PE 1/15 A Ring for All Seasons

* couldn’t/can’t help but: could not prevent or avoid

ex> Excuse me, but I couldn’t help but overhear that you’re looking for the same address we are.

* for fear: out of concern that the specified outcome could occur

ex> He never drove in winter for fear that his precious truck would rust.

* questionable: unlikely to be true or honorable

ex> Nate’s brother has some questionable ideas about the origin of the universe.

* play the field: to date multiple people without committing to anyone

ex> Are you planning to play the field while we’re studying at different colleges?

Note> This comes from horse racing where people can reduce their risk of losing by betting on more than one horse. If they bet on all the horses, they would be literally playing the field… displaying an interest in lots of different horses.

* chick magnet: someone or something that strongly attracts women

ex> I actually enjoyed walking your puppy because he’s a real chick magnet.

* diamond in the rough: someone or something whose positive qualities are hidden by a rough appearance

ex> My friend Barb can walk into any antique store and come out with a diamond in the rough.

* player: 바람둥이

ex> Some people had warned me that he was a player, and it turned out to be true.

PE 1/14 A Plantation Called Betty’s Hope

* take turns: two or more people doing something alternately

ex> Mona’s arm was getting tired, so we decided to take turns mixing the dough.

* day in , day out: continuously over a long period of time, sometimes to a boring degree

ex> Mr. Foster went to the same office day in, day out for over forty years.

* congenial: agreeable; similar in taste or inclination

ex> If I’m going to spend two weeks traveling with someone, I want them to be congenial.

Note> A congenial person is easy to get along with. Congenial means sharing the same temperament, or agreeing with your temperament. You can talk about a congenial person, place, or environment. Maybe you enjoy the congenial atmosphere of the library.

* emancipate: to set free; release from restrictions or slavery

ex> It was many years before Leo was fully emancipated from his mother’s control.

* grunt work: physical tasks requiring unskilled labor

ex> Why are only two guys doing the grunt work while everyone else is supervising?

* pass down: to give to a younger relative

ex> This pocket watch has been passed down from father to son for six generations.

* get on the wrong side of one: ~의 눈 밖에 나다, ~의 노염을 사다

Another version of this expression is get on one’s bad side. The meaning is exactly the same. Curiously, the forms get on one’s wrong side or get on the bad side of one are almost never used.

ex> We usually do, but I got on the wrong side of her by suggesting that maybe she shouldn’t be driving any more.

PE 1/13 Making Food Safely

* hurdle: an obstacle; one of a series of small barriers that must be jumped over in a footrace

ex> After overcoming a series of hurdles, the couple were allowed to build their hillside home.

* by the book: according to the rules

ex> Swiss immigration officers are known to do everything by the book.

* red tape: excessively complicated official routines or procedures

ex> I can’t believe there’s so much red tape involved in getting a new driver’s license.

* rain on one’s parade: to spoil one’s enjoyment

ex> I don’t want to rain on your parade, but this lottery ticket expired yesterday.

* party pooper: one who spoils others’ enjoyment

ex> Ryan was being a party pooper and insisted that we all go home by 11 PM.

* at this rate: under these conditions; unless something changes

ex> At this rate, we won’t arrive at the village until after dark.

* toast: 축배를 들다, 건배하다

The verb toast also means “to cook or brown food by exposing it to radiant heat,” and the noun toast refers to a slice of bread that has been prepared this way.

ex> Do you realize that your duties will include toasting the bridesmaids?

PE 1/12 Tom Ford – CFDA/Vogue Fashion Fund

* precisely: exactly; clearly; specifically

ex> Mortimer arrived at precisely four o’clock, set down his bag, and stood waiting for Dr. Allison.

* to the point: to such a degree or extent

ex> Debbie’s interruptions have gotten to the point where I can’t get anything done.

Note> You have to pay close attention to the context since this phrase can also mean concerning the important or essential issue. This usage is often put as come or get to the point, meaning “address the important issue.”

* get out now: to abandon a pursuit immediately

ex> After watching the value of my portfolio decline for months, I decided I should get out now.

* light at the end of the tunnel: an encouraging sign of improvement during a long and difficult situation

ex> Don’t be discouraged by all this hard work: I’m sure there’s light at the end of the tunnel.

* contemporary: occurring in the present period or during the same period as what has been referenced

ex> Albert was familiar with all the major participants in the contemporary art scene.

* rush: a brief sense of excitement or pleasure; great thrill

ex> I can’t stand being in crowds, but you seem to get a rush from it.

* industry: 산업, 업계

Industry also means “energetic, committed activity at a task”. For example, “Sarah approaches her schoolwork with great industry in the morning, but less energetically in the afternoon.”

ex> I could see that the record industry was in decline, and I was in the mood for a change.

PE 1/11 In Trouble at School

* up to no good: to be doing something which is forbidden

ex> After watching the men closely for twenty minutes, Ellen was sure they were up to no good.

* off limits: forbidden from entry, discussion, or consideration

ex> Certain topics were definitely off limits at the dinner table, mainly sex and politics.

* egg one on: to compel one to take action

ex> We never thought we’d actually put a fish in the supervisor’s car: I guess we just egged each other on.

ex> My friend egged me on until I found the courage to sign up for singing lessons.

* tell on: to incriminate someone by giving information about them to an authority figure

ex> My parents would never let us tell on one another because they wanted to create a culture of truth.

* ultimatum: a final demand or threat

ex> The king threatened to wage war if the southern nation did not accept his ultimatum.

* hang in the balance: to be at risk and dependent on something for success or survival

ex> We stepped cautiously onto the old rope bridge, knowing our lives were hanging in the balance.

* suspension: 정직, 정학

suspension, from the verb suspend, has multiple meanings, but they are all related to the concept of something hanging above its normal position. In the field of chemistry. it refers to fine particles temporarily dispersed in fluid, like dust in the air of a room.

ex> Anyone caught not following them will face suspension and a fine.

PE 1/8 Cheryl’s Renewed Loyalty

* make headway: to make progress

ex> Tyler is easily distracted, but he’s making headway with his written assignments.

* be out of here: to leave

ex> If they’re sold out of my favorite cookies again, I’m out of here.

* climb/jump on the bandwagon: to join a popular movement or opinion because it is popular

ex> I was reluctant to jump on the bandwagon at first, but I have to admit that I really like this book.

* elated: very happy; thrilled; over joyed

ex> Virginia was elated when her paper was accepted for presentation at the conference.

* throw in: to include in a transaction without extra cost

ex> If you place your order before midnight, we’ll throw in this handy microfiber cloth for free.

* through thick and thin: under all circumstances, whether easy or difficult

ex> This dog has been my loyal friend through thick and thin.

* break: 기회

The word break has numerous meanings, both as a noun and a verb. It can mean “a short rest or interruption” as well as “an opportunity.” As a verb, it means “to damage something, especially by causing it to fall apart into several pieces.”

ex> I think it’s so cool that you went to school with someone who became a famous actor. How did she get her big break?

PE 1/7 Return to Antigua

* on one’s own terms: according to one’s wishes; in the context of one’s perspective

ex> I’ll consider resuming my old position, but only on my own terms.

* dodge: to avoid something by moving quickly

ex> Experienced bicycle couriers dodge traffic so artfully that they can reach their destinations much faster than cars in the inner city.

Note> Dodgeball is a game in which players on two teams try to throw balls at each other while avoiding being hit themselves.

* recharge one’s batteries: to restore one’s energy through rest and relaxation

ex> Can we please take a break to recharge our batteries before we continue the workout?

* lead one up/down the garden path: to deceive one or waste their time by giving them false information

ex> Mike told me there was a great new shoe store in this area, but he may have been leading me up the garden path.

* bet one’s bottom dollar: to be very certain

ex> If Angie says she’s going to do something, you can bet your bottom dollar she will.

* gusto: much energy and enthusiasm

ex> The group attacked the cleanup project with gusto, and they were finished in less than two hours.

* stretch the truth: 진실을 왜곡하다, 사실을 과장하다

To stretch the truth is not as malicious or even as intentional as telling a lie. It is possible to suggest that a peer has stretched the truth without offending them.

ex> I’ve just been reading about how advertising agencies used to really stretch the truth in their ads.