Posts Tagged ‘slang’
English Conversation – Advertising
Advertising
This is the preparation material for an English Conversation Lesson about advertising. You can learn some advertising idioms as well as some common phrasal verbs that are used in advertisements and when talking about the subject of advertising. You can also read some common conversation questions about this topic.
English Conversation – Health
This is the preparation material for an English conversation lesson about health, healthy living and health care. There is a video containing a news report about strategies to improve people's health along with some questions to consider. There is also a list of commonly used idioms relating to health and conversation questions we might ask each other when discussing this subject. read more
English Conversation – Technology
Technology
This is the preparation material for an English Conversation Lesson about Science and Technology. It raises important questions such as: has technology made our lives better? What are the dangers of technology? What changes will technological developments bring to our future? There is a video to watch, some common idioms we use when talking about technology and typical questions we might ask eachother when discussing this subject.
English Conversation – Family
This is an English Conversation lesson about family. Watch a video about a very big family; learn idioms that we use in English when discussing our family, and read a list of conversation questions that people might ask each other when talking about this popular subject. read more
English Conversation – Food & Drink
This is an English Conversation lesson about food and drink. Watch a video showing children trying different foods from around the world. Learn idioms that we use in English when discussing food, drinks, cooking and eating and read a list of conversation questions that people might ask each other when talking about this popular subject. read more
Australian Idiom of the Day – Up a Gum Tree
In recognition of Australia Day, which is held on 26th January every year, today's English idiom of the day is an Australian expression.
Up a Gum tree
If you are 'up a gum tree' you are in trouble or in a very awkward position.
Example: Tony: "My wife caught me buying a drink for my attractive secretary." John: "Oh mate, you are up a gum tree!"
Did you know...? The original version of this idiom was "like a possum up a gum tree". It relates to possums getting into difficulty and being chased up gum trees by dogs.
English Idiom of the Day – Where on Earth
Adding 'on earth' is an idiomatic way of intensifying the word 'where'. For example, 'Where are my keys?' is a simple request for information. But 'Where on earth are my keys' implies that the person is frustrated and has been unable to find their keys and wonders where in the whole world they could be.
Example: Where on earth did you get that ridiculous hat? Where on earth are my keys?
Similar expressions: 'What on earth...?', 'Where in the world....?', 'Why on earth...?', 'How on earth...?' . The words 'on earth' or 'in the world' can be added to what, where, who, why or how to add emphasis.
Australian Word of the Day – Battler
In recognition of Australia Day, which is held on 26th January every year, today's word of the day is specifically an Australian word.
Battler
The literal meaning of 'battler' is someone who battles or fights, but the word is usually used to mean a person who fights against the odds or does not give up easily.
Example: David's house was damaged by the floods but he has been working every day to clean it up and repair the damage, he is a real battler.