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

Show someone the ropes

Show someone the ropes - teach someone how to do things usually at work; show someone the correct procedures; train someone.

We often use this expression when we have a new coworker. When someone new has just been hired, this new worker needs to be shown the ropes before he or she can work independently.

like this:

1. We have a new person coming in today. Could you show him the ropes this week?

2. Thanks for showing me the ropes. I learned a lot from you.

3. Tom's very busy this week. He's been showing the new hire the ropes.

Have you ever shown someone the ropes at work? Do you usually take it seriously and enjoy it or do you consider it a pain?

a pain - an annoyance

Check out our next blog when we talk about the different ways people use a pain.

Take care.

Joe

the small guide

www.thesmallguidesite.com

Get back into the swing of things

Get back into the swing of things - return to your routine, your usual schedule, or a more regular emotional or mental state.

We often use this expression when we feel or notice that our lives have returned to normal following a long absence.

like this:

1. It took me awhile to get back into the swing of things after spending a year in Europe.

2. John helped me get back into the swing of things at work. A lot of things have changed while I was gone.
3. It feels like I'm finally back in the swing of things. For awhile, I just lost my passion for my work.
4. She seems to be back in the swing of things. She seemed out of it for some time after her divorce.
5. I finally got rid of my jetlag. I'm now back to work and back in the swing of things.

Well, after a four-month hiatus, I hope I'm now back in the swing of things especially in terms of this blog. I'm shooting for at least a once-a-week posting, but I will try to do two a week whenever I can.

hiatus - a break; a gap in time

Tell everyone you know who's learning English. Look for an update on our facebook page (Type in thesmallguidesite in the search box.) and our updated webpage in the near future.

Until next time.
Joe
the small guide

www.thesmallguidesite.com