Across the pond
In Britain, when we say ‘across the pond’ or ‘the other side of the pond’ we might be referring to the Atlantic Ocean and the United States. Because there’s so much contact between the two continents, we compare the ocean to a pond.
Examples
The latest Woody Allen movie was very popular on both sides of the pond. It was praised by critics and popular among cinemagoers.
Many American actors are starring in plays in London’s West End. But this is Shakespeare’s territory and I think the best theatre is still on our side of the pond!
Thingy
a word which we sometimes use when I can’t remember or don’t know the name of an object.
it can be used, informally, when you can’t remember the name of a particular person too.
Examples
You want a recipe for stew? Ask… thingy. She was talking about a lovely one the other day.
Sorry, I’m late for the meeting. Could you just pass me the thingy for my report… I mean… the stapler?
Eye candy
someone who is attractive, but not very interesting.
things which look good but are not very useful.
Examples
I was going out with this gorgeous footballer but it didn’t last. He was just eye candy.
This illustrated cookbook looks good but you can never find the ingredients for the recipes. These pictures are just eye candy!
Bumper-to-bumper
When there is a lot of traffic on the road and it’s moving very slowly or not at all, the front of one car is almost touching the back of another one, so it’s bumper-to-bumper.
Examples
Traffic on the northbound A12 near Greenwich Junction is bumper-to-bumper. Best to avoid the area if you can.
The approach to the Dartford Tunnel southbound entrance is bumper-to-bumper. Expect severe delays.
Sweet tooth
someone craves sweet food all the time, such as sweets, desserts and chocolates.
Examples
John always has a bag of sweets open on his desk. He’s got such a sweet tooth.
I wish I didn’t have a sweet tooth, because I had four rotten teeth pulled out and eight filled when I was only twenty.
Part of the furniture
someone or something that’s been in the same place for a very long time.
Examples
John has been the school caretaker for nearly twenty years. He’s become part of the furniture.
We come here so often, it’s almost as if we are part of the furniture.
She’s had a seat in parliament for over 50 years – she’s part of the furniture in the House of Commons.
Down the pan
something disastrous has happened.
Examples
Jason had great dreams of becoming a football player, but they went down the pan when he broke his leg.
I’m afraid all that careful preparation we did for Jemma’s surprise birthday party went down the pan when her brother told her about it.
He was ready to move into his new home, but everything went down the pan when the fire destroyed the house last night.
Fancy someone
find them physically attractive.
Examples
Look at the figure-hugging clothes you’re wearing, Betty. Is there someone you fancy at the party?
He’s a lovely guy. We’re really good friends. Actually, I fancy him a little…
That’ll put hairs on your chest!
it’s good for you, it’ll make you a strong man or a woman!
Traditionally, we say ‘that’ll put hairs on your chest’ to someone when they are about to have a very strong alcoholic drink or a very satisfying hearty meal. It is used in a humorous way.
Examples
Have another drink! It’ll put hairs on your chest.
Why don’t you try the spicy fish dish? That’ll put hairs on your chest.
I was told eating dates everyday would put hairs on my chest.
Have some more green vegetables – they’ll put hairs on your chest.
I’m game
you are willing to try something; you are interested in doing something fun or unusual.
Examples
So many people in England are fans of football; they all love the game.
Sam is brilliant at board games.
A: I’m going to have a fancy dress party next Saturday. Would you like to come?
B: Hey thanks! Yes, I’d love to. I’m game for a laugh.
A: Hey Brian, I’m organising a football match between the managers and the workers, do you want to play?
B: Sure, count me in. I’m game.
Potty
they are crazy or going crazy.
to be potty about something: be really keen on something.
Examples
My boss wants me to work on New Year’s day for no extra money. He must be potty.
She’s potty to sell off her car so cheaply.
A bitter pill to swallow
it’s a situation that is unpleasant and difficult to accept.
Examples
When John found out about his wife’s affair with his best friend, it was a bitter pill to swallow.
It was a bitter pill to swallow knowing that my older sister finished the race quicker than me.
My friend has booked the same flights as me for half the price – it’s a bitter pill to swallow!
Cheap and cheerful
the product doesn’t cost much but it serves its purpose.
cheap and nasty: the quality is bad.
Examples
She enjoys shopping for cheap and cheerful presents.
He made a lot of money from designing cheap and cheerful toys for children.
Everything in this shop is cheap and nasty. Don’t buy anything.
My boyfriend is very stingy. The hotel where we stayed was cheap and nasty. I wouldn’t recommend it.
In good nick
‘it’s in good condition’, especially if it’s something that’s very old but still looks new.
Examples
I picked up a set of silver plates from an antique shop and they were in pretty good nick.
My grandpa loves his 1960s motorbike and has worked very hard to kept it in good nick.
There’s method to my madness
you are doing something that looks strange but you have a plan and really, you are doing something very sensible.
Examples
I’m driving to my friend’s house today but I’m going to take the long route, avoiding the motorway. There’s method to my madness, I think the motorway will be very busy and the longer route will be quicker.
A: What are you doing putting all the books on the floor?
B: There’s method to my madness. I’m taking a photo of the books I’m putting away. The photos will help me locate the books more easily.
A: Oh, that’s clever.
Hot potato
difficult or tricky situations, or even people.
Examples
The shortage of housing supply is fast becoming a hot potato for the council.
The pay rise issue is a hot potato for management; I don’t know how they are going to sort this one out between the staff, the union and the shareholders.
To make a monkey out of me
to make me look foolish or to humiliate me.
Examples
Mary made a monkey out me by telling to me to ask her best friend out on a date – she said no!
My boyfriend’s always making a monkey out of himself by getting drunk at parties.
Sid made a monkey out of Paul by telling him to wear a suit to the party – everyone else was wearing jeans!
To lie through your teeth
to tell someone something that’s completely untrue.
Examples
When she said she was nearly 30 years old, I knew she was lying through her teeth!
They promised we’d get free drinks every day at our hotel but they were lying through their teeth.
He lied through his teeth when he said he bought her an expensive engagement ring – it was just a cheap one from the catalogue.
Test the water
to test the idea, try it out and see if it works.
Examples
A: Have you started on your new book?
B: Yes, I’ve written three chapters and I’ve sent it to the publishers to test the water.
A: Oh, what perfume are you wearing? It’s lovely.
B: Oh thanks. It’s just a sample a company sent me. They’re testing the water to see if people like it.
A: How is your Shakespeare project going?
B: It’s early days; we’re still testing the water.
A: Well, good luck with it.
B: Thanks.
Six of one, half a dozen of the other
there is very little difference between two choices.
two people are equally responsible for something.
Examples
A: I don’t know whether to give my mum flowers or chocolates for Mother’s Day.
B: It’s six of one, half a dozen of the other.
A: Do you think we should take the third ring road instead of the second ring road?
B: Oh, I don’t know, it’s six of one, half a dozen of the other.
A: They keep blaming each other - whose fault was it really?
B: Oh, it was six of one, half a dozen of the other.