under the weather

I'm feeling much better now, but I've been feeling under the weather the past few days. It started on Sunday when my nose started to run, and I thought it was just the dry, cold air irritating my sinuses. Actually, I'm probably partly to blame because, while it could have been the weather that caused my nose to run, I think not eating well on Sunday and not getting enough sleep probably exacerbated my already poor condition.


My runny nose got worse on Monday, and after getting less than six hours of sleep, I woke up on Tuesday feeling awful. My nose dripped nonstop; my eyes were watery and red, and my breath was warm. Fortunately, I didn't have a fever. I considered calling in sick, and if I had had a temperature, I most likely would have done it.


Luckily, I gradually got better on Tuesday. With a healthy breakfast of apples and chicken soup, plus several Airborne tablets throughout the day, I slowly started to feel well. I woke up feeling significantly better on Wednesday, and today, I feel much better. I hate being sick, and I hate admitting that I'm sick, so I hope that's it for this winter.  


vocabulary:
under the weather - not feeling well; sick
my nose started to run - my nose starting dripping
exacerbate - make something worse
call in sick - call your job to say you can't work for the day 
a temperature - a fever


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It's Thanksgiving!

I've been working a lot lately, so this long weekend is very special. It's my time to rest, reflect, and be thankful. First, I wanted to sleep in, which I did. Then my girlfriend and I went out for a walk, a very long one--longer than we had planned. We came back worn out and hungry but feeling refreshed. It's been a beautiful fall day in Brooklyn--a little nippy, but the sun kept us warm.


We're looking forward to a nice, quiet, small dinner with turkey (frozen and pre-cooked), stuffing, gravy, vegetables, and a chocolate desert--simple and without the fuss. Then there's a movie or two to watch. Later at midnight, we may head to Target to take advantage of some Black Friday deals. I never thought I'd participate in this shopping frenzy the day after Thanksgiving, but I found some bargains and we need some things at home.


I wish you all a good holiday. I hope you have the chance to rest in your own way, to reflect, and be thankful for the people and the things around you, your hopes and your dreams. Happy Thanksgiving!


vocabulary:
sleep in - wake up late
worn out - exhausted; very tired
nippy - a little cold; chilly
look forward to - can't wait for something; long for something
fuss - bother; hassle
head (to) - go somewhere
Black Friday - the day after Thanksgiving when many stores have sales or marked-down prices
deals - bargains; good prices
frenzy - busy excitement; craziness


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a far cry

1. Martha likes her current English school a lot. She says it's a far cry from the previous one she attended, which she says wasn't very good.
2. Our new manager's style is such a far cry from our former manager's. Some people like it; others don't.
3. We're having a lot of fun camping even though we're a far cry from the conveniences of home.
4. It's better to spend the night here and return tomorrow. We're a far cry from the city.
5. This place is so much more relaxing. It's a far cry from our previous hotel, which was horrible.

If something is a far cry from something, it's very different or far away from the noun you're comparing it to.

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root for

1. Who do you root for when the Yankees play the Mets?
2. They go to at least one football game once a year to root for the home team.
3. He tends to root for the underdog if his team's not playing.
4. Please tell Tim we're rooting for him; we hear he's having a tough time with his illness.
5. Good luck on your job interview. We'll be rooting for you.


When you root for someone, you are supporting and cheering for them or wishing them well.


underdog - the weaker team; the team that is expected to lose


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come clean

1. He decided to come clean with his boss and told him the ideas he'd been submitting had been his assistant's.
2. After ten years of marriage, he finally came clean and confessed all his lies to his wife.
3. After a long investigation, the senator finally came clean and admitted that he did, in fact, sleep with the woman.
4. The suspect decided to come clean and told police exactly what happened.
5. The lawyer advised the company president to come clean with the public before the newspapers found out about their illegal activities.

When you come clean with someone, you decide to be honest and admit that you have been lying.

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Be fond of someone/something

Being fond of something is another way of saying you like the thing you are talking about. It's similar to being crazy about something, from yesterday's post, but with an added meaning of having a warm, cozy feeling toward it. You can also be fond of a person.

1. We're not very fond of our manager. He can be too strict sometimes.
2. He and his mother-in-law used to hate each other. Now they are very fond of each other.
3. She only takes taxis; she's not too fond of the subway.
4. There's a lot of leftover Halloween candy at their house. Their kids have never been fond of candy even when they were small.
5. He doesn't like reality shows in general, but he's very fond of Survivor and The Amazing Race.

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Be crazy about something/someone

We say we're crazy about something when we like it a lot. We can also be crazy about a person. Conversely, when we say we're not crazy about something, it means we don't like it.

1. They're crazy about their new teacher. They think he's amazing.
2. He's not too crazy about his new schedule. He has to be at work at 7, and he hates waking up early.
3. They're crazy about their son's babysitter. Unfortunately their son hates her.
4. Everyone wanted to try the new sushi place in the neighborhood, but Todd's not too crazy about eating raw fish, so he decided to split.
5. He didn't think he'd like New York City, but now he's really crazy about it.

split - leave

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savvy

The word savvy can be a noun or an adjective when it means practical know-how.

1. He has a lot of business savvy, which is why he always has an easy time getting clients. (n)
2. Are you computer savvy? I'm having problems with mine; maybe you can help me. (adj)
3. Maria is quite savvy when it comes to traveling. She knows how to find the best deals. (adj)
4. He has a little bit of savvy when it comes to investing, but I would get advice from a professional. (n)
5. Ted's not savvy about looking for apartments at all. You should ask Bill for help. (adj)

Being savvy means having the practical know-how or knowing what to do in certain situations.

when it comes to something - talking about something

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Putting your best foot forward

1. I'm sure Tom will get the job; he's really good at putting his best foot forward at interviews.
2. She doesn't think she put her best foot forward at the conference. She thinks she could have gotten more job prospects.
3. As a waitress, Trisha always puts her best foot forward with each new customer. The amount of her tip could depend on how friendly she is.
4. The manager reminds everyone to put their best foot forward whenever they interact with customers.
5. Experts believe you're more likely to successfully put your best foot forward if you dress up for a phone interview than if you do it in your pajamas.

When you put your best foot forward, you do your best to make a good impression.

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Versed in something

1. He's well-versed in Russian architecture; he's been interested in it since he took a class in college.
2. She has a great interest in renewable energy and is particularly versed in wind power.
3. Tom reads about different cultures all the time, but I hear he is especially versed in Asian cultures and traditions.
4. They told us you're well-versed in European train travel. Can you help us with our itinerary?
5. How versed is he in the latest state regulations? If he's well-versed in it, let's hire him.

Being versed in something means knowing a lot about a subject. It can mean that the person is an expert in the subject.

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