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Hello I'm a Foreign O Levels student who takes English as a first language. I was hoping you could help me settle a bit of a confusion. Recently I wrote a narrative in 3rd person and I used the expression "Shiver ran through his spine". One of my English teachers told me that I used it incorrectly because the story is in 3rd person and not in 1st person while my other English teacher told me that I used it correctly, she told me I can also use it in 3rd person because we are the narrator and we are narrating the story. I have my O Levels GCE English paper coming up so I was hoping you could help me and explain this to me. Thanks in advance and keep up the great work!
Beating a dead horse has a different meaning for Americans: it means to nauseatingly re-examine or discuss a topic that has already been over-analysed and discussed so much that no fresh insight or new information is possible. Edit: To discuss a topic that is cliche, and all rational discussion points are also already cliche.
In the US cram and hit the books don't usually mean the same thing. "Hit the books" means to go study. "Cram" is an intense (sometime desperate) study session right before an exam or test.
Amazing idioms! Here are some equivalents in Italian: 1. Mettere i bastoni tra le ruote 6. Toccare ferro 8. Cum grano salis (this is a beautiful idiom borrowed from the Latin language) 10. Scheletri nell’armadio
Interestingly; (As an Aussie) To sweep something under the rug makes more sense, since rugs are movable, whereas carpets tend to be affixed to the floor and can't be moved.
American here! I have always heard and said "Say something with a grain of salt" and "A drop in the ocean". I've never heard either "A storm in a teacup" or "A tempest in a teapot". And I've used both "Call a spade a spade" and "calling it as I see it". We also use both "cram" and "hit the books". :)
You got most of those American ones right. I’m American and all my life, I’ve actually always heard and used; “a grain of salt”; “a drop in the ocean”; “to call a spade a spade”, “to cram”; and “to go pear-shaped”. My parents always used those idioms, as have I, and so have most of my friends throughout my life, (I’m 50 now). And I’m the only American I know of who has adopted, “swings and roundabouts”. I heard it a few years ago and thought it was wonderfully descriptive and much more posh, and therefore have adopted it. And because I’ve watched a lot of British television, I’ve also have adopted both “touch wood” and “to have a go”. I’m still waiting for those wonderful British idioms to catch on here in the states and am doing my part to bring them here! ❤️ Even though I was born in America, and therefore speak fluent American English, and can also speak in a fairly convincing RP English accent, (idioms included), I still absolutely adore your videos!
I had never heard "a drop in the ocean in the US" or "to go pear shaped". I only knew them from UK TV shows. I think there must be some kind of cultural crossover in certain areas of the US.
Not “to go pear-shaped” but the others you mentioned, definitely. I have actually never used “pinch of salt”, always “grain of salt”. And I definitely hear cram all the time since I work at a university.
Some expressions are used in the U.S. Grain of salt, going pear-shaped, flogging a dead horse, cramming for a test, to drum on as an alternate to bang.
Hi there Lucy I’m an Indian and I’ve learned a lot from you and I’ve practiced my British accent and your channel really helped me keep up the good work lots of kisses from India ☺️☺️❤️❤️
I will write bellow Expressions and Phrase of the video to help you guys. 1- B) To throw a spanner in the works A) To throw a (monkey) wrench in the works Means: to do something that prevents a plan or activity from succeeding) Example: The intern threw a spanner in the works by ghosting the client on Tinder. 2 - B) To blow your own trumpet A) To toot your own horn Means: to boast, to praise your own abilities and achieves Example: I don't mean to blow my own trumpet but I read the Oxford dictionary three times before the age of five. 3- B) To sweep something under the carpet A) To sweep something under the rug Means: to deny or ignore something that is embarrassing, or might damage your reputation. Example: As one of the most controversial RUclipsrs on the platform. I have swept many scandals under the carpet. 4- B) Peaks and Troughs A) Peaks and Valleys Means: the mixture of good and bad things in life. Example: Having lovely like Skillshare helps my business through the peaks and troughs of the year. 5- B) To not touch something with a bargepole. A) To not touch something with a ten-foot pole. Means: to avoid something at all costs; to refuse to associate with something. Example: My father would not touch trifle with a bargepole. 6- B) Tough wood A) Knock wood Means: used when mentioning a way in which you have been lucky in the past, to prevent bringing bad luck. Example: I'm not a great driver but I've never been in a serious car crash - tough wood. 7- B) To flog a dead horse A) To beat a dead horse Means: to waste energy on something that has no chance of succeeding. Example: You're flogging a dead horse trying to make my dad eat trifle. 8- B) To take something with a grain of salt A) To take something with a pinch of salt. Mean: to view something with scepticism or to not take something literally. Example: If I offer you a tequila, take it with a pinch of salt, and a slice of lemon. Just joking, that's proof that you should take everything I say with a grain of salt. 9- B) Swings and roundabouts A) Ups and downs Means: situations where there are as many gains as there are losses. Example: In the UK we pay high taxes, but it's all swings and roundabouts because we have a great national health service. 10- B) Skeletons in the cupboard A) Skeletons in the closet Means: a secret that would cause embarrassment if down Example: I could never run for Prime Minister because I have far too many skeletons in my closet. 11- B) To have a go at someone A) To tear into someone Means: to attack someone with either force or language. Example: A teacher once had a go at me for faking an illness when I was genuinely very unwell. 12- B) A storm in a teacup A) A tempest in a teapot Means: Great outrage or excitement over a trivial matter. Example: I don't think the apocalypse is coming. I think it's a storm in a teacup. 13- A) A drop in the ocean B) A drop in the bucket Means: a very small or insignificant amount compared to the amount needed. Example: I saved 33p by doing my shopping online, which is a drop in the ocean compared to what a need to save for a house deposit. 14- B) Hard cheese A) Touch Tiffy Means: used to express somewhat sarcastic sympathetic over a petty or a trivial matter. Example: You miss your exam because you stayed up watching Birdbox? Hard cheese! 15- B) To bang on about something A) To rant and rave on about something Means: to talk about something for a long time, especially in a way that is boring to others. Example: I know I bang on about Skillshare but it really is a fantastic service. 16- B) To call a spade a spade A) To call it as one sees it Means: to speak honestly and describe something as it really is Example: My mother calls spade a spade. If I'm being out of order she will put me right. 17- B) To cram A) To hit the books Means: study intensively over a short period of time right before an examination Example: I relied heavily on cramming thought my university degree. I wouldn't recommend it, but I did get a first class degree... 18- B) To get itchy free A) To seek new pasture Means: to start to want to travel or do something different. Example: After 14 years of schooling. I got itchy feet and started to plan my move to Spain. 19- B) To go pear-shaped A) To go south Means: to go on, or badly Example: The party was great but after they handle out tequila shots it started to go a bit pear-shaped. 20- B) To queue up A) To wait in line Means: To take one's place in a queue Example: As a Brit I can honestly say there is nothing I enjoy more than queuing up and silently judging those who try to break the queue rules I hope you enjoy!
Thank you for the video! I'm an American who loves watching British shows. It's fun to hear the different words or expressions and figure out what they mean. Sometimes I just have to Google them. Here's another one: English: Brown bread, American: Toast - meaning game over or dead. Example: "You failed the test. Dude, you're toast."
Love your videos as always. I'm American, but aside from "swings and roundabouts" I had no problem recognizing the British idioms. And I may use some of the British versions as much as you use American ones. I rarely watch British TV, but I have been known to spend a lot of time in London and refer to it as an honorary hometown.
Hi Lucy, Your lesson provide wonderful information about British and American Idioms and increase the list of idioms. Thank you. 1 A sandwich short of a picnic - - - A humorous way of saying someone is stupid or is a bit mad. 2 Add fuel to the fire - - - When someone does something to make a bad situation worse. Thank you
In Brazil we say "chave de boca" (mouth wrench) as spanner & "chave inglesa" (English wrench) as adjustable wrench. 3-"Varrer a sujeira pra baixo do tapete" (To sweep the dust under the carpet). 6-"Bate na madeira" (Knock on wood). 12-"Fazer tempestade num copo d'água" (Make a storm in a glass of water). 13-"Uma gota d'água no oceano" (A drop water in the ocean).
not a native speaker, but I've been studying english for about 16 years now and used to live in canada for a couple years. I also watch all my films and series in english...I am way way more used to hearing about "things going south" than "sideways". I suppose it might be a thing that differs from region to region, though.
As a native speaker of American English, I can confirm that there are places in the US where "to go south" is the preferred idiom. Of course, "to go sideways" is also widely used. I think the preference for one over the other is regional.
Hey! I'm a native speaker. And I'm fond of speaking British English. In this your channel always helps me. Thank you so much. '' to blow your own trumpet'' version in hindi is '' khud ke muh miya mitthu banna'' You will not be able to pronounce it.😅
"To call a spade a spade" is quite common in the US. As is "to cram", although "hit the books" also is. Another example is "to go pear shaped" and "to go South" are ALSO both used. I already mentioned elsewhere "grain of salt" being the default American, as far as I've heard.
In American English we have lots of idioms that mean roughly the same thing as "going south". I've used "go pear-shaped" here, but also "go sideways", "go wonky", and "go off the rails".
We're beginning to see several of these UK idioms in the US, especially "a storm in a teacup" and "to sweep something under the carpet". It might be a regionalism but, here in Texas, I've heard "to whip a dead horse" more than the "beat" variety. I've come across "to call a spade a spade" sometimes too.
Here in Portugal we say "bate na madeira" which is the exact translation of knock on wood, I found it very interesting that in Britain and in America you have a similar phrase
Hello Lucy, I'm from Russia and we obviously have our versions of the idioms. One specifically has caught my mind. A storm on a teacup we in Russia say To make an elephant out of a fly. eg. Nobody remembers that you danced on the table last night, don't make an elephant out of a fly
The movie *The Wizard of Oz* has many puns in it. The scarecrow is discussing whether he should go with Dorothy or not. It always seemed to me that our heroes were heading north to find the Wizard in the Emerald City. The scarecrow was reluctant, but Dorothy said, "You won't be any more south than you are now." meaning both the southerly direction and condition of his life.
I am a multigenerational American. We use the expression to call a spade a spade out here. I am familiar with to call it as one sees it but some of us say I'm calling it like I see it. By the way, we also say to cram for exams.
I've also never heard "hard cheese" despite being British I've also never heard anyone pronounce "rant" as "raaarnt" like you do, except for my brother. I always though he was just wrong but I guess not.
Ok so here are some Polish equivalents to English ones: >"To kill two birds with one stone" is "To bake two roasts on one fire" (if that makes sense), >"speaking of the devil" is "speaking of the wolf", >"to take something with a grain of salt" is "to treat something with a blinked(?)/closed eye" (basically what I mean is like those memes when something isn't right and a person looks through almost closed eyes) >"ups and downs" is "flights and falls" >"a piece of cake" is "a bun with butter" >"clear as day" is "bright as the sun" >"don’t teach your grandmother how to suck eggs" is "don’t teach a father how to “make” children" (yes, we say that😂 sometimes with mother instead of father) >"to be caught between the devil and the deep blue sea" is "to be caught between a hammer and an anvil" >"truth will out" is "a lie has short legs" >"to bite off more than one can chew" is "to lunge at the sun with a hoe/mattock" (don't know which word is correct in English" >"Man proposes, God disposes" is "Man shoots, The Lord carries the bullets" >"a drowning man clutches at straws" is "a drowning man catches a razor" >"don't count your chicken before they are hatched" is "don't divide the skin on a bear" >"fall on deaf ears" is "throwing peas onto a wall" >"pull one's leg" is "to tamp someone into a bottle" >"dull as dishwasher" is "dull like tripe/chitterlings in oil" >"once in a blue moon" is "once in a Russian/Ruthenian year" (we have no idea why) >"it never rains but it pours" we can say two different ways: "bad luck walks in pairs" or "a poor one has always wind blowing into the eyes" >"ugly as sin" is 'ugly as night" (I have no idea why, i like the night, maybe it's because of all the scary folk tales about monsters roaming the nights)
15:33 when she said ‘’a lot politicians like to sweep something under the carpet. For example...’’, i actually though she was about to spill some tea about some politicians’ scandals. Lol
Thank you for yet another wonderful lesson Miss Earl. 😊😊❤❤ Honestly, I simply can't thank you enough for the impact that your invaluable teachings have had on me ever since I came across this amazing channel. 🤗🤗💝💝. Your lessons have certainly been of great help in talking up my English skills a notch higher. 😊😊♥️♥️♥️♥️. You're an inspiration to millions across the globe and I look up to you as a role model of mine. 😃😃💖💖💖💖 Looking forward to more such intriguing lessons from your end Miss Earl. 😊😊💓💓 Love you. ❤❤❤❤ P. S. That new hairstyle looks great on you. 😍😍😍😍
That's interesting about #8! I'm an American from New Jersey and grew up saying "grain of salt". I guess "pinch of salt" is more of a Southern thing. Also, both versions of #17. We say "cram" honestly probably more than "hit the books". Still, we do use both often.
Its interesting to find phrases that are equal or very close in absolutely different languages. In Russian we say "skeletons in the cupboard" too, but instead of "a drop in the ocean / bucket" we say "a drop in the sea"))
Tri Sutyanto You are a naughty, naughty boy! You really should keep your mind on more elevated themes. ('In a whisper' I must agree with you though, would be great on a continuous loop) Now apologize and don't let me catch you doing that again!
It might be a regional distinction, but I’ve never heard anyone say “Take it with a pinch of salt” in the Midwest. It’s always grain of salt in that expression. You say pinch of salt when you’re cooking or doing tequila shots.
"To cram" in Britain can also be said in America as, "pull an all - nighter." I don't know if it's regional -many English settled in North Carolina, and they still speak "The Queen's English" there-and Scots-Irish settled in the Appalachian Mountains and Smokey Mountains (Eastern American mountain ranges), ands parts west of that, including Kentucky (my state). I say "to cram for an exam." Cramming is familiar to us. It's like trying to crunch a bunch of information in my head for the exam next morning, next hour, or next five minutes.
Turkish and English have many common expressions. For example Better late than never- we say: geç olsun güç olmasın. There has been lot's of water under the lot's bridges. we say köprünün altından çok sular aktı :)
To get itchy feet Hard cheese To take something with a grain of salt To have a go at someone To call a spade a spade Peaks and trough A Strom in a teacup Touchwood To throw a spanner in the works To flog a dead horse To sweep something under the carpet Skeletons in the cupboard To blow your own trumpet To not touch something with a bargepole Swings and roundabouts To bang on about something A drop in the ocean To queue up To cram To put someone right To be out of order To go pear shaped
i want to thank you for the video Lucy, such an interesting lesson on differences between American and British accent, these days i focus on learning British accent, hovewer i have American friends , so it's not terrible to me and on your accent, it's one of the prettiest i've ever heard, greetings from Chile
I like these 1. A water off a duck's buck. 2. Risk life and limbs. 3. You're a chip off the old block. 4. A bird in the hand is worth, two in the bush. Bush in vulgar language is ... xD
In Italy, we say "A lavar la testa all'asino si perde acqua e sapone" that is something like "Trying to wash a donkey head is a soap and water wasting". I suppose it's similar to "to flog a dead horse".
🍏 Hooray! Idioms are awesome. Learning to use them (not just memorize them) is a great way to raise your English to a higher level because they're used by native speakers ALL THE TIME. No joke. ALL THE TIME. Next step: using them in conversation to communicate more like a native speaker. Thanks for the great video! 😎👍🍎
How funny, I had my primary education in Singapore and the idioms we learnt were a mix of British & American versions. Anyway, I love your videos, Lucy. I watch them when I need to refresh my English. Love from 🇲🇾
7:10 lol I say both, grain and pinch. I alternate lol 12:03 actually we more commonly say "OH GOSH GOTTA CRAM" vs "OH GOSH GOTTA HIS THEM BOOKS HARDDD" idk just never hear anyone say they're gonna hit the books.
I'm American and so many of the British versions are the ones we say and I've never heard the American version lmao. I have never once heard anyone say, "Tempest in a teapot".
You are very well-informed, but I must say that the expression, “To take something with a grain of salt,” is very common in American English. I’ve heard many times throughout my life. I live in Northern California.
Hey Lucy! Some advice on your videos! You better explain all the words in idioms like tooting your horn. How many learners do you guess know the verb "to toot". So few I reckon. And multiple examples would be perfect. The more we listen to the more we learn. Cheers.
Omg Lucy...I had told you on Instagram to change your hairstyle a little bit by putting all of it on the front ...And here it is.....You are so beautiful
Actually we say take with a grain of salt as well Tempest in a teapot I haven't heard we usually use "Making a mountain out of a mole hill or (ant hill) Southern US uses call a spade a spade. Cram - we use cram as in cramming for a test. Itchy feet we would say they caught a bout of wanderlust
Hey Lucy I've been learning English through your channel for months. I am from India and English is not my first language. It would be very kind of you if you make a video about how to use some certain words like indeed, nevertheless, although. I have so much confusion using those words. Please help me. And sorry for any mistake if my English is incorrect. You are very good teacher. Love you.❣️
As an American I’ve never heard or used it as “a pinch of salt” we use “grain of salt” also. Same goes for the “drop in the ocean” we Americans use that, and not “drop in a bucket”. We use both “spade a spade” and “call it as I see it”.
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I need someone contact with me for improve practice english please someone help me
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Hello I'm a Foreign O Levels student who takes English as a first language. I was hoping you could help me settle a bit of a confusion. Recently I wrote a narrative in 3rd person and I used the expression "Shiver ran through his spine". One of my English teachers told me that I used it incorrectly because the story is in 3rd person and not in 1st person while my other English teacher told me that I used it correctly, she told me I can also use it in 3rd person because we are the narrator and we are narrating the story. I have my O Levels GCE English paper coming up so I was hoping you could help me and explain this to me. Thanks in advance and keep up the great work!
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Beating a dead horse has a different meaning for Americans: it means to nauseatingly re-examine or discuss a topic that has already been over-analysed and discussed so much that no fresh insight or new information is possible.
Edit: To discuss a topic that is cliche, and all rational discussion points are also already cliche.
I'm American. I've always heard the "grain of salt" instead of the "pinch of salt".
Yes, most Americans I know (me being one, too) say grain of salt.
Pinch of salt by Jon Jones
I’ve heard both
Yeah, I've never heard pinch used either 🤷🏼♀️
I always say grain
In the US cram and hit the books don't usually mean the same thing. "Hit the books" means to go study. "Cram" is an intense (sometime desperate) study session right before an exam or test.
Totally agree. We also say "grain of salt."
Same in the UK
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English with Lucy u make me happy as well😀😆
I love HER and her videos ;)
Amazing idioms! Here are some equivalents in Italian:
1. Mettere i bastoni tra le ruote
6. Toccare ferro
8. Cum grano salis (this is a beautiful idiom borrowed from the Latin language)
10. Scheletri nell’armadio
Interestingly; (As an Aussie) To sweep something under the rug makes more sense, since rugs are movable, whereas carpets tend to be affixed to the floor and can't be moved.
American here! I have always heard and said "Say something with a grain of salt" and "A drop in the ocean". I've never heard either "A storm in a teacup" or "A tempest in a teapot". And I've used both "Call a spade a spade" and "calling it as I see it". We also use both "cram" and "hit the books". :)
You got most of those American ones right. I’m American and all my life, I’ve actually always heard and used; “a grain of salt”; “a drop in the ocean”; “to call a spade a spade”, “to cram”; and “to go pear-shaped”. My parents always used those idioms, as have I, and so have most of my friends throughout my life, (I’m 50 now).
And I’m the only American I know of who has adopted, “swings and roundabouts”. I heard it a few years ago and thought it was wonderfully descriptive and much more posh, and therefore have adopted it.
And because I’ve watched a lot of British television, I’ve also have adopted both “touch wood” and “to have a go”.
I’m still waiting for those wonderful British idioms to catch on here in the states and am doing my part to bring them here! ❤️
Even though I was born in America, and therefore speak fluent American English, and can also speak in a fairly convincing RP English accent, (idioms included), I still absolutely adore your videos!
I had never heard "a drop in the ocean in the US" or "to go pear shaped". I only knew them from UK TV shows. I think there must be some kind of cultural crossover in certain areas of the US.
Not “to go pear-shaped” but the others you mentioned, definitely. I have actually never used “pinch of salt”, always “grain of salt”. And I definitely hear cram all the time since I work at a university.
Some expressions are used in the U.S.
Grain of salt, going pear-shaped, flogging a dead horse, cramming for a test, to drum on as an alternate to bang.
Hard cheese, mate!
Nah, I bet you're just taking the piss, mate!
:D
6:13 "I'm not superstitious, I'm just... I'm just British." hahaha
Where I live in America grain of salt is used, I’ve never heard a pinch of salt.
Same!!
Agreed. 'Grain of salt' is commonly used in US. 'Pinch of salt' only in a culinary setting.
Yup, same here.
Hi there Lucy I’m an Indian and I’ve learned a lot from you and I’ve practiced my British accent and your channel really helped me keep up the good work lots of kisses from India ☺️☺️❤️❤️
Hi, American here. We use “grain” of salt as well. Some people would say pinch but it’s not technically standard.
UK : The Sun sets in the west.
Bangladesh : *The Autocrat Monarch of the Day Perambulates to the western horizon.*
I will write bellow Expressions and Phrase of the video to help you guys.
1-
B) To throw a spanner in the works
A) To throw a (monkey) wrench in the works
Means: to do something that prevents a plan or activity from succeeding)
Example: The intern threw a spanner in the works by ghosting the client on Tinder.
2 -
B) To blow your own trumpet
A) To toot your own horn
Means: to boast, to praise your own abilities and achieves
Example: I don't mean to blow my own trumpet but I read the Oxford dictionary three times before the age of five.
3-
B) To sweep something under the carpet
A) To sweep something under the rug
Means: to deny or ignore something that is embarrassing, or might damage your reputation.
Example: As one of the most controversial RUclipsrs on the platform. I have swept many scandals under the carpet.
4-
B) Peaks and Troughs
A) Peaks and Valleys
Means: the mixture of good and bad things in life.
Example: Having lovely like Skillshare helps my business through the peaks and troughs of the year.
5-
B) To not touch something with a bargepole.
A) To not touch something with a ten-foot pole.
Means: to avoid something at all costs; to refuse to associate with something.
Example: My father would not touch trifle with a bargepole.
6-
B) Tough wood
A) Knock wood
Means: used when mentioning a way in which you have been lucky in the past, to prevent bringing bad luck.
Example: I'm not a great driver but I've never been in a serious car crash - tough wood.
7-
B) To flog a dead horse
A) To beat a dead horse
Means: to waste energy on something that has no chance of succeeding.
Example: You're flogging a dead horse trying to make my dad eat trifle.
8-
B) To take something with a grain of salt
A) To take something with a pinch of salt.
Mean: to view something with scepticism or to not take something literally.
Example: If I offer you a tequila, take it with a pinch of salt, and a slice of lemon. Just joking, that's proof that you should take everything I say with a grain of salt.
9-
B) Swings and roundabouts
A) Ups and downs
Means: situations where there are as many gains as there are losses.
Example: In the UK we pay high taxes, but it's all swings and roundabouts because we have a great national health service.
10-
B) Skeletons in the cupboard
A) Skeletons in the closet
Means: a secret that would cause embarrassment if down
Example: I could never run for Prime Minister because I have far too many skeletons in my closet.
11-
B) To have a go at someone
A) To tear into someone
Means: to attack someone with either force or language.
Example: A teacher once had a go at me for faking an illness when I was genuinely very unwell.
12-
B) A storm in a teacup
A) A tempest in a teapot
Means: Great outrage or excitement over a trivial matter.
Example: I don't think the apocalypse is coming. I think it's a storm in a teacup.
13-
A) A drop in the ocean
B) A drop in the bucket
Means: a very small or insignificant amount compared to the amount needed.
Example: I saved 33p by doing my shopping online, which is a drop in the ocean compared to what a need to save for a house deposit.
14-
B) Hard cheese
A) Touch Tiffy
Means: used to express somewhat sarcastic sympathetic over a petty or a trivial matter.
Example: You miss your exam because you stayed up watching Birdbox? Hard cheese!
15-
B) To bang on about something
A) To rant and rave on about something
Means: to talk about something for a long time, especially in a way that is boring to others.
Example: I know I bang on about Skillshare but it really is a fantastic service.
16-
B) To call a spade a spade
A) To call it as one sees it
Means: to speak honestly and describe something as it really is
Example: My mother calls spade a spade. If I'm being out of order she will put me right.
17-
B) To cram
A) To hit the books
Means: study intensively over a short period of time right before an examination
Example: I relied heavily on cramming thought my university degree. I wouldn't recommend it, but I did get a first class degree...
18-
B) To get itchy free
A) To seek new pasture
Means: to start to want to travel or do something different.
Example: After 14 years of schooling. I got itchy feet and started to plan my move to Spain.
19-
B) To go pear-shaped
A) To go south
Means: to go on, or badly
Example: The party was great but after they handle out tequila shots it started to go a bit pear-shaped.
20-
B) To queue up
A) To wait in line
Means: To take one's place in a queue
Example: As a Brit I can honestly say there is nothing I enjoy more than queuing up and silently judging those who try to break the queue rules
I hope you enjoy!
Thank you for the video! I'm an American who loves watching British shows. It's fun to hear the different words or expressions and figure out what they mean. Sometimes I just have to Google them. Here's another one: English: Brown bread, American: Toast - meaning
game over or dead. Example: "You failed the test. Dude, you're toast."
Love your videos as always. I'm American, but aside from "swings and roundabouts" I had no problem recognizing the British idioms. And I may use some of the British versions as much as you use American ones. I rarely watch British TV, but I have been known to spend a lot of time in London and refer to it as an honorary hometown.
I only want this thank you.
You are awesome.
Thanks again.
😀
I live in western Canada and the expression "He went south" means he died.
Ham bet you live in Surrey
I bet burnaby
"He went south" might mean he went to the USA, Mexico, Panama, Costa Rica, Columbia, Honduras, Peru, Chile, Brazil, Uruguay or Argentina.
He fell off his perch!
@@kazzicup
México, Panamá, Costa Rica, Colombia, Honduras, Perú, Chile, Brasil, Uruguay o Argentina.
Hi Lucy,
Your lesson provide wonderful information about British and American Idioms and increase the list of idioms.
Thank you.
1 A sandwich short of a picnic - - - A humorous way of saying someone is stupid or is a bit mad.
2 Add fuel to the fire - - - When someone does something to make a bad situation worse.
Thank you
Another great example would be:
American: to call dibs
British: Bagsie
In Brazil we say "chave de boca" (mouth wrench) as spanner & "chave inglesa" (English wrench) as adjustable wrench. 3-"Varrer a sujeira pra baixo do tapete" (To sweep the dust under the carpet). 6-"Bate na madeira" (Knock on wood). 12-"Fazer tempestade num copo d'água" (Make a storm in a glass of water). 13-"Uma gota d'água no oceano" (A drop water in the ocean).
You’re a great Lucy!!!! We all love you!
Lucy, in your trifle recipe, you left out the beef sautéed with peas and onions.
Slight issue with #19. In American English more often than not the expression would be "to go sideways" or " went sideways."
Thank you!
not a native speaker, but I've been studying english for about 16 years now and used to live in canada for a couple years. I also watch all my films and series in english...I am way way more used to hearing about "things going south" than "sideways". I suppose it might be a thing that differs from region to region, though.
@@faliandra7659 It's both regional and temporal..."going sideways" is more current than "going south"
As a native speaker of American English, I can confirm that there are places in the US where "to go south" is the preferred idiom. Of course, "to go sideways" is also widely used. I think the preference for one over the other is regional.
In the Great Lakes region, Go South for sure! Don't think I've often, or at all heard "go sideways!"
6:13 -Touch Wood- I am not superstitious but I am just British😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂
😂
I am an American, but I have never heard "to take something with a pinch of salt"; I have heard only the British version using "grain of salt."
Ken L. Same! I was just thinking that.
As a Brit (baby boomer) I have never heard or used grain of salt - always pinch (which is the amount you usually use in a cooking recipe).
@@gillchatfield3231 So you Brits use the saying "pinch of salt"? If so, the woman in the video is discombobulated.
Superb video Lucy! Keep it up! I love your explanations, they're lovely and worthwhile.
Hey! I'm a native speaker. And I'm fond of speaking British English. In this your channel always helps me.
Thank you so much.
'' to blow your own trumpet'' version in hindi is '' khud ke muh miya mitthu banna''
You will not be able to pronounce it.😅
You are my teacher but on a serious note I genuinely love you lucy
Hi Lucy! Thank you for your video! In Italy we say "to touch iron" and it has the same meaning of your "to touch wood".
Ooooh interesting! I wonder why that is!
All ways we have amazing lesson with teacher Lucy , thank you so much .
Hola Lucy. Soy Mexicano de california tratando de aprender ingles. No quiero invadir Inglaterra solo quiero aprenderlo. No soy un invasor.
Tran Thai Huu B1603989 No hablo inglés, por eso veo inglés con Lucy, pero Lucy no es muy útil.
"To call a spade a spade" is quite common in the US. As is "to cram", although "hit the books" also is. Another example is "to go pear shaped" and "to go South" are ALSO both used. I already mentioned elsewhere "grain of salt" being the default American, as far as I've heard.
In American English we have lots of idioms that mean roughly the same thing as "going south". I've used "go pear-shaped" here, but also "go sideways", "go wonky", and "go off the rails".
We're beginning to see several of these UK idioms in the US, especially "a storm in a teacup" and "to sweep something under the carpet". It might be a regionalism but, here in Texas, I've heard "to whip a dead horse" more than the "beat" variety. I've come across "to call a spade a spade" sometimes too.
Am I the only one who doesn't even care about the lessons and just watches her videos, because have a huge CRUSH on her????
Lucy you are the cutest and quirkiest human being 🥰
Hello dragon
I have a question?
@@هۆشیارکردنەوەیخەڵکی No, you don't have.
"To sweep something under the carpet" is used in the US as well.
Croatian idiom meaning "storm in a teacup" would be "Tresla se brda, rodio se miš". Mountains were shaking, but only a mouse was born".
Here in Portugal we say "bate na madeira" which is the exact translation of knock on wood, I found it very interesting that in Britain and in America you have a similar phrase
Loved!! So many idioms I didn't know!!
Hello Lucy, I'm from Russia and we obviously have our versions of the idioms. One specifically has caught my mind.
A storm on a teacup we in Russia say To make an elephant out of a fly.
eg. Nobody remembers that you danced on the table last night, don't make an elephant out of a fly
Your voice is so calming!
The movie *The Wizard of Oz* has many puns in it. The scarecrow is discussing whether he should go with Dorothy or not. It always seemed to me that our heroes were heading north to find the Wizard in the Emerald City.
The scarecrow was reluctant, but Dorothy said, "You won't be any more south than you are now." meaning both the southerly direction and condition of his life.
I am a multigenerational American. We use the expression to call a spade a spade out here. I am familiar with to call it as one sees it but some of us say I'm calling it like I see it. By the way, we also say to cram for exams.
I've literally never heard "tempest in a teapot" but I like it. Love the alliteration.
I've also never heard "hard cheese" despite being British
I've also never heard anyone pronounce "rant" as "raaarnt" like you do, except for my brother. I always though he was just wrong but I guess not.
Ok so here are some Polish equivalents to English ones:
>"To kill two birds with one stone" is "To bake two roasts on one fire" (if that makes sense), >"speaking of the devil" is "speaking of the wolf",
>"to take something with a grain of salt" is "to treat something with a blinked(?)/closed eye" (basically what I mean is like those memes when something isn't right and a person looks through almost closed eyes)
>"ups and downs" is "flights and falls"
>"a piece of cake" is "a bun with butter"
>"clear as day" is "bright as the sun"
>"don’t teach your grandmother how to suck eggs" is "don’t teach a father how to “make” children" (yes, we say that😂 sometimes with mother instead of father)
>"to be caught between the devil and the deep blue sea" is "to be caught between a hammer and an anvil"
>"truth will out" is "a lie has short legs"
>"to bite off more than one can chew" is "to lunge at the sun with a hoe/mattock" (don't know which word is correct in English"
>"Man proposes, God disposes" is "Man shoots, The Lord carries the bullets"
>"a drowning man clutches at straws" is "a drowning man catches a razor"
>"don't count your chicken before they are hatched" is "don't divide the skin on a bear"
>"fall on deaf ears" is "throwing peas onto a wall"
>"pull one's leg" is "to tamp someone into a bottle"
>"dull as dishwasher" is "dull like tripe/chitterlings in oil"
>"once in a blue moon" is "once in a Russian/Ruthenian year" (we have no idea why)
>"it never rains but it pours" we can say two different ways: "bad luck walks in pairs" or "a poor one has always wind blowing into the eyes"
>"ugly as sin" is 'ugly as night" (I have no idea why, i like the night, maybe it's because of all the scary folk tales about monsters roaming the nights)
In my 50 yrs in the US have never heard "pinch of salt" used except for cooking. Its always "with a grain of salt" to express skepticism.
15:33 when she said ‘’a lot politicians like to sweep something under the carpet. For example...’’, i actually though she was about to spill some tea about some politicians’ scandals. Lol
Thank you for yet another wonderful lesson Miss Earl. 😊😊❤❤ Honestly, I simply can't thank you enough for the impact that your invaluable teachings have had on me ever since I came across this amazing channel. 🤗🤗💝💝. Your lessons have certainly been of great help in talking up my English skills a notch higher. 😊😊♥️♥️♥️♥️. You're an inspiration to millions across the globe and I look up to you as a role model of mine. 😃😃💖💖💖💖
Looking forward to more such intriguing lessons from your end Miss Earl. 😊😊💓💓
Love you. ❤❤❤❤
P. S. That new hairstyle looks great on you. 😍😍😍😍
That a gorgeous comment! Thanks so much!!
You're most welcome Ma'am. 😊❤
That's interesting about #8! I'm an American from New Jersey and grew up saying "grain of salt". I guess "pinch of salt" is more of a Southern thing. Also, both versions of #17. We say "cram" honestly probably more than "hit the books". Still, we do use both often.
Its interesting to find phrases that are equal or very close in absolutely different languages. In Russian we say "skeletons in the cupboard" too, but instead of "a drop in the ocean / bucket" we say "a drop in the sea"))
14:31 my favorite part
Tri Sutyanto You are a naughty, naughty boy! You really should keep your mind on more elevated themes. ('In a whisper' I must agree with you though, would be great on a continuous loop) Now apologize and don't let me catch you doing that again!
Some minor quibbles. In the US we say grain of salt, to call a spade a spade, etc., or at least where I have lived on the east coast
It might be a regional distinction, but I’ve never heard anyone say “Take it with a pinch of salt” in the Midwest. It’s always grain of salt in that expression. You say pinch of salt when you’re cooking or doing tequila shots.
"To cram" in Britain can also be said in America as, "pull an all - nighter."
I don't know if it's regional -many English settled in North Carolina, and they still speak "The Queen's English" there-and Scots-Irish settled in the Appalachian Mountains and Smokey Mountains (Eastern American mountain ranges), ands parts west of that, including Kentucky (my state).
I say "to cram for an exam." Cramming is familiar to us. It's like trying to crunch a bunch of information in my head for the exam next morning, next hour, or next five minutes.
Turkish and English have many common expressions. For example Better late than never- we say: geç olsun güç olmasın.
There has been lot's of water under the lot's bridges. we say köprünün altından çok sular aktı :)
Who say with me : lucy the best coach in the world to learn British
It's also true that many British tv series have a lot of success in USA...but they're all REMAKES!
That blows me away every time.
Not all of them - some of the originals are successful, including Fawlty Towers, Doctor Who, Absolutely Fabulous, Sherlock, Downton Abbey.
Men Behaving Badly
To get itchy feet
Hard cheese
To take something with a grain of salt
To have a go at someone
To call a spade a spade
Peaks and trough
A Strom in a teacup
Touchwood
To throw a spanner in the works
To flog a dead horse
To sweep something under the carpet
Skeletons in the cupboard
To blow your own trumpet
To not touch something with a bargepole
Swings and roundabouts
To bang on about something
A drop in the ocean
To queue up
To cram
To put someone right
To be out of order
To go pear shaped
Lucy what's the pronounciation of ouija
Wee-jah.
It's pronounced ouija
It’s French.
In the U.S. you'll mostly hear it pronounced "wee-jee"
@Morry Bee yeah! Any problem
U r an amazing teacher❤hats off to ur teaching skills🤗
7:24
Tequila 😮🇲🇽
I loved that part
i want to thank you for the video Lucy, such an interesting lesson on differences between American and British accent, these days i focus on learning British accent, hovewer i have American friends , so it's not terrible to me and on your accent, it's one of the prettiest i've ever heard, greetings from Chile
7:05 ... um no... Us Americans say “With a grain of salt.” I’ve never heard ANYONE say a “pinch of salt”
I think she got it the wrong way round, because I'm British and I use "pinch of salt" and not "grain of salt" :)
I like these
1. A water off a duck's buck.
2. Risk life and limbs.
3. You're a chip off the old block.
4. A bird in the hand is worth, two in the bush. Bush in vulgar language is ... xD
In Italy, we say "A lavar la testa all'asino si perde acqua e sapone" that is something like "Trying to wash a donkey head is a soap and water wasting". I suppose it's similar to "to flog a dead horse".
Raffa.M. Sei Italiano?
The best teacher!!
🍏 Hooray! Idioms are awesome. Learning to use them (not just memorize them) is a great way to raise your English to a higher level because they're used by native speakers ALL THE TIME. No joke. ALL THE TIME. Next step: using them in conversation to communicate more like a native speaker. Thanks for the great video! 😎👍🍎
thanks a lot again Lucy❤
How funny, I had my primary education in Singapore and the idioms we learnt were a mix of British & American versions.
Anyway, I love your videos, Lucy. I watch them when I need to refresh my English. Love from 🇲🇾
In Australia, we use a mixture of these and our own. Interesting to see the difference.
7:10 lol I say both, grain and pinch. I alternate lol
12:03 actually we more commonly say "OH GOSH GOTTA CRAM" vs "OH GOSH GOTTA HIS THEM BOOKS HARDDD" idk just never hear anyone say they're gonna hit the books.
I'm American and so many of the British versions are the ones we say and I've never heard the American version lmao. I have never once heard anyone say, "Tempest in a teapot".
You are very well-informed, but I must say that the expression, “To take something with a grain of salt,” is very common in American English. I’ve heard many times throughout my life. I live in Northern California.
The german version for "skeletons ins the cupboard" would be "leichen im keller" which translates to "corpses in the cellar"
Miss Earl would you make a video describing the rules regarding appropriate application of tenses.
A lot of expressions are here and many new vocabulary is being used especially the British idioms
love the lesson. thanx lucy
I have two reasons to watch your videos. I want to learn english and you are stunningly beautiful.
6:15 I'd really love using this phrase. Even though I'm actually Brazilian.
“Grain of salt” and “have a go” are used more often than their counterpart in the US.
It is supremely fantastic that you have such a passion for English! 😄
Hey Lucy! Some advice on your videos! You better explain all the words in idioms like tooting your horn. How many learners do you guess know the verb "to toot". So few I reckon. And multiple examples would be perfect. The more we listen to the more we learn. Cheers.
Omg Lucy...I had told you on Instagram to change your hairstyle a little bit by putting all of it on the front ...And here it is.....You are so beautiful
Lucy keep making videos about British and american english please
Terrific I love that it's absolutely useful
Actually we say take with a grain of salt as well
Tempest in a teapot I haven't heard we usually use "Making a mountain out of a mole hill or (ant hill)
Southern US uses call a spade a spade.
Cram - we use cram as in cramming for a test.
Itchy feet we would say they caught a bout of wanderlust
Next time can you talk about some unique culture in England?😍
I'm too excited to know more about British culture.😊
6:14 “I’m not superstitious.........but I am a little stitious.”
Love to listen you..... You're an amazing english teacher
Hey Lucy I've been learning English through your channel for months. I am from India and English is not my first language. It would be very kind of you if you make a video about how to use some certain words like indeed, nevertheless, although. I have so much confusion using those words. Please help me. And sorry for any mistake if my English is incorrect.
You are very good teacher.
Love you.❣️
Amazing job Lucy,
Thank you ,teacher
Thank you very much for these videos.
I'm not supertitious, I'm just British XD love this woman! Very useful video:)
How's your holiday? I watched many videos on your instastory 😍😍
Thank you Ermita! We had a fabulous time xxx
No8 and no14 Iv always used the American version since I was a kid. For no15 Iv used both English and American versions.
As an American I’ve never heard or used it as “a pinch of salt” we use “grain of salt” also. Same goes for the “drop in the ocean” we Americans use that, and not “drop in a bucket”. We use both “spade a spade” and “call it as I see it”.
Also I’ve never heard either of the teapot ones, English or American
Thanks