Slang
and Colloquial Expressions
Spread
oneself: spare no expense.
e.g.
The farmers' market has many good stuffs, but don't spread
yourself.
Standing
on one's head: doing something easily.
e.g.
It's no big deal! I can do it standing on my head.
Put
one's feet up: take a break; rest.
e.g.
I'll call it a day. I'm going to put my feet up.
Put
one's shirt on: wager everything.
e.g. We
have to put our shirt on this project; we've no other option.
Make
a dead set at: very determined to.
e.g.
He made a dead set at getting that house on the market.
Jolly well:
most certainly.
e.g.
"Do you want another drink?" "Jolly well!"
Long
in the tooth: very old.
e.g.
"How old is he? " "I don't know, but he's long
in the tooth
Keep
early hours: go to bed early.
e.g. If
you want good health, keep
early hours.
Look alive: hurry up.
e.g. Look
alive! We don't want to miss our flight.
Make it
snappy: be quick.
e.g.
Common on, make it snappy!
We don't have all the time in the world!
Hold
one's horse: wait a minute; not immediately.
e.g.
Dinner is ready, but hold your horse; wait for the host to
come down!
In
good nick: in good condition.
e.g.
If I were you, I would buy this car; it's in good nick.
Talk
through the back of one's neck: talk nonsense.
e.g.
Look what he's doing: talking through the back of his neck.
Tall
order: a challenging demand.
e.g.
To finish the project in a week is certainly a tall
order for me.
In a
jiffy: soon.
e.g.
The manager will see you in a jiffy.
Stand
to reason: be logical.
e.g.
It stands to reason that the Mayor should resign now that
he has admitted his wrongdoing.
Shoot:
speak out.
e.g.
"I've something I'd like to say to you, but I'm afraid. . ." "Shoot!"
In the
picture: informed.
e.g.
Thank you for putting me in
the picture; now I know what's going on.
Stephen Lau
Copyright© by
Stephen Lau
