Curiosities about the Language

Post date: Aug 17, 2011 12:28:03 PM

Here we can see English proverbs and sayings, idiomatic expressions, false friends or phrasal verbs.

Some examples:

1. as easy as pie: very easy.

"I thought you said this was a difficult problem. It isn't. In fact, it's as easy as pie."

2. at the eleventh hour: at the last minute; almost too late.

"Yes, I got the work done in time. I finished it at the eleventh hour, but I wasn't late.

3. be a piece of cake: be very easy.

A: "Bob said the test was difficult, but I thought it was a piece of cake."

4. be all ears: be eager to hear what someone has to say.

A: "I just got an e-mail message from our old friend Sally."

B: "Tell me what she said. I'm all ears!"

5. be broke: be without money.

"No, I can't lend you ten dollars. I'm completely broke until payday."

Now, can you add some sayings or idioms to the list? Add at least two per person and include one sentence as example.