If something is 'all for show,' it means that something being done isn't genuine, but rather, it is being done to impress or to give a positive impression to someone else.
Example:
-I can't believe she got so emotional!
-Oh, that? It was all for show.
I love analyzing my native language, American English, and helping non-native speakers make sense of it. I've been doing this for fun with friends who speak English as a second language for nearly 30 years. I would like to first thank A.D., C.F. and E.A., and now P.G., for inspiring me to finally write this stuff down!
Showing posts with label a. Show all posts
Showing posts with label a. Show all posts
Thursday, October 11, 2012
Thursday, April 5, 2012
An accident waiting to happen.
'An accident waiting to happen' is how you describe a situation that is dangerous and could cause an accident. Everyone knows it's a dangerous situation, but usually no one does anything to fix it until an accident has already happened.
Example:
-They really need to get a lock on this pool gate. It's an accident waiting to happen!
-You're so right! I'll go tell the pool managers.
Example:
-They really need to get a lock on this pool gate. It's an accident waiting to happen!
-You're so right! I'll go tell the pool managers.
Sunday, April 1, 2012
April Fool's Day
'April Fool's Day' always falls on April 1st and is a day of pranks and practical jokes. While it's mostly for kids, some adults also enjoy it.
Example:
-What's the best April Fool's joke you ever played?
-We got up really early and put salt in the sugar bowl. When our dad drank his coffee, he screamed and we laughed!
Example:
-What's the best April Fool's joke you ever played?
-We got up really early and put salt in the sugar bowl. When our dad drank his coffee, he screamed and we laughed!
Friday, March 16, 2012
All tied up
If you're 'all tied up,' it means you're too busy to do whatever the other person is asking you to do. It's a typical expression you hear in an office.
Example:
-Can you go to lunch next Thursday?
-No, sorry. I'll be all tied up in court next week. How about the week after that?
Example:
-Can you go to lunch next Thursday?
-No, sorry. I'll be all tied up in court next week. How about the week after that?
Tuesday, November 22, 2011
All day
'All day,' as in "taking all day," or "I don't have all day" is a way to complain when you think something is taking too much time. It is usually said when the person being complained about is not within earshot, by a person who has power in a situation, or among close friends in informal situations.
Examples:
(To a friend while the salesperson in a store has stepped away) -What's taking all day?! It's just a simple return!
(To employees) -Come on, people! We don't have all day!
(To friends) -Come on, you guys! Let's go! I don't have all day!
Examples:
(To a friend while the salesperson in a store has stepped away) -What's taking all day?! It's just a simple return!
(To employees) -Come on, people! We don't have all day!
(To friends) -Come on, you guys! Let's go! I don't have all day!
Wednesday, November 2, 2011
Atkins
'Atkins' refers to a diet low in carbohydrates that can help a person lose weight. When Dr. Atkins first developed his diet in the 70s, the mainstream medical establishment was quick to dismiss him as a quack, as his beliefs flew in the face of conventional wisdom at the time. Today, after the failed low-fat diet fad of the 90s, which only made Americans fatter, low-carb diets in general and Atkins specifically are quite popular.
Example:
-Are you following any special diet to help you lose weight?
-Atkins.
Example:
-Are you following any special diet to help you lose weight?
-Atkins.
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