Idiom of the Day: Feeling Under the Weather
In America, you might hear someone say that she is feeling a little under the weather. This phrase is actually an idiom that has nothing to do with the weather. If someone is feeling under the weather, it means that the person is not feeling well. This is just an idiom to mean that the person is a little sick.
Idiom of the Day: Between a Rock and a Hard Place
If you are caught between a rock and a hard place, you are in a bad situation. Both of your choices are bad. You might have two or more choices, but both of your choices are bad.
Example:
I hate my job, but if I quit, I won’t be able to pay my bills. I’m really stuck between a rock and a hard place.
Idiom of the Day: Out of the Blue
When something happens out of the blue, it happens suddenly without any warning. It’s a surprise. It could be positive or negative.
Example:
My friend from my university days called me out of the blue. I hadn’t heard from her in 10 years.
My car broke-down out of the blue in the afternoon. It had been working well all morning.
Advanced American Slang: Have Several Seats
Telling someone to have several seats means that the person has said or done something that you do not agree with. You can use this phrase when you are having an argument with someone or you strongly do not approve of what someone is saying or doing
When you say have several seats, you are basically telling someone to sit down and stop talking. You might hear someone using this phrase while watching American television, like a comedy or a talk show.
Remember that several means many or a lot of something.
A seat is a another word for a chair.
Example:
Your basketball team is not going to win the game this time! Have several seats!
American Slang: Using Not My Cup of Tea
In American slang, When there is something that we do not like, or we find unacceptable, it’s popular to say that something is not your cup of tea. If you like something or you are good at it, feel free to say, ‘That’s My Cup of Tea’ or ‘It’s My Cup of Tea’. They both work. You can be specific: Speaking English is my Cup of Tea. We use the phrase with actions. Here’s a short, fun video for more information.
Remember, this phrase is used for physical actions or things that you can do. While I wouldn’t say that ‘learning English is my cup of tea’ I would say that teaching English is my cup of tea. What are you good at? What’s your ‘cup of tea’?
English Grammar Lesson: Have You Ever?
I often like to ask my students questions beginning with the words, “have you ever”. The question asks if the person has ever experienced a certain thing. For example, I might ask, “Have you ever been abroad?” I want to know if my student has traveled outside of his or her country at any time in this person’s lifetime. I have found that a lot of people are confused when they answer those “have you ever” questions. This video explains how to answer them.