Can you complete this English expression? It means “to make a mistake”. Drop the……. a) glass b) ball c) plan d) key The answer is below!↓   Answer: b) ball Drop the ball

Can you complete this English expression? It means “to fit perfectly”. Fit like a…… a) hat b) coat c) sweater d) glove The answer is below!↓   Answer: d) glove Fit like a glove

Do you know the English expression “donkey’s years“? Read the conversation below. Can you guess the meaning? Martin: How long have you known Sarah? Lynda: Oh, I’ve known her donkey’s years. We went to school together. Does it mean: a) a short time b) since one’s school days c) a long time d) since one … Continue reading Donkey’s years

Do you know the English expression “like a bat out of hell“? Read the conversation below. Can you guess the meaning? Rachel: Does your son stay behind after school to do his homework? Ben: No. He comes out like a bat out of hell as soon as the bell rings. Does it mean: a) very … Continue reading Like a bat out of hell

Do you know the English expression “to opt out“? Read the conversation below. Can you guess the meaning? Eric: Did you get extra insurance when you bought your car? John: The salesman offered it to me, but I opted out. I don’t need it. Does it mean: a) choose not to join something b) take … Continue reading Opt out

Can you complete this English expression? It means “to give up”. Throw in the….. a) glove b) towel c) ring d) garbage The answer is below!↓   Answer: b) towel Throw in the towel

Can you complete this English expression? It means “to annoy me, or make me angry.” It gets my….. a) cat b) horse c) cow d) goat The answer is below!↓   Answer: d) goat It gets my goat!

Can you complete this English expression? It means to be very proud of yourself and think you are the best. Proud as a ……… a) lion b) peacock c) horse d) zebra The answer is below!↓   Answer: b) peacock Proud as a peacock

Do you know the English expression “to burn the candle at both ends“? Read the conversation below. Can you guess the meaning? Catherine: Have you noticed that Sally always looks tired recently? Liam: Yes, I think she is burning the candle at both ends studying for the exam. Does it mean: a) work and study … Continue reading Burn the candle at both ends

Do you know the English expression “to go back to square one“? Read the conversation below. Can you guess the meaning? Alice: Did you show your professor your research? Paul: Yes. He said it wasn’t good enough, so I have to go back to square one. Does it mean: a) give up b) study in … Continue reading Go back to square one

Do you know the English expression “from the get go“? Read the conversation below. Can you guess the meaning? Ryan: How was the meeting? Angela: Oh, it was terrible from the get go. The boss was angry because we forgot to make our reports. Does it mean: a) go somewhere b) from a new place … Continue reading From the get go

Do you know the English expression “in the nick of time“? Read the conversation below. Can you guess the meaning? Barry: Were you late for the concert? David: No, I drove fast and we got there in the nick of time. Does it mean: a) just in time b) early c) late d) the next … Continue reading In the nick of time

Do you know the English phrase “to have deep pockets“? Read the conversation below. Can you guess the meaning? Leona: I heard that Lucy’s fiance has a new sports car. Kelly: He also has an apartment in the centre of London. He has deep pockets. Does it mean: a) have big clothes b) be rich … Continue reading Have deep pockets

Do you know the English expression “to make (someone’s) blood boil“? Read the conversation below. Can you guess the answer? Omar: I heard your company isn’t giving bonuses this year. Maria: That’s right. When I heard the news it made my blood boil! Does it mean: a) make someone sad b) make someone angry c) … Continue reading Make (someone’s) blood boil

Can you complete this English expression? It means “to pay too much for something”. Pay through the……. a) mouth b) ears c) nose d) head The answer is below!↓   Answer: c) nose Pay through the nose

Can you complete this English expression? It means “to be very happy and excited about something”. Like a kid in a …….. store a) candy b) toy c) clothing d) furniture The answer is below!↓   Answer: a) candy Like a kid in a candy store

Can you complete this English expression? It means to deal with something when it happens, and not worry about it before it happens. Cross that ……. when you come to it a) river b) bridge c) road d) lake The answer is below! ↓   Answer: b) bridge Cross that bridge when you come to … Continue reading Cross that….. when you come to it

Do you know the English expression “come rain or shine“? Read the conversation below. Can you guess the meaning? Alex: Have you finished your homework yet? Eddie: No, but I will finish it before school starts come rain or shine. Does it mean: a) if it’s sunny b) if the weather is bad c) whatever … Continue reading Come rain or shine

Do you know the English expression “to come down with (something)“? Read the conversation below. Can you guess the meaning? Ken: Are you OK? You don’t look so good. George: I have a headache. I think I’m coming down with something. Does it mean: a) lie down b) sit down c) get an illness d) … Continue reading Come down with (something)

I was in the local newspaper a few weeks ago. We won the 2019 Language Learner Literature Award, so the local paper was interested in our story. I live in rural Japan, and many people read the local paper. Since I was in the paper, people have been saying “I saw you in the paper!” … Continue reading [Easy English Blog] I saw you in the paper

Do you know the English expression “to get the show on the road“? Read the conversation below. Can you guess the meaning? Marge: It’s 9:00! The meeting starts at 9:30, and we have so much to prepare. Ben: Let’s get the show on the road. You set up the computer, and I’ll photocopy the documents. … Continue reading Get the show on the road

Do you know the English expression “to prick up (one’s) ears“? Read the conversation below. Can you guess the meaning? Wendy: Did the children listen in class today? Denise: Yes, they pricked up their ears when I told them they had an important test next week. Does it mean: a) touch one’s ears b) listen … Continue reading Prick up (one’s) ears

The other day, I visited a primary school to give a talk to the children about being a writer. The children were 9-10 years old. Many of them were very interested in the job of a writer, and some of them want to be a writer when they are older. They asked me what they … Continue reading [Easy English Blog] School visit

Do you know the English expression “on the dot“? Read the conversation below. Can you guess the meaning? Iain: What time does the meeting start? Chris: Ten o’clock on the dot! Don’t be late! Does it mean: a) a few minutes later b) a few seconds earlier c) exactly on time d) maybe The answer … Continue reading On the dot

Do you know the English expression “to mess around“? Read the conversation below. Can you guess the meaning? Kelly: I hate working with Julie. She is always messing around. Natalie: I know. She never does anything seriously. Does it mean: a) annoy people b) make a mess and not do something seriously c) make a … Continue reading Mess around

Do you know the English expression “through thick and thin“? Read the conversation below. Can you guess the meaning? Mike: I’m sorry to hear your dog died. Trisha: Thanks. I am so upset. I had him for many years. We were together through thick and thin. Does it mean: a) in good times and bad … Continue reading Through thick and thin

I’m not allowed to have a dog or a cat in the place I live. I really want a dog. When I was a child, my family had dogs. Having a dog in the house is normal for me. We treated our dogs as family members. I enjoyed walking our dogs every day after school. … Continue reading [Easy English Blog] No dogs or cats

Do you know the English expression “down the drain“? Read the conversation below. Can you guess the meaning? Jeff: My computer broke just as I was finishing the report. I hadn’t backed up my work so it all went down the drain. Evelyn: I’m sorry to hear that, but you should back up your work … Continue reading Down the drain

Do you know the English expression “to look up to (someone)“? Read the conversation below. Can you guess the meaning? Jess: Who do you look up to? Harvey: I look up to my father. He always does his best for me and my sisters. Does it mean: a) like b) dislike c) respect d) look … Continue reading Look up to (someone)

Do you know the English expression “to look down on (someone)”? Read the conversation below. Can you guess the meaning? Terry: What do you think about the new boss? Lily: I don’t like him. He looks down on us. He doesn’t respect us at all. Does it mean: a) stand in a high place b) … Continue reading Look down on (someone)