Phrasal Verb: Mix up (transitive)
1. Mistake somebody or something for another: to confuse things or people and mistakenly identify one as the other. "People always mix her up with her sister". "I sometimes mix the verb tenses up." "I get mixed up between the meaning of affect and effect"
2. Change the order of things: to change the usual or previous order of things, either deliberately or by accident. "The pages got mixed up on the way to the printer's".
3. To involve somebody or yourself in something: to involve somebody or yourself with a group of people or in an activity, especially one that is disapproved of ( usually passive ). "She got herself mixed up with a bad crowd". "Sorry I'm late. I got mixed up in the traffic".
4. To make something from ingredients: to prepare or make something by mixing different ingredients. "We need to mix up these different kinds of nuts before we put them in a bowl."
5. To make lively or colorful: "Let's mix this party up with a little Polka music". "You need to mix up your wardrobe. You wear that same old gray suit too often".
Idiom: Cross Your Fingers
(I often use this idiom. I think it goes to childhood when I would tell lies to my friends with my fingers crossed behind my back. But now I only mean it to hope that something turns out positive).
Meaning: To hope that something happens the way you want it to or you can cross your fingers when saying something so that it "doesn't count." It refers to actually crossing your fingers, the middle finger over the index finger. Crossing your fingers can have several meanings depending on context, most dealing with superstitions or children's games. You can cross your fingers to bring good luck. "Keep your fingers crossed that we arrrive on time to your brother's graduation ceremony". You can cross your fingers when saying something so that it "doesn't count." "I said it, but I had my fingers crossed behind my back so it doesn't count." (Only childern do this). Some tag-type games you can cross your fingers to be "safe" aka King's Cross.
Origin: The saying derives from the superstition that bad luck may be averted by making the sign of the cross. Originated in the 1920s.
Song of the Day: Bennie and the Jets, Elton John. 1973
This is one of those tunes I loved as a kid. Even my mom liked this tune. However, the lyrics tells the story of "Bennie and the Jets", a fictional band of whom Elton John is a supposed fan. The song's lyrics are a satire on the music industry of the 1970s in which the greed and glitz of the early '70s music scene is portrayed.
Video link
Lyrics
Tuesday, November 25, 2008
Monday, November 24, 2008
Today's Study Material
Phrasal Verb: Keep at (transitive)
1. To continue doing something: to persevere with something, especially something difficult or strenuous. "You should keep at your studies." "Keep at those potatoes. We need 50 pounds peeled for the salad for the family picnic".
2. To pester somebody: to persist in asking somebody to do something ( informal ) "My boss kept at me to put in longer hours". "My wife keeps at me to lose weight".
Idiom: To Steal Someone's Thunder
Meaning: To take the credit for something someone else did.Someone 'steals your thunder' when they use your ideas or inventions to their own advantage.
Origin: This common idiom has an interesting history. It comes from the theater, particularly British theater, circa 1704. It is about how the sound effect of thunder was produced for the stage. Devices that produce the sound of thunder have been called on in theatrical productions for centuries. The methods used include: rolling metal balls down troughs, grinding lead shot in bowls, and shaking sheets of thin metal. The latter device, called a thunder sheet, is still in use today.
However, there was a playwrite by the name of John Dennis who, as the story goes, was not the greatest of dramatists. However, he invented a new method for creating the sound effect of thunder. We don't know now what this method was, but it is suggested that it was a refinement of the technique of rolling metal balls in a wooden bowl. It is reported that after his play failed and closed, the method was soon afterwards used in a production of Shakespeare's Macbeth.
Dennis was less than pleased at having his idea stolen and his response was recorded: "Damn them! They will not let my play run, but they steal my thunder."
I have to laugh. Ha! Thanks, John Dennis. That's great...
Funny Story of the Day: Hostage Released for Pizza
An Australian prison guard held hostage for two days was released after a ransom demand for pizzas was met.
Up to 20 inmates at the Risdon Prison in Hobart, Tasmania, seized the guard in a protest over conditions in the maximum security jail. Initially they made 24 demands to authorities, but eventually gave up their hostage after agreeing to 15 pizzas, Coke and garlic bread instead.
"At midnight, the final sticking point with the inmates was that they were requiring pizzas to be delivered. Our staff member was negotiated out with the delivery of 15 pizzas," Graeme Barber, Tasmania's director of prisons, told The Advocate newspaper.
The guard is recovering from his ordeal at home.
1. To continue doing something: to persevere with something, especially something difficult or strenuous. "You should keep at your studies." "Keep at those potatoes. We need 50 pounds peeled for the salad for the family picnic".
2. To pester somebody: to persist in asking somebody to do something ( informal ) "My boss kept at me to put in longer hours". "My wife keeps at me to lose weight".
Idiom: To Steal Someone's Thunder
Meaning: To take the credit for something someone else did.Someone 'steals your thunder' when they use your ideas or inventions to their own advantage.
Origin: This common idiom has an interesting history. It comes from the theater, particularly British theater, circa 1704. It is about how the sound effect of thunder was produced for the stage. Devices that produce the sound of thunder have been called on in theatrical productions for centuries. The methods used include: rolling metal balls down troughs, grinding lead shot in bowls, and shaking sheets of thin metal. The latter device, called a thunder sheet, is still in use today.
However, there was a playwrite by the name of John Dennis who, as the story goes, was not the greatest of dramatists. However, he invented a new method for creating the sound effect of thunder. We don't know now what this method was, but it is suggested that it was a refinement of the technique of rolling metal balls in a wooden bowl. It is reported that after his play failed and closed, the method was soon afterwards used in a production of Shakespeare's Macbeth.
Dennis was less than pleased at having his idea stolen and his response was recorded: "Damn them! They will not let my play run, but they steal my thunder."
I have to laugh. Ha! Thanks, John Dennis. That's great...
Funny Story of the Day: Hostage Released for Pizza
An Australian prison guard held hostage for two days was released after a ransom demand for pizzas was met.
Up to 20 inmates at the Risdon Prison in Hobart, Tasmania, seized the guard in a protest over conditions in the maximum security jail. Initially they made 24 demands to authorities, but eventually gave up their hostage after agreeing to 15 pizzas, Coke and garlic bread instead.
"At midnight, the final sticking point with the inmates was that they were requiring pizzas to be delivered. Our staff member was negotiated out with the delivery of 15 pizzas," Graeme Barber, Tasmania's director of prisons, told The Advocate newspaper.
The guard is recovering from his ordeal at home.
Sunday, November 23, 2008
Daily Study Material
Phrasal Verb: Put off (transitive)
1. To delay or postpone something. "I put off going to the bank and the post office today because I was lazy".
2. make somebody disgusted: to disgust or repel somebody. "It really puts me off when people talk too much when you first meet them".
3.To delay or hinder somebody: to delay somebody or stop somebody from acting or proceeding. "Don't let me put you off from doing your tasks. I will hang up and let you go".
4. Discourage somebody: to make somebody lose interest in or enthusiasm for something
put somebody off his or her stride to distract somebody from what he or she is doing and make that person do it less well. (this usage almost always includes the word "stride"). "He really put me from going to Mexico because of all of the bad things he said about it". "I lost my game of online chess because Wei Wei kept messaging me on MSN while I was playing. It really put me off stride".
Idiom of the Day: A Chip On Your Shoulder
This is a complex idiom. I will try to explain it as best I can.
Meaning: Being upset for something that happened in the past or a sense of self-perceived inferiority leading to a psychological "persecution complex", a feeling that "everyone" is conspiring to insult or in some way demean you. People with a chip or their shoulder are easily offended because they feel that people like to insult them.
Origin: In America during the nineteenth century there was unusual practice of looking for a fight by carrying a chip of wood on one's shoulder, daring others to knock it off.
Examples: "The Irish never tire of complaining how the British have historically oppressed them. They may be right, but having such a chip on your shoulder is irritating to listen to all of the time". "Joe seemed to have a chip on his shoulder because he came from a poor family, while all of his classmates came from wealthier ones".
1. To delay or postpone something. "I put off going to the bank and the post office today because I was lazy".
2. make somebody disgusted: to disgust or repel somebody. "It really puts me off when people talk too much when you first meet them".
3.To delay or hinder somebody: to delay somebody or stop somebody from acting or proceeding. "Don't let me put you off from doing your tasks. I will hang up and let you go".
4. Discourage somebody: to make somebody lose interest in or enthusiasm for something
put somebody off his or her stride to distract somebody from what he or she is doing and make that person do it less well. (this usage almost always includes the word "stride"). "He really put me from going to Mexico because of all of the bad things he said about it". "I lost my game of online chess because Wei Wei kept messaging me on MSN while I was playing. It really put me off stride".
Idiom of the Day: A Chip On Your Shoulder
This is a complex idiom. I will try to explain it as best I can.
Meaning: Being upset for something that happened in the past or a sense of self-perceived inferiority leading to a psychological "persecution complex", a feeling that "everyone" is conspiring to insult or in some way demean you. People with a chip or their shoulder are easily offended because they feel that people like to insult them.
Origin: In America during the nineteenth century there was unusual practice of looking for a fight by carrying a chip of wood on one's shoulder, daring others to knock it off.
Examples: "The Irish never tire of complaining how the British have historically oppressed them. They may be right, but having such a chip on your shoulder is irritating to listen to all of the time". "Joe seemed to have a chip on his shoulder because he came from a poor family, while all of his classmates came from wealthier ones".
Saturday, November 22, 2008
Material of the Day
Phrasal Verb: Do away with
Today's phrasal is a fairly simple one, but in order to use it you need to place the conjunction, "with", in the sentence. Both usages of the verb are transitive.
1. Abolish something: to abolish something so that it no longer happens or exists. "Some Americans want to do away with the death penalty".
2.To kill somebody or something ( informal ). "Vito "the knife" Corleone said, 'we have to do Irish. They're upsetting 'our thing'". "I did away with that mosquito. It won't be bothering us Idiom: The Last Straw
Meaning
When one small burden after another creates an unbearable situation, the last straw is the last small, additional burden that someone or something can take.
Origin
The full version of this metaphorical phrase is 'the last straw which breaks the camel's back', which has an Old Testament sound about it. Some authorities suggest that the phrase is a variant on an olde proverb: 'it is the last feather that breaks the horse's back'.
Examples
"My boss has, for the last time, insulted me one too many times. That was the last straw. I am finally going to quit". "I think that driving from San Francisco to Los Angeles and back over the weekend was the last straw for my car. It won't start today"
Song of the Day: Radar Love, Golden Earring.
This song suddenly started playing in my head this evening. I think that it is because I saw a commercial here in Taiwan that totally stole the bass riff of the song and reworked the song's general idea, kind of turning it inside out. All the same, this is one of the coolest "driving tunes" of all time.
Video Link
Lyrics
Today's phrasal is a fairly simple one, but in order to use it you need to place the conjunction, "with", in the sentence. Both usages of the verb are transitive.
1. Abolish something: to abolish something so that it no longer happens or exists. "Some Americans want to do away with the death penalty".
2.To kill somebody or something ( informal ). "Vito "the knife" Corleone said, 'we have to do Irish. They're upsetting 'our thing'". "I did away with that mosquito. It won't be bothering us Idiom: The Last Straw
Meaning
When one small burden after another creates an unbearable situation, the last straw is the last small, additional burden that someone or something can take.
Origin
The full version of this metaphorical phrase is 'the last straw which breaks the camel's back', which has an Old Testament sound about it. Some authorities suggest that the phrase is a variant on an olde proverb: 'it is the last feather that breaks the horse's back'.
Examples
"My boss has, for the last time, insulted me one too many times. That was the last straw. I am finally going to quit". "I think that driving from San Francisco to Los Angeles and back over the weekend was the last straw for my car. It won't start today"
Song of the Day: Radar Love, Golden Earring.
This song suddenly started playing in my head this evening. I think that it is because I saw a commercial here in Taiwan that totally stole the bass riff of the song and reworked the song's general idea, kind of turning it inside out. All the same, this is one of the coolest "driving tunes" of all time.
Video Link
Lyrics
Friday, November 21, 2008
Study Material of the Day
Phrasal Verb: Pass _ on
1. To die (used as a polite euphemism) intransitive. "I am afraid Professor Johnson has passed on".
2. To convey or transmit something that has been received to somebody else -transitive. "Please pass this message on to your co-workers". "Pass this dish on to your father".
3. To not accept (an invitation to eat or do something) - transitive. "Jennifer passed on the invitation to join us for dinner". "Thank you, Bong Su, but I think I will pass on the octopus eggs tonight".
Idiom: You Can't Judge A Book By Its Cover
Meaning: Decisions shouldn't be made primarily on appearance. An appraisal of someone or something based soley on its surface is likely to be misleading.
Funny story of the Day
Drivers made to hop like frogs
Truck drivers who are caught speeding in the Indian state of Bihar are being made to hop like frogs. Police in Bihar dish out the humiliating punishments instead of taking offenders to court, reports Newindpress.com.
For the most popular punishment, leapfrog, speeding truck drivers have to sit on their haunches, hold their ears and hop for almost half a kilometre. The drivers are made to chant the name of the political leader they like most while they are being punished.
One policeman was quoted as saying: "If they remember their leader when they are being punished, it's like they are insulting them. If they have any sense, they won't do the offence again."
1. To die (used as a polite euphemism) intransitive. "I am afraid Professor Johnson has passed on".
2. To convey or transmit something that has been received to somebody else -transitive. "Please pass this message on to your co-workers". "Pass this dish on to your father".
3. To not accept (an invitation to eat or do something) - transitive. "Jennifer passed on the invitation to join us for dinner". "Thank you, Bong Su, but I think I will pass on the octopus eggs tonight".
Idiom: You Can't Judge A Book By Its Cover
Meaning: Decisions shouldn't be made primarily on appearance. An appraisal of someone or something based soley on its surface is likely to be misleading.
Funny story of the Day
Drivers made to hop like frogs
Truck drivers who are caught speeding in the Indian state of Bihar are being made to hop like frogs. Police in Bihar dish out the humiliating punishments instead of taking offenders to court, reports Newindpress.com.
For the most popular punishment, leapfrog, speeding truck drivers have to sit on their haunches, hold their ears and hop for almost half a kilometre. The drivers are made to chant the name of the political leader they like most while they are being punished.
One policeman was quoted as saying: "If they remember their leader when they are being punished, it's like they are insulting them. If they have any sense, they won't do the offence again."
Thursday, November 20, 2008
Study Material of the Day
Phrasal Verb: Carry on
1. To continue to do something (transitive and intransitive). "Please just carry on with your work and pretend we're not here". "She carried on the business after her father retired". "'Carry on, Private', said the Major". "I want you to carry on with the project while I am out of town".
2. Be involved or engaged in something (transitive). "They were carrying on an intense conversation in a corner of the cafe". "Joe and the guys were carrying on a game of poker in the back of the warehouse". (This phrasal is usually used for conversations and games, but could be used somewhat humorously describe a habitual obsession). "Dad's carrying on in his workshop again".
3. Behave foolishly or improperly: to behave or talk in a way that is socially awkward or improper- informal (intransitive) "I'm ashamed of the way he's been carrying on in public".
4. Continue in an annoying way (transitive). "He kept carrying on about how much money he makes". "How much longer are you going to carry on with your nagging?"
4. Have an affair: to have a casual affair with somebody- informal disapproving (intransitive). "Chung Hoon and Hyon Mi have been secretly carrying on an office romance for months now".
Idiom: Close but no Cigar
Meaning: To be very near and almost accomplish a goal, but fall short and receive nothing for your efforts.
Origin: The phrase, and its variant 'nice try, but no cigar', are of US origin and date from the mid-20th century. Fairground stalls gave out cigars as prizes, and this is the most likely source, although there's no definitive evidence to prove that.
Song: A Day in the Life, The Beatles. 1967.
"A Day in the Life" is one of the last true collaborations between Lennon and McCartney: Lennon wrote the opening and closing sections, while McCartney contributed the "woke up/Fell out of bed" middle. For the climax, they hired forty classical musicians, dressed them in tuxedos and funny hats, and told them they had fifteen bars to ascend from the lowest note on their instruments to the highest. "Listen to those trumpets -- they're just freaking out," McCartney said. The final thundering piano chord concluded the Sgt. Pepper's album and made rock music seem like it had infinite possibilities.
Appears on: Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band
Video link
Lyrics
1. To continue to do something (transitive and intransitive). "Please just carry on with your work and pretend we're not here". "She carried on the business after her father retired". "'Carry on, Private', said the Major". "I want you to carry on with the project while I am out of town".
2. Be involved or engaged in something (transitive). "They were carrying on an intense conversation in a corner of the cafe". "Joe and the guys were carrying on a game of poker in the back of the warehouse". (This phrasal is usually used for conversations and games, but could be used somewhat humorously describe a habitual obsession). "Dad's carrying on in his workshop again".
3. Behave foolishly or improperly: to behave or talk in a way that is socially awkward or improper- informal (intransitive) "I'm ashamed of the way he's been carrying on in public".
4. Continue in an annoying way (transitive). "He kept carrying on about how much money he makes". "How much longer are you going to carry on with your nagging?"
4. Have an affair: to have a casual affair with somebody- informal disapproving (intransitive). "Chung Hoon and Hyon Mi have been secretly carrying on an office romance for months now".
Idiom: Close but no Cigar
Meaning: To be very near and almost accomplish a goal, but fall short and receive nothing for your efforts.
Origin: The phrase, and its variant 'nice try, but no cigar', are of US origin and date from the mid-20th century. Fairground stalls gave out cigars as prizes, and this is the most likely source, although there's no definitive evidence to prove that.
Song: A Day in the Life, The Beatles. 1967.
"A Day in the Life" is one of the last true collaborations between Lennon and McCartney: Lennon wrote the opening and closing sections, while McCartney contributed the "woke up/Fell out of bed" middle. For the climax, they hired forty classical musicians, dressed them in tuxedos and funny hats, and told them they had fifteen bars to ascend from the lowest note on their instruments to the highest. "Listen to those trumpets -- they're just freaking out," McCartney said. The final thundering piano chord concluded the Sgt. Pepper's album and made rock music seem like it had infinite possibilities.
Appears on: Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band
Video link
Lyrics
Tuesday, November 18, 2008
Study Material for the Day
Sherpa Jon says, "after yesterday's difficult phrasal I have chosen a much easier one for today. In fact, there is no difference between save and save up. It is just one of those cases where native speakers will unnecessarily attach a preposition to verb.
By the way, please leave any comments or suggestions that you might have about this site. I welcome criticism as well as compliments. One question that I have is whether you are gaining anything from the Song of the Day, or even if you actually enjoy the music".
Phrasal Verb: Save up
1. Accumulate money: to set aside money for later use, often adding to the sum periodically (transitive and intransitive). "She's saving up for a new computer".
2. Keep something back for later: to set something aside, keep something back, or protect something so that it can be used later (transitive). "Save up those old boards and nails. I will use them someday"
Idiom of the Day: Save up for a rainy day
Meaning: to set aside money for a time of financial hardship, such as unemployment, slow business, hospital expenses or any other time of hardship that this world can bring.
By the way, please leave any comments or suggestions that you might have about this site. I welcome criticism as well as compliments. One question that I have is whether you are gaining anything from the Song of the Day, or even if you actually enjoy the music".
Phrasal Verb: Save up
1. Accumulate money: to set aside money for later use, often adding to the sum periodically (transitive and intransitive). "She's saving up for a new computer".
2. Keep something back for later: to set something aside, keep something back, or protect something so that it can be used later (transitive). "Save up those old boards and nails. I will use them someday"
Idiom of the Day: Save up for a rainy day
Meaning: to set aside money for a time of financial hardship, such as unemployment, slow business, hospital expenses or any other time of hardship that this world can bring.
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