Wednesday, December 28, 2011

kudos (n)

1. Great job on the project! Kudos to you and your team, John.
2. We heard the actors were difficult to work with. Kudos to the director for making it happen.
3. They received some kudos for their excellent customer service.
4. Kudos should go to his secretary, who caught the huge mistake that could have gotten him fired.
5. Kudos to everyone who volunteered. Your hard work made the program a success.



We give kudos to people when we praise, congratulate, or give them credit for a job well done. This word tends to be used informally.


This small lesson is brought to you by Joe Yu and the small guide site.
Follow Joe on Twitter @joeyu2nd.
Be a fan of the small guide site on Facebook.



Have you signed up for my email updates yet? You can do it here on the right margin.

Sunday, December 18, 2011

hit the road

1. It's almost 6; I've been working since 7 this morning. It's time for me to hit the road.
2. Let's hit the road early tomorrow so we can get there before sundown.
3. We planned on hitting the road early, but we overslept.
4. He has a two-hour commute to work everyday. He hits the road as early as 6 a.m.
5. If you start causing trouble, the bartender will probably tell you to hit the road.

When you hit the road, you start a trip or a journey. You can also tell someone to hit the road if you're angry and you want that person to leave.

Brought to you by Joe Yu and the small guide site.
Follow Joe on Twitter @joeyu2nd.
Be a fan of the small guide site on Facebook.


Did you enjoy this small lesson or find it useful? Why not share it with friends who are also studying English? Go ahead! Use one of the social-media buttons below.

Saturday, December 17, 2011

What's with the something

1. What's with the anger? I thought you didn't mind doing a little bit of work.
2. What's with the new outfit? I thought you weren't going to buy any more clothes.
3. What's with the delay? I need to be at work in 15 minutes.
4. What's with all the commotion in front of Macy's? Did someone spot a celebrity?
5. What's with all the empty boxes? Are you getting ready to move?

What's with the something is a colloquial way of asking what the meaning of something is. We usually follow this question with a follow-up question to confirm, sometimes jokingly, what we think might be the reason.

Brought to you by Joe Yu and the small guide site.
Follow Joe on Twitter @joeyu2nd.
Be fan of the small guide site on Facebook.



Do you like this small lesson or find it useful? Please share it with friends. You can use one of the social-media buttons below. Also, have you signed up for our email updates? You can enter your email on the right margin. Thank you.