TODAY'S IDIOM: THINK TWICE, ACT WISE

"THINK TWICE, ACT WISE"

To consider carefully whether one should do something; to be cautious about doing something.

Example: He said he is sorry and will think twice, act wise and before giving such advice again.

Piensa dos veces antes de actuar.

Example sentences:

• 4 things never come back: The spoken words, the wasted time, the past life, the neglected opportunity. So think twice and act wise / 4 cosas que nunca regresan: Las palabras habladas, la pérdida de tiempo, la vida pasada, la oportunidad descuidada. Así que piensa dos veces antes de actuar.

• "Don't make promise when you are in joy. Don't reply when you are sad. Don't take decisions when you are angry. Think twice, act wise" / "No hagas promesas cuando estas alegre. No respondas cuando estés triste. No tomes decisiones cuando estás enojado. Piensa dos veces, antes de actuar."

Additional examples:

• I'd think twice, act wise and before spending all that money on clothes

• Think twice, act wise and before you get married.

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TODAY'S IDIOM: HARD TO COME BY

"HARD TO COME BY"

If something is hard to come by, it is difficult to find.

Example: Good jobs in the airline industy have been hard to come by recently.

Difícil de encontrar.

Example sentences:

• A good cheap hotel is hard to come by in London these days / Un buen hotel económico es difícil de econtrar en Londres en estos días.

• Collectible stamps that are hard to come by are generally more expensive than those that are more common / Los sellos de colección que son más difícil de encotrar son generalmente más caros que los que son más comunes.

Additional examples:

• False identification is very hard to come by nowadays because it is difficult to produce and it's still quite illegal.

• Floor seat tickets for the big game were hard to come by, so I finally paid a lot of money to a ticket scalper to get them.

• The old fashioned mine cut diamonds that used to be common are hard to come by these days, but still valuable.

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TODAY'S IDIOM: GO OUT ON A LIMB

"GO OUT ON A LIMB"

If you go out on a limb, you put yourself in a risky position in order to support someone or something.

Example: He knew it could damage his career, but Keith went out on a limb and said he supported the anti-war protesters.

Meter la pata.

Example sentences:

• I don't think that saying you support gay rights means you're going out on a limb these days / No creo que eso que dices apoye a los derechos gays, significa que meterás la pata en estos días.

• My sister said that I went out on a limb when I said killing animals for food is murder / Mi hermana me dijo que metí la pata cuando le dije que matar animales para comer es asesinato.

Additional examples:

• He went out on a limb when he asked his boss for a raise.

• I don't think we're going out on a limb in claiming that global warming is a problem that must be addressed.

• Rob Thompson, the producer, admits the series is going out on a limb in that it is quite different to anything else currently on television.

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TODAY'S IDIOM: ALL TOLD

"ALL TOLD"

All told means the final number, when everything has been counted.

Example: The number of visitors to the exhibition, all told, was 2543.

En total.

Example sentences:

• All told, he earned about $700 last week / En total, ganó cerca de $700 la semana pasada.

 

• There were 550 people there, all told / Había 550 personas allí, en total.

 
Additional examples:

• All told, he has many fine characteristics.

 

• All told, we made $14.64.

 

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TODAY'S IDIOM: IT'S NO GOOD CRYING OVER SPILT MILK

"IT'S NO GOOD CRYING OVER SPILT MILK"

You should not be upset over something that cannot be undone.

Example: Sometimes I regret not taking that job in London. Oh well, there's no good crying over spilt milk.

A lo hecho, pecho.

Example sentences:

• I know you don't like your new haircut, but you can't change it now. It's no good crying over spilt milk / Sé que no te gusta tu nuevo corte de pelo, pero no puedes cambiarlo ahora. A lo hecho, pecho.

• Ok, so you broke the drill I lent you. It's no good crying over spilt milk / Ok, asi que rompiste el taladro que te presté. A lo hecho, pecho.

Additional examples:

• It's no use crying over spilled milk, he's spent all the money, and there's nothing you can do about it.

• He is always crying over spilled milk. He cannot accept reality. It can't be helped. Don't cry over spilled milk.

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TODAY'S IDIOM: ALL IN THE SAME BOAT

"ALL IN THE SAME BOAT"

When everyone is facing the same challenges.

Let's study together, we're all in the same boat: We have to pass this exam.

Todos en el mismo barco.

Example sentences:

• She's always complaining that she doesn't have enough money, but we're all in the same boat / Ella siempre se queja de que no tiene dinero, pero estamos todos en el mismo barco.

• We can't fight against each other, we need to work together. We're all in the same boat! / No podemos luchar unos contra otros, tenemos que trabajar juntos. Todos estamos en el mismo barco!.

Additional examples:

• I'm so busy. I don't know how will get this done. You're not the only one with a lot to do; we are all in the same boat.

• These may be difficult times, but we're all in the same boat, we can get through it together!

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TODAY'S IDIOM: MAKE ENDS MEET

"MAKE ENDS MEET"

If you make ends meet, you earn just enough to pay for a place to live and your daily expenses.

Example: Does the government really think elderly people can make ends meet on their pensions?

Sobrevivir.

Example sentences:

• My wife and I both have to work full-time just to make ends meet these days / Mi esposa y yo tenemos que trabajar tiempo completo solo para sobrevivir en estos tiempos.

• Fiona earns just enough to make ends meet, so she's looking for a better-paying job / Fiona gana lo sufuciente para sobrevivir, por lo que ella está buscando un empleo mejor pagado.

Additional examples:

• I have to work at two jobs to make ends meet.

• Through better budgeting, I am learning to make both ends meet.

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TODAY'S IDIOM: YOU SCRATCH MY BACK, I'LL SCRATCH YOURS

"YOU SCRATCH MY BACK, I'LL SCRATCH YOURS"

You do a favor for me and I'll do a favor for you.

Example: I would really appreciate it if you introduce me to him... You scratch my back, I'll scratch yours.

Hoy por tí, mañana por mí.

Example sentences:

• I need this paving contract, you scratch my back, I'll scratch yours / Necesito este contrato de pavimentación, hoy por tí, mañana por mí.

• Listen, I need a lift to the store and you need gas money. I’ll give you gas money if you give me a lift to the store. You know, you scratch my back and I’ll scratch yours / Escucha, necesito un ascensor a la tienda y se necesita dinero para la gasolina. Te voy a dar dinero para la gasolina si me das el ascensor para la tienda. Ya sabes, hoy por tí, mañana por mí.

Additional examples:

• If you remember to pay the bills, I will remember to do the laundry! You scratch my back, I scratch yours!

• We can complete this task but at only one condition if you scratch my back, I’ll scratch yours, so are you agree? 

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TODAY'S IDIOM: SAVE THE DAY

"SAVE THE DAY"

If you save the day, you do something to ensure success or to solve a serious problem. 

Example: It looked like we were going to lose the game, but Ronaldo saved the day by kicking two late goals. 

Salvar.

Example sentences:

• Then a guy rides in on a white horse and saves the day by killing the bad guys and rescuing the girl / Entonces un hombre cabalga en un caballo blanco, matando a los malos y salvando a la chica.

• The character in a movie who saves the day is the hero / El personaje de una película quien salva es el héroe.

Additional examples:

• The team was expected to lose, but Sally made three points and saved the day.

• Your excellent speech calmed the crowd and saved the day.

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TODAY'S IDIOM: MONEY DOESN'T GROW ON TREES

"MONEY DOESN'T GROW ON TREES"

Money does not come easily or without effort.

Example: Dad, can I have a new bike? W e can't afford one, money doesn't grow on trees you know!

El dinero no se da en los árboles.

• When Tony was younger, his father told him that money doesn't grow on trees, and that he would have to work hard if he wanted to be rich / Cuando Tony era más joven, su padre le dijo que el dinero no se da en los árboles y que iba a tener que trabajar duro si quería ser rico.

• A parent might tell a child "money doesn't grow on trees" when the child keeps asking for money and spends it carelessly / Un padre puede decir a un niño "el dinero no se da en los árboles" cuando el niño sigue pidiendo dinero y lo gasta sin cuidado.

Additional examples:

• Gold doesn't grow on trees in Alameda County. Don't come here with an idea that it does.

• Can I have $50 to go to a concert? No way! Get a job! Money doesn't grow on trees.

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TODAYS IDIOM: DIG YOUR HEELS IN

"DIG YOUR HEELS IN"

 

 

If you dig your heels in, you stubbornly resist something or refuse to change.

Example: Even though the developer offered them more than their houses were worth, the owners dug their heels in and refused to sell up and make way for the office block.

Mantener firme.

Example sentences:

• When their record company told the band to change their style and make more commercial music, the band dug their heels in and refused to change / Cuando la compañía discográfica le dijo a la banda que cambiara su estilo e hiciera música más comercial, la banda se mantuvo firme y se negó a cambiar.

• When her children wanted to move her into an old folk's home, Edith dug her heels in and refused to go / Cuando sus hijos quisieron trasladarla a un asilo, Edith se mantuvo firme y se negó a ir.

Additional examples:

• We suggested it would be quicker to fly, but she dug her heels in and insisted on taking the train.

• The student dug her heels in and refused to obey the instructions.

• I'm digging in my heels. I'm not going back.

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TODAY'S IDIOM: A SIGHT FOR SORE EYES

"A SIGHT FOR SORE EYES"

 

If something or someone is a sight for sore eyes, you are glad to see them.

Example: It's been raining here for a week, so it sure was a sight for sore eyes when we saw the sun this morning.

Es un gusto verte.

Example sentences:

• Hey, Ozzie! You're a sight for sore eyes, man. Haven't seen you for ages / ¡Hola Ozzie! Es un gusto verte, hombre. No te he visto en años.

• A water tap would be a sight for sore eyes after walking in the desert all day without water / Sería un gusto ver un grifo de agua después de caminar por el desierto todo el día sin agua.

Additional examples:

• After William returned from a long business trip, his own bed was a sight for sore eyes.

• When she finally saw the beach, it was a sight for sore eyes.

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TODAY'S IDIOM: CHEW THE FAT / CHEW THE RAG

"CHEW THE FAT / CHEW THE RAG"

If you chew the fat, or chew the rag, you have a long, friendly chat with someone.

Example: Why don't you come over on Sunday morning and I'll make some breakfast and we can chew the rag for a couple of hours?

Chismear.

Example sentences:

• I sometimes call Wendy late at night and we chew the fat for an hour or so before going to sleep / A veces llamo a Wendy ya tarde en la noche para chismear una hora o así antes de dormir.

• We were just chewing the rag. Nothing important / Solo estábamos chismeando. Nada importante.

Additional examples:

• I'd love to stand 'round chewing the fat but these bills aren't going to pay themselves.

• While I was chewing the fat with Graham, he told me all about his new job.

• Sit yourself down and let's chew the fat for a while. 

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TODAY'S IDIOM: JUMP OUT OF YOUR SKIN

"JUMP OUT OF YOUR SKIN"

You jump out of your skin when something suddenly shocks you and your whole body jumps. 

Example: Luke was watching the clouds pass in front of the moon when I quietly snuck up behind him and tapped him on the shoulder. He screamed and nearly jumped out of his skin!

Se le sale el corazón.

Example sentences:

• Luke was watching the clouds pass in front of the moon when I quietly snuck up behind him and tapped him on the shoulder. He screamed and nearly jumped out of his skin! / Lucas estaba viendo las nubes que pasan por delante de la luna cuando me metí en silencio detrás de él y le di un golpecito en el hombro. ¡Él gritó y casi se le sale el corazón!

• Ollie didn't know I was making some toast, and when it suddenly popped up just as he was walking past he jumped out of his skin. It was really funny! / Ollie no sabía que yo estaba haciendo pan tostado, y cuando de repente saltó justo cuando él pasaba por delante, se le salió el corazón. Fue muy divertido!

Additional examples:

• When he crept up on me so quietly, I nearly jumped out of my skin.

• Henry was walking through the forest, and he jumped out of his skin when a snake fell on his head.

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TODAY'S IDIOM: IN SOMEONE'S BAD BOOKS

"IN SOMEONE'S BAD BOOKS"

If you're in someone's bad books, they are not pleased with you.

Example: I think I'm in Jenny's bad books. I forgot her birthday, and now she's not answering my calls.

En la lista negra de...

Example sentences:

• Make sure you don't get in the boss's bad books. If you do, he'll make life hell for you / Asegúrate de no estar en la lista negra de tu jefe. Si es así, él hará de tu vida un infierno.

• I think I'm in Gillian's bad books. She's been ignoring me / Creo que estoy en la lista negra de Gillian. Me ha estado ignorando.

Additional examples:

• I’m in my manager’s bad books right now because I made a big mistake at the office, and our client is really angry.

• My father is in my mother’s bad books now because he forgot her birthday! 

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TODAY'S IDIOM: KILL TIME

"KILL TIME"

You kill time when you do something to amuse yourself while waiting for something. 

Example: We kill time on long trips by playing this game in which someone thinks of a country, and the next person has to think of another country that starts with the last letter of the first one, like Thailand, Denmark, Kenya, Afghanistan, Nepal, and so on.

Matar el tiempo.

Example sentences:

• I had to kill time at the airport because of the delay so I bought a book of crossword puzzles / Tenía que matar el tiempo en el aeropuerto por el retraso, así que compré un libro de crucigramas.

• If you're stuck in traffic jam, a good way to kill time is to read a book / Si estás atrapado en el embotellamiento del tráfico, una buena manera de matar el tiempo es leer un libro.

Additional examples:

• I killed time reading a novel.

• The employees were not encouraged to kill time.

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TODAY'S IDIOM: GO OVERBOARD

"GO OVERBOARD"

If you go overboard, you do something too much or you do it with excessive enthusiasm.

Example: Whenever my son gets a new hobby, he goes completely overboard. He's just discovered jazz, so now he wants to buy a saxophone, get lessons, buy hundreds of jazz books and recordings, and he even wants to go to New Orleans.


Exagerar.


Example sentences:

• Harry gave his son a sportscar for his graduation present. Do you think he went a bit overboard? / Harry le dio a su hijo un carro deportivo de regalo de graduación. ¿Crees que exageró un poco? 

• We can have a nice holiday in Spain whenever we like. We don't have to go overboard and move over there to live / Podemos tener unas buenas vacaciones en España cuando queramos. No tenemos que ser exagerados e irnos a vivir allá.

Additional examples:

• Calm down! There's no need to go overboard.

• Alaskan crab fishermen on the Bering Sea occasionally go overboard and need to be rescued from the water.

• It doesn't need to be fancy. Okay, you can buy a big comfortable car, but don't go overboard on price.

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TODAY'S IDIOM: NOT YOUR CUP OF TEA

"NOT YOUR CUP OF TEA"

If something is not your cup of tea, it's not what you like or what you're interested in.

Example: Karen knows all that new-age spiritual stuff isn't my cup of tea, so why would she give me a book on star signs and astrology for my birthday? 

No es lo que te guste.

Example sentences:

• Action movies aren't really my cup of tea. I prefer dramas and comedies, to be honest / Las películas de acción no son las que realmente me gustan. Para ser honesto prefiero los dramas y comedias.

• Classical music isn't really Mary's cup of tea, so when I offered to take her to a concert of chamber music, she wasn't all that excited / La música clásica no es realmente lo que le guste a Mary, por eso cuando le ofrecí llevarla a un concierto de música de cámara no estaba tan emocionada.

Additional examples:

• You three visit the museum without me. Looking at fussy old paintings is not my cup of tea.

• Going to church, Mary said, was not her cup of tea.

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