Idioms
This is an expression we use when making predictions. If we are very sure of the prediction, we use this idiom to make sure everyone listening remembers that we said it and we said it early.
Easter vacation is coming soon. Mark my words, traffic is going to be terrible!
(It doesn’t have to be a difficult prediction!)
When we have to stay up late at night to finish a big project that’s due the next day, or because we have an exam the next morning, we say that we’re burning the midnight oil.
I’m going to really have to burn the midnight oil tonight if I want to pass my test tomorrow.
Marianne and I burned the midnight oil last night to finish the project on time, and then the boss didn’t even need it today!
This is a saying people use to express the idea that if you’re not paying attention, you could miss out on something important. It can be used as a joke, or in a more vengeful way. To snooze means to sleep lightly, especially when taking a quick nap or in front of the television.
“Oh no! I forgot to record that movie on TV last night—I was too busy reading.”
“I told you not to forget! Well, you snooze, you lose!”
This idiom is often used in situations where things aren’t going too well, and you need to prioritize what the most urgent matters are. If someone mentions a problem that can be dealt with or solved later, you use this expression to tell them that. This is especially true if the problem may never arise.
This is a common expression, both on its own and as a part of a larger sentence.
Be careful with it, because neither “you” nor “tell” means what you might think at first.
“You” here is the generic you; it doesn’t mean the speaker is actually talking to someone. Spanish often uses either “tú” or the reflexive in these cases.
This expression is used when you allow someone to ride in your car and you take them where they need to go.
“Could you please give me a lift to the airport tomorrow? I don’t want to pay for a taxi.”
This is a great expression to tell someone to not wait or expect something to happen. Literally, to hold one’s breath means that one fills up the lungs and doesn’t breathe in or out. Figuratively, it means that whatever you’re waiting for will take so long that you’ll need to breathe before it will ever happen.
How can you make requests and offers more polite in English? Have a look at the following expresions:
Would you mind (not)… ?
I wonder if (you) could…?
…
Can you put the words and phrases from the box in the correct column?
the shopping – home –the flu– reservation – sad – sure – friends – a photo – a favour – care
a complaint – homework – the bed – the ironing – somebody out – your time
By Tania Casado. It´s time se utiliza para expresar que ha llegado el momento de hacer algo. Puede haber dos formas de utilizar la expresión “It´s time” en presente: It´s time + sujeto + pasado simple It´s time we went to bed It´s time she looked for a new job It´s time (for + sujeto) […]