Learn English | A new lesson every week

Why do we say 'Veg Out'

4.125
Average: 4.1 (16 votes)

'After a busy day it's good to veg out on the sofa.'

Meaning: to relax in a lazy and inattentive way. Basically, we are 'vegging out' when we sit on the sofa for a long time doing nothing and hardly moving.

How to 'Let people know you find something annoying'

3.074075
Average: 3.1 (27 votes)

What makes you angry? What do you find annoying? Here's how to tell people you find something annoying. Thanks to Danny for writing this article!

 

Pick Up

3.916665
Average: 3.9 (36 votes)

Let’s take a look at the phrasal verb ‘pick up’. In this cartoon it has two meanings:

1) Pick up – to lift an object with the hands

'Keep your back straight when you pick the TV up.'

2) Pick up – learn something without effort

'It's possible to pick up enough English in two weeks to get by on your trip to London.'

Why do we say 'The Real McCoy'?

3.153845
Average: 3.2 (13 votes)

 

'This fighter is great. He's the real McCoy, no doubt about it.'

Meaning: the real thing – not a substitute/ fake. Another 'name' based expression, although in this case, nobody seems absolutely sure as to where it originated from.

Why do we say 'Hobson's Choice'?

4
Average: 4 (11 votes)

'You can have a white horse or a white horse...that's Hobson's choice!'

Meaning: to have no choice at all. The only option you have is the one that is being offered to you.

How to 'correct mistakes made by others'

3.46154
Average: 3.5 (13 votes)

 

This weekend I was unfortunate enough to find myself at a party which, to be honest, was not the kind of party that I would normally be seen dead at. Truth be told, the only reason that I went was because my wife wanted me to go. I am, of course, the boss in the family, but only because my wife says it's okay. Anyway...

Why do we say 'Barking up the Wrong Tree'?

3.6
Average: 3.6 (15 votes)


 


Meaning: Following a dead end path; Being totally wrong about something you believed to be true.

 

When using dogs in a foxhunt, the dogs would sometimes corner the fox in a tree and then proceed to bark up at the fox. Barking up the wrong tree, where there is no fox, is a pointless exercise.

Why do we say 'Bob's your Uncle'?

3.355265
Average: 3.4 (76 votes)

 

This expression is  mainly used in Britain. It is often used immediately after a set of simple instructions and roughly means the same as '... and it's as simple as that!'

How to say 'I don't want to'

3.407405
Average: 3.4 (27 votes)

 

A couple of weeks ago, I made the mistake of mentioning to a health-nut friend of mine that, with summer well on its way, I might possibly, perhaps, just maybe...

Why do we say 'Beat about the Bush'?

1.87805
Average: 1.9 (205 votes)

 

No. Not that Bush.