Everyday spoken language is full of fixed expressions that are not necessarily difficult to understand (their meaning may be quite 'transparent') but which have a fixed form which does not change. These have to be learnt as whole expressions. These expressions are often hard to find in dictionaries, so listen out for them.
Conversation-building expressions
These are some common expressions that help to modify or organise what we are saying.
There are many more expressions like these. (See also Unit 100.) expression
As I was saying, I haven't seen her for years.
As Vyou say, we'll have to get there early to get a seat.
Talking of skiing, whatever happened to Bill Jakes?
If you ask me, she's heading for trouble.
That reminds me, I haven't rung George yet.
Come to think of it, did he give me his number after all? I think he may have forgotten.
meaning/function
takes the conversation back to an earlier point
repeats and confirms something someone has already said
starting a new topic but linking it to the present one if you want my opinion (even if no-one has asked for it)
something in the conversation reminds you of something important
something in the conversation makes you realise there may be a
problemlquery about something Key words
Some everyday expressions can be grouped around key words. This and that, for example, occur in several expressions:
This is it. [this is We talked about this and that, an important point]
\ '
or this, that and the other. [various unimportant matters]That's it. [that's the
/ '
So, that's that, then. [that last thing, we've finished] is agreed, settled, finalised]Common expressions for modifying statements
If the worst comes to the worst, we'll have to cancel the holiday. [if the situation gets very bad indeed]
If all else fails, we could fax them. [if nothing else succeeds]
What with one thing and another, I haven't had time to reply t o her letter. [because of a lot of different circumstances]
When it comes to restaurants, this town's not that good. [in the matter of restaurants]
As far as I'm concerned, we can eat at any time. [as far as it affects me 1 from my point of view]
As luck would have it, she was out when we called. [as a result of bad luck]
Complete the fixed expressions in these sentences, as far as possible without looking at the left-hand page.
. . .
1 Come
,
I don't remember giving her the key. I'd better ring her and check, just in case....
2 If you
,
the economy's going to get much worse beforeit gets any better.
3 ... holidays, have you got any plans for next year?
4 A: It's going to be expensive.
...
B: Yes, it'll be fun, and a great opportunity, but, as
,
it will be expensive....
5 That
,
I have a message for you from Sid.. . .
6 As
,
before the postwoman interrupted us, we plan toextend the house next spring.
Which of the expressions with thidthat opposite would be most suitable for the second parts of these mini-dialogues?
1 A: What were you and Lindsay talking about?
...
B: Oh,
2 A: How many more?
...
B: No more, actually,
3 A: The most important thing is that nobody's happy.
. . . B: Yes, well,
4 A: Okay, I'll take our decisions to the committee.
...
B: Right, so
,
then. Thanks.See if you can complete this network of everyday expressions with now, as with the thidthat network opposite. Use a dictionary if necessary.
. . .
[occasionally]
I
[attract attention because you're going to say something]
[immediately; also used to emphasise your point]
Use the expressions with now to rewrite these sentences.
1 Do you want me to do it straight away, or can it wait?
2 So, everybody, listen carefully. I have news for you.
3 I bump into her in town occasionally, but not that often.
7
4 Which expressions contain the following key words?1 comes 2 luck 3 fails 4 worst 5 far 6 thing
Follow-up: Make a list of common expressions like the ones in this unit in your language.
How do you say them in English!
76 Similes - as...as... I like ...
As
...
as... similes are easy to understand. If you see the phrase as dead as a doornail, you don't need to know what a doornail is, simply that the whole phrase means 'totally dead'.But, remember, fixed similes are not 'neutral'; they are usually informal/colloquial and often humorous. So, use them with care, and keep them generally as part of your receptive
vocabulary.
Creating a picture in your mind can often help you remember the simile:
as blind as a bat as thin as a rake as strong as an o x as quiet as a mouse Some can be remembered as pairs of opposites.
as heavy as lead z as light as a feather as drunk as a lord z as sober as a judge as black as night z as white as snow
Some can be remembered by sound patterns.
As brown as a berry as good as gold as cool as a cucumber Some other useful as...as... phrases.
The bed was as hard as iron and I couldn't sleep.
I'll give this plant some water. The soil's as dry as a bone.
He's as mad as a hatter. H e crossed the Atlantic in a bathtub.
She told the teacher, as bold as brass, that his lessons were boring.
You'll have to speak up; he's as deaf as a post.
Don't worry. Using the computer's as easy as falling off a log.
She knew the answer as quick as a flash.
When I told him, his face went as red as a beetroot.
Sometimes the second part can change the meaning of the first. 1 The Princess's skin was as white as snow. [beautifully white]
When he saw it, his face went as white as a sheet. [pale with fearlhorror]
The fish was bad and I was as sick as a dog. [vomiting]
She ran off with my money; I felt as sick as a parrot. [bad feeling of disillusionment/frustration]
Like
...
My plan worked like a dream, and the problem was soon solved.
Be careful the boss doesn't see you; she has eyes like a hawk.
N o wonder he's fat. H e eats like a horse and drinks like a fish.
Did you sleep well? Yes, thanks, like a log.
Sorry, I forgot to ring him again. I've got a head like a sieve!
The boss is like a bear with a sore head today. [in a very bad temper]
She goes around like a bull in a china shop. [behaving in a very clumsy, insensitive way]
Criticising the government in his presence is like a red rag t o a bull. [certain t o make him very angry]
.
Complete the as.. .as.. similes.
...
1 Rose is as mad as a you wouldn't believe the crazy things she does.
2 You're not eating enough; you're as thin as a ... ......
.
3 He never says a thing; he's as quiet as a ...4 You'll have t o shout; she's as deaf as a ...
...
5 I'm afraid I can't read this small print; I'm as blind as a ... without my glasses.
Different similes contain the same word. Fill the gap with the appropriate words.
1 I feel great now. I ... like a log.
. . .
2 No! It's as easy as off a log.
3 After eating that bad cheese I was as sick as a ...
4 I knew she had swindled me. I felt as sick as a ...
5 The old man's hair was as white as ...
...
6 Her face suddenly went as white as
76.3 Put the correct number in the right-hand boxes to complete the similes, as in the example.
There are two that are not on the left-hand page. Try and guess them.
quick daisy
red ox
as flat as a(n) flash
fresh
0
beetrootstrong pancake
Simile word puzzle. Fill in the answers, as in the example.
Across Down
1 bold 1 blind 2 mad 2 iron 4 white 3 log 5 fresh 6 cold 7 quiet 8 cool 9 dry 10 light
76.5 What can you say about
... n
1 a person who sees everything and never misses a thing?
2 a plan or course of action that works very well?
3 someone who eats and drinks a great deal?
4 someone with a very bad memory?