.

- I can eat anything I want on this new diet and not get fat? "I’m sold!"
- The airline offered us one night in a luxury hotel, a limo transfer, and $250.00 each if we give up our seats and depart tomorrow instead. "I’m sold!"

What are you sold on?

Fitness phrases

I was thinking about my Zumba fitness class, noticing that English has many fun phrasal verbs and expressions related to exercise. The next time you’re at the gym, try some of these good ones:

To work out - to exercise

- Summer is coming and Elisa needs “to work out” so she can wear her new bikini.
- Katie hates “to work out”; she prefers to dance for exercise.
- It’s important to stay hydrated when you “work out”.


To warm up - to prepare for physical activity or an athletic event by exercising, stretching, or practicing gently for a short time beforehand.

- Francesca “warms up” for ten minutes before going on her daily run.
- The fitness class includes a "warm up" with elements of yoga, stretching, aerobics, and circuit training. (Warm up is used as a noun here.)
- Walkers are greeted at the meeting point by the walk leaders and do some gentle “warm-up” exercises before starting. (Warm-up is used as an adjective here.)


Out of practice - If you haven’t played a sport in a while and you perform poorly due to a lack of practice, it means you are out of practice. (This can be about any activity when your skills are rusty).

- The soccer players lost the game because they were “out of practice”.
- I used to be able to play tennis extremely well, but now I'm ”out of practice”.
- Roberto was “out of practice” so his perfomance in the marathon was disappointing.


To pump Iron - to lift weights in a gym to build your muscles

- You can’t only “pump iron”; you need to do aerobic exercise too.
- I haven’t “pumped iron” in a long time and my muscles are getting weak.
- Marco regularly goes to the gym after work to “pump iron”


To be into (an activity) - taking a lively and active interest in (something). This applies to any activity.
- Megan is “into” yoga.
- Valentina has never been “into” skiing.
- Kevin got “into” surfing after moving to California.


Shape up / Get in shape - when you want to improve your body you say you want to get in shape, or shape up.

- Christine needs to “shape up” if she wants to wear that dress to the reunion.
- Steve ate too much during the holidays so he needs to go to the gym and “get in shape”.

Now it’s time to get your brain “in shape” and start using these new expressions.

Idiom: the dog days of summer

These are the dog days, a funny expression that describes the hottest, sultriest (hot and humid) days of the summer. If you live in the northern hemisphere, the dog days usually occur in July and August, in January and February for those in the southern hemisphere.

Some people believe the dog days are associated with a star called Sirius, the Dog Star, which can only be seen during the hottest period of the year.

What do you like doing during the dog days of summer? I love being near the water to stay cool.

Idiom: Pulling Some Strings

When you need a little help it's sometimes who you know that can really make things happen. A favor, a referral, a good word, someone to pull some strings.


- Melany was able to get my daughter a summer internship by pulling some strings in her company.
- I may be able to pull a few strings for you if you need the contract urgently.
- Brian pulled some strings to get me a backstage pass for the concert.

Pulling some strings means to use influence to make things happen. The term goes back to a puppeteer, the person behind-the-scenes manipulating things that made the show happen. So, just like the puppeteer, the person who metaphorically pulls some strings is someone who uses their influence with another to get something done.

Have you ever had anyone pull some strings for you?

Bread and Butter

Expressions connected to food can create the perfect way to convey your meaning which is why idioms are so fun to use. In addition to cake and pie, there is bread and butter.

Bread and butter is your main source of income, a job or activity that provides you with the money you need to live.
Example: In the USA, waiters receive a small hourly wage so tips are their bread and butter.

To know which side one's bread is buttered is to know what is good or advantageous for you, to be loyal to the person or thing that will benefit you the most. This expression alludes to the more favorable, or buttered, side of bread.

Example: Melany will often work late to help her boss because she knows which side her bread is buttered.

I like bread and butter idioms. I also like eating bread and butter ;)

Who let the cat out of the bag?

What a crazy question, don’t you agree? It’s not so unusual when you know the idiom, let the cat out of the bag, which is to reveal (or divulge) a secret .

- Don’t let the cat out of the bag about Marco’s surprise birthday party.

- Marie let the cat out the bag about her plans to elope (get married secretly) in Las Vegas.



The idiom becomes clear once you know its origin: Markets in the Middle Ages usually sold livestock (such as pigs or chickens) in bags. Sometimes someone would try to cheat a buyer by putting a cat in one of the bags instead of a pig or chicken since cats were very common and easily available. If the bag was opened in the market, the cat was out of the bag and the swindler’s secret was revealed.

Have you ever let the cat out of the bag?

Say, "Cheese!"

Idiomatic expressions are rather fun to use. They add color and personality to the language, separating speech from the formality of grammar text book education. Idioms are informal words or expressions that don’t translate literally into English and they cannot be understood from the individual meanings of their elements.

Food is often the subject of idioms in English so let's talk cheese!

A very important person or a leader (a VIP) is known as the big cheese, a noun. Something that is cheesy, an adjective, is not authentic, like a big cheesy grin, or it could describe something of cheap or poor quality, such as a cheesy motel room or a cheesy outfit. Are you posing for a picture? Say, "Cheese!" is an expression used by photographers to get people to smile because everyone's mouth widens into a big smile when they say it -- but not a cheesy grin, I hope.