Lesson 302--Making the most of it

They're making the most of their vacation.

 

An important English phrase is "make the most of it".  This means to take full advantage of a situation.  People often use this when they want to explain why they are doing so much, often in a short time or when they are on vacation.

examples

George rarely takes vacation, but when he does he tries hard to make the most of it.  He does a lot of activities and tours.

We only have a few days left, so we had better make the most of them.

If your vacation is short you have to make the most of it.

Melanie thought summer was too short in Toronto, so she made the most of it.

Make the most of your trip to EC Toronto.

Lesson 296--Vocabulary for losing your job

 

Words that mean you have lost your job.

English is full of words that mean you have lost your job.  Here are some examples.

You're fired.

You are being asked to leave.

We are letting you go.

You're sacked.

We're giving you the boot.

It's time you moved on.

Today's your last day at work here.

Basically the same, but maybe you lost your job because of the economy

Were downsizing your position.

We're restructuring and there isn't a position for you.

We're laying you off.

You're being made redundant.

You're laid off.

We're laying you off.

We've outsourced your role in the company.

Lesson 295--It Rings A Bell

 

When something sounds familiar, we often use this phrase.  Although it is quite common, it is not considered cliché.

examples

A:  Do you know Jimmy Matthews?

B:  His name rings a bell.

I can't remember Mark Smith, but his name rings a bell.

It doesn't have to be about people.  It can be about things as well.

A:  Have you heard the song "Love is Battlefield"?

B:  The title rings a bell.  How does it go?

Lesson 280--make do with/without



If it's good enough for the Bolt

 

 

If you can make do with something, it means that it is sufficient enough to survive.  If you can make do without something, it means that it really isn't necessary.

examples

After checking the fridge, John said that they could make do with the food they had.

Jonathon's salary was small, but he could make do with it.  His life wouldn't be luxurious, but it would be fine.

Dennis was going to store and asked if they needed more milk or if they could make do with what they had.

Although she wanted a PS4, Theresa said she could make do without one.

There were no batteries for the flashlight, so they would have to made do without it.

Philip's phone plan was out of minutes and he didn't know how he was going to make do without his phone.

Lesson 239--Slackers

Slackers Celebrate

I asked my students about their experiences in groups or teams.  They had some funny stories.  I heard several people explain that in at least one project their teammates did absolutely no work and they had to do everything,  It is with this idea that I present some useful phrases that relate to a situation like that.

to slack off: this means to do very little or no work.

A slacker
 

 

examples

When Jimmy started slacking off, his team leader yelled at him.

All of the members of Maria's team started to slack off before the end of the project.  As a result she had to do most of the work.

slacker:  someone who slacks off (usually quite often)

 

examples

Greg had a bad reputation as a slacker.

Because Daniela was a terrible slacker, nobody wanted to work with her.

to pick up the slack:  to do work that other people are not doing

 

examples

Phyllis had to pick up the slack when several of her team members got sick.

 

If they were going to finish the project on time, the remaining members would have to pick up the slack.

Lesson 228--Taking a Page from Someone's Playbook

 

This expression is used to indicate you are copying someone's behaviour or strategy.  It is a very useful idiom, and not too complicated.

examples

Taking a page from his sister's playbook, he told his mother and father two different stories about where he was going that night.

Taking a page from father's playbook, Maurice went to sleep before his wife could yell at him for being drunk.

Matthew took a page from his brother's playbook when he wanted to borrow the family car.  It worked exactly as it did for his brother.

Jennifer decided to take a page from her best friend's playbook when she wanted a new dress.  She started crying before she asked for the money to buy the dress.

Lesson 227--I call shotgun

I call shotgun

In life in North America, riding in the front passenger seat is seen as very desirable.  There is often a lot of competition for this.  Often you will see characters say the phrase, "I call shotgun," or "shotgun".  This means that they are declaring that they will sit in the front passenger seat.

This expression originated when people driving wagons needed someone to sit next to them with a shotgun for protection.  These days, no gun is required.

Check out this video.  I don't agree exactly with all the rules, but they make some good points.

 

 

Lesson 226--Finder's Keepers, Loser's Weepers.

 

 

 

I don't have any examples for you, but I thought you should know this phrase.  It is a short lesson, but I think it is a good one.

Honestly, this is more kid's language than language for adults.  However, you will hear this in movies and on TV.  Of course, you might actually be playing with kids and you will probably hear this too.

This means that, if you find it, it's yours.  Somebody lost it, and all they can do is cry.  Basically, this is something you say when you find something you know somebody is looking for.  It is your only justification for keeping it.

Lesson 225--to butt in/ cut in

 

Nobody is butting in.

In life we all have to line up sometimes.  It isn't fun, but it is a part of life.  It is extremely frustrating when someone butts in line, or cuts in line.  This can lead to arguing and sometimes fighting.

examples

I like this one.

Margo thought no one was looking when she cut in line.  The girl behind her noticed and pulled her hair very hard.

In the supermarket you have to take a number to wait your turn.  This is so no one can butt in line.

Lesson 221--Not up to scratch, Not up to par

Maybe this food isn't up to par.
 

English is full of phrases to say you're not good enough, or it's not good enough.  One of my favourites is "not up to scratch or not up to par."  (These are both golf related idioms)

examples

How is the chef's cooking?

It really isn't up to scratch/par.

I want to hire him, but his French isn't up to scratch/par and that is an important part of the job.

If you're skills aren't up to scratch/par, maybe you should take a course.