10 Expressions in English, which is helpful to know

To expand your vocabulary, learn a little just words - it is important to know and stable expression. They are easy to remember, if you know the history of the origin and sometimes literal meaning.

Ilya Laptev

YouTube-channel Author Real Talk about learning English.

1. Cut to the chase

Value: go straight to the point.

This expression is a very interesting history of origin. Cut - This assembly gluing in film (the transition from one frame to the next), chase - the chase (for example, police officers for criminal). Earlier in the film the most interesting part of the film was the chase, but inexperienced writers inserted into the tape too much boring dialogues, which has little effect on the plot. tape later watched the producers and said, "Here, this part is too boring. Let her cut out and move on directly to the chase. " So the expression cut to the chase and fixed in language.

Example. Look, I do not have time for this. Just cut to the chase already. - Look, I do not have time for this. Come straight to the point.

2. Backseat driver

Value: the one who gives unsolicited advice.

Sometimes people in the back seat of the car begin to advise the driver that not only does it not help, but rather annoying. In modern English, this expression is used literally and figuratively.

Example. You are too much of a backseat driver right now. I can do it myself, thanks! - You're give me too many tips that I do not need. I can handle myself, thanks!

3. Pull someone's leg

Value: to make fun of someone, someone to play.

In the XVIII century, the streets were very dirty in England, so at that time was extremely popular so joke: someone took a cane or a stick with a hook, put another person tripped and fell down the face in mud. Literally translated as the expression "to pull someone's leg."

Example. This can not be true. You must be pulling my leg! - Can not be. You're kidding me!

4. So much for something

Value: that's all; something went wrong, as intended.

Usually, this expression is used to express frustration over a situation which is not so, as it was intended.

Example. The weather is awful. So much for our walk in the park. - Weather disgusting. It does not get to take a walk in the park.

5. You wish

Value: what more.

This expression - Russian equivalent of "yes right now," or "Yeah, took a run," that is sarcastic response to some request.

Example:

- Will you buy me the new iPhone? (Will you buy me a new iPhone?)
- Yeah, you wish! (Yeah, even then!)

6. no sweat

Value: do not worry, it's easy.

This idiom is a kind of synonym piece of cake. Sweat word translated as "sweat". The expression is used when talking about something lightweight (it can be done without breaking a sweat at all). Also, the phrase is sometimes used as an informal response to «Thank you!»

Example:

- Can you finish the project by Friday? (You have to finish the project by Friday?)
- No sweat, boss! (No problem, boss!)

7. Go Dutch

Value: pay for itself.

In the US, for example, when a couple goes on a date, each often pays for itself, and it is considered polite and correct. The expression comes from the so-called Dutch doors (Dutch - «Dutch»), which are divided into two equal parts.

Example. Let's go out together! We'll go Dutch if you want. - Let's go on a date! If you want, pay equally.

8. Call it a day

Value: call it a day.

This expression is often used to work in the sense of "enough for today, let's finish."

Example. Alright, let's call it a day. - Enough for today.

9. Go off the rails

Value: mad, fly off the rails.

A comparison is very simple: as a train derails, from its normal path, and people going crazy.

Example. Looks like Jim has gone off the rails. - It seems that Jim really crazy.

10. Catch someone red-handed

Value: catch someone red-handed.

The history of the origin of the expression is quite trivial. If a person has red hands, then chances are they in the blood. And if they are in the blood, it is certainly guilty. Of course, today is an expression used in a figurative sense.

Example. There is no point denying it, you were caught red-handed. - It makes no sense to deny you were caught red-handed.

See also:

• 10 colloquial abbreviations in English that's worth knowing →
• 12 English neologisms that you want to use →
• 13 British abbreviations values ​​that you might not know →