Lesson 310--Be up to something

 

We use this phrase to indicate that a person is doing something sneaky, bad, illegal, deceptive, tricky or unfair.

examples

When Mellissa volunteered to clean the kitchen, her parents knew she was up to something.

"I don't like it.  He is up to something," John explained.

The teacher was suspicious that the students were up to something during the exam.

The judge knew the accused was up to something, but the lawyers couldn't prove it.

"What are you up to?" the Policeman asked the driver.

Lesson 193--negative vocabulary

a seedy motel

Even though the weekend is nearly here, I seem to be in a less than excited mood.  As a result, I am going to teach you some less than happy vocabulary

sketchy:  We use this word to describe things that are illegitimate, illegal, slightly illegal, dirty, nasty and unsafe.

e.g.      That neighbourhood is very sketchy.

            Paul's plans were so sketchy that nobody wanted to participate.

            The whole thing was rather sketchy.  I am glad it's over.

 

seedy:  We use this to describe things that are illegal, dirty and less than desirable.

e.g.      The nightclub looked too seedy for Barbara.

            The hotel manager was seedy looking.

            The apartment was seedy and very few people wanted to rent it.