Eri
English expressions from a textbook : dead or alive? Hello there. I used to study English in Malta sitting for CPE (Certificate of Proficiency in English) and learnt certain English expressions for a speaking part. As a matter of fact, I have never heard those in a real conversation. Then, I would like to ask you whether those are outdated. s happy as Larry a bull in a china shop all fingers and thumbs The penny has dropped. Bob's your uncle. let your hair down paint the town red raining cats and dogs I have much more but I am especially curious about them. And if you have any other expressions which I can use in a daily communication, I am more than happy to hear them! Thank you, Eri
Oct 8, 2015 3:27 PM
Corrections · 5

English expressions from a textbook : dead or alive?

Hello there.
I used to study English in Malta sitting for the CPE (Certificate of Proficiency in English) and learnt certain English expressions for a speaking part.

** "learnt" is correct, as is "learned". "Learned" is more common.

<em>http://grammarist.com/spelling/learned-learnt/</em>;

 

As a matter of fact, I have never heard those these in a real conversation.
Then So, I would like to ask you whether those they are outdated.

s happy as Larry (USA - never heard this)

a bull in a china shop (USA - common expression)

all fingers and thumbs (USA - "all thumbs" - means clumsy)

The penny has dropped. (USA - never heard this)

Bob's your uncle. (USA - outdated - it means "There you have it" / "there it is". In French they say "Voilá")

let your hair down (USA - old but used - means to relax, reduce stress)

paint the town red (USA - old but used - means to have a wild party nite with no rules)

raining cats and dogs (USA - old but used - means to rain hard)


I have much more but I am especially curious about them.
And if you have any other expressions which I can use in a daily communication, I am more than happy to hear them!

Thank you,
Eri

October 8, 2015
Chey, Thank you for your corrections and new expressions! That was awesome! I in fact knew the last one: pass with flying colours but not others. And I learnt these expressions in Malta where British English is spoken, so maybe expressions used are totally different. It&#039;s possible right? Anyways, ありがとうございました!
October 9, 2015
Here are some that I commonly hear in Canada: &quot;See you later, Alligator.&quot; - A silly way of saying goodbye &quot;In a while, crocodile.&quot; -What you say in return. &quot;Its a walk in the park.&quot; - It means something is really easy to do. &quot;It&#039;s like looking for a needle in a haystack.&quot; -it means something is impossible to find. &quot;No strings attached.&quot; -means that you are offering something without expecting anything in return. &quot;Your eyes were bigger than your mouth.&quot; -It means that you grabbed more food than you could eat. &quot;It&#039;s water under the bridge.&quot; -It means that they are not bothered by something anymore; they forgive you. &quot;You wear your heart on your sleeve.&quot; -It means your feelings are visible to everyone. &quot;When life gives you lemons, make lemonade&quot; -It means to make the most out of the situation you are in. &quot;That&#039;s just the icing on the cake.&quot; It means that it is something extra that was not expected. &quot;I am drawing a blank&quot; - It means that you can not think of the words you need. Such as if someone asks a question, but you can not remember the answer. &quot;You sent me on a wild goose chase.&quot; -It means that someone sent you to do something, but there was no point to it. For example, telling someone to look for an item in a room when the item was never in the room. &quot;You passed with flying colours&quot;- It means you did amazing on something like a test.
October 8, 2015

English expressions from a textbook : dead or alive?

Hello there.
I used to study English in Malta sitting for CPE (Certificate of Proficiency in English) and learnt certain English expressions for a speaking part.
As a matter of fact, I have never heard those in a real conversation.
Then, I would like to ask you whether those are outdated.

s happy as Larry <-I have not heard this one.

a bull in a china shop <- "You are like a bull in a china shop" -It means you are clumsy.

all fingers and thumbs <- "You are all fingers and thumbs." Also means you are clumsy.

The penny has dropped. <-I have not head this one either. I asume it would mean something like "you finally understand"

Bob's your uncle. <- I don't know if anyone in America will know this one because it comes from Britian. It means everything is allright. You don't hear it too much in Canada either.

let your hair down <- "Go ahead and let your hair down." "It means let loose" or "relax." It is generally used when talking to someone who does not know how to relax.

paint the town red <- "Let's go paint the town red." It basically means "lets go be crazy" or "lets go do something stupid/party"

raining cats and dogs <- "It's raining cats and dogs" <-  It means that it is raining really hard. 


I have much more but I am especially curious about them.
And if you have any other expressions which I can use in a daily communication, I am more than happy to hear them!

Thank you,
Eri

October 8, 2015
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