Although you can see people dressed like princesses and superheroes around October 31, the original images of Halloween are much spookier. Think of things like ghosts, skeletons, witches and spiders.

But the Halloween season isn't the only time we talk about these topics; many of these scary ideas are part of the English people use every day.

This time, let's take a look at common English idioms related to the dark topics often connected with Halloween.

Skeletons in one's closet

This refers to something from someone's past that they want to keep secret.

• The politician could lose the election if the public found out about the skeletons in his closet.

Come back to haunt you

"Haunt" is a verb we use to refer to ghosts who regularly appear in a certain place. However, just like spirits that will not go away, it can also refer to something that returns and causes problems for someone.

This idiom can be used for things like memories and emotions, or for people or events from the past.

• The decision to use cheap materials instead of stronger ones might come back to haunt them in the future.

Nail in the coffin

"Coffins" are long boxes that dead bodies are placed inside of before being put into the ground. A "nail in the coffin" is an event or action that causes something to fail or end.

• Many people think the debate with Donald Trump was the nail in the coffin that ended Joe Biden's second run for presidency.

Dig one's own grave

A "grave" is a place in the ground where you can find the coffins we mentioned above.

The expression "digging one's own grave" means doing something that will cause problems in the future. It's another way of saying that someone is harming themself.

• Cheating is helping him to succeed now, but he's really just digging his own grave.

(Work) the graveyard shift

A "graveyard" is a field where the bodies of dead people are buried. The "graveyard shift" is another name for the overnight shift, when workers start working very late at night and end in the morning.

• I'm drinking all of this coffee now because I work the graveyard shift tonight.

Related article: Go Juice: English Slang for Coffee and Caffeine

Ghost town

Have you ever been to a place with very little activity and almost no people? These empty, quiet areas often give us a creepy, unpleasant feeling. We call these places "ghost towns."

• When online shopping became common, many shopping malls became ghost towns.

Make one's blood boil

If your blood is boiling, it means you are extremely angry!

• It really made my blood boil to find out that he wasn't punished for his crimes.

Look like you've seen a ghost

This idiom is often said to someone who is so shocked or surprised that they have trouble speaking.

• What's the matter? You look like you've seen a ghost!

Scared stiff

Something that is "stiff" is hard and unable to bend easily. So if you are "scared stiff," you are so scared that you cannot move!

• We were all scared stiff when we heard the strange noises coming from upstairs.

Like a bat out of hell

Bats are the small flying animals that are often associated with vampires. If something is moving "like a bat out of hell," it is moving very quickly.

• The cat ran out of the house like a bat out of hell when it saw the big dog.

Related article: What's the Difference Between "Fast" and "Quick"?

Roll over in one's grave

This strange idiom refers to the idea that something would cause a dead person to be very angry or upset.

• The original designers of this house would roll over in their graves if they knew how much its current owners have changed it.

Wrap-up

English has many unique and interesting idioms, but it may be challenging to try and memorize them all at once. However, if you focus on a specific theme, you'll be surprised at how much you can learn!

Remember: The expressions we've covered this time can be used any time of the year. So don't wait for Halloween to give them a try in your conversations!

The post Halloween Expressions You Can Use All Year Round [Updated] appeared first on Engoo Blog.

This time, we'll cover some different words and expressions you can use instead of "study." You'll surely have an opportunity to use each of them in your daily conversations.

What's the difference between "study" and "learn"?

If you are looking for alternatives for "study," "learn" may be one of the first words you think of. You are probably already familiar with it, but what makes it different than "study"? Let's see what the Oxford Learner's Dictionary has to say:

study [verb]

To spend time learning about a subject by reading, going to school, etc.

Oxford Learner's Dictionary

learn [verb]

To gain knowledge or skill by studying, from experience, from being taught, etc.

Oxford Learner's Dictionary

According to these definitions, "study" is more about the process of gaining knowledge, while "learn" refers to actually getting it — not the steps you take to get it. So don't forget: Just because you study something doesn't automatically mean that you learn it. For example:

• I studied a lot of Russian, but I never learned it.

Something else to remember is that the past tense of "learn" comes in two versions: "learned" and "learnt." The first is common in American English, while the second is mostly used in British English.

• I learned how to play this song on piano last week.

Other words for "study"

Prep

This is a casual, shortened form of the verb "prepare" or the noun "preparation."

• I'm prepping hard for the final exam.

It's also good to know the term "prep school." Prep schools are private schools that prepare students to enter a college or university.

• Is it possible to get into that university without going to a prep school first?

Read up on ~

Unlike the other terms on this list, which are more general, this expression refers to reading in order to gain knowledge about something specific.

• She spent the weekend reading up on famous historical people for her school project.

Brush up on ~

The verb "brush" is used to talk about cleaning or straightening something with, well, a brush (the noun version)! However, the phrasal verb "brush up on," means to improve or raise your skill level.

• Let's brush up on our Spanish before our trip to Mexico.

Learn the ropes

"Learning the ropes" is another way to say "learning how to do a task." It originally refers to sailors, who must learn to control the ropes that operate a ship's sails.

• The first week of training is all about learning the ropes and getting familiar with the process.

You can also "show someone the ropes," which means teaching them how to do something.

• John has been here a little longer than you, so he can show you the ropes.

Cram

The verb "cram" means to forcefully push something into a space. When you must study for a test or assignment that is coming soon, it is like you are trying to push a lot of information into your brain in a short amount of time. This expression is often used with "~ for a test/exam."

• She spent all night cramming for the exam the next morning.

Hit the books

This is a casual expression that means to begin studying seriously.

• I decided to stay home and hit the books instead of going out with my friends.

Self-taught

This is an adjective that refers to learning something by yourself, without help from an instructor.

• He is a self-taught artist.

Know something inside and out

We use this expression to say that someone knows everything about a particular subject.

• If you need help or recommendations, ask Billy; he knows this city inside and out!

There is another expression that is similar: "know something backwards and forwards." This, however, is mostly used to talk about things like movies or books that have been memorized; we don't use it to refer to learning new information.

• I watch this movie every summer, so I know it backwards and forwards.

Wrap-up

"Study" was probably one of the first English words you learned as a student. It's very useful, but there are many more ways of expressing the same idea. The more alternatives you know, the richer and more interesting your English conversations will become. So, study hard and learn them all!

The post 9 Alternative Expressions for "Study" appeared first on Engoo Blog.

Many of those words, however, are also used in everyday idioms. Sometimes the meanings are close to their original uses. But other times, you'll need to learn a new meaning to understand. 

This article will explain some of the most common idioms that use words for cooking. Grab your knife and fork, and let's dig in!

Bake

Just like in cooking, this use of "bake" refers to heat. This time, it's a casual word that means something or someone is very hot.

• Our air conditioner is broken, so we've been baking in our apartment for the past week.

• At the theme park, we baked in the sun while we waited to enter the popular attractions.

Bake in

Something that is "baked in" is included from the beginning rather than added later. This means it is an important, fundamental part of something.

• Add spices early in the cooking process so the flavors can be properly baked in.

• Strong security features have been baked into the latest version of the software in order to stop cyber attacks.

Half-baked

When baking something to eat, it's important to give it the necessary time to be cooked completely; you don't want to remove it from the oven too soon.

Similarly, the idiom "half-baked" means that something seems incomplete and, therefore, is unsuccessful.

• Dan always has these half-baked ideas that never work. He should spend more time planning.

• The movie's development was rushed, which is probably why it feels so half-baked.

Roast

"Roasting" things like chicken or pork means cooking them over a fire.

Outside of the kitchen, however, it has quite a different meaning: "to tease or insult"!

• My friends roasted me over my new haircut. I guess they don't like it much …

• The politician was quickly roasted on social media for his controversial statements.

Have bigger fish to fry

This idiom is used for comparisons, and it means having something more important to do.

• Let's not waste time on these minor details; we have bigger fish to fry.

• Max decided to avoid the silly office arguments; she had bigger fish to fry that would require all of her focus.

Stir-crazy

When cooking, we stir things to mix them up, such as when stir-frying.

"Stir-crazy," on the other hand, is an informal term to describe intense anxiety due to being kept inside for too long.

• We haven't left home in three days because of the snow storm, and we're going stir-crazy!

• The students usually feel a little stir-crazy on Friday afternoons; they can't wait for the weekend to begin.

Boil down to

Water that boils bubbles rapidly, then eventually becomes steam. As an idiom, "boil down to" refers to the most important or fundamental part of something after the less-important parts have been removed.

• What it all boils down to is this: We have until tonight to make a decision.

• The whole season boils down to this championship game.

Simmer

Things "simmer" when they are cooked at low heat for a long period of time.

Outside of the kitchen, this word refers to emotions like anger or excitement that are strong but not obvious.

• Everyone could feel the tension between them, which had been simmering for months.

• There were rumors the singer would release a new album soon, and excitement was simmering among her fans. 

Boiling point

If you increase the heat on something that is simmering, it will eventually reach the "boiling point," which is when strong emotions change into strong actions.

• The months of tension reached a boiling point due to the court's controversial decision.

• Frustration with the poor leadership reached a boiling point yesterday, when crowds began protesting loudly outside of city hall.

Grill

You "grill" food by cooking it on metal bars held over a fire. But this verb also means "to question someone intensely."

• The police grilled the suspect, asking for details on everything he did in the past week.

• When we got home late, my parents grilled us about where we'd been.

Wrap-up

As we can see here, some cooking expressions can even be used far away from any kitchen. Memorizing these idioms will prepare you to use and understand these words in their literal sense as well as their figurative sense. It's a very efficient way to learn!

The post 10 English Idioms Related to Cooking appeared first on Engoo Blog.

This time, we'll look at words and expressions you can use in place of "easy." Some are adjectives as well, but others are idioms that must be understood figuratively.

As you continue your English study, we hope you will have many chances to use these terms. However, be careful when you use them; because they have an informal tone, they would not be appropriate in professional situations.

Easy-peasy

We'll begin with one of the simplest terms.

Often in English, "nonsense words" are added to make an expression sound more fun or silly. In this case, we add "peasy," which has no meaning by itself.

• I have a small motor on my bicycle, so even riding up big hills is easy-peasy.

Related article: No Dilly-Dallying: Funny (But Useful) English Word Pairs

A walk in the park

For many people, taking a walk in the park on a nice day is very relaxing. That's why this idiom is used to say that a task is not difficult at all.

• This game used to be very challenging for me. But now, finishing it is a walk in the park.

No sweat

Sweat usually results from heat, nervousness or hard work. So "no sweat" expresses that something is not hard or challenging.

A

Can you carry this heavy box?

B

No sweat, Grandpa.

Be careful when using it with nouns; "no sweat" should come after the noun it refers to, not before.

• x It was a no sweat test.
• o The test was no sweat.

It is also used to say that something is not a problem or an inconvenience. In this case, its meaning is close to "It's OK."

A

I'm sorry, but I'm going to be a few minutes late to the meeting.

B

No sweat, I can wait a little longer.

Again, this is quite casual, so it is not recommended in formal situations.

Blindfolded

"Blindfolded" suggests that someone could perform an action even if their eyes were covered. Therefore, it implies that the person has a high level of skill.

• May is amazing at this game. She could probably play blindfolded!

A breeze

Just like taking a walk in the park, feeling a soft breeze on a clear day is refreshing.

Compared to words like "gust" or "blast," which describe strong winds, a breeze is soft and pleasant — like the feeling of something that is easy.

• We had a good map, so finding the hotel from the train station was a breeze.

No problem

This expression is very simple and straightforward. 

• He's a chef at a great restaurant, so cooking delicious meals is no problem for him.

Related article: Essential English Vocabulary for Cooking

It can also be used as a way to accept a request.

A

Can you get some milk on your way here?

B

No problem!

This usage is the same in meaning as "Sure" or "Of course."

A picnic

Another enjoyable activity you can do outdoors is having a picnic. This can also refer to something that is not difficult. It's usually used to compare two different things, like in the example below.

• Yesterday's crossword puzzle was a picnic compared to today's.

Like "a walk in the park," people often use it in a negative sense to say that something is not easy.

• Raising kids is no picnic; it takes a lot of hard work.
• Raising kids is no walk in the park; it takes a lot of hard work.

A cinch

"Cinch" is a noun that means "an easy task."

• I used to struggle to communicate in a foreign language, but now it's a cinch.

A piece of cake

This common idiom means that something is not challenging or stressful.

• I thought the exam would be hard, but it was actually a piece of cake. 

When used as a response, omit the "a."

A

Can you fix this broken table for me?

B

Piece of cake. Can you get my tools?

Child's play

This expression suggests that something is easy enough for even a child to do.

• These trivia questions are child's play. I need something more challenging!

Wrap-up

"Easy" is an important and useful word to know. However, in casual conversations, it is often more fun and more interesting to use alternatives instead. 

So the next time you have a task that you can complete easily, surprise your language partners by using one of the expressions above. Study them all until using each naturally is a breeze!

The post "No Sweat!" 10 Alternatives for "Easy" appeared first on Engoo Blog.

To help you make the right choice for your situation, this article will introduce several phrases separated into five different categories. So whether you're texting, writing a Valentine's Day card or telling someone in person, you'll find something to help you express your feelings to the special person in your life. 

(But if you want, you can also just skip to the samples at the end!)

1. Tell them you love them

There's nothing wrong with saying "I love you." It's short and sweet. However, if you want something different, here are some ideas:

“I fall in love with you again every day.”

This means that your feelings of love are new and refreshed each day you're with your partner. Here are some similar expressions: 

• “I fall more deeply in love with you every day.”
• “I fall in love with you every single day.”

You'll find this classic expression of love in many songs, from Frank Sinatra to Ed Sheeran.

“I adore you.”

"Adore" means to love deeply. Some people find this phrase sweeter and more special than simply "I love you."

“I heart you.”

"I heart you" is a less serious way to express love. You can find this one in pop songs.

As you can probably guess, the popularity of texting and emojis ("I ❤️ You") created this cute alternative to “I love you.”

2. Tell them how much they mean to you

Here are some simple and effective ways to tell someone how much they mean to you. 

“You mean the world to me.”

The world is a big place, so if someone "means the world" to you, that means they are very important in your life. Here are some similar alternatives:

• "You mean everything to me."
• "You're my everything."
• “When you’re with me, I have everything that I need.”

“I’m so lucky to have you in my life.”

It's natural to feel lucky when you meet someone truly special, and it’s nice to tell them that. If you want more options, you can use "thankful" or "grateful" instead of "lucky." For example:

• "I'm so thankful you came into my life."
• "You don’t know how grateful I am to have you in my life."
• "You’re the best thing that’s ever happened to me."

3. Tell them why you love them

A nice way to express your love is by telling your partner what you love about them. 

“I love your eyes.”

You can replace "eyes" with basically anything you love about your partner: their smile, their sense of humor, etc.

You can also be creative and use phrases like these:

• "I love the sound of your laughter.”
• "I love the way you look at me."
• "I love the gentle way you hold my hand."

“I love how you are so caring.”

There's probably a lot of things you like about your partner's personality. Tell them about these things by using the structures "I love how you are so ..." or "I love how ... you are." For example:

• "I love how you are always so cheerful, even on bad days."
• "I love how beautiful you look even when you’re doing the simplest things."
• "I love how supportive you are."

4. Tell them how they make you feel

When you're with someone you love, life in general seems better, doesn’t it? Here’s how you can express those feelings to your partner.

“I love being with you.”

You most likely enjoy spending time with your partner. Here are some ways to say that.

• "I love being with you."
• "I love spending time with you."
• "I enjoy every moment we're together."

“You always make me feel special.”

You can tell your partner how they make you feel with phrases like this. For variety, here are some more examples: 

• "You make me feel alive."
• "You make me feel warm and fuzzy inside."*
• "I feel loved when I'm with you."
• "When I'm with you, I feel safe."
• "I've never felt so comfortable with anyone."

*"Warm and fuzzy" is a very casual expression describing a very positive and comfortable feeling.

“You make me feel like a million bucks.”

You can add color to your words with some comparisons. "Feeling like a million bucks" means feeling great. Here are some other examples:

• "When I'm with you, I feel like I'm in a dream."
• "When I'm with you, I feel like I'm floating on clouds."
• "When I'm with you, I feel like I could do anything."

5. Show Appreciation

When you're with the right person, they usually have a positive effect on you. So here are some phrases to help you express your thanks!

“My life is so much better with you by my side.”

Phrases like this tell your partner how much they’ve made your life better. Here are some other possibilities:

• “Everything’s better with you by my side.”
• “You have brought so much joy to my life.”

“You make me a better person.”

If you feel like your partner has helped you grow into a better person, this is the phrase for you. Here are some related phrases:

• “You bring out my better side.”
• “You really know how to bring out the best in me.”
• “I love the way I am when I’m with you.”

“Thanks for always being there for me.”

Finally, don't forget about saying a simple "thanks" for all the little things your partner does for you.

• "Thanks for making me laugh when I'm down."
• "Thanks for always listening to me rant."

Bonus: Be funny

Don’t forget that you can always use humor to lighten up your message if you think your partner might like that. Here are some ideas to get you started.

“Thanks for being my partner-in-crime.”

Two people are "partners in crime" when they break the law together. However, this term is more often used in humorous ways.

So even if you don't actually commit a crime with your significant other, you can lovingly refer to them this way.

“You’re just like bacon — you make everything better!”

You can switch out “bacon” for something else that you like, like in the examples below.

• "You're like hot chocolate — sweet and always warming me up."
• "You're just like my favorite song — I can listen to you all day."

“You’re the peanut butter to my jelly.”

This is a fun way to say that the two of you are a perfect match. There are many versions of this saying:

• "You're the butter to my bread."
• "You're the maple syrup to my pancakes."

Some people also use this with famous characters in movies and TV shows. For example, “You’re the Ross to my Rachel” is a reference to the TV show, Friends.

Related article: More Than 'Friends': Recommended TV for English Learners 

Sample Messages

Here are some sample messages using the phrases above. Remember, if you ever need anyone to check your writing, our tutors are here to help you 24/7!

Text messages

#1

Thanks for making me feel loved and special, today and every day. Can't wait to see you tonight! xoxo

#2

Morning, gorgeous! Just wanted to remind you that you're like hot chocolate — always warming me up and making me feel like home.

Card messages

#1

Dearest [partner's name],

Thanks for always being there for me, hugging me when I'm down, and putting up with me when I'm stressed out. No matter what mood I'm in, you always have a way of making me feel like a million bucks.

But you haven't just made me a happier person. You've also made me a better one — gentler, calmer and more tolerant.

Every day, I wake up feeling so lucky that you're in my life!

All my love,

[Name]

#2

Hi Pumpkin,

I don't usually say things like this, but I wanted to let you know how much I love being your partner-in-crime.

I enjoy every moment we spend together, whether we're baking or jogging or just watching TV.

Even when the cookies we bake don't turn out great, or it starts raining halfway through a run, I feel grateful for the happy adventure my life has become since you appeared.

Love,

[Name]

Related article: 7 Alternatives for "Love" to Use on Valentine's Day 

The post How to Say "I Love You" in English and Actually Mean It [Updated] appeared first on Engoo Blog.

Similar to other expressions related to specific themes, there are music-related idioms for many different situations, so they are quite useful in everyday conversations. So listen up and let's learn a few below.

Good note / bad note

When interacting with others, the way in which things begin can influence how things continue. Similarly, the final moments can give you a positive or negative impression about everything that happened before.

We can talk about these important moments as if they are the first and last notes of a song.

• Jesse was excited to begin her new job on a good note, so she brought doughnuts for all of her co-workers.

• The meeting ended on a bad note when both sides became frustrated with the failed negotiations.

March to the beat of one's own drum

Some people do things differently than others, and are very comfortable being unique. Their uniqueness may come from their attitude, their fashion or maybe their hobbies. We can describe people like this as "marching to the beat of their own drum" — not someone else's drum!

• I've always admired Jane for marching to the beat of her own drum. She's very confident and doesn't mind standing out.

Related article: How Many Different Ways Can You Say "Weird"?

Sing a different tune

"Tune" is a casual term for a song. This expression is used when someone changes their mind, as if they are switching from one song to a different one. It's often used sarcastically. 

• He said he wants to buy the jacket, but he'll be singing a different tune when he sees the price.

Get into a rhythm

Musicians often struggle to play a song they have never played before. Similarly, when trying a new activity, you may not understand how to do it properly at first.

Over time, however, it will become more natural and you will get used to doing it comfortably.  Once you have reached this point, it means you have gotten "into the rhythm" of the activity.

Depending on the situation, it is more appropriate to say "get into a rhythm."

• It took me a little while to get into the rhythm at my new job, but now I feel quite comfortable.
• Once my teammates and I got into a rhythm, we were able to work very quickly.

Music to one's ears

If you hear some news that makes you very happy, you can compare it to the feeling of hearing music that you enjoy.

• Hearing that I didn't have to go to the office tomorrow was like music to my ears!

Tone-deaf

"Deaf" is an adjective that means "unable to hear." Someone who cannot sing or play an instrument well may not clearly understand the small differences between musical notes. In this case, we can say they are "tone-deaf." 

In situations not related to music, you can describe people and actions as tone-deaf if they are not sensitive or appropriate for a situation. For example, making jokes in an important business meeting would be very tone-deaf.

• The politician was criticized for making tone-deaf comments during his speech.

To the tune of ~

This expression is a creative way to say how much something costs or to emphasize a specific amount.

• Our charity campaign received donations to the tune of $50,000. We can help a lot of people with that money!

Related article: "Pay" vs. "Spend" vs. "Cost": What's the Difference?

One-man band

Bands require more than one person to play the different instruments like drums, keyboards and guitars. Most people cannot play more than one instrument at a time.

A person who is able to do many tasks without help from others is similar to a musician playing every instrument on their own. 

• Daisuke is really a one-man band; he programmed the game, made all of the art, and even wrote the music himself.

This expression is generally used in a positive way, but it can also be used to say that someone would do better with help from others.

• I think you should stop trying to be a one-man band and accept help from your friends.

Without skipping a beat

If someone can continue doing an activity smoothly even when there has been a problem or a disruption, it's similar to a musician who can keep the rhythm of a song no matter what is happening around them.

• Although the pandemic had a negative effect on many businesses, we were able to continue without skipping a beat.

One-hit wonder

A "one-hit wonder" is an artist or musical group who has one very popular song that everyone knows — but only one. Similarly, an organization or individual with only one popular product or service can be described with the same term.

• Years after his first invention, Steve showed everyone that he wasn't a one-hit wonder when he made several more successful products.

Face the music

When you "face the music," it means you accept punishment or criticism for a mistake or for poor performance. In other words, it is taking responsibility for something that has gone wrong.

• The students were forced to face the music when the teachers discovered they were cheating on their assignments.

Play something by ear

Many musicians play by reading musical notes that have been written down. However, some people are able to play songs without these guides. We say that those with this skill can "play by ear."

In daily conversations, "playing something by ear" means doing an activity without a plan or preparation.

• We haven't made clear plans for our vacation; we're just going to play it by ear.

Toot one's own horn

"Toot" is a casual verb that means to make a short sound on a horn such as a trumpet or saxophone. "Tooting your own horn" means bragging, or behaving with too much confidence. 

• He loves to toot his own horn about how much money he makes.

However, this expression is often used in the negative in order to reduce the nuance of bragging before someone makes a positive comment about themself.

• I don't mean to toot my own horn, but this pasta I made is delicious.

Related article: Essential English Vocabulary for Cooking

Play second fiddle

"Fiddle" is another word for violin. In an orchestra, the second fiddle supports the first, or main, violin.

Outside of music, this expression often has a negative nuance, suggesting that one person or thing is less important than another. (Notice that you need "to" to refer to another person.)

• Jake was tired of playing second fiddle to Max, so he left to start his own group.

Wrap-up

No matter what language you study, you will probably find expressions connected to music. It is a good reminder of how important music has always been to cultures around the world.

Almost all of the idioms introduced here are common and OK to use even in professional situations. So once you've learned them, look for opportunities to try them out in your own daily interactions.

The post "Get Into the Rhythm" with English Idioms Related to Music appeared first on Engoo Blog.

This time, we'll introduce 13 idioms that are all about foods that come from milk. We'll also provide example sentences to give you an idea of how they are used by native speakers. Let's start! 

Idioms related to butter

Butter someone up

"Buttering someone up" means complimenting them dishonestly in order to get approval, positive attention or some other benefit. It comes from the act of spreading butter on something to make it taste better, similar to making someone more positive toward you by telling them things they want to hear.

• She buttered up her father by complimenting his sweater before asking him for some money.

As smooth as butter

This expression means that a task or situation is moving forward without any problems. It's often used to describe something that is done easily or that appears to be done easily.

• She performed every move in her dance routine as smooth as butter.

Butter wouldn't melt in (one's) mouth

This phrase is used to talk about someone who seems innocent even though they may not actually be. The idea is that despite their appearance, inside they are cold — too cold to melt butter. Be careful around these people!

• Sarah acted innocent, but when nobody was looking, she stole money from the charity box. Butter wouldn't melt in her mouth.

Idioms related to milk

Milk something for all it's worth

This expression means getting the maximum benefit or advantage from a situation. It comes from the idea of getting all the milk from a cow until there is none left. This has a slightly negative nuance.

• The influencer milked her popularity for all it was worth, agreeing to promote products with many different companies.

Cry over spilled milk

"Crying over spilled milk" means feeling sorry about past events or mistakes that cannot be changed. It's usually used in the negative sense: "Don't cry over spilled milk." In other words, look forward, not behind!

• I accidentally deleted an important file, but there's no point in crying over spilled milk. Instead, I'll focus on finding a solution and recovering the data.

Related article: 20 Short English Quotes for Quick Motivation

Milking a duck

We've talked about milking cows, but how about ducks?

You can't get milk from a duck, of course, so this idiom means trying to do something impossible or pointless. Trying to milk a duck is just wasting your time.

• Trying to convince him to lend you money is like trying to milk a duck.

Full of the milk of human kindness

This phrase means that someone has a generous heart and is very kind and compassionate toward others.

• Despite dealing with his own problems, John always finds time to help others in need; he is truly full of the milk of human kindness.

Idioms related to cheese

Cheesy

When talking about food, "cheesy" means "full of cheese." Simple, right? However, when used figuratively, it means that something is silly or not stylish. 

• That movie was so cheesy, with the bad story and unoriginal dialogue. What a waste of money!

Related article: Adjectives That Can Describe Both Taste and Personality

The big cheese

"The big cheese" is an informal way to refer to an important or influential person, often the leader of an organization or group.

• Jeff is the big cheese in our department. He makes all of the major decisions.

Cheese someone off

This phrase means to annoy or irritate someone. Its origin is not known, but it is thought to be based on the phrase "to be cheesed," which means to be angry or upset.

• She's always late and it really cheeses me off.

Idioms related to cream

Cream of the crop

Something that is the "cream of the crop" is the best in a group or category. It comes from the idea that cream, the thickest part of milk that eventually rises to the top, represents the highest quality.

• Out of all the applicants, Joan was the cream of the crop because of her impressive qualifications and experience.

Peaches and cream

"Peaches and cream" describes something smooth and ideal. It is often used when referring to someone's skin.

• Her skin is perfect, like peaches and cream.

Like the cat that got the cream

This phrase means to be arrogant or very pleased with oneself about something. It comes from the behavior of a cat after it gets a treat, such as cream.

• After winning the lottery, Kevin walked around with a big smile, looking like the cat that got the cream.

Wrap-up

Surprisingly, dairy products appear in English quite often! If you listen carefully, you will find that the expressions we've introduced here are common in daily conversations.

Once you've learned these terms, continue your study of surprising English usage with this article: 11 Animal Names You Can Use to Describe People

The post "Cream of the Crop": 13 English Idioms Related to Dairy Products appeared first on Engoo Blog.

We have easier access to games than ever before through our phones and PCs. And while it's easy to find games of all types, this article will focus on word games you can use to strengthen the English you know and enhance it with new information. 

The games we'll introduce cover many different skill levels, so be sure to pay attention to the suggested level for each.

Various games from LearnEnglish Kids

The LearnEnglish Kids site has a variety of activities that are good for younger learners. Here you can find an alphabetical list of games based on specific themes. For example, students can match words with the pictures they see for things like household chores, body parts and emotions.

Recommended level: Beginner

Scramble Words

In Scramble Words, players are given five letters and must use them to create as many words as they can. 

At the top of the game screen are spaces representing the words players must spell to win. Each word that is successfully spelled will reveal a letter in one space, providing a clue to other words left to reveal.

Players begin with four minutes and forty seconds, and time remaining in each round will carry over to the next. 

Recommended level: Intermediate

Outspell

In this game, players take turns with an AI opponent, using their letter "tiles" to spell out words on a grid. Tiles placed on special squares will result in higher scores, and so will using trickier letters like Q, Y and X. Once all of the player's and computer's letter tiles are gone, the highest score wins.

The difficulty of the computer can be adjusted, but even on easy, some of the words the AI spells can be uncommon in daily conversations. Therefore, it's a good idea to have a dictionary handy while you play. And if you have any questions about the words you see, book a lesson with one of our tutors and ask them about it.

Recommended level: Intermediate

Spell It

The rules to this game are quite simple. After you listen to a word, you then have 15 seconds to type in the correct spelling. One round consists of 10 words.

Some words are simple, but others can be quite challenging, so we recommend this game for students who are at least at the intermediate level.

Recommended level: Intermediate - Advanced

Spellbound

In Spellbound, you are given seven letters plus a minute and thirty seconds to create as many words as you can with them. Creating words with only three or four letters is not very challenging, but using most (or even all) of the letters is much more difficult and will really test your vocabulary!

If you get stuck, there is a button you can press to get a new set of letters, but this can only be done a limited number of times per game.

(By the way, the adjective "spellbound" means "amazed" or "completely fascinated.")

Recommended level: Intermediate - Advanced

Odd Word Out

This game is a great choice for students who want to test or expand their knowledge of idioms.

In each round, players are presented with four words; three of them can complete a common expression. The player must choose the "odd word out," or the word which does not fit with the others.

As an example, players may be shown the following words:

• Scenes
• Times
• Scissors
• Eight ball

"Behind the scenes," "behind the times" and "behind the eight ball" are all common phrases, but "behind the scissors" is not. Therefore, "scissors" is the correct answer.

What's especially useful is that after an answer is selected, text appears that shows you the rest of the phrase: "Scenes, times and eight ball all complete a common phrase when following 'behind the __'." This allows you to easily search for the meaning of each expression.

Recommended level: Advanced

Syl La Cros Tic

As you might guess from the name, this game is a bit unusual!

On the right side of the game screen is a list of clues. On the left side is a grid of syllables. Instead of searching for the word that matches each clue, players must use the pieces of different words to "build" the answers!

For example, if the clue is "outside the law," you would select the syllables "il," "le" and "gal" from the left side to spell "illegal," the correct answer. Some of the clues can be quite challenging, so we only recommend this game for higher-level students.

Recommended level: Advanced

Wrap-up

Games can be a fun and engaging way to enhance your learning experience. Thankfully, everything we've presented here is completely free to play and requires no registration. However, very competitive players who want to record their scores for everyone to see will need to log in.

But we need to warn you before you play — some of these games can be very addictive, so be careful!

The post Free Word Games to Test Your English Skills appeared first on Engoo Blog.

If you don’t already know, it would be difficult to guess, but this is just one example of the many English idioms related to numbers.

Every number from zero to ten has an idiom related to it, and so do many numbers even higher than that. It's possible that some of them have similar versions in your native language. This article will take a look at 14 that can be used in a wide variety of situations.

Literal number expressions

The expressions in this section include numbers meant literally. So even if they are new to you, you might be able to understand the meanings behind them.

One of a kind

Something that is "one of a kind" is special because there is nothing else like it. We can use it to refer to objects, experiences and people.

If you add hyphens, this idiom can be used as an adjective.

Kill two birds with one stone

This common expression means to achieve two goals with only one action. 

Triple threat

This generally refers to a person or thing that has three different skills or qualities. It was originally used in the entertainment industry, particularly musicals, for a performer who could sing, dance and act.

At the eleventh hour

This is the expression we introduced at the beginning of this article. It refers to something happening at the last possible moment. It originates from a story in the Bible about a landowner who hires workers just before it’s too late.

Fifth wheel

A "fifth wheel" is something unnecessary or extra. This expression comes from the idea that a fifth wheel on a carriage that already has four is not needed.

Figurative number expressions

In English expressions using numbers, many do not make sense if you try to translate them into another language directly. They often have a figurative meaning, so it's better to remember them as idiomatic expressions.

Million-dollar question

This refers to a very important issue or a difficult question. Answers to these questions are often considered to be very valuable information.

A thousand times no

We use this expression as a way to refuse something very strongly. It expresses much more determination than simply saying “No.”

Sixth sense

Humans generally have five senses: sight, sound, smell, taste and touch. A “sixth sense,” then, represents intuition, or a special ability to see or understand things that are not clear in the physical world.

This is also the title of a popular thriller from 1999 about a young boy with mysterious abilities.

Catch-22

This expression comes from Joseph Heller's novel Catch-22 from 1961. It refers to a situation or rule that seems to contradict, or disagree with, itself. It is often used when getting a positive result is impossible no matter what kind of action is taken.

On cloud nine

Being "on cloud nine" means experiencing extreme happiness. Its origin is not clear, but it is believed to be related to categories of clouds in American meteorology, the study of weather.

Second nature

If something is “second nature” to you, it means you can do it easily and naturally. In other words, it’s just like an ability you were born with.

Expressions with cultural and historical background

The expressions in this section have a strong connection to the religious and cultural backgrounds they come from.

The third time's the charm

This expresses the idea that something will be successful when tried for the third time.

Historically, the number 3 has represented completeness or holiness. Christianity has the concept of the Trinity, and in many folktales and stories, 3 plays an important role.

At sixes and sevens

This is an expression that is more common in British English. It is said to have originated from the idea that rolling a six or seven in a dice game meant players were in a risky situation. These days, it refers to a state of confusion or disorder.

Talk nineteen to the dozen

This is another mostly British expression, originally used in the 19th century to refer to a system for working in coal mines efficiently. It’s now used to mean talking very quickly and energetically.

Wrap-up

The expressions we've introduced here relate to various situations, but they are all easy to use in everyday conversations. Mastering them all will bring you one step closer to using English like a native speaker, so be sure to use them the next time you get the chance!

Written by Amy, adapted by David

The post Clouds, Wheels and Charms: 14 English Idioms Based on Numbers appeared first on Engoo Blog.

So what are some sports terms that made their way into office buildings and meeting rooms? Below, we’ll introduce seven that you’ll definitely encounter when doing business in English.

Ballpark (adj.)

“Ballparks” usually refer to baseball fields, which often cover a very large area.

Similarly, the word “ballpark” in business is often used to talk about a range of numbers. For example, if you’re making a “ballpark estimate,” that means you don't need to be exact. Instead, your guess only needs to be reasonable or within an expected range (i.e. inside the ballpark).

• The amount of water the factory uses varies, but ballpark estimates are around 200,000 tons each day.
• I don’t need exact numbers. Ballpark figures will do.

A useful phrase to know is “in the ballpark.”

• We estimate that the deal is in the ballpark of $75 - 100 million.
• Guess again. Your first guess was not even in the ballpark.

Pitch (n., v.)

When you pitch a ball in baseball, you throw it toward your opponent and hope they don’t hit it.

In business, if you “pitch” an idea, you propose, or present, it to someone and hope they like it.

• The director pitched his idea for a new movie to many producers, but he didn’t get any positive responses.
• In Silicon Valley, there’s a Venezuelan cafe where many start-up founders pitch their ideas to investors.

Pitch is also used as a noun.

• They gave a good pitch, but their prices were just too high.
• The company was not impressed by our sales pitch and will be buying from one of our competitors instead.

Fun fact: An “elevator pitch” is a short, memorable description of an idea that you can give to someone important if you happen to ride an elevator together. There’s even a show based on this concept.

• I'm working on my elevator pitch, but it's still a bit too long.

Touch Base (idiom)

Like the previous two expressions, “touch base” also comes from baseball.

During a game, players must run around a diamond-shaped field to score. At each corner is a base that players must touch to get a point. Players usually run as fast as possible between them, which means that the time they “touch” each base is very short. So if you tell someone, “Let’s touch base soon,” you’re basically saying, “Let’s talk briefly soon.” 

• My schedule is full of meetings this week, but let's touch base soon to discuss the project.
• Hi Steve, I just wanted to touch base with you, because I’ve received complaints about your behavior from HR, and wanted to learn more about what may have happened.

Drop the Ball (idiom)

In most ball games, dropping the ball means losing a chance to score.

Outside of sports, “dropping the ball” means to fail or forget to do something. In fact, the phrase usually comes with an apology.

For example, if you invite someone to meet up and then forget to reply to them, you can say, “Sorry, I dropped the ball. Are you free to chat next Wednesday?”

• I’m so sorry I dropped the ball on this project. I’ll have more time for it now that I’ve finished work on other tasks.
• The company's security department dropped the ball when hackers were allowed to steal sensitive information from the database.

Get the Ball Rolling (idiom)

As our lesson on soccer expressions explains, “At the beginning of a soccer game, one player rolls the ball to another. So the expression ‘get the ball rolling’ means to start an activity.”

• Let’s meet next week so we can get the ball rolling on this project.
• Once Olivia returns from vacation, we can have a meeting and get the ball rolling on our new website.

Call the Shots (idiom)

The origins of this phrase are unclear, but it’s said that it comes from billiards or target practice. Both of these are sports in which people might announce what they’re going to hit before shooting.

In business, the person who “calls the shots” makes the important decisions.

• You’ll have to talk to my boss about this proposal. He’s the one who calls the shots here, not me.
• The person who calls the shots must be prepared to make tough decisions under pressure.

Pass Along/On (phrasal v.)

Many sports require people to “pass,” or transfer, a ball to a teammate.

In business, people often use the same word as a casual way to talk about sending information to other people. (Just like tossing a ball, you are moving something from yourself to someone else.)

• Thanks for sending your CV. I’ll pass it on to our hiring manager, who will reach out if your application moves to the next round.
• Dear managers, if you haven’t already, please complete this survey and pass it on to your team members.

Related article: 11 Phrasal Verbs with "Make"

Your Turn!

As you can see, even expressions that come from baseball fields and soccer matches can still be used in professional situations.

Try to use some of these expressions the next time you speak to a client or write an email. Using them effectively will definitely make your English sound more like that of a native speaker.

If you'd like to learn more about the sports and business worlds mixing, check out this article next: 5 Racing Terms Used in Business English.

The post 7 Business English Expressions that Come From Sports [Updated] appeared first on Engoo Blog.