Junk mail is a term used to describe letters or advertising products which are sent to people who have not asked to receive them. It can also apply to email.
Examples:
Why does no one send me real letters anymore? All I ever receive is junk mail!
When I checked my email this morning there were 15 items of junk mail advertising all kinds of weird things. (още…)
To feel blue means to feel sad.
Examples:
I don’t want to go out. Since my boyfriend left me I’ve been feeling blue.
Don’t feel blue. Life is short, have some fun!
When you say something will happen until you’re blue in the face you mean it will be happening for a long time.
Example:
You can talk until you’re blue in the face. You are not my boss and I’m not going to follow your orders!
The phrase putting out fires means dealing with many small problems, usually at work. Though the problems might be small, they need to be solved quickly before they become bigger ones.
Examples:
Sorry I didn’t have time to meet you for lunch today. I was busy at work all day putting out fires.
Sometimes it feels like you get nothing done in the office – you need to spend the whole day putting out fires.
In English, when we say we’ve got cold feet we mean we lack the confidence or courage to do something.
Examples:
Mary knew Tony had bought her engagement ring and was planning to propose on Valentine’s Day. She just hoped he wouldn’t get cold feet before then.
The company directors were getting cold feet about a deal which could make or break their business.
To break the ice means to get people who have not met before to feel relaxed and to start talking to each other.
Examples:
She said, „Here’s a game that’s guaranteed to break the ice at parties“.
The room was silent, so he told a joke to break the ice.
Sometimes it’s very difficult to break the ice with our new students because they are so shy. (още…)
If doing something is described as a piece of cake, it means it is easy to do.
Examples:
Changing the wheel on the car was a piece of cake – I was happy to help!
I don’t know what all the fuss was about – the exam was a piece of cake! I had half an hour to spare.
To put your feet up means to relax, especially by sitting with your feet supported above the ground.
Examples:
I like nothing better than putting my feet up after a hard day at work!
You work so hard. Come on, sit here and put your feet up!
If you gamble on something it means you do something risky in the hope of getting a good result.
Examples:
Don’t gamble on the weather being good for your party. I know you want a barbeque, but it could rain. I’d book a venue with a covered area.
I took a gamble on employing John, but it’s turned out that he’s great for our team.
You use the expression child’s play when you mean that something is very easy to do.
Examples:
I finished the test very quickly. It was child’s play!
Stop trying to fix the car and call a professional mechanic to do the job. This is not child’s play.
If you get a handle on something, you begin to understand it.
Examples:
I used to be terrible at maths but after lots of hard work, I think I’ve got a handle on it now.
If I could just get a handle on this new project at work, I’m sure the boss would give me a pay rise.
If something or someone is too hot to handle, it is too dangerous or difficult to deal with.