Monday, August 31, 2009

Proverb

A proverb (from the Latin proverbium), also called a byword or nayword, is a simple and concrete saying popularly known and repeated, which expresses a truth, based on common sense or the practical experience of humanity. They are often metaphorical. A proverb that describes a basic rule of conduct may also be known as a maxim. If a proverb is distinguished by particularly good phrasing, it may be known as an aphorism.

1.Between the devil and the deep sea 
   To choose between two equally bad alternatives in a serious dilemma.
  

2. Where there's a will there's a way 
     When a person really wants to do something, he will find a way of doing it.
  

3. A burnt child dreads fire 
     A bad experience or a horrifying incident may scar one's attitude or thinking for a lifetime.
  

4. First come, first served 
     The first in line will be attended to first.
  

5. A friend in need is a friend indeed 
     A friend who helps when one is in trouble is a real friend.
  

6. Discretion is the better part of valor

      If you say discretion is the better part of valor, you mean that avoiding a dangerous or                    unpleasant situation is sometimes the most sensible thing to do.
  
7.  A hungry man is an angry man 
      A person who does not get what he wants or needs is a frustrated person and will be easily           provoked to rage.
  
8.   Empty vessels make the most noise 
       Those people who have a little knowledge usually talk the most and make the greatest fuss.
  
9.    A man is as old as he feels 
       A person's age is immaterial - it is only when he thinks and feels that he is ageing that he                 actually becomes old.
  
10.   Great talkers are little doers 
         Those people who talk a lot and are always teaching others usually do not do much work.
  
11.     An idle brain is the devil's workshop  
          One who has nothing to do will be tempted to do many mischievous acts.
  
12.     An ounce of discretion is worth a pound of wit 
           It is better to be careful and discrete than to be clever.
  

13.       Faint heart never won fair lady 
            To succeed in life one must have the courage to pursue what he wants.
  
14.        A penny saved is a penny gained 
             By being thrifty one will be able to save up.
  
15.         A rolling stone gathers no moss
              A person who never settles in one place or who often changes his job will not succeed in                 life ; one who is always changing his mind will never get anything done.
  
16.         As you sow, so you shall reap 
               One will either enjoy or suffer the consequences of his earlier actions or inactions.
  
17.         Barking dogs seldom bite 
              Those who make loud threats seldom carry them out.
  
18.        Better late than never 
              To do something that is right, profitable, or good a little late is still better than not doing                 it at all. 
  
19.        A bird in hand is worth two in the bush
             Something that one already has is better than going after something seemingly more                      worthwhile that one may not be able to get.
  
20.        Birds of a feather flock together 
              People of the same sort of character or belief always go together.
  
21.        Call a spade a spade 
             If you say that someone calls a spade a spade, you mean that they speak frankly and                      directly, often about embarrassing or unpleasant subjects; an informal expression.
  
22.        Charity begins at home  
             A person's first obligation should be to help the member of his own family before he can                  begin thinking of talking about helping others.
  
23.       Dead men tell no lies
             ( often used as an argument for killing someone whose knowledge of a secret may cause                 one loss or get into serious trouble.)
  
24.        A great talker is a great liar 
              A smooth and persuasive talker may be a good liar.
  
25.        Every cloud has a silver lining
               If you say that every cloud has a silver lining, you mean that every sad or unpleasant                    situation has a positive side to it. If you talk about silver lining you are talking about                         something positive that comes out of a sad or unpleasant situation.
  
26.          All that glitters is not gold 
               Do not be deceived by things or offers that appear to be attractive.
  
27.          Eat to live, but do not live to eat 
               Man was created for a divine purpose and he has a destiny with his Creator - he was not                born just to enjoy food.
  
28.          Don't put all your eggs in one basket 
                One should not risk everything he has in a single venture.
  
29.          Every dog has its day 
                Everyone will get a period of success or satisfaction during his lifetime.
  
30.           Every one can find fault, few can do better 
                  It is easier to find fault in other people's actions or methods than to do it properly or                       correctly.
  
31.              Any time means no time 
                   When an event is not decided on or planned earlier it will never take place.
  
32.             Fair exchange is no robbery
                     A contract is fair as long as both the parties understand and agree to the conditions                        willingly; after a deal is closed neither side can turn around and say that he was                                unfairly treated.
 
33.                Fire is a good servant but a bad master 
                      Fire, like any other manmade tool or device, will serve man well only when it is                               controlled and used wisely.

Idiom

An idiom is a phrase whose meaning cannot be determined by the literal definition of the phrase itself, but refers instead to a figurativemeaning that is known only through common use. In linguistics, idioms are widely assumed to be figures of speech that contradict theprinciple of compositionality; however, this has shown to be a subject of debate.

ce: make an "A" on a test, homework assignment, project, etc.

"Somebody said you aced the test, Dave. That's great!"

all right (1): expression of reluctant agreement.

A: "Come to the party with me. Please!"
B: "Oh, all right. I don't want to, but I will."

all right (2): fair; not particularly good.

A: "How's your chemistry class?"
B: "It's all right, I guess, but it's not the best class I've ever had."

all right (3): unharmed; in satisfactory condition.

A: "You don't look normal. Are you all right?"
B: "Yes, but I have a headache."

and then some: and much more besides.

A: "I'd guess your new computer cost about $2,000. "
B: "It cost that much and then some because I also bought extra RAM and VRAM."

antsy: restless; impatient and tired of waiting.

"I hope Katy calls soon. Just sitting around and waiting is making me antsy."

as easy as pie: very easy.

"I thought you said this was a difficult problem. It isn't. In fact, it's as easy as pie."

at the eleventh hour: at the last minute; almost too late.

"Yes, I got the work done in time. I finished it at the eleventh hour, but I wasn't late.

Slang

Slang is the use of highly informal words and expressions that are not considered standard in the speaker's dialect or language.
airhead: stupid person.

"Believe it or not, Dave can sometimes act like an airhead!"

amigo: friend (from Spanish).

"I met many amigos at Dave's ESL Cafe."

ammunition: toilet paper.

"Help! We're completely out of ammunition!"

antifreeze: alcohol.

"I'm going to need a lot of antifreeze tonight!"

armpit: dirty, unappealing place.

"This cheap motel is an absolute armpit!"

ass [offensive] (1): backside.

"I fell on my ass on the ski slopes."

ass (2): an unworthy and hated person.

"I cannot be friends when you act like an ass."

awesome: great and impressive.

"Dave's ESL Cafe is truly awesome!"

Using Verbs to describe weather

Using verbs to describe the weather

sunny
The sun is shining
drizzle
It's drizzling
windy
The wind is blowing
rainy
It's raining (The rain is falling.)
hail
It's hailing
pouring
It's pouring (The rain is pouring down.)
snowy
It's snowing (The snow is falling.)
storm
It's thundering

Using adjectives to describe the weather

scorching
Sweltering = It's sweltering. or It's a sweltering day.
freezing
Freezing = It's freezing. or It's a freezing day.
warm
Warm = It's warn. orIt's a warm day.
cold
Cold = It's cold. orIt's a cold day.
sunny
Sunny = It's sunny.or It's a sunny day.
cloudy

Cloudy = It's cloudy. or It's a cloudy day.

clear
Clear = It's clear. orIt's a clear day.
storm
Stormy = It's stormy. or It's a stormy day.
mist
Misty = It's misty. orIt's a misty day.
foggy
Foggy = It's foggy.or It's a foggy day.
breezy
Breezy = It's breezy.or It's a breezy day
windy
Windy = It's windy.or It's a windy day.
showery
Showery = It's showery. or It's a showery day.
rainy
Rainy = It's rainy.or It's a rainy day.
jack frost

Frosty = It's frosty. orIt's a frosty day.

snowy
Snowy = It's snowy. or It's a snowy day.
icy
Icy = It's icy. or It's an icy day.
drizzle
Drizzly = It's drizzly. or It's a drizzly day.
sunshine
. Dry = It's dry. or It's a dry day.
wet
Wet = It's wet. orIt's a wet day.

Formal to Informal Greetings and Introduction

Formal to Informal Greetings and Introductions

First meetings
Formal
Introducing yourself
Introducing others
Responding to an introduction
On Leaving
Top of page
  • How do you do? My name is Mrs Hand.
  • Mrs Hand, may I introduce my boss, Mr Smith.
  • Pleasedto meet you Mrs Hand.
  • Goodbye. It's a pleasure to have met you.

  • Hello, Lynne Hand. I'm the owner of this web site.
  • Lynne, I'd like you to meet John Smith, our salesman. John, this is Lynne Hand.
  • Pleased to meet you Lynne.
  • Goodbye. Nice to have met you.

  • Lynne Hand.
  • Lynne, meet John, my husband. John, this is my teacher Lynne.
  • Hi, Lynne. How are you?
  • Bye. It was nice to meet you.
Informal

Subsequent meetings
Formal
Possible Greetings
Possible responses
Top of page
  • Hello, Mrs Hand. It's niceto see you again.
  • What a pleasant surprise! How are you? It's been a while.

  • Good morning Mrs Hand. How are you today?
  • I'm very well thank you. And you?

  • Good afternoon, Mrs Hand. It's good to see you.
  • Thank you. It's nice to see you too. How are you?

  • Hello Lynne. How are you doing?
  • Fine thanks. What's new with you?


  • Hi, Lynne! How's it going?
  • Not too bad, busy as ever.
  • Hi, Lynne. How are things?
  • Oh fine. You know how it is.
Informal


Greetings

Everyday Greetings

morning
English listening "Good morning."
afternoon
English listening "Good afternoon."
evening
English listening "Good evening."
Goodbye
English listening "Goodbye."
night
+
Goodbye
English listening "Good night."
night
+
bed
"Good night."

Go to top of page

Special Greetings

Santa ClausEnglish listening "Happy Christmas." or English listening "Merry Christmas."
00.01 - 1st JanuaryEnglish listening "Happy New Year!"
EasterEnglish listening "Happy Easter."
drivetest or Testetc....English listening "Good Luck!"
PassTest orGraduation etc...English listening "Congratulations!" or English listening "Well done!"
Get wellEnglish listening "Get well soon."