♣ *a lot of, lots of*
🔹These phrases are mainly used in informal English – lots of sounds a bit more informal than a lot of. Both forms are used in singular and in plural sentences.
🔹It is not the phrase a lot of or lots of which determines singular or plural, but the noun of the sentence (here: water and computers).
♦Informal English
▪Singular
🔸- A lot of water is wasted.
🔸- Lots of water is wasted.
▪Plural
🔸- A lot of computers are needed at schools.
🔸- Lots of computers are needed at schools.2. Formal English
♦In formal English
we use plenty of or much and many instead of a lot of/lots of.
▪Singular
🔸Plenty of water is wasted.
🔸Much water is wasted.
▪Plural
🔸Plenty of computers are needed at schools.
🔸Many computers are needed at schools.
🔹These phrases are mainly used in informal English – lots of sounds a bit more informal than a lot of. Both forms are used in singular and in plural sentences.
🔹It is not the phrase a lot of or lots of which determines singular or plural, but the noun of the sentence (here: water and computers).
♦Informal English
▪Singular
🔸- A lot of water is wasted.
🔸- Lots of water is wasted.
▪Plural
🔸- A lot of computers are needed at schools.
🔸- Lots of computers are needed at schools.2. Formal English
♦In formal English
we use plenty of or much and many instead of a lot of/lots of.
▪Singular
🔸Plenty of water is wasted.
🔸Much water is wasted.
▪Plural
🔸Plenty of computers are needed at schools.
🔸Many computers are needed at schools.
📔over your head
📋Meaning
If something you hear or read is over your head, or goes over your head, you don't understand it because the language or the ideas are too advanced for you.
🤔For example ⬇️
🗣I tried listening to a show on the radio about modern physics, but most of it was over my head and I gave up after about ten minutes.
🗣Jerry told a really funny joke about the economics of the cheese industry, and it went right over Tom's head. He didn't even smile.
✏️Note
For another idiom with similar wording, but a very different meaning, see the listing for "go over your head".
📋Meaning
If something you hear or read is over your head, or goes over your head, you don't understand it because the language or the ideas are too advanced for you.
🤔For example ⬇️
🗣I tried listening to a show on the radio about modern physics, but most of it was over my head and I gave up after about ten minutes.
🗣Jerry told a really funny joke about the economics of the cheese industry, and it went right over Tom's head. He didn't even smile.
✏️Note
For another idiom with similar wording, but a very different meaning, see the listing for "go over your head".
📒read into
📖Meaning
to believe you've found more meaning in what someone says or does than others have found
🤓For example ⤵️
💬read sth into sth You're reading too much into what he said. I don't think he meant to insult you.
💬be read into sth A lot can be read into what someone says, but it doesn't mean that it's all true.
▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬
📖Meaning
to believe you've found more meaning in what someone says or does than others have found
🤓For example ⤵️
💬read sth into sth You're reading too much into what he said. I don't think he meant to insult you.
💬be read into sth A lot can be read into what someone says, but it doesn't mean that it's all true.
▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬
📔the last straw
📋Meaning
Something is the last straw if it's the latest in a series of annoying or upsetting events, and it's the one that finally makes you do something about the situation.
🤔For example ⬇️
🗣I was already close to resigning, but the last straw was being bossed around by some kid twenty years younger than me. After that, I quit the job.
🗣I saw my girlfriend flirting with another guy at the party, and that was the last straw. I told her our relationship was over and I left.
▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬
📋Meaning
Something is the last straw if it's the latest in a series of annoying or upsetting events, and it's the one that finally makes you do something about the situation.
🤔For example ⬇️
🗣I was already close to resigning, but the last straw was being bossed around by some kid twenty years younger than me. After that, I quit the job.
🗣I saw my girlfriend flirting with another guy at the party, and that was the last straw. I told her our relationship was over and I left.
▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬
📒turn up
📖Meaning
to increase the volume, heat, power, etc. of an appliance by turning a knob or pressing a button
🤓For example ⤵️
💬If you can't hear the TV, turn it up a bit.
💬Could you turn up the heater, please? It's getting cold in here.
▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬
📖Meaning
to increase the volume, heat, power, etc. of an appliance by turning a knob or pressing a button
🤓For example ⤵️
💬If you can't hear the TV, turn it up a bit.
💬Could you turn up the heater, please? It's getting cold in here.
▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬
📒keep down
📖Meaning
If you keep something down, you stop it from increasing in size or number.
🤓For example ⤵️
💬They'll have to keep their prices down if they're going to compete with cheaper imported products.
💬If we can't keep down things like costs and wages, we'll go out of business.
▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬
📖Meaning
If you keep something down, you stop it from increasing in size or number.
🤓For example ⤵️
💬They'll have to keep their prices down if they're going to compete with cheaper imported products.
💬If we can't keep down things like costs and wages, we'll go out of business.
▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬
📒see to
📖Meaning
If you see to something, you take responsibility for it and make sure it's done.
🤓For example ⤵️
💬see to sth The police chief promised he'd see to it that whoever was behind the attacks would be caught and punished.
💬have sth seen to That's a nasty cut. You'd better go to the hospital and have it seen to.
▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬
📖Meaning
If you see to something, you take responsibility for it and make sure it's done.
🤓For example ⤵️
💬see to sth The police chief promised he'd see to it that whoever was behind the attacks would be caught and punished.
💬have sth seen to That's a nasty cut. You'd better go to the hospital and have it seen to.
▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬
📒turn back
📖Meaning
to return in the direction from which you've come, or to make someone do this
🤓For example ⤵️
💬If you get lost, turn back and return the way you came.
💬The police were turning everybody back because the road had been blocked by a landslide.
💬Anyone who doesn't have a visa will be turned back at the border.
▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬
📖Meaning
to return in the direction from which you've come, or to make someone do this
🤓For example ⤵️
💬If you get lost, turn back and return the way you came.
💬The police were turning everybody back because the road had been blocked by a landslide.
💬Anyone who doesn't have a visa will be turned back at the border.
▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬
Interesting facts about English language🔎
Do you know these facts⁉️
1️⃣. English actually originates from what is now called north west Germany and the Netherlands.
2️⃣. The phrase “long time no see” is believed to be a literal translation of a Native American or Chinese phrase as it is not grammatically correct.
3️⃣. About 4,000 words are added to the dictionary each year.
4️⃣. 1/4 of the world’s population speaks at least some English.
5️⃣. Month, orange, silver, and purple do not rhyme with any other word.
Do you know these facts⁉️
1️⃣. English actually originates from what is now called north west Germany and the Netherlands.
2️⃣. The phrase “long time no see” is believed to be a literal translation of a Native American or Chinese phrase as it is not grammatically correct.
3️⃣. About 4,000 words are added to the dictionary each year.
4️⃣. 1/4 of the world’s population speaks at least some English.
5️⃣. Month, orange, silver, and purple do not rhyme with any other word.
🌻🌸🌻🌸🌻🌸🌻🌸🌻🌸
💡Idiom:
To take pains:
🧐Means:
To work carefully and conscientiously.
✅Examples:
- She takes pains to do everything well; she s our best employee.
- He took great pains with his last assignment because he needed to get
an excellent grade to pass the class.
*Idioms_Phrase*
🌸🌻🌸🌻🌸🌻🌸🌻🌸🌻
💡Idiom:
To take pains:
🧐Means:
To work carefully and conscientiously.
✅Examples:
- She takes pains to do everything well; she s our best employee.
- He took great pains with his last assignment because he needed to get
an excellent grade to pass the class.
*Idioms_Phrase*
🌸🌻🌸🌻🌸🌻🌸🌻🌸🌻
🌻🌸🌻🌸🌻🌸🌻🌸🌻🌸
💡Idiom:
To call up:
🧐Means:
To telephone (also: to give some one a call) (S)
To call can be used instead of to call up, as in the first example below.
✅Examples:
- I forgot to call up Mr. Jones yesterday. I'd better call him now.
- Call me up tomorrow, Jane. We'll arrange a time to have lunch together.
- I promise to give you a call as soon as I arrive in New York.
*Idioms_Phrase*
🌸🌻🌸🌻🌸🌻🌸🌻🌸🌻
💡Idiom:
To call up:
🧐Means:
To telephone (also: to give some one a call) (S)
To call can be used instead of to call up, as in the first example below.
✅Examples:
- I forgot to call up Mr. Jones yesterday. I'd better call him now.
- Call me up tomorrow, Jane. We'll arrange a time to have lunch together.
- I promise to give you a call as soon as I arrive in New York.
*Idioms_Phrase*
🌸🌻🌸🌻🌸🌻🌸🌻🌸🌻
🌻🌸🌻🌸🌻🌸🌻🌸🌻🌸
💡Idiom:
To come across:
🧐Means:
To meet or find unexpectedly (also: to run across); to be
perceived or judged as (also: to come off)
✅Examples:
- While Cheryl was cleaning the attic, she came across some very old
coins. It took her by surprise to run across something like that.
- Jeff s boss comes across as a tough, unpleasant person, but actually Jeff
says that he is a good employer.
- Some people come off quite differently than they really are.
*Idioms_Phrase*
🌻🌸🌻🌸🌻🌸🌻🌸🌻🌸
💡Idiom:
To come across:
🧐Means:
To meet or find unexpectedly (also: to run across); to be
perceived or judged as (also: to come off)
✅Examples:
- While Cheryl was cleaning the attic, she came across some very old
coins. It took her by surprise to run across something like that.
- Jeff s boss comes across as a tough, unpleasant person, but actually Jeff
says that he is a good employer.
- Some people come off quite differently than they really are.
*Idioms_Phrase*
🌻🌸🌻🌸🌻🌸🌻🌸🌻🌸
🌻🌸🌻🌸🌻🌸🌻🌸🌻🌸
💡Idiom:
To stand for:
🧐Means:
To represent, to signify; to tolerate
The second definition is usually used in a negative sense. The meaning is the
same as to put up with in Lesson 19.
✅Examples:
- On the American flag, each start stands for one of the fifty states, and
each stripe stands for one of the original thirteen colonies of the 1800s.
- The citizens wouldn t stand for the increase in crime in their city, so
they hired more police officers and built another jail.
*Idioms_Phrase*
🌸🌻🌸🌻🌸🌻🌸🌻🌸🌻
💡Idiom:
To stand for:
🧐Means:
To represent, to signify; to tolerate
The second definition is usually used in a negative sense. The meaning is the
same as to put up with in Lesson 19.
✅Examples:
- On the American flag, each start stands for one of the fifty states, and
each stripe stands for one of the original thirteen colonies of the 1800s.
- The citizens wouldn t stand for the increase in crime in their city, so
they hired more police officers and built another jail.
*Idioms_Phrase*
🌸🌻🌸🌻🌸🌻🌸🌻🌸🌻
🌻🌸🌻🌸🌻🌸🌻🌸🌻🌸
💡Idiom:
To stand a chance:
🧐Means:
To have the possibility of accomplishing something
This idiom is often used with an adjective such as good or excellent. It also
occurs in the negative, sometimes with
the adjective much.
✅Examples:
- The New York baseball team stands a good chance of winning the
World Series this year.
- Because John doesn t have any previous work experience, he doesn t
stand a chance of getting that job.
- The woman injured in the serious train accident doesn t stand much
chance of surviving.
*Idioms_Phrase*
🌸🌻🌸🌻🌸🌻🌸🌻🌸🌻
💡Idiom:
To stand a chance:
🧐Means:
To have the possibility of accomplishing something
This idiom is often used with an adjective such as good or excellent. It also
occurs in the negative, sometimes with
the adjective much.
✅Examples:
- The New York baseball team stands a good chance of winning the
World Series this year.
- Because John doesn t have any previous work experience, he doesn t
stand a chance of getting that job.
- The woman injured in the serious train accident doesn t stand much
chance of surviving.
*Idioms_Phrase*
🌸🌻🌸🌻🌸🌻🌸🌻🌸🌻
🌸🌻🌸🌻🌸🌻🌸🌻🌸🌻
💡Idiom:
To name after:
🧐Means:
To give the same name as another (S)
✅Examples:
- Helen s parents named Helen after her grandmother.
- My grandson is named after Calvin Coolidge, the 30th President of the
United States.
*Idioms_Phrase*
🌸🌻🌸🌻🌸🌻🌸🌻🌸🌻
💡Idiom:
To name after:
🧐Means:
To give the same name as another (S)
✅Examples:
- Helen s parents named Helen after her grandmother.
- My grandson is named after Calvin Coolidge, the 30th President of the
United States.
*Idioms_Phrase*
🌸🌻🌸🌻🌸🌻🌸🌻🌸🌻
🌻🌸🌻🌸🌻🌸🌻🌸🌻🌸
💡Idiom:
By oneself:
🧐Means:
alone, without assistance
✅Examples:
- Francis translated that French novel by himself. No one helped him.
- Paula likes to walk through the woods by herself, but her brother
prefers to walk with a companion.
*Idioms_Phrase*
🌸🌻🌸🌻🌸🌻🌸🌻🌸🌻
💡Idiom:
By oneself:
🧐Means:
alone, without assistance
✅Examples:
- Francis translated that French novel by himself. No one helped him.
- Paula likes to walk through the woods by herself, but her brother
prefers to walk with a companion.
*Idioms_Phrase*
🌸🌻🌸🌻🌸🌻🌸🌻🌸🌻
🌻🌸🌻🌸🌻🌸🌻🌸🌻🌸
💡Idiom:
To stop by:
🧐Means:
To visit or stop somewhere
briefly in order to do something
✅Examples:
- James had to stop by the registrar s office to submit a transcript
request form.
- Let s stop by the supermarket and pick up a few grocery items.
*Idioms_Phrase*
🌸🌻🌸🌻🌸🌻🌸🌻🌸🌻
💡Idiom:
To stop by:
🧐Means:
To visit or stop somewhere
briefly in order to do something
✅Examples:
- James had to stop by the registrar s office to submit a transcript
request form.
- Let s stop by the supermarket and pick up a few grocery items.
*Idioms_Phrase*
🌸🌻🌸🌻🌸🌻🌸🌻🌸🌻
“IRREGULAR PLURALS”
🐁Mouse Mice 🐁🐁
🦷Tooth Teeth 🦷🦷
🦶🏻Foot Feet 🦶🏻🦶🏻
👤Person People 👥
👧🏻Child Children 👧🏻🧒🏻
🍁 Leaf Leaves 🍂🍂
👨🏽🦱Man Men 👨🏽🦱👨🏽🦱
🐠 Fish Fish 🐠🐠
🐑 Sheep Sheep 🐑🐑
🐁Mouse Mice 🐁🐁
🦷Tooth Teeth 🦷🦷
🦶🏻Foot Feet 🦶🏻🦶🏻
👤Person People 👥
👧🏻Child Children 👧🏻🧒🏻
🍁 Leaf Leaves 🍂🍂
👨🏽🦱Man Men 👨🏽🦱👨🏽🦱
🐠 Fish Fish 🐠🐠
🐑 Sheep Sheep 🐑🐑
The differences between “for”, “since” and “ago”:
When to use them correctly?🤔
🔹We use “for” and “since” to say how long, but there is a little difference between them🔹
🔺We use for + a period of time
🔴For three Days
🔴For two years
🔹We use since + the start of the period
🔵Since Monday
🔵Since 9 o'clock
So, what does “ago” mean and when should I use it?
⚪️”Ago” means before now.
⚠️We use it with the past.
▫️-when did you go out?
-Ten minutes ago. (= ten minutes before now)
▫️-I started my new job three weeks ago.(= three weeks before now)
❗️Here compare ago and for to learn more:
⭕️ -When did you arrive in New York?
- I arrived in New York 2 days ago.
⭕️ - How long has she been in New York?
- She has been in New York for 2 days.
When to use them correctly?🤔
🔹We use “for” and “since” to say how long, but there is a little difference between them🔹
🔺We use for + a period of time
🔴For three Days
🔴For two years
🔹We use since + the start of the period
🔵Since Monday
🔵Since 9 o'clock
So, what does “ago” mean and when should I use it?
⚪️”Ago” means before now.
⚠️We use it with the past.
▫️-when did you go out?
-Ten minutes ago. (= ten minutes before now)
▫️-I started my new job three weeks ago.(= three weeks before now)
❗️Here compare ago and for to learn more:
⭕️ -When did you arrive in New York?
- I arrived in New York 2 days ago.
⭕️ - How long has she been in New York?
- She has been in New York for 2 days.
Some common english #phrases:
💬to turn to (something)
Ⓜ️ to begin talking about something else; to begin to focus on something else; to change the subject of conversation to another topic.
❇️ After they discussed the weather and what they had done over the weekend, they turned to the projects they needed to do in the next week.
••———•●🔴⚪️🔵●•———••
💬to give it to (one) straight
Ⓜ️to tell someone the full truth very directly, without delaying it or hiding anything.
❇️ What are you trying to say? Just give it to me straight. Are you breaking up with me?
••———•●🔴⚪️🔵●•———••
💬speaking of (something)
Ⓜ️a phrase used to show that one wants to add information that is somehow related to a particular topic that was just mentioned.
❇️Maggie was talking about the way she disliked the color of her office, when Ahmed said, “Speaking of offices, we’ve decided to look for a new office building.
••———•●🔴⚪️🔵●•———••
💬off the record
Ⓜ️ a phrase used to let other people know that information is secret and shouldn’t be shared with others, or at least not while using the speaker’s name.
❇️ The politician agreed to have an interview with the reporter, but only if everything he said would be off the record.
••———•●🔴⚪️🔵●•———••
💬by the way
Ⓜ️ a phrase used when someone wants to say something that is only slightly related to the current discussion and isn’t the main focus.
❇️ The class was discussing recent developments in energy efficiency, when one student said, “By the way, did anyone read the articles in today’s newspaper about the tax credits for buying electric cars?”
••———•●🔴⚪️🔵●•———••
💬to hand (someone) (something)
Ⓜ️ to give something to someone.
❇️Could you please hand me that pencil? Thanks.
••———•●🔴⚪️🔵●•———••
💬in line for
Ⓜ️ ready for something to happen; waiting to be next; waiting to receive something.
❇️ Many geologists think California is next in line for a major earthquake.
💬to turn to (something)
Ⓜ️ to begin talking about something else; to begin to focus on something else; to change the subject of conversation to another topic.
❇️ After they discussed the weather and what they had done over the weekend, they turned to the projects they needed to do in the next week.
••———•●🔴⚪️🔵●•———••
💬to give it to (one) straight
Ⓜ️to tell someone the full truth very directly, without delaying it or hiding anything.
❇️ What are you trying to say? Just give it to me straight. Are you breaking up with me?
••———•●🔴⚪️🔵●•———••
💬speaking of (something)
Ⓜ️a phrase used to show that one wants to add information that is somehow related to a particular topic that was just mentioned.
❇️Maggie was talking about the way she disliked the color of her office, when Ahmed said, “Speaking of offices, we’ve decided to look for a new office building.
••———•●🔴⚪️🔵●•———••
💬off the record
Ⓜ️ a phrase used to let other people know that information is secret and shouldn’t be shared with others, or at least not while using the speaker’s name.
❇️ The politician agreed to have an interview with the reporter, but only if everything he said would be off the record.
••———•●🔴⚪️🔵●•———••
💬by the way
Ⓜ️ a phrase used when someone wants to say something that is only slightly related to the current discussion and isn’t the main focus.
❇️ The class was discussing recent developments in energy efficiency, when one student said, “By the way, did anyone read the articles in today’s newspaper about the tax credits for buying electric cars?”
••———•●🔴⚪️🔵●•———••
💬to hand (someone) (something)
Ⓜ️ to give something to someone.
❇️Could you please hand me that pencil? Thanks.
••———•●🔴⚪️🔵●•———••
💬in line for
Ⓜ️ ready for something to happen; waiting to be next; waiting to receive something.
❇️ Many geologists think California is next in line for a major earthquake.
💡“English idioms”💡
1️⃣A little bird told me: something that you say in order to let someone know that you are not going to tell them who gave you the information being discussed. (Like in Spanish)
2️⃣A pain in the neck: someone or something that is very annoying.
3️⃣A piece of cake: something very easy.
4️⃣To lay off: to stop using or doing something.
5️⃣Pigs can fly: there is no chance of that ever happening.
6️⃣Dead tired: Totally exhausted or fatigued.
7️⃣Call it a day: to quit work and go home; to say that a day's work has been completed.
8️⃣In charge of: Having control over or responsibility for.
9️⃣In the way: to be close to doing something.
🔟Be my guest: Help yourself.; After you. (A polite way of indicating that someone else should go first, help himself or herself to something, or take the last one of something.)
1️⃣A little bird told me: something that you say in order to let someone know that you are not going to tell them who gave you the information being discussed. (Like in Spanish)
2️⃣A pain in the neck: someone or something that is very annoying.
3️⃣A piece of cake: something very easy.
4️⃣To lay off: to stop using or doing something.
5️⃣Pigs can fly: there is no chance of that ever happening.
6️⃣Dead tired: Totally exhausted or fatigued.
7️⃣Call it a day: to quit work and go home; to say that a day's work has been completed.
8️⃣In charge of: Having control over or responsibility for.
9️⃣In the way: to be close to doing something.
🔟Be my guest: Help yourself.; After you. (A polite way of indicating that someone else should go first, help himself or herself to something, or take the last one of something.)