He's not a team player

Wow, it's been a long time since I posted a new English Tip. Sorry about that, I'll try to post more regularly.

Today I'll look at 3 idioms:

To Be a Team Player

This means that you support your team and help them, you do your fair share of the work and work well as part of the group.

Bill's a real team player, he's always helping out people in the office.

If you're a team player, you'll do great as part of our company.

A glory hog

This is someone who selfishly wants to keep all the glory to themselves. 

I think LeBron James is a glory hog he always acts like he was the only person responsible for his team winning.

When I was in college, I was a glory hog who always had to be in the spotlight.

A show off

This is someone who likes to display his/her things or his/her skills to demonstrate that they are better than others. It can also be used as a phrasal verb.

Stop being such a show off, I know you're great at skateboarding but if you're not careful you'll hurt yourself.

Terry's always showing off his new Rolex these days.

Any questions? Here's a little dialogue using all three:


Al: Why'd David get fired?

Tom: He wasn't a team player. He was a glory hog always trying to steal the credit for other people's work

Al: Really? What a jerk! I knew he was a show off who liked to brag about all his expensive things but I didn't realize he was that bad.

Money is no object~!

Continuing the money theme from my last post I thought of this expression while in class today:

Money is no object!

Now unfortunately, I've never been in a position to say this but I've heard it in movies & TV shows often enough. It simply means that "I don't care about the cost" or "I will pay whatever price you like" or "Spare no expense". Basically, it's used to tell a shopkeeper that you want the best and don't care about the price. You can find thefreedictionary.com's definition here.

I just won the lottery, give me your best bottle of champagne! Money is no object.

After my uncle got promoted he started spending like money was no object, eventually he went bankrupt!

Here's a great video of a talk where Alan Watts a British philosopher asks the question:

What would you do if money was no object?




Have a great weekend!

Phil

Put your money where your mouth is~!

Today we'll look at a few idioms linked to gambling. If you are very sure about something you could say:

I'd put money on it.

This means that you believe it so much that you are willing to bet money that you're right. It is generally used in the following grammar structure:

X would put money on Y

And since you are telling people about your high degree of certainty X is usually I.

I'd put money on it raining tomorrow.

I'd put money on Tom getting the promotion.

You might talk about other people but this isn't so common:

She'd put money on him proposing on their anniversary next week.

In this case it is a form of reported speech, you are telling someone that she told you he is sure he will propose on their anniversary.

Another, more dramatic way, to express a high degree of certainty that something is true/will happen is to say:

I'd stake my life on it

You often hear this in casual English and it is in a ton of movies where gangsters catch someone and want them to talk:

Gangster: Where's the money?

John: I don't know~!

Gangster: (breaks a finger) Where's the MONEY?

John: Tom might have it...

Gangster: MIGHT? (pushes on the broken finger)

John: He has it, he has it. I'd stake my life on it.

Gangster: You just did.

In this case you are literally saying "I'd bet my life on it" so if you are wrong they'll kill you!

The last idiom we'll look at is one where two people are arguing and someone says"

Put your money where your mouth is!

This means that you talk tough like you are right or can do something but prove it - make a bet and show me I'm wrong.

Al: I can sink 3 basketballs in 1 minute from half-court.

Bill: What? No way!

Al: I can, I do it all the time.

Bill: Put your money where your mouth is, 20$ says you can't.

Al: You're on, let's go to the basketball court and I'll show you how it's done.

So Al said he could do something, Bill didn't believe him and bet him 20$ he can't. They made a bet and now they will go find out who is right.

Have a nice weekend guys,

Phil

to milk X

This expression comes from farming and milking a cow. Yes in English milk can be used as a verb!

The original meaning is simply: to milk a cow. 



From this verb we got the expression to milk something for all it's worth. 

Hal: Did you hear that Tomo won an award?

Bill: Yeah, he's milking it for all it's worth! He's been telling everyone he meets about it.

This was eventually shortened to milk X. So this usage of milk means to exploit something as much as possible, to take of advantage of something as much as you can.

Husband: Oh, I'm so tired from yesterday's marathon. Can you do the dishes?

Wife: Stop milking that! Yes you ran a marathon but you haven't done any work since then!

Fred: He's really milking the sympathy card from his breakup.

Jeb: Yep, he's had a whole string of new ladies recently.

Fred: Well wouldn't you do the same thing?

Jeb: Yeah, probably. hahaha

Have a nice weekend,

Phil

It's gonna be a long hard slog.

Have you guys heard this before? 

A slog is a long hard exhausting walk. 

The image in your head should be of soldiers marching along a muddy road where their boots get stuck in the mud & pop out with sucking "slog" type sound.

So when someone says:

It'll be a hard slog but we can do it.

They mean it will be a long tough job but we can do it!

For example:

Alice: I heard you finished your diet?

Betty: Yeah, I'm so happy! It was a long hard slog dieting for 6 months but I lost 20 pounds and am ready for swimsuit season!

Have a nice day,

Phil

It feels cramped.

Hey guys, do you know what this means? This adjective comes from the noun cramp. This has a few meanings:

1. I have a cramp in my leg. (leg spasm & pain) 
2. She's on her period so is taking medicine for stomach cramps. (spasm & pain women feel when menstruating)
3. I have a cramp in my arm. 

Number 3 is when your muscle isn't responding, you have a temporary paralysis. Usually, because your arm or leg was in a tight space which reduced circulation and it fell asleep. This gives us the adjective cramped which means that something feels too small, too tight, the space is restricted & uncomfortable.

I don't like this hotel room it feels cramped. There's too much furniture for such a small space.

He lives in a cramped apartment.

She has cramped handwriting. All her letters and words are too close together. It's really hard to read.

There is also an idiom: to cramp one's style. I think this isn't used that much these days, it was popular in the 1970s-80s. It means that someone is too close, getting in the way and stopping you from acting as freely as you'd like. The image that comes to mind is two guys go out to a bar to meet women but one guy is getting in the way of the ladies man.

Matt: So which girls should we talk to?

Mike: There's no rush man, I'll let you know when I see some cute girls.

Matt: What should I say? How about her, she's cute!

Mike: Dude, you're cramping my style, just chill out.

Matt: Sorry man.

Have a good weekend!

Phil

He has a hidden agenda.

Have you guys heard this expression before? It sounds somewhat formal so it might be used in business but could also be used among friends or acquaintances (知り合い).

agenda

This word is used in French for your schedule book, this word is used in English to mean a list of things to do or consider. It's often used in British English as well as Business English.

Boss: What's on the agenda today?

Secretary: We have a meeting at 11 & then a factory tour at 2:30.

So the term hidden agenda means that someone has a hidden goal or a secret plan.

I don't trust him, why's he suddenly being nice to me? I think he has a hidden agenda.

My company was bought by an international giant but they had a hidden agenda. They only wanted our software division, now the rest of us are getting fired!

Remember, this is a NEGATIVE expression used when you want to say that a 3rd party has a hidden motive or evil plan. What they say they want is not what they REALLY want.

Have a good week,

Phil

Take it with a grain of salt.

Have you heard this idiom before? It means that you should be skeptical of something, you should have doubts about it, or you shouldn't believe something completely. You can find some example's from the urban dictionary here and in Japanese here.

Take this with a grain of salt but I've heard Sega will launch a new game console in 2014.

This means, I'm not sure if this is true but...

Gerry: My teacher said I'm his favorite student!

Kal: I think you should take that with a grain of salt he told me that last week, too. 

This means that you shouldn't believe what he said completely.

I always take online product reviews with a grain of salt, many reviewers are getting paid by the manufacturers!

This means that I don't completely trust online product reviews.

Have a great week,

Phil

No sweat.

For the last lesson of the month and as summer is ending we will look at two idioms/expressions that use the word SWEAT. In Japanese, it means 汗, あせ. Idioms or expressions that use this word tend to be Guy's English. Women don't usually talk about sweating so they rarely use these expressions...

No sweat.

This simply means no problem. It comes from the fact that doing something is easy and won't cause you to sweat.

Jill: Can you help me fix my car?

Jack: Sure, no sweat. I'm good with cars.

----

General: How did the mission go?

Soldier: No sweat. Everything went according to plan.

I'm sweating like a pig.

This is used when you want to say you're sweating like crazy or sweating a lot. It is very casual and kind of crude so it's usually used between close male friends.

Warren: Wow, it's 42C! 

Dick: Yeah, I'm sweating like a pig.

Warren: Me too, let's go somewhere with air conditioning.

Dick: Good idea.

If you use this expression to talk about someone else it is HIGHLY NEGATIVE so be careful. In this situation men or women may use it.

Nancy: My new boss is always sweating like a pig.

Fiona: Eww... gross!

Enjoy the upcoming cooler weather~!

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!

Wanna be my guinea pig?

Hey guys do you know what a guinea pig is?

It has 3 meanings, the first is a cute rodent similar to a hamster that is usually a pet these days but was also used as a meat animal in South America. You can eat it in Peru, there it's called cuy!

from: http://www.vegetablegardener.com/item/10145/question-guinea-pig-poop-as-garden-fertilizer

The second meaning is as an experimental animal, it is often used to talk about a human guinea pig. So especially in medicine, it can be a person or animal which is used to test or experiment on.

My friend needed money fast so he decided to be a guinea pig for a new drug, he made 1000 dollars in 2 weeks-cash!

The third meaning is related to the second but it is a bit more positive. It means someone who is the first to try something.

A: Hey, can you be my guinea pig and try out my new recipe?

B: Uh, ok. (eats some)

A: How is it?

B: Ummm, it's ok but a bit too salty.

A: Ok, try it now. (B eats more)

B: Wow, it's great!

A: I added a bit of sugar to balance out the salt.

So everyone would you ever be someone's guinea pig?

Phil

I see you in a new light.

Hey everyone, for today's lesson we are looking at an idiom which is used when someone does something surprising and it changes your opinion of them. When that happens we say:

I see you in a new light.

For example:

Jill: Hey Tom, what are you eating?

Tom: Oh this? It's a homemade lasagna.

Jill: Wow, it looks good! Did your wife make it for you?

Tom: Huh? No, I made it myself. I like cooking.

Jill: I didn't know you could cook! I see you in a whole new light now.

In Japanese, you'd say 見直した which literally means to look again. This expression does have a bit of a connotation that because you see someone differently you now have a better opinion of them. When you add WHOLE to the expression, you make it STRONGER.

When was the last time you saw someone in a new light?

最後の見直した時はいつでしたか？

Have a nice week,

Phil

He has a big mouth!

Today we will look at two similar idioms. The first is:

to have a big mouth

This has two meanings, the first is that someone can't keep a secret.

Bill: John, tell me what happened.

John: No way, you have a big mouth!

Bill: I swear, I can keep a secret.

John: No, everyone knows you love to gossip!

The second meaning is that you speak when you shouldn't, you don't know when to keep your mouth shut.

Tom: Terry has a big mouth!

Helen: Huh? What are you talking about?

Tom: I was talking to our boss about our project and she interrupted him to attack the project!

Helen: What?! Really?

Tom: Yeah, now the boss is rethinking it. That's 2 months of work down the drain...

The second idiom we will look at is:

to be a blabbermouth

This also means someone can't keep a secret. It doesn't have any other meanings.

Chris: Ted's a real blabbermouth.

Pat: Why do you say that?

Chris: Every time I tell him something private, the next day everyone in the office is talking about it!

So if you know someone that can't keep a secret you now have two ways to describe them! But remember these expressions are pretty negative so be careful.

Have a nice week,

Phil 
  

 

Here's a little something to tide you over...

Hey everyone, I am out enjoying the cherry blossoms in Kyoto for a few days so here's a lesson to tide you over until I get back!

Do you know what "to tide (someone) over" means?

I think it comes from the days when sailors depended on the tides (the movement of the ocean going in & out in time with the moon) and after landing somewhere they often had to wait for the tide to come in again before they could leave.

These days it is used whenever someone must wait for something and to help them survive the wait they will get a snack or sample to help them pass the time.

Ed: I can't believe we have to wait 4 months for new episodes of Dexter~!

Pat: Well, if you need something to tide you over there is a series of animated Dexter webisodes online.

Ed: What?! I had no idea cool!

--------------

Tommy: Mom, I'm starving~!

Mom: We're having dinner in 3 hours...

Tommy: But Mom I'm really hungry. I can't wait so long!

Mom: Ok, ok. Here's a granola bar to tide you over.

Tommy: Thanks Mom ^_^

Any questions?

Have a great day,

Phil 

足が地に付かない

Do you know what this means in English? I was studying japanese idioms using the kanji for leg and came across this idiom which reminded me of my recent lesson about daydreaming (空想する). This idiom literally means that your feet don't touch the ground. It has two meanings, one positive and the other negative.

The positive meaning in English is:

I'm walking on air.

It means that you are so happy you are floating above the ground. 

You might also hear someone say:

I'm on cloud nine.

Which has the same meaning.

A: Hey why's Ted so happy?

B: He's walking on air because Jen said yes when he proposed!

A: No wonder, he's on cloud nine!

The structure is the verb to be + walking on air/on cloud nine. 

The negative meaning is where you say someone's thinking is not based on reality. In English we'd say:

He's living in a fantasy world!

This means that he is fooling himself into believing a fantasy.

A: Did you hear Kelly took Dylan back?

B: What!?! After he cheated on her three times?!

A: Yeah, Dylan apologized and said he wouldn't do it again.

B: Kelly's living in a fantasy world if she thinks he won't cheat again...

Have a nice week,

Phil   

Stop daydreaming! Get your head out of the clouds!

Hey everyone, for the first lesson this month I will take my inspiration from my Japanese studies. I recently learned the word 空想 (くうそう). For example:

 あの人はいつも空想してばかりだ！

That guy is always daydreaming!

The kanji mean sky + idea so this made me think of another possible translation:

That guy always has his head in the clouds!

This sounds a bit more poetic. It is made using the idiom to have one's head in the clouds. Here's a sample conversation:

Harry: Hey Tom!

Tom: ...(staring off into to space)

Harry: HELLo?!!? Earth to Tom...

Tom: Oh sorry, I had my head in the clouds.

Harry: What were you daydreaming about?

Tom: Marrying Jessica ^_^

Harry: What? She's way out of your league!

Tom: Yeah, but it's fun to daydream about. 

Have a nice week,

Phil  
    

He jumped the gun.

Have you guys ever heard this expression before? It come from track & field, when people start a race they usually fire a starter's pistol. So, if you jumped the gun it means you did something too soon.

I can't believe they've already moved in together. I think they jumped the gun...

It is often used in sports:

Cavileri jumped the gun so he was disqualified.

and in business:

Microsoft jumped the gun by releasing a tablet PC back in 2002. The technology just wasn't ready back then.

Any questions?

Phil 

 

She's got you wrapped around her little finger!

Have you guys ever heard that expression before? It is usually used to describe people dating when one controls the other.

Al: Tom, why did you cut your hair???

Tom: Oh, Lacy likes it better like this.

Al: Did she ask you to cut it?

Tom: No, but she said she'd like to see me with short hair.

Al: And you just cut your hair after growing it long for 6 years?!?! She really has you wrapped around her little finger!

According to thefreedictionary.com it means to manipulate or control someone. It means you are able to make someone do anything you want usually because they like you so much.

 You can find it on weblio here.

We usually use this to talk about other people, often to comment negatively on a relationship. Sometimes you might hear someone use it to talk about themselves but this sounds mean.

Don: Sam, did you go get the papers from the printers?

Sam: Not yet, I'll get Mary to do it.

Don: But you're supposed to do it.

Sam: Yeah, but she'll be happy to help me. She likes me.

Don: But you're not interested in her, you shouldn't lead her on.

Sam: He he he, yeah I've got her wrapped around my little finger.

Don: Seriously, don't be a jerk. You shouldn't manipulate people like that.    

To lead someone on means to make them think you are interested in dating them but you aren't.

After leading him on for a year, she finally told him she would never date him.  

 Hope you had a Happy New Year!

Phil 

Nothing Ventured Nothing Gained.

Have you heard this expression before?

It means that if you don't take any risks you won't get any reward. 

Basically, you need to take a chance if you want to win.

Harry: Should I ask Helen out?

Ed: Nothing ventured nothing gained Harry. Go for it!

Harry: Thanks, I'll ask her out tomorrow.

As you can see, it is a common response to someone asking for your advice  about if they should do something. If you think they should take a chance, simply answer:

Nothing ventured nothing gained

You can tell from the phrasing that this is quite an old saying and it actually goes back to the 14th century!

Weblio says that in Japanese it means:

《諺》 危険を冒さなければ何も得られない, 「虎穴(こけつ)に入らずんば虎子(こじ)を得ず」

Have a great week, 

Phil

What's a keel?

A keel is the spine of a ship, it is the middle part of the bottom frame. You can see a picture here:

http://www.f1technical.net/forum/viewtopic.php?t=4037

You can learn more on wikipedia in English here or in Japanese here.

Anyways, keel is used in a few popular idioms and phrases.

The most common is to keel over. This is like when a boat capsizes and flips over so the keel is on top. It means to collapse suddenly, usually it is used when someone faints or drops dead unexpectedly.

I was eating lunch with my boss when he suddenly keeled over grabbing his chest. He had a heartattack!

When my Mom saw my scary costume she keeled over in a faint!

My friend has diabetes and her blood sugar was low so she fainted and keeled over. I gave her some sweets and she woke up.

The other expression is on an even keel or keep something/someone on an even keel. It means things are going smoothly, calmly and without trouble. It comes from when a ship is sailing on calm waters the keel is flat and even.

My married life's been on an even keel lately, it's great!

We need to keep our company on an even keel in this tough economy.

After keeling over from overwork last week, I decided to take things a bit more slowly to keep myself on an even keel.

Have a nice sunny Saturday~!

Phil