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Then So, I would like to ask you whether those they are outdated.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 (USA - outdated - it means "There you have it" / "there it is".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
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Then, I would like to ask you whether those are outdated.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