Lesson 292--Talking About Winter

 

For many of my students, experiencing winter in Canada was one interesting experience that they will probably never forget.  I would just like to give them some phrases they can use when talking about the cold weather and winter in general.

When you enter a house or apartment and you want to explain it was snowing outside,  use this phrase.

It's really coming down out here/there!

If you want to make friends at the bus stop, use this phrase.

It's so cold I can see my breath.

My feet are freezing!

I can't wait for summer.

I wish I were on a beach somewhere.....anywhere but here.

I can't feel my toes.

Lesson 197--Using the word sale

 

Everybody has to shop, so you should be ready to do it in English.  Here are some confusing words you are going to have to master.

 

Be on sale:  This means that the price is lower than normal.

e.g. The PS4 is on sale at the electronic Superstore.

Go on sale:  This means they will start selling this product.

e.g. The new iPod goes on sale Friday.

For sale: This just means you can buy it.  It is available to buy.

e.g. The beautiful house is for sale.

Selling:  This is used to describe who sells the product or which store sells the product.

e.g. The Future Shop is selling the biggest TV in Canada.

e.g. Jacob is selling his car.

Lesson 194--a bunch of expression using "under"

 

 

Most of my students seem to know the phrase "under the table" and mostly correct when they use it.  It got me thinking that there are quite a few "under" expressions that they should know.  So I have picked a few that I like.

Under pressure/Under the gun:  These are both used in situations when there is a lot of pressure on you to do something, complete something, or in the case of sports, perform at a very critical time.

Under your breath:  When you say something (usually bad) but you don't want the person to hear. Example:  He swore under his breath but the teacher heard him and sent him to the principal's office.

Under the wire:  When you complete something just in time. Example:  His project was due on Friday by 5:00.  He got it done just under the wire.

Under the radar:  If you try to do something without letting other people know, you are doing it under the radar.

Lesson 143--Winter Vocabulary

Winter is truly upon us, so we had better learn the vocabulary to deal with it.  I have added pictures to make it easier.

 

icicles--the sometimes jagged and cone shaped ice formations that drip from eaves troughs and other parts of buildings

 

 

slush--the ugly, half melted snow that builds up beside the road.

 

 

snow fort--usually a child built wall hoping to protect them in a snowball fight.

 

 

snow balls--just like it sounds, balls made of snow.  The preferred weapons in a winter fight.

 

snowshoes--shoes that make it easy to walk across snow for long distances.