TODAY'S IDIOM: TO THE POINT

"TO THE POINT"

Say what is important.

Example: When answering questions, get to the point.

Al punto.

• Her comments were very apt and to the point / Sus comentarios fueron muy aptos y concisos.

• I'll get straight to the point / Voy a ir directo al punto.

Additional examples:

• Have common sense and stick to the point. 

 

• Mr. President, I have only one question to ask today and I am going to get straight to the point.

 El blog "La cultura del Inglés" es patrocinado por:

www.laculturadelingles.com  

www.pebtest.com  

TODAY'S IDIOM: IN BLACK AND WHITE

"IN BLACK AND WHITE"

In writing or in print.

Ejemplo: Do you understand? Or shall I put it in black and white?

Por escrito.

• The terms of our agreement were spelled out in black and white, so there should be no question about it / Los términos de nuestro acuerdo se explicitaron por escrito, por lo que no debe haber ninguna duda al respecto.

• If they say the car is guaranteed, get it down in black and white / Si dicen que el coche tiene garantía, pónganlo por escrito.

Ejemplos adicionales:

It was easy to decide, everything was black and white.

We've got her confession right here in black and white.

El blog "La cultura del Inglés" es patrocinado por:

www.laculturadelingles.com  

www.pebtest.com  

TODAY'S IDIOM: ALL TOLD

"ALL TOLD"

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

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

En total.

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.

Ejemplos adicionales:

All told, he has many fine characteristics.
All told, we made $14.64.

El blog "La cultura del Inglés" es patrocinado por:

www.laculturadelingles.com  

www.pebtest.com 

TODAY'S IDIOM: ON THE TIP OF TONGUE

"ON THE TIP OF TONGUE"

If a word is on the tip of your tongue, you know the word, but you just can't quite remember it at the moment.

Ejemplo: I can't remember this actor's name, but I have it on the tip of my tongue.

En la punta de la lengua.

Ponga la pastilla en la punta de la lengua y deje que se disuelva antes de tragársela / Place tablet on the tip of the tongue and allow it to melt before swallowing.

Las zonas situadas en la punta de la lengua reconocen el sabor dulce / The areas on the tip of the tongue recognise sweet flavours.

Ejemplos adicionales:

Put the tip of the thermometer under one side of the tongue and toward the back.

On the tip of everybody's tongue.

El blog "La cultura del Inglés" es patrocinado por:

www.laculturadelingles.com  

www.pebtest.com  

TODAY'S IDIOM: TAKE TIME

"TAKE TIME"

To go as slow as one wants or needs to; to use as much time as is required.

 

Ejemplo: There is no hurry, please take your time.

Toma tu tiempo.

Bill is very careful and takes his time so he won't make any mistakes. / Bill es muy cuidadoso y se toma su tiempo para que no se cometa ningún error.

Take your time; this is a big decision, and you don't want to rush into it. / Tómate tu tiempo; ésta es una gran decisión y no quieras precipitarte en ella.

 

Ejemplos adicionales:

"Carlin took her time before she answered him."

"Take time to play; it is the secret of perpetual youth."

 

El blog "La cultura del Inglés" es patrocinado por:

 

www.laculturadelingles.com 

www.pebtest.com 

 

 

TODAY'S IDIOM: ON HAND

"ON HAND"

Immediately available / In hand

Ejemplo: Ms. Sharp will be on hand to answer questions later about the film.

Disponible

The two cosmonauts have seven hours of oxygen on hand, but the job should take only four hours / Dos astronautas tienen siete horas de oxígeno disponibles, pero el trabajo debe llevar más de cuatro horas.

I'll be on hand to help you / Estaré disponible para ayudarte.

Ejemplos adicionales:
"The fire brigade must always be on hand."
"Are there enough people on hand to hold a meeting?"

El blog "La cultura del Inglés" es patrocinado por:

www.laculturadelingles.com

www.pebtest.com

TODAY'S IDIOM: OVERSLEEP

OVERSLEEP

To sleep beyond one's usual or intended time for waking.

I overslept my appointment.

OVERSLEEP: Quedarse dormido/no despertar a tiempo

Ejemplos: 

¿ Me falta sueño o he estado durmiendo demasiado? ("Do I lack sleep or have I been oversleeping")

Me quede dormido y no pude alcanzar mi vuelo (" I overslept and i couldn't catch my flight")



Ejemplos adicionales:

He overslept and missed the train.

 Setting a regular sleep pattern can also help put your body and mind at ease, provided you don't oversleep

 El blog "La cultura del ingles " es patrocinado por:

www.laculturadelingles.com

                    www.pebtest.com 

TODAY'S IDIOM: FAINTEST IDEA

FAINTEST IDEA

If you don`t have the faintest idea, about something you don`t know anything at all about it.

Faintest Idea:  La minima/remota idea

Ejemplos:

No tengo la mas mínima idea de que estas hablando ( I don't have the faintest idea of what you're talking about)

No tenia la mas remota idea de donde estaba o a donde iba ("I didn't have the faintest idea where I was or which way I was going")

Ejemplos adicionales:

"Back then, drivers did not have the faintest idea how to fit or replace the parts in their cars."

"In all honesty, I hadn't the faintest idea what was happening."


 El blog "La cultura del ingles " es patrocinado por:

www.laculturadelingles.com

                    www.pebtest.com 

TODAY'S IDIOM:EASIER SAID THAN DONE

 Easier said than done
To say that something is easier said than done means that what is suggested sounds easy but it is more difficult to actually do it.

Put the TV aerial on the roof? Easier said than done!

Easier said tan done: Es mas facil decirlo que hacerlo

Ejemplos:

El doctor dijo que deberia dejar de fumar, pero es mas facil decirlo que hacerlo ("The doctor says I should stop smoking but that's easier said than done.")

Sin embargo, el lograr estos objetivos ha sido más fácil de decir que de hacer. ("However, achieving these goals has been easier said than done.")


Ejemplos adicionales:

Finding a good job is easier said than done

We agree that that is easier said than done.






 El blog "La cultura del ingles " es patrocinado por:

www.laculturadelingles.com

                    www.pebtest.com 

TODAY'S IDIOM: ON THE OTHER HAND

on the other hand

However, in contrast, looking at the opposite side of a matter
He is very intelligent but on the other hand he is very lazy and always gets low marks at school.

On the other hand : Por otro lado / por otra parte

Ejemplos:

El es muy buen profesor, pero por otro lado tiene actitudes muy autoritarias con sus alumnos. ("He is a good professor, but on the other hand he has an authoritative attitude with his students.")

No sabemos que peuda ocurrir, pero por otro lado, este informe cuenta con mi apoyo total.  (" We don't know what might occur. But, on the other hand, this report has my total support.")


Ejemplos adicionales:

I missed home, but on the other hand, I was having so much

I really like this new direction, but on the other hand, I'm afraid where it may go.
 



  El blog "La cultura del ingles " es patrocinado por:

www.laculturadelingles.com

                    www.pebtest.com 

TODAY'S IDIOM : GET THE AXE

GET THE AXE

If someone gets the axe, they lose their job.
When a company is restructured, the senior staff are often the first to get the axe.


 GET THE AXE : Ser despedido

Ejemplos:

¿ Por que la despidieron? Por robarse dinero de la compañia ( "Why did they give her the axe?" "For stealing company money.")

¿ Que les pasó a John y Steve? Se rumora que fueron despedidos ("What happened to John and Steve? Rumor is they got the axe")


Ejemplos adicionales:

I can’t believe it. I got the axe at work today.

Senior staff are more likely to get the axe because the company can't afford their high salaries


   El blog "La cultura del ingles " es patrocinado por:

www.laculturadelingles.com

                    www.pebtest.com 

TODAY'S IDIOM: ALL IN YOUR HEAD

ALL IN YOUR HEAD

If something is all in your head, it is not real.  It is in your imagination.
Don't be silly.  Nobody is trying to harm you.  It's all in your head!

 ALL IN YOUR HEAD : Esta todo en tu mente/ cabeza

Ejemplos:

No hay nada que temer, todo esta en tu mente ("There is nothing to be afraid of! Its all in your head")

Los limites son una ilusión. Crees que estan ahi, pero todo esta en tu mente. ("Limits are an illusion. You think they are there, but it's all in your head")


 Ejemplos adicionales:

I don't believe in stress, it's all in your head. Sleep on it. The next day it'll be forgotten

He said it's all in your head and I said so's everything but he didn't get it. 


   El blog "La cultura del ingles " es patrocinado por:

www.laculturadelingles.com

                    www.pebtest.com 

TODAY'S QUIZ: UNDERSELL

TODAY'S QUIZ:  UNDERSELL


What do you think "Undersell" means?

a .- Not selling enough

Example: He's underselling a lot lately, we should talk to him.

b .-  To sell articles cheaper than

Example:  They promised to undersell their competitors

c .- An illegal sale

Example: If he continues to undersell the product, he will get caught eventually.



Leave your answer on the comments section!

El blog "La cultura del ingles " es patrocinado por:

www.laculturadelingles.com

                    www.pebtest.com 

TODAY'S QUIZ: RELUCTANT

TODAY'S QUIZ:  RELUCTANT


What do you think "Reluctant" means?

a .-  Unwilling; disinclined

Example .- He was reluctant to help.

b .- Seeking or preferring seclusion or isolation

Example: He spent most of his days as a reluctant

c .- To bring back into existence or use; reestablish

Example:  The story says that they reluctant the emperor to the throne.



Leave your answer on the comments section!

El blog "La cultura del ingles " es patrocinado por:

www.laculturadelingles.com

                    www.pebtest.com 

TODAY'S QUIZ: FAT CHANCE

TODAY'S QUIZ:  FAT CHANCE


What do you think "Fat chance" means?

a .-  Having a big opportunity

Example: This is a fat chance of a lifetime!

b .- There is very little or no possibility of that happening

Example: You think she'll lend you the money? Fat chance!

c.-  To value too highly

Example: They sure put a fat chance on that product.



Leave your answer on the comments section!

El blog "La cultura del ingles " es patrocinado por:

www.laculturadelingles.com

                    www.pebtest.com 

TODAY'S IDIOM: FEEL ON TOP OF THE WORLD

feel on top of the world

Fig. to feel very good, as if one were ruling the world. 

I feel on top of the world this morning

feel on top of the world .- Sentirse muy bien/lo mejor ( Sentirse en la cima del mundo)

Ejemplos:

No me siento de lo mejor pero me he sentido peor ("I do not actually feel on top of the world, but I have felt worse")

Estoy de muy buen humor, en verdad me siento en la cima del mundo ("I´m in a really good mood, I actually feel on top of the world")

Ejemplos adicionales:

My job is going well and I have a wonderful family: I feel on top of the world!

I feel on top of the world and I plan to go dancing tonight. 

   El blog "La cultura del ingles " es patrocinado por:

www.laculturadelingles.com

                    www.pebtest.com 

TODAY'S QUIZ: ARGUE

TODAY'S QUIZ:  ARGUE


What do you think "Argue" means?


a . To be unable to remember (something)

Example:  I can't argue where I put my phone

b .- To put forth reasons for or against; debate

Example: It is time to stop arguing about this.

c .- To consider carefully and at length; meditate on or ponder

Example: We need to argue the problem from all sides

Leave your answer on the comments section!

El blog "La cultura del ingles " es patrocinado por:

www.laculturadelingles.com

                    www.pebtest.com 

TODAY'S IDIOM: BLOW SOMETHING OUT OF (ALL) PROPORTION

blow something out of (all) proportion

To behave as if something that has happened is much worse than it really is 

They had a minor argument in a restaurant but the press have blown it out of all proportion, speculating about divorce. 

Blow something out of (all) proportion .-  Exagerar

Ejemplos:

Claro,parece ser un problema, pero no exageres ( Sure,it  seems to be a problem but don't blow it out of proportion)

Los niños tienden a exagerar las cosas ( Children tend to blow things out of proportion)

Ejemplos adiconales:

The problem was very small but the manager blew it out of all proportion.

It's ridiculous - we have a tiny disagreement and you blow the whole thing out of proportion!

NO CONFUNDIR CON:

blow someone or something out of the water Que significa: destruir o terminar con algo completamente

The boss blew the whole idea out of the water.

 El blog "La cultura del ingles " es patrocinado por:

www.laculturadelingles.com

                    www.pebtest.com 

TODAY'S QUIZ: GET A BREAK

TODAY'S QUIZ: "GET A BREAK"

What do you think "Get a break" means?

a .- Obtain a favorable opportunity; get special consideration or treatment.

Example: The new price is higher, but you are getting a break on service

b .- To cause to separate into pieces suddenly or violently; smash

Example: Sorry, but the cat got a break the watch you just gave me.

c .- To make contact with by radio

Example: I  couldn't get a break with the control tower after midnight.
 Leave your answer on the comments section!

El blog "La cultura del ingles " es patrocinado por:

www.laculturadelingles.com

                    www.pebtest.com 

TODAY'S QUIZ: OUTSPOKEN

TODAY'S QUIZ: "OUTSPOKEN"

What do you think "Outspoken" means?

a .-  Talking outside

Example: They like to outspoken when it's something important.

b .-  direct and open in speech or expression 

Example: She's very outspoken about political issues.

c .- persuade someone not to do something

Example:  They were trying to outspoken me of my decision










 Leave your answer on the comments section!

El blog "La cultura del ingles " es patrocinado por:

www.laculturadelingles.com

                    www.pebtest.com 

TODAY'S IDIOM: IN THE INTEREST OF SOMEONE OR SOMETHING

In the interest of someone or something

As an advantage or benefit to someone or something; in order to advance or improve someone or something

In the interest of health, people are asked not to smoke

In the interest of : En/Por el bien/interes/beneficio de 

Ejemplos:

Esto también actúa en beneficio de las nuevas generaciones ("This is also in the interest of new generations")

Estamos haciendo esto en beneficio de la ciencia. (" We are doing this in the interest of science")

Ejemplos adicionales:

The police imprisoned the suspects in the interest of the safety of the public

In the interest of time, I shall only list them.

NO CONFUNDIR CON:


Interest in 

 Que significa "Interés en"

There has been a resurgence of interest in recent years.

 El blog "La cultura del ingles " es patrocinado por:

www.laculturadelingles.com

                    www.pebtest.com 

TODAY'S QUIZ: INCOME

TODAY'S QUIZ: "INCOME"

What do you think "Income" means?

a .- The amount of money or its equivalent received during a period of time in exchange for labor or services,

Example:  With this project you can receive  an extra income

b .- A detailed list of goods shipped or services rendered,

Example: I just called to inform that the income has been paid.

c .- a document showing credits and debits

Example: Hve you finished today's income?



 Leave your answer on the comments section!

El blog "La cultura del ingles " es patrocinado por:

www.laculturadelingles.com

                    www.pebtest.com 

TODAY'S QUIZ: SHY

TODAY'S QUIZ: "SHY"

What do you think "SHY" means?


a .- To go unattended or unacted upon

Example: Let the matter shy

b .- To try to impress or please

Example:  He shy up to the boss, hoping to get a raise

c .- Easily startled; timid

Example:  You are a really shy person.




 Leave your answer on the comments section!

El blog "La cultura del ingles " es patrocinado por:

www.laculturadelingles.com

                    www.pebtest.com 

TODAY'S QUIZ: MEANWHILE

TODAY'S QUIZ: "MEANWHILE"

What do you think "MEANWHILE" means?


a .- As long as; during the time that


Example: It was lovely meanwhile it lasted


b .- A period of time


Example: You should stay for a meanwhile


c .- At the same time


Example: The court is deliberating; meanwhile, we must be patient






 Leave your answer on the comments section!

El blog "La cultura del ingles " es patrocinado por:

www.laculturadelingles.com

                    www.pebtest.com 

TODAY'S IDIOM:COME FORWARD (WITH SOMETHING)

come forward (with something)
to bring something, such as information, to someone's attention.

Colleen came forward with a new idea

Come forward:  Presentar (idea,concepto,propuesta etc.)

Ejemplos:

Espero que cada uno pueda presentar algo útil (" I hope you each can come forward with something useful")

El nuevo empleado ha presentado una propuesta innovadora  (" The new employee has come forward with an innovative proposal.")

Ejemplos adicionales.

The government has come forward with a National Action Plan on Climate Change


The European Council invites the Commission to come forward with relevant proposals


NO CONFUNDIR CON:


come forth .- Que significa "salir (y hacerse presente)"


ejemplo:  Please come forth and meet your cousins






 El blog "La cultura del ingles " es patrocinado por:

www.laculturadelingles.com

                    www.pebtest.com 

TODAY'S IDIOM: OPEN FOR BUSINESS

open for business
[of a shop, store, restaurant, etc.] operating and ready to do business.

The store is now open for business and invites you to come in.

Open for business .- abierto/en funcionamiento/listo para abrir (negocios)

Ejemplos:

La construccion sera terminada en marzo y estaremos listos para abrir en marzo ("The construction will be finished in March, and we will be open for business in April.")

Variados modelos de negocios le permiten a los bancos permanecer abiertos durante una crisis ("Diverse business models enable banks to remain open for business during a crisis")

Ejemplos adicionales:



Know the rules before you open for business.


Other considerations include dispute resolution, required hours open for business, and whether future expansion is possible at reasonable rates.

NO CONFUNDIR CON:

Otro uso para el idioma "Open for business"  es abierto y/o dispuesto a negociar

Ejemplo:  the coastal areas and the countries of south Asia are still open for business.

 El blog "La cultura del ingles " es patrocinado por:

www.laculturadelingles.com

                    www.pebtest.com 

TODAY'S QUIZ: FIT IN

TODAY'S QUIZ: "FIT IN"

What do you think "FIT IN" means?

a .- to belong with something

Example: She will fit in well with those high-powered environmental lawyers. 


b .- to measure someone for something


Example:  I have to fit in him for his tuxedo


c .- adjusting, correcting, or repairing


Example:  I'll need you to fit in this report








 Leave your answer on the comments section!

El blog "La cultura del ingles " es patrocinado por:

www.laculturadelingles.com

                    www.pebtest.com 

TODAY'S IDIOM: COME OUT BADLY

Come out badly[for efforts at something]

 To have a bad result.

 I hope trying to get back together with Joan doesn't come out badly.

Come out badly .- Tener un mal resultado/salir mal

Ejemplos

Las cosas salen mal cuando estoy nervioso ("things come out badly when i'm nervous"):

Si las cosas salen mal.Me hare  a un lado (" If things come out badly , I will step aside.")

Ejemplos sadicionales:

These surveys always come out badly for me

If you don't follow the steps the recipe will come out badly

No confundir con:

No confundir con otras variaciones de "Come out" como:

come out fighting .- Defenderse as si mismo o a un ideal

They were criticized from all sides but they came out fighting

come out ahead .-Salir con ventaja de una situacion


I never come out ahead after paying my bills

 El blog "La cultura del ingles " es patrocinado por:

www.laculturadelingles.com

                    www.pebtest.com 

TODAY'S QUIZ: "OUTSTANDING"

TODAY'S QUIZ: "OUTSTANDING"

What do you think "OUTSTANDING" means?


a .- To resist or endure successfully


Example: The building has been outstanding the recent storms very well


b .- Standing out among others of its kind; prominent


Example: He  is right now one of the most outstanding athletes in this discipline


c .- Staying outdoors


Example: They will be oustanding during this month's vacation.









 Leave your answer on the comments section!

El blog "La cultura del ingles " es patrocinado por:

www.laculturadelingles.com

                    www.pebtest.com 

TODAY'S IDIOM: WET BEHIND THE EARS

Wet behind the ears

young and not experienced 

The job put a lot of responsibility on someone who was still wet behind the ears, but he learned fast. 

Wet behind the ears= Novato,verde,en pañales,joven y sin experiencia.

Ejemplos:

La maestra tenia tan poca experiencia que no aprendimos nada ("The teacher was so wet behind the ears that we didn’t learn anything")

Podra aun ser un novato pero esta bien entrenado y es totalmente competente ("He may be wet behind the ears, but he's well-trained and totally competent")

Ejemplos adicionales:

I see people here who arrived at the school wet behind the ears and are now big executives.

I knew that I was onto something but was in the dark and wet behind the ears

 El blog "La cultura del ingles " es patrocinado por:

www.laculturadelingles.com

                    www.pebtest.com 

TODAY'S QUIZ: APPOINT

TODAY'S QUIZ: "APPOINT"

What do you think "APPOINT" means?


a .- To aim at someone or something

Example: He appointed to the door.

b .- To select or designate to fill an office or a position

Example: They appointed her the chief operating officer of the company

c .-To show or talk about something so others will notice it

Example:  Angela appointed  some spelling errors







 Leave your answer on the comments section!

El blog "La cultura del ingles " es patrocinado por:

www.laculturadelingles.com

                    www.pebtest.com 

TODAY'S IDIOM TAKE CENTER STAGE

TAKE CENTER STAGE

to be the center of interest 

Collecting food and clothes for disaster victims has taken center stage in our town. 

A new line of electric cars took center stage at the automobile show

TAKE CENTER STAGE: Ser el centro de atención

Ejemplos:

La tecnología móvil esta siendo el centro de atención en el mundo de hoy ("Mobile technology is  taking center stage in today's world")

Has sido el centro de atención en cada reunión de la compañía (" You've taken  center stage in each meeting of the company")

Ejemplos adicionales:

this model ensures that those most at risk take center stage.

Each child was eager to take center stage, sharing their vocal skills and talents for all to hear

NO CONFUNDIR CON:

"Center stage" El cual literalmente significa el centro de un escenario.

 El blog "La cultura del ingles " es patrocinado por:

www.laculturadelingles.com

                    www.pebtest.com 

TODAY'S QUIZ: CONFIDE

TODAY'S QUIZ: "CONFIDE"

What do you think "Confide" means?

a .-  To restrict in movement


Example: The sick child was confided to bed


b .- Suited or favorable to one's comfort, purpose, or needs


Example: I don't think this decision is very confide for us.


c .- To tell (something) in confidence


Example: He confided a secret to his friend.







 Leave your answer on the comments section!

El blog "La cultura del ingles " es patrocinado por:

www.laculturadelingles.com

                    www.pebtest.com 

TODAY'S IDIOM: A MEANS TO AN END

A means to an end

something that you are not interested in but that you do because it will help you to achieve something else (not used with the ) 

Mike doesn't have any professional ambitions. For him, work is just a means to an end. 

A means to an end :  medio para lograr/alcanzar un fin

Ejemplos:

Es un medio para un fin y ese fin debe ser el desarrollo sostenible. (" It is a means to an end. That end must be sustainable development.")

No es el final.Es meramente un medio para alcanzar un fin ("is not the end. It is merely a means to an end")

  Ejemplos adicionales:

You may get tired of regular physical exercise, but it's simply a means to an end.

They used this method as a means to an end

NO CONFUNDIR CON: 

"It means the end of  "  Que expresa "Es el final para/significa el final para"

 El blog "La cultura del ingles " es patrocinado por:

www.laculturadelingles.com

                    www.pebtest.com 

TODAY'S QUIZ: AFTERMATH

TODAY'S QUIZ: "AFTERMATH"

What do you think "Aftermath" means?


a .- A branch of mathematics


Example: I had to study all day for the aftermath exam!


b .- A consequence, especially of a disaster or misfortune


Example: He witnessed the aftermath of the bomb explosion


c .- A bringing to an end; a conclusion


Example:  She finally brought the project to aftermath








 Leave your answer on the comments section!

El blog "La cultura del ingles " es patrocinado por:

www.laculturadelingles.com

                    www.pebtest.com 

TODAY'S IDIOM: start (off) with a clean slate and start (over) with a clean slate

start (off) with a clean slate and start (over) with a clean slate

Fig. to start out again afresh; to ignore the past and start over again.

 I plowed under all last year's flowers so I could start with a clean slate next spring

 start (off) with a clean slate and start (over) with a clean slate : Comenzar de cero/Borron y cuenta nueva

Ejemplos:

Cuando Bob salio de prision.Comenzo de nuevo con un borron y cuenta nueva ("When Bob got out of jail, he started over with a clean slate.")

Para asegurar una salud adecuada, lo mejor es empezar de cero (" To ensure proper health, it is beneficial to start with a clean slate.")

Ejemplos adicionales:

The new Commission and the new Parliament will be able to start with a clean slate in 2013. 


Define your spirit, start with a clean slate and explore your universe.

NO CONFUNDIR CON:


start out with someone or something Que significa comenzar algo con alguien o algo


Ejemplo:  I started out the project with Jeff, but he had to be replaced.





 El blog "La cultura del ingles " es patrocinado por:

www.laculturadelingles.com

                    www.pebtest.com