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Рубрика: Idioms

5 Idioms with «Take»

1. to take something for granted = to believe something to be the truth without questioning or testing it; to expect something to be available all the time; to fail to appreciate something (считать само собой разумеющимся; принимать как само собой разумеющееся)

We take it for granted that women can join the armed forces.

Until 9/11, I took it for granted that America was safe from such things as terrorist attacks. I no longer take that for granted.

2. to take sides = to choose one side of an argument (принимать чью-либо сторону в споре; стать на чью-либо сторону)

Have you ever taken sides in an argument before you’ve heard both of them?

I didn't want to take sides, but rather to spur a healthy debate.

3. to take its toll = to cause a lot of harm, especially in a gradual way (нанести тяжелый урон; плохо сказываться на чем-то)

Stress takes its toll on employee productivity.

Lack of sleep was beginning to take its toll on me.

5 Idioms with «Call»

1. close call = 1. a dangerous situation that you have just succeeded in avoiding (опасная ситуация; критическая ситуация) 2. if an election is going to be a close call, more than one person has a good chance of winning (минимальное преимущество)

Last year I had a very close call when I contracted meningitis. After getting out of intensive care and returning home I felt a new lease of life.

Bus passengers had a very close call when they escaped just seconds before the vehicle was swallowed by a sink hole.

The election was a very close call – we won by just over 300 votes.

The election was a close call and the Mayor did all that he could to manipulate it.

2. to call someone names = to use insulting words to describe someone (обзывать; оскорблять)

All the kids were mean to him and called him names.

His classmates mocked him and called him names.

3. to call it a day = to decide that it's time to finish the work you're doing; to stop some activity (закончить работу; прекратить какое-либо дело)

Let's call it a day and take a little rest.

After 18 years as a band they have decided to call it a day.

5 Idioms with «Break»

1. to break the news = to be the first to tell someone some bad news (сообщить неприятную новость)

If you think it's time to separate, remember to keep your partner's feelings in mind when you break the news.

The doctor broke the news that I had cancer.

2. breakneck speed = very fast speed (головокружительная скорость)

In the next few years, the payments industry is expected to grow at breakneck speed and bring in a lot of novelty with cashless methods of payment.

The electric vehicle market is expected to grow at breakneck speed over the next decade.

3. to break the ice = to do something that makes people feel more relaxed in a social situation (начать общение; побороть стеснительность; создать непринужденную атмосферу)

What is the best way to break the ice while starting a conversation?

Making a joke can break the ice when you meet someone for the first time.

5 idioms with «Have»

1. to have a way with words = to have talent to express what you mean using effective language (быть красноречивым; не лезть за словом в карман)

If you want to work in social media, you need to have a way with words.

Forgive this obvious statement, but Shakespeare really had a way with words. The proof is in the staying power of his work.

2. not have a clue (about something) = to know nothing about something (не иметь понятия о чем-то; быть не в курсе дела)

I don't have a clue what I'm supposed to do now.

He didn't have a clue what the teacher was talking about. He just sat at the back and looked out the window.

3. to have a crush on someone = to have a strong feeling of love for someone, usually for a short time (влюбиться в кого-то; «запасть» на кого-то)

Have you ever had a secret crush on a teacher or a co-worker?

I had a crush on my friend's brother. I used to go all red when I saw him.

Idioms about economy

1. public purse — государственная казна, бюджет

«Public purse» refers to the state finances.

Preventing crime, accidents and disease will save the public purse money.

Most land deals contribute little or nothing to the public purse.

Space needs to be made in the public purse for child care, pensions and medical costs.

2. slowdown — замедление темпов развития; снижение активности, замедление темпов роста

A "slowdown" is a reduction in speed or activity.

Are we entering a period of global recession or is it just an economic slowdown?

Alabama was among the first states to feel the effects of the economic slowdown.

Nothing focuses politicians' minds like an economic slowdown in an election year. Читать далее »

Idioms with time

В данной статье перечислены некоторые широко используемые английские идиомы со словом time.

have the time of one's life = have an extremely enjoyable experience (отлично провести время)

The kids had the time of their lives at water park. — Дети отлично провели время в аквапарке.

all in good time = it will happen when the time is right (всему свое время)

I'll tell you everything ... All in good time. — Я вам все расскажу ... В свое время.

it's only a matter of time = it will happen sooner or later (вопрос времени)

It’s only a matter of time before someone gets seriously ill. — Кто-нибудь рано или поздно серьезно заболеет, это просто вопрос времени.

time flies = time passes very quickly (время летит)

I can't believe your daughter is 18 already. How time flies! — Не могу поверить, что твоей дочери уже 18 лет. Как летит время!

be ahead of one's time = to have new ideas a long time before other people think that way (опередивший эпоху, передовой)

Shakespeare was in many ways ahead of his time. — Шекспир во многих отношениях опередил свое время.

time heals all wounds / time is a great healer = a painful or difficult situation will seem less bad as time passes (время лечит; время — лучший доктор) Читать далее »

Idioms with 'dead'

Пусть название заметки Вас не пугает, все перечисленные здесь выражения вполне позитивны, и к смерти, на самом деле, не имеют никакого отношения. Обратите внимание, что все они являются разговорными, а значит будут уместны только в общении с друзьями и родными.

as dead as doornail = 1. completely dead, 2. not working (1. мертвый, 2. не работает, сломался).

Это выражение было широко в ходу во времена Шекспира, и означало оно «мертвый», «без всякого сомнения мертвый». Сейчас оно используется, когда речь идет о неодушевленных предметах, часто о неработающих устройствах.

Oh no, I forgot to charge my smartphone. It's as dead as a doornail. — О нет, я забыл зарядить смартфон, и он выключился.

Over my dead body! = I will do everything I can to prevent it. (Ни за что! Только через мой труп!)

— James says he's going to buy a motorbike. - Джеймс говорит, что хочет купить мотоцикл.

— Over my dead body! — Только через мой труп!

drop-dead gorgeous = very attractive (необыкновенно привлекателен, чертовски хорош)

I only asked you out because you're drop-dead gorgeous. — Я пригласил тебя только потому, что ты потрясающе красива.

I wouldn’t be seen/caught dead ... = I would never do it, usually because it would be too embarrassing (ни за что на свете)

I wouldn't be caught dead wearing a bikini. — Ни за что на свете не надену бикини.

dead easy = very easy (легче легкого, раз плюнуть)

This whole thing is dead easy. — Да все это легче легкого. Читать далее »

Idioms with 'get'

Get — один из самых многозначных глаголов в английском языке, использующийся во множестве конструкций и словосочетаний, в том числе и идиоматических.

В этой статье перечислены некоторые часто используемые идиомы с глаголом get.

to get rid of something = to end something unpleasant (избавиться от чего-то)

I feel terrible. I can't seem to get rid of this cough. — Чувствую себя ужасно, никак не могу избавиться от кашля.

to get away with murder = to be allowed to do things that other people would be punished for (сойти с рук, оставаться безнаказанным)

Toni is the teacher's favourite. He lets her get away with murder. — Тони — любимица учителя, ей все сходит с рук.

to get somebody down = to depress (вгонять в тоску, расстраивать)

All these comments are really getting me down. — Все эти комментарии меня очень расстраивают.

to get nowhere = to fail to achieve something (ничего не даст, не поможет)

Discussing the matter further will get us nowhere. — Дальнейшее обсуждение этого вопроса ни к чему не приведёт. Читать далее »

Idioms with 'see'

В этой статье Вы найдете идиомы с глаголом see.

to see things = to imagine something is present or happening when it is not (бредить, видеть несуществующие вещи)

Ghosts! Don't be stupid! You're seeing things! — Привидения! Не глупи! Тебе просто померещилось!

something has seen better days = is old and in bad condition (знавал лучшие времена, потрепанный)

That coat has seen better days. Why don't you buy a new one? — Это пальто такое старое и потрепанное. Почему бы тебе не купить новое?

to see eye to eye = to agree with someone (сходиться во взглядах)

I don't think we really see eye to eye over this matter, do we? - Насколько я понимаю, здесь наши взгляды не сходятся, я прав?

to see red = to become very angry (приходить в бешенство)

She saw red when she found out that her son had been expelled from school. — Она пришла в ярость когда узнала, что ее сына исключили из школы. Читать далее »

Idioms with 'break'

В этой статье перечислены 10 часто используемых идиом с глаголом break.

to break the news = to tell someone about something unpleasant that has happened (сообщить неприятную новость)

We broke the news to grandma gently. — Мы деликатно сообщили бабушке новость.

to break down = to stop working (сломаться, перестать работать)

Our car broke down 10 miles from home. — Наша машина сломалась в 10 милях от дома.

to work without a break = to work without having rest (работать без перерыва)

We've been working without a break for 9 hours already. — Мы работаем без перерыва уже 9 часов.

breakneck speed = dangerously fast speed (головокружительная скорость)

I didn't want to drive at the breakneck speed like the others did, and soon lost sight of everyone in the darkness. — Я не хотел мчаться на сумасшедшей скорости как все остальные, и скоро потерял их из виду в темноте.

to break the ice = to make people who have not met before feel relaxed with each other (начать общение, побороть стеснительность, создать непринужденную атмосферу) Читать далее »