Questions tagged [expressions]
This tag is for questions which a dictionary cannot answer asking the meaning of a particular expression.
21
votes
6answers
93k views
Difference between “in time” and “on time”
I have an appointment at 8 and I arrive there at 7:55, is it "on time" or "in time"? What about "the nick of time"?
6
votes
5answers
134k views
“So am I” or “So do I”?
What would be the correct way to reply to a statement such as: "I belong to this group"
Would it be "So do I" or "So am I"?
13
votes
2answers
4k views
Some of you will have met me before vs Some of you met me before
I really do not get how "will" and past infinitive is used here. This comes from an example in a textbook, explaining usage of will in assumptions:
Some of you will have met me before.
I wonder, ...
0
votes
2answers
100 views
How often is the expression “get on well” used? Is there any difference with “get along”?
I have been talking with a person from US and when I said something like this:
They do not get on well with others
She didn´t understand me at first, but later she said that was a funny sentence ...
13
votes
3answers
14k views
How is “any more than” used to compare two different situations?
In the following quote by Billy Sunday
Going to church doesn’t make you a Christian any more than going to a garage makes you an automobile.
Can anyone please explain/elaborate the usage and ...
2
votes
3answers
1k views
Why do native speaker tend to use passive voice?
I found native people prefer to use passive voice in a sentence.
For example:
Tonight's moon can be seen from anywhere worldwide.
We have reason to believe that progress can be made.
Be ...
15
votes
9answers
6k views
An appropriate term for an overly by-the-rules person
In Swedish, we've got a term that loosely translates as paragraph jockey. It refers to a person, often a clerk or a referee, who is following all the rules, prescriptions and agreements ad absurdum. ...
0
votes
2answers
359 views
His degree was (hard/hardly) earned
His degree was hard earned.
His degree was hardly earned.
Which is right?
15
votes
4answers
178k views
“Hope this help” or “Hope this helps”?
Good evening all,
I often see people write "hope this helps" at the end of a communication, especially when they are trying to answer other people's queries about computer problems.
Recently, my ...
10
votes
5answers
168k views
Have a nice travel?
I am looking for some kind way of replying to an email when the other person is saying that he will be traveling and asks for more time to complete something.
It appears that "Have a nice day" could ...
8
votes
5answers
4k views
What do you call it when someone searches through your stuff?
This is one of the things that I don't really know the proper name for, because I've never heard anyone say it, but I know how to explain it.
Let's say a toddler is searching through your backpack, ...
5
votes
2answers
209 views
Why does “will” go before a noun in this sentence?
Why does "will" go before the word "Twitter" while there's no question?
Under no circumstances will Twitter be liable in any way for any Content...
4
votes
3answers
485 views
Another way to say “We are not relations.”
In the movie Forrest Gump, Lieutenant Dan was asking Gump and Bubba whether they are twin brothers, but Gump said:
"No....we are not relations, Sir."
Is it also correct to say if I say this?
...
4
votes
1answer
2k views
Is “Holy” used with anything?
I have heard several expressions e.g. "Holy Shit", "Holy Jesus", "Holy Mother of God" even "Holy Zeus" et al for cursing purposes in different English movies. Some of the phrases are relevant, but ...
2
votes
2answers
612 views
I don't understand what “that is” means in this passage
It's not a problem to rely on a powerful weapon. If you can find one, that is.
I don't get that "that is". Could somebody please explain it?
2
votes
1answer
3k views
uses of with, at, of
I would like to now if I am using the prepositions correctly:
"She was not pleased with her job and was tired of doing the same thing every day, but everybody was surprised at her attitude"
I ...
1
vote
3answers
2k views
“Do you like the color red” vs “Do you like the red color”?
When your favorite color is red, do you say,
I like the color red.
or
I like the red color.
Is there any difference of meaning between the two ways of saying about your favorite color?
9
votes
4answers
13k views
When do you use this expression 'I am not a fan of '
I understand the meaning when it is said like
'I am not a fan of Indian food or horror movies'
Here, you are a fan of things like movies, food etc.
but I do not understand why it is correct to ...
6
votes
1answer
353 views
Why are lakes called “Lake Soandso” but seas are called “Soandso Sea”?
I am an English teacher for Brazilians. I was explaining the Great Lakes, and after that I mentioned the sea in Europe and noticed that the names were in a reversed order:
Which of the great lakes ...
4
votes
2answers
830 views
How do you say two or several things are about equivalent to each other in English?
How do you say two or several things are about equivalent to each other in English?
For example, if I post a question here and receive two answers which seem equally good to me, and I don't know ...
4
votes
1answer
386 views
what is the meaning of “minute debris”?
What does "minute debris" mean in the context of an avalanche? I can't find it anywhere.
The fragments of ice hit the ground around them. The ground beneath
his feet trembled and shifted with the ...
4
votes
2answers
11k views
“What time is it” versus “what is the time”
Does it matter if I use "what time is it" versus "what is the time".
In what cases should I use what time is it?
For example would I say:
Hey steve, what is the time.
or
Hey steve, what time ...
3
votes
1answer
3k views
What are “class rolls”?
I found this expression while preparing for the IELTS test:
"Teachers will take the class rolls."
What are these "class rolls"?
3
votes
2answers
321 views
What Victorian profanities might Charlotte Brontë be referring to here? (in Jane Eyre) [closed]
Eliza and Georgiana, evidently acting according to orders, spoke to me as little as possible: John thrust his tongue in his cheek whenever he saw me, and once attempted chastisement; but as I ...
3
votes
3answers
5k views
Meaning of “Then again”
"Then again, it didn't matter, did it?"
What's the meaning of "then again" here?
Is it the same as "thinking better"?
2
votes
3answers
4k views
What to call it when someone always looks for greener pastures?
Someone who always looks for the "better" and more ideal places (to live), jobs, things to buy that fit his taste/mood etc. He is always looking for better because he always feels it's "not enough".
2
votes
1answer
2k views
Is “How long will you be” correct?
When you're seeking to know in how long from now someone will complete an activity, can you say "How long will you be?"
And what's your recommended phrase if this is incorrect?
2
votes
1answer
429 views
Is that any expression in English for “not too sweet tea”?
Is that any expression in English for not too sweet tea?
Here, we normally say it is as sweet as guava, which means the taste of tea is just half sweet, because the amount of sugar is reduced.
1
vote
1answer
339 views
How to politely ask for clearer explanation when getting lost in workplace?
As a second language speaker, I always concern if my interpersonal reaction is proper and polite enough.
For instance,sometimes I got some email from other native colleagues who wrote in phrases or ...
0
votes
2answers
101 views
“Greetings” as a greeting
In one of the episodes of Rick and Morty, The Ricks Must Be Crazy, Rick says "Greetings" to a crowd. It's not the first time I hear this expression, which seems to be used as a greeting.
What's the ...
