It's beyond me

It's beyond me !!!

Anthony	How long have you been in this country ?
Seung	Two months.
Anthony	Is it hard for you to study at an American college ?
Seung	Yes, I find it very difficult. Especially when you can't follow the professor's lecture.
Anthony	That's because you just arrived. Do you like biology ?
Seung	No. It's beyond me.

Explanation :

If you say that something is beyond someone, you mean that they cannot deal with it.

Example :

Although he could give her sympathy, any practical help would almost certainly be beyond him ......

You are on the right track

You are on the right track !!!

Greg	I am trying to figure out who the murderer is in this story.
Curtis	Who do you think it is !
Greg	I think it's Mr. Johnson because he was in the house at the time of the murder.
Curtis	No, but you are on the right track.

Explanation :

If you are on the right track , you are acting or progressing in a way that is likely to result in success.

Example :

Guests are returning in increasing numbers - a sure sign that we are on the right track ...

Don't get me wrong

Don't get me wrong !!!

Marcie	Don't get me wrong ! I think Calvin is a very nice person, but you have to admit he isn't very responsible.
Teddy	I think you are right, he has got a lot of growing up to do.

Explanation :

You say 'Don't get me wrong' when you want to make sure that someone does not misunderstand what you are doing or sayng or why you are doing or saying it.

Example :

Dont get me wrong, it is interesting work .....

Give it to me straight

Give it to me straight !!!

Boss	As you know Steven, you are a highly-valued worker. However, the company has run into financial difficulty lately that are causing some unexpected repercussions.
Steven	Like what ! Give it to me straight.
Boss	I am afraid we have to lay you off.

Explanation :

If you give someone a straight answer , you speak honestly and frankly to them.

Example :

What a shifty arguer he is, refusing ever to give a straight answer to a straight question.

I'll tell you what

I'll tell you what !!!

Dave	Let's go to the movies in Prickly tomorrow.
Kuno	Ok, where should we meet. Do you know where Lot 10 is ? We went there together.
Dave	No, I don't remember. Let's meet somewhere outside Prickly.
Kuno	I'll tell you what -- name the place and I'll pick you up.

Explanation :

In spoken English, you use I'll tell you what or I tell you what to introduce suggestion or a new topic of conversation.

Example :

I tell you what, I'll bring the water in a separate glass.

In a row

In a row !!!

Jane	The new year will be here before you know it.
Mei	This year really went by fast.
Jane	It seems every year goes by faster.
Mei	I especially enjoy the new year, though.
Jane	Why ?
Mei	We have three holidays in a row.

Explanation :

If something happens several times in a row, it happens that number of times without a break. If something happens several days in a row, it happens on each of those days.

Example :

They have won five championships in a row.

Up to something

Up to something !!!
Jennifer	Yeah, great. But who recorded these for you?
Billy	My classmate, as a joke. It makes me sound like a womanizer.
Jennifer	Well, then let me record one for you.
Billy	OK. Cool. Be sexy. Here. Go!
Jennifer	Hey, jerk! Answer the phone, you idiot!
Billy	Hey! I should have known you were up to something.

Explanation :

If you say that someone is up to something, you mean that they are secretly doing something that they should not be doing.

Example :

Why did you need a room unless you were up to something.

In the air

In the air !!!
Jenny	Vanessa! Guess what. Leo proposed to me!
Vanessa	Wow. Love is in the air. Did you accept?
Jenny	Not yet. I have some doubts...like the age factor. I'm really robbing the cradle here.
Vanessa	So he's eight years younger...he's mature for his age.
Jenny	I'm worried about the cultural differences, too.
Vanessa	You guys have the same interests and similar personalities. AND you have the same dreams.

Explanation :

If something is in the air it is felt to be present, but it is not talked about

Example :

There was great excitement in the air ...

Don't flatter yourself

Don't flatter yourself !!!
Jean	What is that noise ?
Harry	What noise?
Jean	I hear a girl saying "Harry, honey. Please pick up the phone, you stud..."
Harry	Oh! That's my new cell phone. It must be my latest squeeze, Jane.
Jean	Jane ?
Harry	Yeah. She's totally into me. She calls me all the time.
Jean	Don't flatter yourself!

Explanation :

If someone says to you ' don't flatter yourself ', they mean that they disagree with your good opinion of yourself.

Example :

I flatter myself that this campaign will put an end to the war.

He is a good catch

He is a good catch !!!
Joe	Guess who else is falling into the love trap.
Judy	It better not be Bobbie. I don't want to lose another friend to the death of love.
Joe	It's Marie. With the guy from New York..
Judy	No wonder! I saw her wearing a promise ring.
Joe	I encouraged her. I think he's a good catch.
Judy	It better not be just 'cuz he looks like Tom Cruise. Marriage is more than a fling with a movie-star look-alike.

Explanation :

If you describe someone as a good catch, you mean that they have lots of good qualities and you think their partner or employer is very lucky to have found them.

Example :

I was so in love with him and all my friends said what a good catch he was.

Work like a charm

Work like a charm !!!
Salesman	Lowest prices! Best quality! Hello, sir!
Buyer	Oh, hi. I'm just looking. I have a computer already.
Salesman	How long have you had it?
Buyer	Years. Works like a charm.
Salesman	Years? What a dinosaur! I can't believe you still use it.
Buyer	It's fine for writing letters and ...

Explanation :

If you say that something worked like a charm, you mean that it was very effective or successful.

Example :

Economically, the policy worked like a charm.

My battery is low

My battery must be low !!!
Girl	"Hello " ?
AJ	"Hi it's me what's up baby ? I'm sorry ! Listen ! I'm gonna be late tonight so don't stay up and wait for me OK ?"
Girl	"Where are you ?"
AJ	"Wait wait ! Say that again ?"
Girl	"Hello ?"
AJ	"You're coming in and out I think my battery must be low. Listen ! If you can hear me we're going to a place nearby, alright ? Gotta go " ( click )

Explanation :

That battery is low means you are running out of battery.

Have the knack

She just seems to have the knack !!!
Melanie	I'm so envious of Lara's cooking.
Anne	Me too, everything she does tastes perfect.
Melanie	I tried some of her recipes myself, but they just don't seem to turn out right.
Anne	You're not the only one, I tried to make her Black Forest cake the other day. It tasted all right but not half as good as Lara's.
Melanie	How does she do it I wonder ?
Anne	She just seems to have the knack.

Explanation :

A knack is a particularly clever or skilful way of doing something successfully, especially something which most people find difficult.

Example : He's got the knack of getting people to listen.

Go at a steady pace

Go at steady pace !!!
James	Where are you going on the weekend ?
Harry	I'm going hiking with some classmate.
James	Hiking ? Isn't that rather strenuous ?
Harry	Not if you go at a steady pace and take the occasional break.
James	Oh, that doesn't sound too bad.
Harry	Why don't you join us ? You'll have a great time.

Explanation :

If you do something at a steady pace , you do it at a speed that is comfortable for you.

Let's go for a spin

Let's go for a spin !!!
Clyde	I'm feeling energetic today. Let's go for a spin.
Al	OK. I need some exercise.
Clyde	Where shall we go ?
Al	Let's go around the lake, over the hill and come back through the wood.
Clyde	Fine, that's about 15 kilometers, enough for one day.
Al	Don't forget your puncture outfit and crash helmet.

Explanation :

If you go for a spin, or take a car for a spin, you make a short journey in a car just to enjoy yourself.

Stick at it

Stick at it !!!
Niall	Don't you find these rowing machines hard work ?
Harry	I certainly do, but they're supposed to be.
Niall	How often do you come to the gym for a workout ?
Harry	Three times a week at least if I can manage it.
Niall	No wonder you look so fit and trim.
Harry	Thanks. Stick at it and you can be the same.

Explanation :

If you stick at a task or activity, you continue doing it, even if it is difficult.

Example : He became more and more irritated by her inability to stick at anything.

Gets up my nose

It really gets up my nose !!!
Teddy	It's been a pretty tight game so far, don't you think ?
Martin	Yes, neither side have looked like scoring a goal so far.
Teddy	Except that one time when our striker was almost through but was fouled by the fullback. The referee didn't see it.
Martin	Yes, it really gets up my nose when something like that happens.
Teddy	Well, let's hope that the ref will be looking right way if that fullback tries playing dirty again.
Martin	And then we'll get a penalty.

Explanation :

If you say that someone or something gets up your nose, you mean that they annoy you.

Example : He's just getting up my nose so much at the moment.

Held up by traffic

They've probably been held up by the traffic !!!
Tom	You're not looking too cheerful.
Henry	Well, I arranged with Bob and Chris to meet me here for a drink at seven o'clock. It's now a quarter to eight and neither of them has turned up.
Tom	I wouldn't give up hope. They've probably been held up by the traffic. It's been very heavy for the past hour.
Henry	Even so, they should have turned up by now.
Tom	Well, I'd give them another quarter of an hour or so.
Henry	OK, but after that I'm going home.

Explanation :

To hold somebody or something up means to delay somebody or something.

Example : Traffic was held up for several hours by the accident.

My luggage went astray

My luggage went astray !!!
Maggie	I had a terrible time on my last trip to Europe.
Bernard	Why, what happened ? Did you have an accident ?
Maggie	No, my luggage went astray. When I arrived in Paris and went to collect my case from the baggage carousel, it never arrived.
Bernard	What happened to it ? Had somebody collected it by mistake or stolen it ?
Maggie	No, it had been sent on to London by mistake.
Bernard	Did you get it back.
Maggie	Yes I did, but it took two whole days. I was absolutely furious.

Explanation :

If something goes astray, it gets lost while it is being taken or sent somewhere.

Example : Many items of mail being sent to her have gone astray.

Changing channels

He kept changing channels on the remote !!!
Sharon	My mother got really annoyed with my father yesterday evening.
Heather	Why, did he complain about her cooking ?
Sharon	Oh no, she's a great cook. It was when they were watching television.
Heather	Don't tell me he fell asleep in front of the television and started snoring.
Sharon	No, he does that sometimes but this was because he kept changing channels on the remote.
Heather	All men do that, it's one of their most annoying habits.

What do you fancy ?

What do you fancy ?
Sian	Let's eat out tonight. I don't feel like cooking.
Vincent	Well why not ? What do you fancy ?
Sian	I think Japanese would make a nice change.
Vincent	Fine. How about that new place just off the market square ?
Sian	Good idea. I'll go and freshen up first.
Vincent	OK, in the meantime I'll phone to book a table.

Explanation :

If you fancy something, you want to have it or to do it

Example : Do you fancy going to see a movie sometime ?

Over the moon

He's clearly over the moon about something !!!
Gordon	Have you seen Johnny today?
Martin	No, why ?
Gordon	Well he's clearly over the moon about something.
Martin	What about ?
Gordon	He won't tell anybody, but I've never seen him looking so happy.
Martin	He's a betting man, so perhaps he's won a lot of money on the horses.

Explanation :

If you say that you are over the moon, you mean that you are very pleased about something.

Example : She was over the moon about/with her new bike.

Have a lot in common

They seem to have a lot in common !!!
Theresa	Mandy and Tom seem to be spending a lot of time together lately.
Yvonne	Yes that's true. I've seen them at the swimming pool lately and at the cinema.
Theresa	They go on regular bike rides together too.
Yvonne	They seem to have a lot in common.
Theresa	Yes, they clearly like the same things.
Yvonne	I wonder if we'll be hearing wedding bells soon.

She enjoys doing still lifes

She enjoys doing still lifes !!!
Cindy	My sister started a new hobby a few months ago.
Heather	Really ? Tell me more.
Cindy	She's been learning to paint watercolors.
Heather	How interesting. What are her favorite subjects ?
Cindy	She likes painting landscapes best, but she also enjoys doing still lifes.
Heather	I envy her. I've tried to paint in the past, but I'm no good - I have no artistic talent.

Explanation :

still lifes ( plural ) - a type of painting or drawing of an arrangement of objects that do not move, such as flowers, fruit, bowls, etc

Example : We went to an exhibition of 17th century Dutch still lifes.

She sight-reads really well

She sight-reads really well !!!
Clare	My elder sister is always in demand at family parties.
Angie	Why, is she a good singer ?
Clare	No, she plays the piano really well and she can play whatever music anyone puts in front of her.
Angie	I can play the piano, but I couldn't do that. How does she do it ?
Clare	She sight-reads really well.
Angie	I wish I could do that, it's a great skill.

Explanation :

Someone who can sight-read can play or sing music from a printed sheet the first time they see it, without practising it beforehand.

Example : Symphony musicians cannot necessarily sight-read.

A fantastic save

The Real goalie made a fantastic save !!!
Larry	Did you see the Barcelona-Real Madrid match on TV yesterday ?
Phillip	Of course, what a game ! Three goals each.
Larry	Who do you support ?
Phillip	Real Madrid, because I'm a Beckham fan.
Larry	Barcelona should have won it with that great shot on goal in the last minute.
Phillip	Only they didn't because the Real goalie made a fantastic save.

Pan across the ruins

I like the way you pan across the ruins !!!
Carrie	Your vacation video is really interesting.
Donald	Well, Mexico is a fascinating country.
Carrie	What are we looking at now ?
Donald	These are the remains of a Mayan city.
Carrie	I like the way you pan across the ruins very slowly.
Donald	That helps you to see what a really large area they cover.

Explanation :

If you pan a film or television camera or if it pans somewhere, it moves slowly across an area in a wide sweep.

Example : He panned over the crowd for a few minutes before swiveling back to the right.

I wish I could

I wish I could play the piano like you !!!
Andy	I wish I could play the piano like you.
Dee	I'm sure you could if you tried. You should take some lessons.
Andy	I took some when I was younger but I was hopeless.
Dee	Why was that ?
Andy	I found that I was tone-deaf, which really made it impossible.
Dee	Never mind, why don't you try learning the drums? Then being tone-deaf shouldn't matter.

Explanation :

If you wish something were true, you would like it to be true, even though you know that it is impossible or unlikely.

Example : I wish it weren't true.

A really green thumb

She's got a really green thumb !!!
Gordon	What a beautiful garden your parents have !
Fiona	I'm glad you like it. They certainly spend a lot of time on it.
Gordon	And the houseplants are also very attractive.
Fiona	They're my mother's specialty. Some of them are nearly twenty years old.
Gordon	Good heavens, how does she do it ?
Fiona	She's got a really green thumb; plants seem to respond to her.

Explanation :

If you say someone has green fingers, or green thumb, you mean that they are very good at gardening and their plants grow well.

Example : You don't need green thumb to fill your home with lush leaves.

Dress-making

My sister's hobby is dress making !!!
Marion	You look slimmer than when I saw you last.
Hettie	Yes, I must have lost six pounds over the last two months. my best dress is now too big for me.. I can't wear it any more.
Marion	Don't say that, I think I can help you.
Hettie	How do you mean ?
Marion	Well, my sister's hobby is dress making and I'm sure she wouldn't mind taking it in so that it'll fit you again. I'll ask her.
Hettie	That would be fantastic. I'm no good at sewing myself.

A really useful right foot

She's got a really useful right foot !!!
John	My sister's really keen on soccer.
Eric	Really, what team does she support.
John	She doesn't support any in particular. When I say keen, I mean she's an enthusiastic player. She plays for a local women's team.
Eric	Is she any good ?
John	Well, she's scored ten goals so far this season. She's got a really useful right foot.
Eric	Well if that's the case, you really must take me to see her play sometime.

What a bargain

What a bargain !!!
Jenny	Look what I've got.
Fay	Wow, that's the snazziest looking handbag I've ever seen. Where did you get it ?
Jenny	I got it in Paris on my last trip.
Fay	I bet it cost a fortune ?
Jenny	No it didn't, I got it for half price because the shop was having a clearance sale.
Fay	What a bargain ! You'll have to take me with you next time.

Explanation :

Something that is a bargain is good value for money, usually because it has been sold at a lower price than normal.

Example : At this price the wine is a bargain ...