10 fixed expressions in English that are good to know

2024 Author: Malcolm Clapton | [email protected]. Last modified: 2023-12-17 03:44

To expand your vocabulary, it is not enough to learn only words - it is important to know stable expressions as well. They are easy to remember if you know the origin story and sometimes literal meaning.

1. Cut to the chase

Meaning: go straight to the point.

This expression has a very interesting history of origin. Cut is a cutscene in a movie (transition from one frame to another), chase is a chase (for example, policemen chasing a criminal). The chase was the most interesting part of the movie in the past, but inexperienced screenwriters inserted too many boring dialogues into the tape that had little effect on the plot. Later the producers watched the tape and said: “This part is too boring. Let's cut it out and go straight to the chase. So the expression cut to the chase stuck in the language.

Example. Look, I don’t have time for this. Just cut to the chase already. “Listen, I don’t have time for this. Let's get straight to the point.

2. Backseat driver

Meaning: one who gives unsolicited advice.

Sometimes people in the back seat of a car begin to give advice to the driver, which not only does not help him, but, on the contrary, annoys him. In modern English, this expression is used both literally and figuratively.

Example. You are too much of a backseat driver right now. I can do it myself, thanks! “You’re giving me too much advice right now that I don’t need.” I can handle it myself, thanks!

3. Pull someone's leg

Meaning: joke on someone, play a prank on someone.

In the 18th century in England, the streets were very dirty, so in those days this joke was extremely popular: someone took a cane or a stick with a hook, put another person on a trip, and he fell face down in the mud. This expression is literally translated as "pulling someone's leg."

Example. This can’t be true. You must be pulling my leg! - Can not be. You're kidding me!

4. So much for something

Meaning: that's all; something went wrong.

Typically this expression is used to express disappointment about a situation that did not work out as intended.

Example. The weather is awful. So much for our walk in the park. - The weather is disgusting. You won't be able to walk in the park.

5. You wish

Meaning: what more.

This expression is the equivalent of the Russian "yes right now" or "aha, fled," that is, a sarcastic response to some request.

Example:

- Will you buy me the new iPhone? (Will you buy me a new iPhone?)

- Yeah, you wish! (Yeah, what else!)

6. No sweat

Meaning: don't worry, it's very easy.

This idiom is kind of synonymous with piece of cake. The word sweat is translated as "sweat". The expression is used when they talk about something light (this can be done without sweating at all). Also, the phrase is sometimes used as an informal response to "Thank you!"

Example:

- Can you finish the project by Friday? (Will you finish the project by Friday?)

- No sweat, boss! (No problem, boss!)

7. Go Dutch

Meaning: pay for yourself.

In the United States, for example, when a couple goes on a date, it is often the case that everyone pays for themselves, and this is considered polite and correct. The expression itself comes from the so-called Dutch doors (Dutch - "Dutch"), which are divided into two identical parts.

Example. Let’s go out together! We’ll go Dutch if you want. - Let's go on a date! If you want, we will pay equally.

8. Call it a day

Meaning: round off.

This expression is often used at work to mean "enough for today, let's finish."

Example. Alright, let’s call it a day. - Enough for today.

9. Go off the rails

Meaning: go crazy, go crazy.

The comparison is very simple: just like a train goes off the rails, from its normal track, so a person goes crazy.

Example. Looks like Jim has gone off the rails. - Looks like Jim is completely nuts.

10. Catch someone red-handed

Meaning: catch someone red-handed.

The history of the origin of the expression is rather trivial. If a person has red hands, then most likely they are covered in blood. And if they are in the blood, then he is probably guilty. Of course, today this expression is also used in a figurative sense.

Example. There is no point denying it, you were caught red-handed. - There is no point in denying you were caught red-handed.