for good

The phrase for good means that an action is final or permanent. We often use this phrase when talking about a change in our situation such as when we move to a different country. If you like your new country and you want to stay here permanently, you can say that you're staying for good.

like this:

A: How do you like New York?

B: I love it here. I want to stay here for good.

A: My friend Ronaldo hates it here. He can't wait to go back to Columbia.

B: Have you heard from Manuel lately?

A: Yes. He went back to Spain.

B: Did he return for good?

A: No, I think he'll be back in a couple of months. He just needed to take care of some things.

B: Really? That's cool. A friend of mine just left New York for good. He wanted to stay, but his visa expired and he couldn't get a new one.

A: That's too bad.

B: I know.

Alright folks, the next time a friend is getting ready to return to his or her country, you can use this phrase. You can ask, "Are you going back for good?"

Good luck,

Joe

the small guide site

Take her up on it

Taking someone up on something means accepting someone's offer. You can take someone up on a favor for the future, or you can take someone up on a favor that he or she has offered in the past.

For example, if a friend offers to help you with your taxes and you think you may be able to use his help in the future, you can say, "Thanks for the offer. I may take you up on that." This means: I may ask you for help in the future just as you offered.

Similarly, if your house needs painting now, and another friend offered to paint your house, you can call this friend when you're ready for his help and say "Hey man, I'm ready to take you up on your offer to paint my house. I hope the offer still stands." This means: I'm ready to accept your offer, and I hope the offer is still good.

like this:

A: So have you done your taxes yet?

B: Oh, no. I usually take care of that around late February. I don't want to think about taxes right now. What about you?

A: I worked on mine last weekend. Let me know if you need any help with yours. I can definitely help you out.

B: That's right! You're an accountant! Ok. I may just take you up on it. I'll call you late next month.

A: Alright. By the way, do you know any good house painters? I need a couple of rooms in my house painted. I could do it myself, but I don't have the time.

B: Actually, a friend of mine is a painter. He said to call him if I ever needed something painted. I can take him up on his offer and call him up.

A: That would be great. I can probably put in a couple of hours to make the job go faster.

B: Ok. If all three of us do it, we can get it done in no time.

The offer still stands - the offer is still good and valid

in no time - in very little time; in a short time

Alright folks, think of someone who offered to help you with something. Perhaps you can call them up now and ask if the offer still stands. You can say, "Can I take you up on your offer to help me with my English?" ... or something like that.

Good luck!

Joe

the small guide site