English Today

Special Difficulties

  

 

 

LOVE IDIOMS

 

 

Falling in love

 

catch someone's eye = to be attractive to someone: "The shy man at the back of the class caught my eye."

 

to fancy someone  = to find someone attractive: "My friend fancies you!"

 

to have a crush on someone = to only be able to think about one person: "When I was at school, I had a crush on a film star."

 

to have a soft spot for someone = to have a weakness for someone: "She has a soft spot for Richard - he can do anything!"

 

to have the hots for someone = to find someone very attractive: "She's got the hots for the new office manager."

 

to go out with someone = to date someone: "They've been going out together for years!"

 

to go steady = to go out with someone: "They've been going steady since their first year at university."

 

to fall for someone = to fall in love: "He always falls for the wrong types!"

 

to fall head over heels for someone = to completely fall in love: "He fell head over heels for her."

 

to be lovey-dovey = for a couple to show everyone how much they are in love: "They're so lovey-dovey, always whispering to each other and looking into each other's eyes."

 

to have eyes only for = to be attracted to one person only: "He's dropped all his old friends, now that he has eyes only for Susie."

 

to be the apple of someone's eye = to be loved by someone, normally an older relative: "She's the apple of her father's eye."

 

to be smitten by someone = to be in love with someone: "I first met him at a party and from that evening on, I was smitten."

 

a love-nest = the place where two lovers live: "They made a love-nest in the old basement flat."

 

to be loved-up  = to exist in a warm feeling of love: "They are one loved-up couple!"

 

to be the love of someone's life = to be loved by a person: "He has always been the love of her life."

 

Types of love

 

puppy love = love between teenagers: "It's just puppy love - you'll grow out of it!"

 

cupboard love = love for someone because they give you food: "I think my cat loves me, but it's only cupboard love!"

 

Getting married

 

to get hitched: "They're getting hitched next Saturday."

 

to tie the knot: "So when are you two tying the knot?"

 

If it goes wrong…

 

to go through a bit of a rough patch = when things are not going well: "Since the argument, they've been going through a bit of a rough patch."

 

to have blazing rows = to have big arguments: "We had a blazing row last night."

 

can't stand the sight of someone = to not like someone: "She can't stand the sight of him any more!"

 

to call it a day = to agree that the relationship has ended: "We decided to call it a day."

 

to be on the rocks = a relationship that is in difficulty: "Once she moved out, it was clear their marriage was on the rocks."

 

to have a stormy relationship = a relationship with many arguments: "I'm glad we don't have a stormy relationship."

 

a love-rat = a man who betrays his girlfriend / wife: "He's had affairs with three different women - he's a complete love-rat."

 

Sayings

 

Marry in haste, repent at leisure = if you marry too quickly, you have the rest of your life to regret it!

 

Love is blind = when you love someone, you can't see their faults

 

Beauty is in the eye of the beholder = beauty is subjective

 

Let your heart rule your head = allow your emotions to control your rational side

 

Wear your heart on your sleeve = show other people how you are feeling

Easily Confused Words 2

EASILY CONFUSED WORDS

1. case / situation

case = the actual state of affairs

There is a case for doing nothing at present.

The judge stated the case.

situation = set of circumstances

He has just come out of a very difficult situation

2. especially / specially

especially = particularly

I like the countryside, especially in spring.

specially = for a particular purpose

I came here specially to see you.

I made this cake specially for you.

3. realise / understand

realise = be aware of

I realised that I was wrong.

Haven't you realised that they don't want to see you again ?

understand =

(a) get the meaning of (character, language, difficulty)

Do you understand German ?

They're great friends and understand each other.

I quite understand your difficulty.

(b) take for granted

I understand that expenses were to be paid.

Am I to understand that you have resigned?

(c) grasp the significance or nature of something

I just can't understand why he didn't keep his promise.

Easily Confused Words 1

 

EASILY CONFUSED WORDS

1. flat / level

flat = unbroken surface, even

Amsterdam is flat, that's why many people ride their bikes to work

level = degree, standard

I've just taken up an advanced level course in English

2. disposal / disposition

disposal = being available or getting rid of something

Madonna has a considerable amount of money at her disposal.

He has made a good disposal of his property by selling it at a high price.

disposition =

a. arrangement - an attractive disposition in a shop window

b. nature or character

He is a man with a humorous disposition

c. wish, tendency

There was a general disposition to go on a school trip.

3. worthy / valuable

worthy = not mean, deserving your respect and admiration

Mr Pitt is kind and generous. He is such a worthy man.

valuable =

- worth a lot of money - a valuable piece of jewellery

- very helpful - I greatly appreciate your valuable advice

- important because there isn't enough = I'd hate to waste your valuable time.

4. lay / lie

lay - laid - laid

1. put on a surface, place

Don't lay your hands on my shoulder!

Tom laid his legs on a chair.

2. produce (of birds)

Hens lay eggs NOT born eggs

3. get rid of

Although she had been honest, she was unable to lay his doubts.

lie - lay - lain = to be at rest or in a resting position

He lay in the sun all day, that's why he got sunburnt.

The book lay open on the table.

lie - lied - lied = not to tell the truth

I would never lie to you!

PROVERBS 

Let sleeping dogs lie = avoid discussing problems that are likely to cause trouble

Find out how the land lies = learn how matters stand, what the state of affairs is