Don't let the cat out of the bag

This expression is pretty much the same as the previous one from last week's blog. When you don't let the cat out of the bag, you're keeping something under wraps, which means you're keeping a secret. 

As you know, some people have no problems keeping the cat in the bag. Others, however, have trouble doing this because secrets are sometimes like a cat inside a bag that's screaming and moving violently trying to escape. 

like this:

1. I swear; if you let the cat out of the bag, I'm going to be pissed.

2. I can't believe you let the cat out of the bag after I specifically told you not to. What's wrong with you?

3. No one was supposed to know about the surprise bonuses yet, but one of the secretaries let the cat out of the bag.

4. Did you let the cat out of the bag after I told you not to?

5. Please don't let the cat out of the bag. My parents will kill me of they find out I got arrested.

Alright, everyone. The same challenge as the one last week. Tell us the last time you let the cat out of the bag. Tell us what happened and practice your English.

Good luck,

Joe

the small guide

thesmallguidesite.com

keep it under wraps

Keeping something under wraps means keeping it a secret. We use this expression whenever we tell someone something that we want to stay confidential.

like this:

1. The staff will have to know about the recent changes, but let's keep it under wraps until we finalize everything.

2. Have you heard? David and Sandra got engaged. We have to keep it under wraps for now, though. She hasn't told her parents.

3. Don't tell Tom anything. That guy has a hard time keeping things under wraps.

4. Do you want to keep the plans for a merger under wraps for now?

5. He's working on a project that he wants to keep under wraps right now. He said he'd let everyone know once it's finished.

Are you keeping something under wraps from someone? Do you want to tell us about it? We won't tell. We promise.

Good luck.
Joe

the small guide

thesmallguidesite.com 

screw something up

A lot of you may be familiar with this one already. When you screw something up, you make a mistake and usually ruin something. This something can be anything--a computer, a project, a relationship, you name it--because as you know, you can screw up anything. You can screw up plans for the weekend by working; you can screw up a piece of equipment by not following instructions; you can screw up a relationship with your significant other by saying or doing something awful that makes him or her angry. 


This phrasal verb has the same meaning as mess up, which you may be familiar with. The teacher messed up means the same thing as The teacher screwed up, which means the teacher made a mistake.

like this:

1. The soup's too salty because John screwed up. He didn't follow the recipe.

2. They might fire him. He screwed up the report, and the company lost a lot of money.

3. Don't bring up politics or religion at the dinner table, ok? ... or you'll screw things up.

4. His cable company keeps screwing up his bill so he might switch to another company. 

5. Don't bring your dog to the wedding or you'll screw up everything.  

Everyone screws up now and then. What have you screwed up lately? Tell us and practice your English. You can comment here or on Facebook. ... or if you're not registered to either of these, you can go to the small guide site and write me an email.

Good luck!

Joe 

the small guide

www.thesmallguidesite.com

Get ready to Try This!

Hi there, followers!


It's time to click on over to the small guide site for our newest exercise. Check your knowledge and proficiency of English expressions--the one's you've learned from this blog--and fill in the blanks. Don't be nervous; you can check your answers right away by mousing over the blanks. Don't put it off! ... and Good luck!


Joe Yu
the small guide
thesmallguidesite.com

Making the cut

Making the cut means being chosen or picked to be part of a group or to move forward, as in a competition. When you make the cut, this usually means that you performed well in something and because of this, you are considered worthy of moving forward. Things can also make the cut, as in photographs or paintings that are chosen out of many to be part of an exhibit.


like this:

1. Tom got picked for the basketball team. Unfortunately his twin brother, Ted, didn't make the cut.

2. I heard John auditioned for the concert choir at school. Do you know if he made the cut?

3. I can't believe our band actually made the cut to perform at the festival. This will give us a lot of exposure.

4. Her paintings got selected in the preliminaries, but it didn't make the final cut.

5. The company is looking for five new salespeople. I think my interview went well; I hope I make the cut.

Alright, ladies and gents. Have you made the cut lately? Have you done well in a competition or an application that you got selected to be part of a chosen group? If you have, congratulations! ... and oh yeah! Tell us about it. 

Hope to hear from you.

Joe Yu

the small guide

thesmallguidesite.com

P.S. Think about giving The small guide To Improving Your English to friends and family who are learning English. They'll thank you for it.
Really, it's a great small gift idea. 

Kindle anyone?

 It's ready! Get your digital copy of The small guide To Improving Your English at the Kindle Store. For a mere $1.99, you can check out the booklet and consider giving it out for the holidays. Really, it's a great small gift idea--perfect for friends, family, coworkers, employees who are studying English.

Give them grammar rules; give them examples; give them chances to practice.

Spread the word!

Joe Yu

the small guide at thesmallguidesite.com

That just doesn't cut it.

When something just doesn't cut it, it means it's simply not good enough. Because it's not good enough, you usually have to do it again until it meets someone's approval or some kind of requirement. This expression is usually used only in the negative.


like this:
1. You have to rewrite this essay and correct the mistakes if you want it published. Right now, it just doesn't cut it.
2. Read a news article at least three times if you want to improve your English. Once just doesn't cut it.
3. We have a very picky client who only wants the best. I don't think what we have here is going to cut it. Let's try another color or design.
4. Let's make two turkeys this year. We have a lot of guests for Thanksgiving dinner. I don't think one's gonna cut it.
5. Nice job, everyone. Really. But if you want your college applications to stand out, getting a B just doesn't cut it. You'll have to aim for an A. So study harder.


Alright, everyone. Remember, if you want to improve your English, merely understanding just doesn't cut it; you have to practice.


Good luck!
Joe Yu
the small guide
thesmallguidesite.com 

They're now at the Grand Canyon!

Our family has reached the Grand Canyon after their 3-hour drive from Las Vegas. It sounds like they're enjoying their trip. See which English expressions they use as they talk about their experiences, and check if you can use the same expressions correctly.

Good luck!

Joe Yu

the small guide

thesmallguidesite.com  

Cutting someone some slack

This expression means not being so strict with someone. The word slack can mean loosening your pull on a piece of rope. You can pull a rope tight or you can give it some slack. So when you cut someone some slack, you loosen your hold on the person. You're not as tight and, therefore, not as strict.


like this:
1. If someone makes fun of how the turkey that you cooked is too dry, hopefully jokingly, you can say, "Will you cut me some slack? This was my first time cooking a turkey."
2. When a coworker is giving the new guy a hard time, you can say, "Cut him some slack, will you? It's his first day on the job."
3. If your wife gets angry because you're 30 minutes late, you can say, "You're going to have to cut me some slack; there was a lot of traffic on the freeway."
4. If you want the new employee to learn his job fast, you can tell the trainer, "Don't cut him any slack. Make sure he learns the job well."
5. If your friend gets very upset because you dropped his flatscreen TV, you can tell him, "Cut us some slack! It's snowing outside!"


Alright, if you are angry with someone right now, think about cutting the person some slack. He or she may have a good excuse. No, this is not a therapy session; I just want you to practice some English.


Until next time.
Joe Yu
the small guide
thesmallguidesite.com

be cut out for something

This expression is more often used in the negative. If you're not cut out for something or to do something, it means you're not made or meant to do this thing. This usually means that you aren't good at doing this activity or won't be completely comfortable doing it because it just isn't for you. You may not even like this activity, but perhaps you thought you did. 


You may have this opinion about yourself, or someone may think this about you. This may seem negative, but it's just a fact of life. For example, some people are great in business, while others are just not cut out for it. You may enjoy traveling and backpacking for a whole year, while your bestfriend is just not cut out to do it. After all, it's not easy living out of a suitcase. When this happens, your bestfriend will probably head back home because when you realize you're not cut out to do something, it usually doesn't make sense to continue doing it.


like this:
1. After four years of medical school, he learned he wasn't cut out to be a doctor.
2. He's a great worker, but I don't think he's cut out to be a manager.
3. I thought I'd enjoy babysitting, but now I don't think I'm cut out for this.
4. I know you really want to run for office, but are you sure you're cut out for it?
5. He didn't use to think he was cut out to run a marathon, but we pushed him because we knew he could do it.


Do you sometimes feel like you're not cut out to do something? Well, don't give up so easily. Keep trying. If, in the end, you're sure that you're definitely not cut out for it, that's fine. There will be something you'll realize you're good at. You just have to find it.


Good luck,
Joe
the small guide
thesmallguidesite.com

It's that time again!

Click on over to the small guide site. We have a brand new exercise for you to check your proficiency in English expressions. Really, it's a nice review to see if you remember our lessons on this blog and if you can use them in context. 

Good luck!

have a thing for ...

If your friend has a thing for something, he probably gets excited and enjoys being around or talking about or even just hearing about this thing. For example, you can say, "My friend, John, has a thing for insects. He gets excited whenever he sees one and has to figure out what kind of species it is." People usually have a thing for something strange or unusual and sometimes with a kinky connotation attached to it. Because of this, this expression is not usually used seriously but often to joke around with someone regardless of whether the joke is true or not. 


By the way, you can also have a thing for people. For example, Sally can have a thing for her boss. This means she is probably attracted to her boss to some degree.


like this:
1. Maria has a thing for men on horseback; she got excited when she saw the knight exhibit at the Met.
2. That's the fifth time you've mentioned your neighbor. Do you have a thing for her?
3. I think our teacher has a thing for cows. Every time he gives us an example, there's always a cow in the scenario.
The examples above are probably said as a joke--to be funny.


So, do you have a thing for something or someone? ;) Care to share it with us? Go for it. You can comment here or on our facebook page.


Can't wait to hear from you.
Joe
the small guide
thesmallguidesite.com

Extra! Extra!

Try out our latest exercise at the small guide site and see how well you know or remember some English expressions from this blog. You can mouse over the blanks to check your answers. Good luck!

I'm all about ...

This is an informal way of expressing what you believe in or enjoy doing.


like this:
1. I'm all about going out of town now and then.

2. Our teacher is all about giving students a lot of practice.
3. They're all about saving the environment.
4. She's all about taking advantage of sales.
5. That organization is all about helping the homeless.


What do you strongly believe in or enjoy doing? Are you all about partying every weekend? Perhaps you're all about keeping up with the news. A lot of people are all about buying organic and eating healthy these days. So what are you all about? 


Good luck.
Joe
the small guide
thesmallguidesite.com

Extra! Extra!

Our redesigned website is finally up. Stop by and try out an exercise. See how well you remember and understand expressions from our blog. Read up on tips to improve your English; they have been rewritten and simplified. Find some book suggestions to add to your library. ... or just check out our new look! We think you'll like it.

Good luck!

Joe

the small guide

thesmallguidesite.com 

take you up on your offer

take someone up on an offer - take advantage of someone's offer


You may not need a friend's help right away, but you may need it in the future. So if he offers to help, you can decline for now and then say that you might take him up on his offer in the future. 


like this:
1. I don't need help with my English right now, but I might take you up on your offer in the fall when I start college.
2. It's ok if you can't help me move this weekend. Tom said to call him if I needed help. I can always take him up on his offer.
3. Sally said she could help me cook if ever I have a party, so I might take her up on her offer for next weekend.


Alright, are you ready to take someone up on an offer? Just give them a call, and say, "I'm ready to take you up on your offer to ... (help me with my homework).


Good luck!
Joe
the small guide
thesmallguidesite.com

the offer still stands

the offer still stands - the offer is still good; you can still take advantage of the offer.


You use this expression when you've offered your help or your services to someone, but this person still hasn't taken advantage of it. If you tell this person that your offer still stands, it means that you meant it when you said that you would help him move to a new apartment, for example, or drive him to the airport or help him with his English homework. He should, therefore, take advantage of it.    


like this:
1. I might need a ride to the airport after all next week. Does your offer still stand?
2. Seriously, the offer still stands. Anytime you need help moving, just let me know. I'll come over and help.
3. I might ask Tim to help me with math. He told me before he could help. I hope his offer still stands.


Have you ever offered to help some friends with something, with homework or with painting an apartment, for example? If you still want to help, let them know. Give them a call; tell them you're still available, and say the offer still stands.


Good luck!
Joe
the small guide
thesmallguidesite.com

Get on my nerves

This is another way of expressing your annoyance at someone or something. When someone or something gets on your nerves, you probably want to stay away from it or from that person.

like this:

1. I like John, but he really gets on my nerves whenever he starts telling me what to do. He's not my boss after all.

2. I didn't mind having to fill out the forms for the clients at first, but eventually it got on my nerves.

3. Sue and Tom were perfect roommates in the beginning. Now she's asking him to move out. I think he's getting on her nerves.

Alright, folks. Think of something or someone that bothers you. Say what it is. (Yes, actually say it out loud. Remember, practice makes perfect.) Then complete the sentence: This really gets on my nerves because ...

Have fun.

Joe

the small guide

thesmallguidesite.com

A pain in the behind

Here are different ways of expressing your annoyance at someone or something. All of them make reference to the buttocks.

a pain in the ass - (You usually say this when you are angry.) When someone is a pain in the ass, you don't want to be around that person. If something is a pain in the ass, you don't want to do it.

a pain in the behind - (This usually means you're clearly annoyed, but you don't want to say "ass" because it's too vulgar.)

a pain in the you-know-what (You can also say this when you don't want to say "ass".)

a pain in the petoot (Petoot is a childish, funny way to call the buttocks)

like this:

1. I can't stand the new guy at work. He's such a pain in the ass; he's constantly complaining.

2. Tim tried to do his own taxes. He said it was such a pain in the you-know-what. Next year, he said he'll have an accountant do it for him.

3. Could you just follow instructions and quit being a pain in the behind? We're running late as it is.

Alright folks. Quit being a pain in the ass to your teachers. Do your homework; participate in class and of course, be respectful to your classmates.

Take care,

Joe

the small guide

thesmallguidesite.com