Slang is highly
ephemeral: it changes from one generation to another. Slang terms come into
existence for various reasons, some obvious, some inexplicable, but most of
them are delightfully direct and to the point. The use of slang adds spice to
speech and writing.
Run to it: be enough.
e.g. Do you think
the water supply will run to it?
Man of parts: an individual
with different accomplishments.
e.g. He is a
writer, a painter, and a musician--certain a man of parts.
Pull one's weight: do one's share.
e.g. Everyone
should pull his weight if we want the project to succeed.
Rich: absurd; unreal.
e.g. He says he'll
work hard from now on--that's rich!
Lump it: endure; bear with
it.
e.g .It's too bad
if you don't it; just lump it!
Near thing: almost did not
succeed.
e.g. He won the
race, but it was a near thing.
Clear as mud: obvious.
e.g. I thought
everybody knew. It was clear as mud!
Have been had: cheated.
e.g. If you paid
$50 for this, you've been had!
Go to pot: be discarded as
useless.
e.g. This
innovation will soon go to pot.
A bust up: a violent quarrel.
e.g. My wife and I
had a bust up last night.
Keep one's
countenance: refrain from moving or laughing.
e.g. She was so
funny with her jokes that hardly anyone could keep his countenance.
Now you're talking!: talking sensibly.
e.g. It's good to
hear your suggestions. Now you're talking! All along you were
objecting to the plan!
A look in: chance.
e.g. You can try.
But I tell you what: you won't have a look in to get that job.
Go while the going
is good: leave while the opportunity is still favorable.
e.g. If I were you,
I would depart right now; go while the going's good.
Made man: a successful
individual
e.g. After all
these years of hard work, he is finally a made man.
Go slow with: don't use too
much.
e.g. Please go
slow with the sugar; that's all we have left.
A lone wolf: a self-centered
person.
e.g. He is a
lone wolf, and never seems to get along with anyone.
Keep someone sweet: keep someone
satisfied.
e.g. He is very
good at keeping his boss sweet; that's why he can hold on to his
job for that long.
Stephen Lau
Learning a language
takes time and effort, especially if it is not your first language. Even if it
is your mother tongue, you still need time and effort to master it because
almost every language has its own slang and colloquial expressions, and the
English language is no exception.
Language is forever
changing. What is currently acceptable or popular may be replaced by something
else in years to come, and the use of slang is a strong testament to that.
Slang is just an alternative way of saying something. It is sometimes hard to
identify what is slang and what is not. Slang and colloquial expressions are
often acceptable in informal writing because they are used in communication in
movies, newspapers, radio, television, and other mass media The more you learn,
the more you will know when to use or not to use them in your formal writing.
No matter what, knowing these common everyday expressions is a plus for all ESL
learners.
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