So much for that idea~!

So much for X

Today we're looking at a set phrase that we use to declare that we tried something or we were going to do something but now we've given up, usually due to circumstances beyond our control.

Fred: Did you hear it's going to rain this weekend?

Henry: So much for going camping. 

(due to the rain we need to give up on our plan to go camping)

Fred: Yeah, that sucks. Why don't we go see a movie instead?

-----------

Peter: Ok, turn it on and let's see if it works.

(pow! the computer sparks and gives off smoke)

John: Ouch! Turn it off, so much for that idea. We'll have to try something else.

So as you can see when something can't happen or doesn't work you can announce that you are giving up on X and ready to move on to a new option.

Sara: How're things with Paula?

Gareth: We broke up, she was cheating on me. So much for that relationship.

Sara: I'm sorry to hear that. I think Jenny likes you though.

Gareth: Really? She's cute, can I have her number?

Have a nice week,

Phil

How do you like being a dentist?

Hi everyone, today's post will look at a useful phrase you can use when talking about someone's job.

How do you like being X?

This is a question you can use when discussing someone's current state such as their job, being a father/mother/grandfather/uncle, in a band, etc.

When you answer you usually use one of two structures: one for positive feelings and one for negative ones.

It's negative adjective. I have to (do something unpleasant).

or

It's positive adjective. I get to (do something pleasant).

In the negative structure, you are forced to do something and so you don't enjoy your situation.

In the positive structure, you are permitted to do something and so you like your situation.

Let's look at some examples:

A: How do you like being married?

B: It's great. I get to be with the love of my life.

-------


A: How do you like being a factory worker?

B: It's so boring. I have to do the same thing all day everyday.

-------

A: How do you like being a doctor.

B: It's tough but rewarding. I get to save lives.

------

A: How do you like being on the basketball team?

B: It's fun. I get to spend a lot of time with my friends.

------

A: How do you like being a freelancer?

B: It's hard. I always have to look for new clients.


Any questions? Have a nice weekend,

Phil

Typical.

Hey everyone, today we'll look at a casual usage of the word typical. This is an adjective that means regular, usual, standard, average, etc. It basically means that something matches a particular group or type.

A: What do you do on a typical day at work?

B: I prepare lessons, talk to students and teach classes.

It can be used as the adverb typically.

Typically Japanese houses are rebuilt every 30 years.

Now the usage of typical I want to look at today is casual English. It acts as a kind of negative さすが. It's used when someone does something wrong or bad but that person often does that kind of thing. So it's their typical behavior.

She cancelled your date at the last minute again? Typical.

Student: I forgot to do my homework.

Teacher: Typical. You'll have to stay after school today.

You're husband was out late with co-workers, that's so typical of him!

As you can see it is regularly, or typically, used as a one wonder answer when someone shares information.

Kenta: The JR Tokaido line is delayed again today.

Yuko: Typical.


Gerry: My boss was in a bad mood again today.

Sam: Typical.

Gerry: Yeah, I think his wife yelled at him again for coming home so late.

You can find the Japanese definition on weblio here. The examples we've been looking at are under 2b:

【叙述的用法の形容詞】 〔+of+(代)名〕〔…の〕特徴を示して.

用例

It's typical of him to forget to bring a present. プレゼントを持ってくるのを忘れるとはいかにも彼らしい.

But as I said, when used in this way it is generally, or typically, used to describe a NEGATIVE behavior.

Have a nice week,

Phil

Well, technically speaking...

Today we'll look at the expression "technically" this is used in modern English when we want to say that while something is true on paper but it may not be true in actuality.

A: You're married?!?!?

B: Well, technically I'm still married but we've been separated for 2 years and are in the middle of getting a divorce.

So this is used to express that based on precise facts or a specific definition X is true BUT in reality it may not be all that true.

Technically most Japanese people are Buddhists. If you ask them "What religion do you follow?" they'll answer "I'm Buddhist". Actually though, most Japanese people don't read about Buddha or go to temples all that often or pray to Buddha so really they're not all that Buddhist. It's like in Europe where most Europeans are technically Christian but don't really go to Church anymore.

As you can see it is used to contrast two levels of truth, an objective & subjective truth.

A: Do you still work at Panasonic?

B: Yeah, technically I still work there but I quit last month and have been using my vacation days. Even though I no longer go to the office, my last official work day will be in 2 weeks.

You can find a nice discussion about the usage of technically here. Any questions?

Phil

Do I hear wedding bells?

Have you ever heard this expression?

People use it to comment on someone else's relationship. When you hear someone talking about a boyfriend/girlfriend in a really happy loving excited way someone might ask you this question!

Jill: Jack's such a great guy, handsome, kind, funny. I can't wait for you to meet him!

Kris: So, do I hear wedding bells?

Jill: Well, it's only been a few months but...

"Do I hear wedding bells?" is a cute fun way to ask someone "Would you marry them?" or "Do you think you're gonna marry them?". So the verb to hear wedding bells means that you think someone will get married (usually soon).

Josephine: I hear your grandson's dating a doctor.

Francesca: Yes, I hear wedding bells in their future!


Have a nice week,

Phil

We go way back...

This weekend one of my ex-students & good friends came into town for a visit so I thought I'd introduce a few expressions you can use in casual English to say that you've known someone for a long time.

We go way back.

You often use this when introducing an old friend or someone you've known for a very long time.

Alice: Kay,I had no idea you knew Jerry.

Kay: Yeah, we go way back but I haven't seen him in years. We kind of lost touch.

To lose touch with someone is when you lose contact with them & don't know what they are doing anymore...

Another way of saying the same thing:

We go back a long way.

Fred: How long have you been friends with Jack.

Jim: Jack? Oh, we go back a long way... maybe 15-20 years.

Fred: Wow, that's a long time!

Have a great week,

Phil

Close but no Cigar

Hey guys, sorry I haven't posted in awhile but I've been busy with many things since I got back from Europe. Including my other blog: Kansai Beer Lovers & it's Facebook Page. But I thought it was high time(which means the appropriate or urgent time) that I get off my lazy butt and post some English tips~!

Today we are looking at the popular saying close but no cigar. This came from the days when carnival games would give out cigars as prizes in the US during the early 20th century. It basically means you almost won. It means you came close to succeeding but no prize for you.

In terms of usage it is most often used by your opponent. This is something the carnival staff would say when you nearly won the game.

Al: I knocked down 3 glasses one more and I get the biggest prize!

(throws the ball and misses)

Carnie: Close but no cigar, better luck next time kid.

Carnie is North American slang for someone who works at a carnival.

You could also use it when talking to yourself or friends to describe nearly getting what you want or almost winning.

Glen: Did you get the promotion?

Harry: Close but no cigar, I got a raise though.

Glen: Not bad!

--------
(playing a crane claw game at an arcade)

Dan: Almost there, just a little more... now.

(misses the Nitendo DS)

Dan: Oh! Close but no cigar. Ok one more try...

In Japanese it means: もう一歩の or すれすれの. You can find more about this expression on weblio or on phrases dot org. Another good example would be when talking about online auctions on ebay or similar sites...

Tim: Did you win the auction for that new pc?

Jim: Nah, close but no cigar... I lost by just 25 cents!

Tim: That sucks dude.

Ok everyone that's it for now. I'll leave you with a song by Weird Al Yankovic called "Close but no Cigar!

Let's get this over with...

Hey guys, here's a quick lesson for the weekend. Have you heard this expression before?

get (something) over with

This is a set phrase people use when they have to do something but DON'T want to do it. In that situation it is better to get it over with and finish it as quickly as possible.

Ugh, dinner with my in-laws? Ok, let's get this over with...

Alright, neither of us wants to be here. The faster we start the faster we finish. Let's get it over with as quickly as possible so we can both go home.

I wish my results would arrive! I want to get all this waiting over with!

Have a nice weekend,

Phil

It's the best money can buy!

Hey everyone, have you heard this expression before?

The best money can buy.

It's usually used by someone who is boasting. Boast in Japanese is 自慢 (じまん). This expression is used to talk about something you bought when you want to say it is very high quality while indirectly adding that it was very expensive without mentioning the exact price. This means it is a bit more polite expression that you can use when you bought something that is really new and cool and you're proud of your purchase.

Al: Hey Bob, nice laptop!

Bob: Thanks Bob, it's the best money can buy. It has all the latest features and the best processors on the market.

Al: Cool, let me try it out.

Any questions?

Phil

When in Rome...

Do you know what this famous saying means?

It is the short form of:

When in Rome do as the Romans do

In Japanese, you'd say 郷に入っては、郷に従え (ごうにいってはごうにしたがえ). We use this to say that when you are in a new environment you should do what the local people are doing. It is such a common saying that it is often shortened to "When in Rome..."

The most common usage is you are travelling or somewhere new with your friend and suddenly you see some strange or different behavior and are not sure if you want to join in and try something new.

Al: What kind of meat is this?

Bill: I think it's whale meat...

Al: Whale!? I don't want to eat whale!

Bill: When in Rome...

Al: Well, ok. I'll try a bite.

----

Craig: What!?! Some kid just sprayed water on me!

Sam: Oh, I think it's Songkran the water festival. Just spray him back!   

Craig: Well, you know what they say: "When in Rome..."

Sam: "...do as the Romans do!"

Have a nice Golden Week,

Phil

  

I need a good excuse vs. I need a good reason

Hey everyone, do you guys know the different nuance between these two sentences?

I need a good excuse

This means that you WANT TO DO something but you need a pretext (託つける - かこつける) to do it. 

A: I want to see what Terry's new girlfriend looks like.

B: She's at his place right now just go over and say hi.

A: But I need a good excuse to go over there, if I just suddenly show up it'll look strange.

B: Why don't you return that book you borrowed?

A: Good idea! That's a great excuse.

I need a good reason

This means that you DON'T WANT TO do something so someone has to persuade ( 説き付ける - ときつける) you do to it. You might also hear people say "give me a good reason".

C: I need your help.

D: Why should I help you? You're always mean to me~!

C: Please, I really need to pass this test.

D: Give me a good reason why I should help you?

C: If you help me pass I promise I'll stop being so mean to you.

D: That's not good enough, how do I know you'll keep your promise? Try again, I need a good reason.

C:  OK, I'll apologize to you in front of the whole school will you help me then?

D: You got a deal!

Any questions?

Have a good week,

Phil  

It's no big deal.

I have talked about a good deal before, it means that something was good value for money. You can see that lesson here. Today, we will look at the usage of deal in the expression:

a big deal

This is a situation, subject or event which people think is important. It is often used to highlight something as important.

Alice: Did you hear? Ted got the promotion!

Bill: Wow, that's a big deal isn't it?

Alice: Yeah, his salary will double and he'll have lots more responsibility.

Bill: Good for him! 

It can also be used to be modest and humble(謙辞 - けんじ). In this case, you will say "it's no big deal" or "it's not a big deal". 

A: I hear you got 100% on your test.

B: Yeah, it's no big deal.

A: Don't be so modest! You worked hard for that grade.

 ------
C: Weren't you on TV for rescuing those kids?

D: It was not a big deal. I'm a firefighter, I was just doing my job.

Any questions?

Phil

Brace yourself~!

Hey everyone, my friend used this in an email to me last weekend and it made me smile. I hadn't heard it in a long time! He wrote:  

"We're on our way. Brace yourselves."

Do you understand what he meant? A brace is something that holds two pieces together or a part of a building that helps to keep walls or roofs standing. Brace yourself is a sailing term. It is used when a big wave or storm is coming. It means get ready for something big! Hold on tight so you don't fall off the boat!

So my friend was saying get ready for us!

You can use this whenever something big is about to happen. You are warning the people you are with to get ready and hold on tight.

A: We're gonna crash!
B: Aaaah... brace yourself!
$%%#%CRASH%$^&

Dan: Brace yourself, I have big news!
Ben: What's happening?
Dan: I quit my job!
Ben: REALLY? Why?
Dan: I'm starting my own business.
Ben: Good luck.

Let's all have an exciting October~!

Phil

I'm dead tired...

Hey guys, I am now back in my hometown after a grueling trip that took over a day! Grueling means physically or mentally demanding to the point of exhaustion. The trip was fine and I even got upgraded to business class but traveling internationally these days is such a hassle with all the lines (security, immigration customs), paperwork and flight delays.

Anyways, right now I am feeling jet lagged (jisa boke in Japanese) and exhausted from my trip but happy to be back. So, today we will look at the casual English expression:

to be dead tired

It simply means that you are super tired, you are exhausted, you don't have any energy left to do anything.

Tracy: Sam ya wanna go out dancing?

Sam: Nah, I'm dead tired. I was helping out at my Uncle's farm all day.

Tracy: Wow, sounds exhausting. How about we go to a day spa and relax?

Sam: That sounds nice, but... how about tomorrow? I think if I go today, I'll fall asleep in the hot tub!

Tracy: OK, get some rest and see you tomorrow!

Any questions?

Phil

A repost of an interesting post from bakadesuyo.com

Hey guys, I came across a great post on bakadesuyo.com a nice blog that talks about all kinds of pyschological studies. This one goes over many common sayings and ideas that people believe are true...


Check it out here or click through to the original~!


Which old sayings are true and which are false?


"Men think about sex every seven seconds"

Nope. More like an average of every 158 seconds.

"Nice guys finish last"

It depends. Over the long run, being a nice guy can lead to happiness, success and good relationships. On the other hand, they aren't as likely to end up in prestigious positions or to be chosen as leaders when times are tough. Rude people have higher credit scores and jerks make more money. And it can be hell on your love life: young women and women who most enjoy sex prefer bad boys.

"The light that burns twice as bright burns half as long"

Probably.

"Early to bed, early to rise, makes a man healthy, wealthy and wise"

Morning people are more proactive and happier. On the other hand, night owls are smarter. And male night owls do better with the ladies.

"When you smile the whole world smiles with you"

Smiling makes others more likely to smile.

"Money can't buy happiness"

As a general rule, money does not increase happiness much after our basic needs are met. However, money can increase happiness if we spend it the right way and especially if we spend it on other people. More money can make you less happy.

"Sleep on it"

Yes, sleeping on it improves decision-making.

"Sex sells"

Not in movies.

"Home cooking tastes better"

Comfort food does comfort us and grandmom's cookies do taste better than other cookies.

"Smart people lack common sense"

Possibly.

"Stocks are riskier than bonds"

Only sometimes.

"Think positive"

Only works for some people.

"If momma ain't happy, ain't nobody happy"

There's some truth to it.

"Women talk on the phone more than men"

Women make fewer phone calls but their calls last longer.

"Gaydar"

Yes.

"Attractive women make men stupid"

True. In fact, just thinking about attractive women makes men dumb.

"Flattery will get you nowhere"

Wrong.

"I need my beauty sleep"

Confirmed.

"I don't like the look of his face"

People are able to tell who is kind, trustworthy, a criminal, a psychopath and a Nobel Peace Prize winner at above chance levels just by faces. You can tell a lot about someone by their face.

"Surprise me"

On second thought, don't.

"Porn causes rape"

Actually, it reduces it: "It has been found everywhere it was scientifically investigated that as pornography has increased in availability, sex crimes have either decreased or not increased."

"Long distance relationships never work"

They're more stable.

"We need to get tough on crime"

Harsh prison conditions increase recidivism.

"I'll sleep when I'm dead"

Cheat yourself on sleep and you'll suffer the consequences, even if you don't notice.

"Kids who sit at the front of the class do better"

They do.

"Fast talking salesman"

Fast-talkers can be more persuasive.

"Blinded by jealousy"

Real.

"Play hard to get"

It works.

"Blondes have more fun"

They do make more money.

"Advertising would be better if the models weren't so thin"

Actually, there's no way to win here.

"It's funny because it's true"

If the truth resonates with the listener, yes.

"All _____ people look alike"

For all of us, whenever people are a different race it's harder to tell them apart.

"You can tell a lot about a man by his handshake"

Absolutely. "Results showed that HGS was correlated with SHRs, aggressive behavior, age at first sexual intercourse, and promiscuity in males but not in females. HGS appears to be an honest signal for genetic quality in males."

"Happy wife, happy life"

When the husband is happier than the wife, couples are more likely to divorce.

"You can tell a lot about the author by what they write"

True.

"Giving is better than receiving"

Yes.

"My generation didn't behave like that when we were young"

Wrong. Even grandmom had premarital sex.

"It's the booze talking"

No, actually, that's you talking.

"Spanking is bad for kids"

Kids who were spanked behave better as teenagers.

"Having children makes you more like your parents"

Yes.

"The music you like says a lot about you"

True.

"Men want sex more than women"

Yes.

"Count your blessings"

Absolutely. It's one of the most scientifically validated ways to increase happiness.

"When I'm turned on, I'm like a totally different person"

It's true, and you'll do things you didn't think you ever would.

"Cleanliness is next to godliness"

When your desk is messy it's harder to focus.

"The woman in red"

Women wearing red are seen as more attractive.

"Older and wiser"

Yes, older people are wiser.

"Women find men who are attached more attractive"

True.

"Pricing something at $1.99 instead of $2 doesn't fool anyone"

Yes, it does.

"My soulmate"

Our real life partners rarely resemble our ideal partners and who you end up with is more a function of who is around you than what you want.

"I love all my kids the same"

No, you don't.

"The enemy of my enemy is my friend"

True.

"Crazy in love"

There is a connection between love and delusion.

"Life speeds up as you get older"

Yes. Subjectively, once you're 20, your life is half over. "Basically, if you're older than about 30, you're almost dead."

"TGIF!"

Your mood is pretty much the same on Friday as Monday.

"Stress kills"

Those who work the hardest, live the longest.

"A dog is a man's best friend"

Maybe.

"The love of money is the root of all evil"

Loving money does make people unhappy.

"Power reveals people's true colors"

Not exactly.

"Artists are more likely to be crazy"

Yes.

"Opposites attract"

More often than not, no, they don't.

"Be yourself"

Close. Be your best self.

"The good die young"

No, they live longer.

"You only use 10% of your brain"

False but the idea is so prevalent even 6% of neuroscientists agreed with it.

"Clothes make the man/Dress for success"

Definitely.

"Six degrees of separation"

Pretty much true.

"We regret most the things we didn't do"

Absolutely.

"Women marry men like their father/Men marry women like their mother"

There's some truth to it. Looking at photos, research subjects were able to tell (at a rate above chance) who was married to whom by looking for a resemblance between the bride and the groom's mother, or between the groom and bride's father. Interestingly, women are more likely to be attracted to men who look like dad - only if they had a good relationship with their father.

"Mid-life crisis"

It may be a total myth.

"Women are more romantic than men"

False. Studies show that, in general, men are actually more romantic than women. Men also say "I love you" first, have more positive recollections of their first kiss, and are more likely to end a relationship because it lacked "magic." Saying "I love you" means the most to men and women at different times.

"Stand up straight"

The military makes soldiers stand up straight for a reason; there's an implicit connection between posture and power that has been demonstrated time and time again. Want to increase confidence? Make yourself tougher? Write a better self-evaluation? Impress others? Stand up straight.

"Don't give in to peer pressure"

Wrong. More often than not kids are pressured into good things, not bad things. Kids who felt more peer pressure got better grades and had better relationships. Kids who were more independent had lower GPA's and were more likely to smoke, drink and shoplift.

You and me both buddy~!

Have you ever heard anyone say this before? I used it last week and my wife asked me what I meant so I decided to explain it to everyone online. It is similar to ME TOO. 

We use it when we want to show we share an opinion or thought. Mostly, it is used to express shared desires or regrets ESPECIALLY when the situation is unlikely to happen, it's just a dream... so it has a kind of rough feeling implying that it will never happen.

Andy:  I wish she wasn't marrying that jerk.
Bill: You and me both!

---------


Dan: Did you see that Ferrari? I want a car like that someday...
Helen: You and me both.


---------


Pat: I want to go to Oktoberfest.
Jim: You and me both!


Have a good Sunday,


Phil

Do blue eyes run in your family?

Today we will be looking at an idiom that is often used in a medical situation or when you are talking about your family.

~runs in the family

 This means that a characteristic is very common in your family.

Blue eyes run in our family.

Meaning many people have blue eyes in my family, my father, my grandfather, my brother, my cousins, my great-grandfather, etc.

Twins run in the family.

Meaning that many people in my family give birth to twins. My mother was a twin, my cousins had twins, my grand-father was a twin, etc.


This will sometimes show up when you talk about your family.

Alice: Your son is a fantastic basketball player!

Mary: Thanks, he's a chip off the old block. His father was an all-state basketball star in high school.

Alice: I guess it runs it the family!

A chip off the old block is an idiom used when talking about how kids resemble their parents. It is usually used by fathers to say their kids are just like them. 

To run in the family, is also commonly heard in medical situations:

Doctor: I'm sorry to say you have a rare genetic disorder...

Patient: Is it ichthyosis? My Father had that...

Doctor: Yes it is, it runs in families. Don't worry, it is just a skin condition that is easily treatable with modern skin creams.

Patient: Yeah, I know. Thanks Doc, I was just hoping it would skip a generation.

To skip a generation is when a characteristic that runs in families goes from grand-parents to grand-children skipping the generation in between.

Have a nice weekend,

Phil




 

Ignorance is Bliss

Have any of you ever heard this saying? Ignorance is a lack of knowledge, it means to NOT know something.

Don't ask him about world events! Ben's a pretty ignorant guy, he never reads the paper.

Bliss means ultimate HAPPINESS. It is like achieving nirvana in Buddhism.

When I eat delicious fresh food I am in a state of bliss.

When we put the two together in the expression:

Ignorance is bliss.

It means that sometimes when you DON'T know something you are extremely happy. If you know it, your happiness will be ruined.


I thought about this saying when one of my students told me about meeting a girl and who was incredibly happy about her boyfriend. She showed her boyfriend's photo to my student... ...who had been on a date with him after they started dating!


We usually use this when talking about other people. We see them being happy but they don't know something that will definitely upset them.

A: Ed's in a good mood today.

B: Yeah, but ignorance is bliss-he doesn't know he'd getting fired.

--------

C: Sally had a great time on her vacation.

D: Well... ignorance is bliss and when the cat's away the mice will play.

C: Huh? What are you talking about??

D: I heard her husband was seen all over town last week with a younger woman!

C: Oh no! I feel sorry for Sally...

Any questions?


Phil

ことはない

Do you know how to say ことはない in English?

The translations I've heard are:

there's no reason not to

which sounds very formal in a more casual sense you could say:

it wouldn't hurt to

For example:

Ah there's Tom, I'm a bit busy but it wouldn't hurt to say hello.

ああ　あそこはTOMです。今忙しいけどHELLOと言うことはないかな。

I am not too sure about my Japanese translation but the general feeling and usage of ことはない　matches it wouldn't hurt to.

It is often used when talking to yourself (as in the example) or when making suggestions.

A: I think that shop's a bit expensive for me.

B: Well, it wouldn't hurt to take a look.

A: Yeah... who knows maybe there's a sale.

B: True... let's go take a look.

Have a nice week,

Phil