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Tag: english phrases

PHRASE OF THE WEEK: ‘kick yourself’

25th March 2020 If you are kicking yourself, it means you are disappointed or angry with yourself. Chantal: “Why didn’t you enter the competition? I’m sure you would have won!”Nigel: “I know, I’m kicking myself now because I’m much better than the person who won it. I would have won £5,000!” #HilderstoneExperience #hilderstonphraseoftheweek

PHRASE OF THE WEEK: ‘from scratch’

17th March 2020 If you do something from scratch, it means from the start of the process without anything which already exists. Jane: “This ravioli is delicious! Where did you buy it?”Gordon: “I didn’t! I made it myself from scratch.” #HilderstoneExperience #hilderstonephraseoftheweek

PHRASE OF THE WEEK: ‘piece of cake’

9th March 2020 If something is very easy, you can describe it as a piece of cake. Yu-Ting: “I’m very worried about my exam. It’s going to be really hard.”Ali: “Don’t worry. You’ve studied so hard it will be a piece of cake!” #HilderstoneExperience #hilderstonephraseoftheweek

PHRASE OF THE WEEK: ‘in the same boat’

4th March 2020 If you say you are in the same boat as someone, it means you are in the same difficult situation. “Sorry Lee, I can’t come out with you on Friday because I haven’t got much money at the moment.”“Don’t worry, Rachel. I’m in the same boat. Let’s go out next week instead.” […]

PHRASE OF THE WEEK: ‘do the trick’

24th February 2020 If something does the trick, it does what was necessary or wanted. Louise: “Oh, you’ve fixed the heating, Stuart. Well done!”Stuart: “Yes. I’m not sure what was wrong but changing the water pipe did the trick.” #HilderstoneExperience #hilderstonephraseoftheweek

PHRASE OF THE WEEK: ‘up in arms’

18th February 2020 If people are up in arms about something, they are angry and upset about it. “The plan to build a new superstore outside Broadstairs has really upset people, hasn’t it.”“Yes, the whole town is up in arms about it!” #HilderstoneExperience #hilderstone #hilderstonephraseoftheweek #upinarms

PHRASE OF THE WEEK: ‘to miss the boat’

11 February 2020 If you are too slow to decide to do something and therefore miss the opportunity, you can say you have ‘missed the boat’. “Why are you so sad, Rachel?”“I’m going to be 47 this year. I want to have a romantic relationship with someone but I think I’ve missed the boat.” #HilderstoneExperience […]

PHRASE OF THE WEEK: Big fish

3rd February 2020 When someone is very important you can say they are a big fish. It means they have a lot of power and influence. ‘Steven Spielberg is such a big fish in the world of film!’‘Absolutely – he has so much influence and power in the industry.’ #HilderstoneExperience #hilderstonephraseoftheweek

PHRASE OF THE WEEK: On top of the world

27th January 2020 When you are very, very happy about something you can say you are on top of the world. “I hear you did very well in your IELTS exam, Ahmed.”“Yes, Turki, I’m on top of the world!” #HilderstoneExperience #hilderstonephraseoftheweek

PHRASE OF THE WEEK: Fingers crossed

20 January 2020 If you say ‘fingers crossed’ to someone, you are telling them that you hope they will be successful or lucky. “I’m nervous, Turki – it’s my IELTS exam tomorrow.”“Fingers crossed, Ahmed!” #HilderstoneExperience#hilderstonephraseoftheweek