COLLOCATION

what's the weather like? good/bad weather

the weather forecast (=a description of what 

the weather is expected to be like in the near future)

weather map weather conditions weather patterns (=what the weather is usually like in a particular area )

weather permitting (=if the weather is good enough)

weather centre British English /weather bureau American English (=a place where information about the weather is collected and where reports are produced)

weather station (=a place or building used for studying and recording weather conditions)

WORD FOCUS

good weather: sunny/fine used to describe weather or a day when there is a lot of sunshine
nice/lovely/glorious very sunny and good
bright if the weather is bright, the sun shines strongly
there isn't a cloud in the sky the sky is completely clear
dry if the weather is dry, it does not rain
fair sunny and not windy or rainy - used especially in weather forecasts
rain: wet/rainy/damp used to describe weather or a day when there is a lot of rain
unsettled if the weather is unsettled, it keeps changing and it often rains
drizzle light rain which consists of very small drops of water
shower a short period of rain
downpour a short period when it suddenly rains very heavily
it's pouring down British English/it's pouring rain American English it is raining very hard
it's drizzling it is raining a little, with very small drops of rain
snow: snowy used to describe weather or a day when there is a lot of snow
sleet a mixture of snow and rain
slush a mixture of partly melted snow and ice
hail/hailstones frozen drops of rain, that fall as drops of ice
blizzard a storm with a lot of snow and strong wind
frost white powder that covers the ground when it is cold
wind: windy used to describe a day or weather when there is a lot of wind
blustery very windy
breeze a gentle pleasant wind
hurricane (in the Atlantic Ocean) /typhoon (in the Pacific Ocean) a violent storm with extremely strong winds
cloudy: cloudy used to describe weather or a day when there are a lot of clouds in the sky
grey/dull cloudy and not bright
overcast if the sky is overcast, it is very cloudy and dark, and it is likely to rain
hazy not clear, especially because there is a slight mist caused by heat or smoke ➔ fog, mist
hot: boiling/scorching/sizzling/blazing/burning/baking/broiling (hot) extremely hotsweltering very hot and humid
warm a little hot, in a way that is pleasant
balmy pleasantly warm, with a gentle wind blowing
heatwave a period of unusually hot weather
cold: freezing (cold) extremely cold
arctic extremely cold, usually with a lot of ice and snow
wintry cold and snowy or rainy, like the weather in winter
crisp if the air is crisp, it feels cold but pleasantly fresh and clear
chilly a little too cold, in a way that makes you feel uncomfortable
cool a little cold, in a way that is pleasant
cold snap/cold spell a period of unusually cold weather

vocabulary

Age vocabulary

• She sounds bright for her age
•  He's quite tall for his age
• She's very fit for her age
• She's really great for her age
• She's very grown up for her age
• She's quite remarkable for her age

IDIOMATIC EXPRESSIONS

 word-of-mouth

By word of mouth: in speech but not in writing:

All the orders were given by word of mouth so that no written evidence could be discovered later

Something that you heard from other people you know by word of mouth 

Example: "How did you hear about this party" 
Reply: "Word of mouth."

When you say that you heard something word of mouth, you are not being specific about whose mouth you heard it from; just that you heard it from another person. 

Example: "There has been talk at school about cancelling the concert." 
Reply: "Really? Who did you hear that from?" Answer: "Just word of mouth."

We do rely on what other people tell us, so word of mouth is one important way that we learn things. If something is "only" (or "just") word of mouth then you might not know where the "word" really started or how it changed as it went from "mouth" to "mouth".

Example: "Did you hear they finally arrested that guy?" 
Reply: "Yes, but that's only word of mouth." 

Example: "Where did you hear that?" 
Reply: "Just word of mouth."

 on the back burner

If something is on the back burner, it is temporarily not being dealt with or considered, especially because it is not urgent or important:

We've all had to put our plans on the back burner for a while.

A condition of low priority or temporary deferment (usually used in the phrase on the back burner): 

Put other issues on the back burner until after the election.

Reduced priority.

Dozens of cases were put on the back burner. 

 to add fuel to the fire

You add fuel to the fire when you do something that makes a bad situation worse.

Example: "When those two are fighting, I don't get involved. It only adds fuel to the fire."

A conflict between two people is like a fire, with both people adding "fuel" to the fire. You add fuel to the fire when you do something that makes the conflict worse.

Example: "I wanted to help, but I was afraid I would add fuel to the fire."

Adding "fuel" (such as wood or gas) to a burning "fire" makes the flames burn even higher and brighter. Sometimes you get involved because you want to help, but your involvement only makes the problem worse, adding fuel to the fire.

Example: "Please don't talk to him when he's in a bad mood. It just adds fuel to the fire."

 a taste of your own medicine

Someone gives you "a taste of your own medicine" when they act towards you the same way you act towards others in order to teach you a lesson about the way you are acting.

If a man acts rudely to others, for example, acting rudely back to him would be giving him "a taste of his own medicine."

Example: "Did you see those two people cutting in front of us in line just now? Let's cut in front of them and give them a taste of their own medicine!"

Most "medicine" does not taste good; "your own medicine" is the way you act towards other people; you get "a taste of your own medicine" when you "taste" what it feels like for others to have you act towards them the way you do.

Example (this is aggressive): "I saw you pushing my brother yesterday... maybe I should give you a taste of your own medicine!"

It is like medicine because you think it is good for the other person to learn that they are treating others unfairly, even if the lesson does not taste good.

Example: "He's always interrupting people when they are talking; what he deserves is a taste of his own medicine!"

Example: "It looks like she got a taste of her own medicine."

 THE STRAW THAT BROKE THE CAMEL'S BACK

The straw that broke the camel's back is the last thing you are willing to accept after which you will not put up with any more.

Example: "You broke a lot of rules and we tried to ignore it. But stealing money from us was the straw that broke the camel's back. We're sending you home to your parents."

You are at the last straw when you are just about to lose your patience. The straw that broke the camel's back is the last thing that that happened that finally made you upset. 

Example: "He came to work late every day that week. Then on Friday, he didn't show up at all." Reply: "That was the straw that broke the camel's back."
There is a limit to how much straw (long yellow grass) a camel can carry on its back. If you keep putting more straw on top, it will finally break the camel's back. When you are at the last straw you are finally angry and will not take any more. 

Example: "You have been rude to me all day. I've had it. That's the last straw!"

 PULLING SOMEONE'S LEG

When someone makes a joke by lying to you and pretending that the lie is true, they are "pulling your leg".  

Example: "Look; your shoes are untied... Ha! Just pulling your leg." 

When you trick a person into believing a lie as a way of making a joke, you are pulling their leg. 

Example: "Really? That store is closed on Sunday? Are you sure?" 
Answer: "Don't listen to him; he is just pulling your leg." 

When you are the person who is being tricked, your leg is being pulled. 

Example: "I want to ask you a question and I would like an honest answer; no pulling my leg."

 ALL BARK (AND NO BITE

People who are all bark and no bite threaten to do things that they are not really willing or able to do. 

Example: "That new manager threatened to fire me again, but I know he won't do it. He's all bark and no bite."

They are like dogs that bark to make you afraid, but they will not bite you. 

Example: "Yesterday that guy said he wanted to fight, but today he's all quiet and polite." Reply: "All bark and no bite."

Some people are not strong enough or brave enough to actually hurt you, but they still use words to try to make you afraid. All they can do is bark, but they have no teeth to bite. 

Example: "Don't listen to my brother when he gets angry; he's all bark and no bite."

 WITH YOUR BACK UP AGAINST THE WALL

When we are in a defensive position and have to make choices that we would not like to make, we say that we have our "back up against the wall".

The wall represents an external force that causes us to act in a way that we would not like. This force may also prevent us from acting when we would like to.

"I'm sorry I can't help you; I've got my back up against the wall."

To have very serious problems which limit the ways in which you can act:

"He owes money to everyone - he's really got his back to the wall now."

 OVER MY DEAD BODY

When you absolutely will not allow a person to do something you might say "over my dead body." The [literal] meaning is that you will stand in the way of that person and only if they kill you and walk over your dead body will they be able to do what they want.  

Example: "Children, you are not going out in the cold without your jackets! Not over my dead body!" 

Parents say "over my dead body" often because they are in a position of authority and they are much bigger than their children. 

Example: "All of my friends are going out to the lake tonight and I'm going too!" Answer: "Over my dead body you are!"

If you say something will happen over your dead body, you mean that you will do everything you can to prevent it:

Example: "Joe says he's going to buy a motorbike." Reply:"Over my dead body!"

 EASY DOES IT'E asy does it' is used to tell someone to do something slowly and carefully. Go carefully, don't hurry.

Example: That chest is heavy, so easy does it. 

It is something that you say in order to tell someone to do something carefully.

Example: 'Easy does it!' Bob shouted, as I steered the boat into the dock.

 TO KEEP YOUR HEAD

to stay calm, especially in difficult or dangerous situations.

Can you keep your head at times of pressure and stress?

TO LOSE YOUR HEAD
to suddenly become very angry or upset .
He usually stays quite calm in stressful situations but this time he really lost his head.

 To be worth its/your weight in gold

to be extremely useful or valuable.

A book that could tell me in simple language how to use this computer would be worth its weight in gold.
Really good experienced singers are worth their weight in gold to the choir.

 TO LOOK ON THE BRIGHT SIDE

When you look on the bright side you find good things in a bad situation.

Despite all his difficulties he always looks on the bright side of things.

Look on the bright side - no one was badly hurt.

 right, left and centre
(US right and left)

all the time or everywhere

He spends money right, left and centre

right and left

on every side; in all directions:

He was throwing his clothes right and left.

Members are resigning right and left.

jokes

An English teacher wrote these words on the whiteboard: "woman without her man is nothing". The teacher then asked the students to punctuate the words correctly.

The men wrote: "Woman, without her man, is nothing."

The women wrote: "Woman! Without her, man is nothing."

Clothing and Fashion

Actual Transcription

Being in style with the latest fashions is important for some people, but not for me. After I wake up and drag myself out of bed, I change into my clothes for the day. I usually wear a pair of jeans and a t-shirt to school. If it's a little cool outside, I might throw on a sweat shirt or sweater. Then, I put on my shoes, and I'm out the door. Young people my age tend to follow the latest fashions because they want to fit in. My mom is just glad if I don't wear the same shirt three days in a row. What can you expect from a teenager?

Reduced Speech

Being in style with thə latest fashions is important fər some people, but not fər me. After I wake up ən' drag myself out əf bed, I change into my clothes fər thə day. I usually wear ə pair əf jeans ən' ə t-shirt tə school. If it's ə little cool outside, I might throw on ə sweat shirt ər ə sweater. Then, I put on my shoes, ən' I'm out thə door. Young people my age tend tə follow the latest fashions bəcause they want tə fit in. My mom's just glad if I don't wear thə same shirt three days in ə row. What kn yə expect from ə teenager?

Clothing and Fashion

Actual Transcription

Being in style with the latest fashions is important for some people, but not for me. After I wake up and drag myself out of bed, I change into my clothes for the day. I usually wear a pair of jeans and a t-shirt to school. If it's a little cool outside, I might throw on a sweat shirt or sweater. Then, I put on my shoes, and I'm out the door. Young people my age tend to follow the latest fashions because they want to fit in. My mom is just glad if I don't wear the same shirt three days in a row. What can you expect from a teenager?

Reduced Speech

Being in style with thə latest fashions is important fər some people, but not fər me. After I wake up ən' drag myself out əf bed, I change into my clothes fər thə day. I usually wear ə pair əf jeans ən' ə t-shirt tə school. If it's ə little cool outside, I might throw on ə sweat shirt ər ə sweater. Then, I put on my shoes, ən' I'm out thə door. Young people my age tend tə follow the latest fashions bəcause they want tə fit in. My mom's just glad if I don't wear thə same shirt three days in ə row. What kn yə expect from ə teenager?

Idioms and Expressions

    Take it or leave it – either to choose something or not to choose it

There’s nothing else for dinner except pasta and vegetables, so take it or leave it.

 

Play ball – to cooperate or work with (usually unwilling to cooperate in the beginning)

            * It would be much easier if you played ball instead of fighting with me.  

So far so good – Until now everything is well or good

            * How is your planning going? So far so good.  

Take it or leave it – either to choose something or not to choose it.

Trick or Treat – A children's Halloween practice of asking for treats from door to door under threat of playing

tricks on householders who refuse.

Not miss a beat– to continue doing something without hesitation

            * When the mike failed, the TV newscaster kept reporting without missing a beat.

In no time – very quickly, not taking much time, also in a flash

                      * The children got ready in no time to go to the zoo.

Jump the gun – to move or act impatiently before the correct time

                      * The politician jumped the gun when he claimed victory before voting ended.

         The lion’s share – the majority, most

                        * The companies chairman kept the lion’s share of stock.

         Hold your horses – to be patient, similar to “keep your shirt on”

                        * Hold your horses! I am not ready to go yet.

         Come up short – to have less than needed, usually refers to money

                        * David came up short when he counted the money.

Idiom or Expression

Blabbermouth: a very talkative person--especially one who says things that should be kept secret.

*"Don't say anything to Bob unless you want the whole office to know.
Bob's quite a blabbermouth."

 

.

theist, noun  - a person who denies the existence of God.

          *When the judge asked the witness to swear that she would tell the truth, the witness replied that she could not, since she was an atheist.

 

Avid, adjective – extremely eager, enthusiastic.

          * The candidate was accused of having an avid desire for personal power.

 

Belligerent, adjective –  a fighting attitude; war like

          *A truce was arranged between the two belligerent nations.

(Can also be use as a noun)

 

Emulate, verb – to copy or imitate.

          *The basketball player admired his coach so much that he emulated his manner of speaking, walking and dressing.

 

Eulogy, noun – a speech or writing of high praise.

          *At her inauguration the newly elected governor’s eulogy listed the accomplishments of the previous governor.

ُُُُُThe history of ice cream

          The history of ice creamThe first frozen dessert is credited to Emperor Nero of Rome. It was a mixture of snow (which he sent his slaves into the mountains to retrieve) and nectar, fruit pulp and honey. Another theory is Marco Polo, 13th century bard and adventurer, brought with him to Europe from the Far East recipes for water ices....said to be used in Asia for thousands of years.

In 1700 Governor Bladen of Maryland served ice cream to his guests.

The first ice cream parlor in America opened in New York City in 1776.

Dolly Madison created a sensation when she served ice cream as a dessert in the White House at the second inaugural ball in 1812.

Italo Marchiony sold his homemade ice cream from a pushcart on Wall Street. He reduced his overhead caused by customers breaking or wandering off with his serving glasses by baking edible waffle cups with sloping sides and a flat bottom. He patented his idea in 1903.

Others link the ice cream cone's invention to the 1904 World's Fair in St. Louis. An ice cream vendor there reportedly didn't have enough dishes to keep up with demand, so he teamed up with a waffle vendor who rolled his product into "cornucopias."

Invention of the ice cream soda is usually attributed to Robert M. Green, who operated a soda water concession in Philadelphia. Green, who sold a mix of carbonated water, cream, and syrup, apparently ran out of cream and substituted ice cream, hoping his customers wouldn't notice. But they did and daily sales receipts climbed from $6 to $600.

During the stuffy Victorian period, drinking soda water was considered improper, so some towns banned its sale on Sundays. An enterprising druggist in Evanston, IN, reportedly concocted a legal Sunday alternative containing ice cream and syrup, but no soda. To show respect for the Sabbath, he later changed the spelling to "sundae."

In 1843, New England housewife Nancy Johnson invented the hand-cranked ice cream churn. She patented her invention but lacked the resources to make and market the churn herself. Mrs. Johnson sold the patent for $200 to a Philadelphia kitchen wholesaler who, by 1847, made enough freezers to satisfy the high demand. From 1847 to 1877, more than 70 improvements to ice cream churns were patented.

The first commercial ice cream plant was established in Baltimore in 1851 by Jacob Fussell.

In 1983, Cookies 'N Cream, made with real Oreo cookies, became an instant hit, climbing to number five on the list of best-selling ice cream flavors. It also holds the distinction of being the fastest growing new flavor in the history of the ice cream industry.

In 1991, another flavor phenomenon was created -- Chocolate Chip Cookie Dough ice cream, which combines the best part of the Chocolate Chip cookie -- the raw dough -- with creamy vanilla ice cream and semi-sweet chocolate chips.

Tough - pronounced - tuf (the 'u' sounding as in 'cup')
Through - pronounced - throo
Dough - pronounced - doe (long 'o')
Bought - pronounced - bawt

It's enough to make anyone crazy

This feature provides a guide to the most common problems when spelling words in English.

Swallowed Syllables - Three Syllables Pronounced as Two Syllables

Aspirin - pronounced - asprin
Different - pronounced - diffrent
Every - pronounced - evry

Swallowed Syllables - Four Syllables Pronounced as Three Syllables

Comfortable - pronounced - comftable
Temperature - pronounced - temprature
Vegetable - pronounced - vegtable

Homophones - Words That Sound the Same

two, to, too - pronounced - too
knew, new - pronounced - niew
through, threw - pronounced - throo
not, knot, naught - pronounced - not
Same Sounds - Different Spellings

'Eh' as in 'Let'

let
bread
said

'Ai' as in 'I'

I
sigh
buy
either

Next, click below to study spelling word problems with silent letters (for example: island) and letters combining to make different sounds (gh = f as in 'cough').

Spelling Words

Silent Letters

B - comb, dumb
D - sandwich, Wednesday
G - sign, foreign
GH - daughter, light, right
H - why, honest, hour
K - know, knight, knob
L - should, walk, half
P - cupboard, psychology
S - island
T - whistle, listen, fasten
U - guess, guitar
W - who, write, wrong

Unusual Letter Combinations

GH = 'F'

cough, laugh, enough, rough

CH = 'K'

chemistry, headache, Christmas, stomach

EA = 'EH'

breakfast, head, bread, instead

EA = 'EI'

steak, break

EA = 'EE'

weak, streak

OU = 'UH' country, double, enough

Idioms

bad-mouth: say unkind, unflattering, embarrassing (and probably untrue) things about someone.

A: "I don't believe what Bob said. Why is he bad-mouthing me?"
B: "He's probably jealous of your success."

be fed up with (with someone or something): be out of patience (with

someone or something);
be very tired of someone or something.

"Bill, you're too careless with your work. I'm fed up with
apologizing for your mistakes!"

ask out (separable): ask for a date.

"Nancy has a new boy friend. Joe asked her out last night."

act like (inseparable): behave in a way that's like wrong with Bob? He's acting like an idiot."

Note: This phrasal verb is very informal.

Phrasal Verbs

act up (no object): misbehave (for people); not work properly -for machines

The babysitter had a difficult time. The children acted up all evening

"I guess I'd better take my car to the garage. It's been acting up lately

IDIOM

roll out the red carpet" = give very special treatment to welcome guests

"The nice thing about the hotel is that they always roll out the red carpet for their guests."

---

"24-7" = twenty-four hours a day, seven days a week

"The front desk is open 24-7 in case you need assistance."

Idiom

ace: make an "A" on a test, homework assignment, project, etc"Somebody said you aced the test, Dave. That's great"

antsy: restless; impatient and tired of waiting.

"I hope Katy calls soon. Just sitting around and waiting is making me antsy."

Idiom

at the eleventh hour: at the last minute; almost too late

"Yes, I got the work done in time. I finished it at the eleventh hour, but I wasn't late