Steven
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English Conversational Idioms 2
Compiled and explained by Steven Weathers
rock the boat: to do or say something that might cause a controversy
Example: I didn't want to rock the boat, so I didn't ask my friend why she lost her job.
Example: If you ask questions about politics or religion to a foreigner you don't know well, you may rock the boat.
on top of things: to have everything organized and under control
Example: On Monday morning, she was on top of things when she arrived at work early and prepared for the meeting.
Example: I was not on top of things and forgot to prepare the report for my boss!
two steps forward: this is a partial quote of the idiom "two steps forward, one step back", meaning we progress in some areas, but fall behind in another
Example: On Saturday, it was two steps forward. I cleaned the house and did my homework. However, I didn't have time to go to the store.
Example: With learning Chinese, sometimes it's two steps forward and three steps back, because I remember the new characters for about 5 minutes, and then I forget them all the next day!
slippery slope: the beginning of a bad habit that could lead to something worse
Example: I'd better finish my assignments and prepare for the presentation. If I procrastinate, I'll find myself on a slippery slope.
Example: My friend started drinking a lot of jiu after his girlfriend left him. I'm afraid he's on a slippery slope, because now he drinks every night alone.
the good news is: we use this idiom to talk about the positive side of an otherwise negative situation
Example: I'm sorry she lost her job, but the good news is she is better qualified now to find a higher-paying job.
Example: I'm so angry that my third bike was stolen. The good news is I can get some exercise walking to work.
[Note: an older idiom with the same meaning is "on the bright side", meaning the sunnier or brighter perspective on a bad situation]
Example: I will miss the party because of a business conference. On the bright side, my boss said the business meeting is in Hainan!
jump through hoops: this means we must do many inconvenient things before accomplishing a goal that should seem easy to accomplish
Example: In order to get your license to drive in America, you must jump through many hoops -- like registering at the local office, attending a drivers education seminar, and passing a driver's test.
Example: I really wanted to go to the park on Saturday, but it seemed that I had to jump through hoops just to get there! I had to present my passport at the gate, then return home to get my student card, then buy an admissions ticket at another window, and then wait in a long line!
a well-oiled machine: a system, person or department that does a job very well
Example: The college English department is a well-oiled machine. Everyone works together so well and everything goes smoothly.
Example: The movie director is a well-oiled machine! Look how everyone works for him so quickly, and he is ahead of schedule.
the left hand doesn't know what the right hand is doing: a system, person, or department that doesn't communicate and works inefficiently (maybe this is the opposite of a well-oiled machine!)
Example: The accounting department spent $5000 for software that the administration department already bought last year! The left hand doesn't know what the right hand is doing.
Example: My mother and father both bought me a new computer! Now we have two! We laughed about the situation -- that the left hand didn't know what the right hand was doing.
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English Conversational Idioms 2 (ÒѶÁ 765 ´Î)
