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.

Lesson 220--Can't Seem To....

She can't seem to stay awake.

Sometimes we are just not able to do something, even though we put in some effort.  While we can express this kind of thing with can't, it is a little softer if we use the phrase "can't seem to".  Take a look at the following examples, and see what I mean.

He can't be on time.

He is never on time.

He can't seem to be on time.

Of these, the last one is a little bit less critical sounding.

Here are some other examples

Tsewang can't catch the early bus.

Tsewang never catches the early bus.
Tsewang can't seem to catch the early bus.

** Sorry Tsewang, but you are the perfect example. (if only I had a picture of you at the bus stop)

Lesson 219--Understanding Words with Multiple Meanings

funky (cool)

English can be hard language to learn.  One problem is that words sometimes take on two different and sometimes contradictory meanings.  For today's lesson, I would like to introduce two of them to you.  The important thing is to look at the context.

Funky

Funky can mean trendy but unusual, abnormal but still cool in a way.  It can also mean smelling bad.

examples

funky (bad smell)

She's got on some funky clothes. (good)

This meat smells funky. (bad)

That is one funky design. (good)

There is something funky in the refrigerator. (bad)

Sick

Sick can mean cool and radical, and it can also mean unhealthy and ill.

examples

That is one sick looking car. (cool)

She looks sick. (unhealthy...the meaning of cool doesn't usually refer to people)

The design of the new MacBook Air is sick, seriously sick! (cool)

After lunch I felt so sick. (unhealthy)

Lesson 218--Rusty and Out of Practice

Two fantastic phrases to use when describing your performance when you haven't done something in a while are rusty and out of practice.  I haven't played tennis since last summer, so I will be using both of these phrases when I finally play a game.

Note, rusty is also the brown oxidation on metal when you leave it outside--hopefully you can see the connection between the two uses.

examples.

My Japanese is rusty.  I haven't spoken in a long time.

My Japanese is not good these days.  I guess I am out of practice.

Since I got a computer, my handwriting skills have become rusty.

I am just a little rusty.  A bit more practice and I will be better.

• What are you out of practice in?  What are you rusty at (note the preposition when using an object)?  Please post your answers in the comment section.

Lesson 217 --In Shape and how to get there and stay there

This is an awesome picture.

 

 

English uses the verb "be", "stay" and "get" to make some subtle, but important distinctions.  In today's lesson we are going to use the idea of "in shape".

be in shape = be fit

get in shape = work hard, hoping to be fit, or becoming fit

stay in shape = maintain your fitness level.

 

John is in shape.  John is in better shape than Adam.  Adam is in horrible shape.

Pamela is going to the gym 6 times a week.  She wants to get in shape for the summer.

Manuel has taken up jogging to stay in shape.

Lesson 216--settle down

The first thing the teacher will do is ask them to settle down.

The phrase settle down has two meanings.

settle down = be quiet, be calm

After a few minutes the crowd settled down.

The boys were too excited and found it hard to settle down.

settle down = decided to give up wandering, give up constantly moving

After living in a lot of different cities, Grace decided to settle down in Toronto.

Every tells Paul he should settle down and have a family.

Sean vows never to settle down.  He is rebel.

Lesson 215--Work Out and Workout

The phrase "work out" has more than one meaning.  Both of them are useful, and both of them are worth learning.

She's working out

work out = exercise

Brian worked out for three hours yesterday.

Martha works out every day before work.

It can be used as a noun (workout)

Amanda's workout wasn't so hard.

Preparing for the triathlon was a very hard workout.

Can you work this one out?

work out = figure out/solve

Matthew couldn't work out the solution to the problem.

Tracy and Peter were fighting, but everyone knew they would work things out.

There is no noun in this usage.