Learn Some Slang Expressions

Learn Some Slang Expressions

Have not the faintest: have no idea at all.

e.g. I had not the faintest what he was talking about.

French leave: leave without permission.

e.g. His boss found out that he took French leave yesterday afternoon to see his mother in the hospital.

Darned sight more: a lot more.

e.g. "Do you think he should put more effort on this?" "A darned sight more!"

Have it in for someone: bear someone a grudge; be determined to punish someone.

e.g. All these years he has it in for you: you married his sweetheart.

Put one's shirt on: wager everything.

e.g. We have to put our shirt on this project; we've no other option.

Pooped: exhausted.

e.g. I was pooped after working for nine hours in the yard.

Hard put to it: in a very difficult situation.

e.g. I understand that when you are out of employment for so long, you are really very hard put to it.

Have a load on: be very drunk.

e.g. Your husband seemed to have a load on when he came home from work yesterday.

Alive and kicking: in good health.

"How is she doing?" "Very much alive and kicking."

Say-so: permission.

e.g. Do I have your say-so to launch the project?

See with half an eye: see easily.

e.g. The mistake is so obvious: you can see it with half an eye.

All at sea: confused.

e.g. "What do you think of the proposal?" "I'm all at sea; I'm completely clueless."

Jump on: blame or criticize strongly.

e.g. You jumped on him every time he opened his mouth.

Gift of the gab: ability to give effective speeches.

e.g. The new Mayor has the gift of the gab: people like listening to him.

Keep one's head above water: stay out of debt or a difficult situation.

e.g. In this economic environment, it is not easy to keep your head above water.

Stephen Lau

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