If you’re offered a much-desired position at the company of your dreams, it may be tempting to agree to the offer right away. But don’t! Many managers expect perspective employees to negotiate their package, and even negotiating a small amount per month can offer big returns in the long run. Here are some tips for negotiating your salary in English.

Thank you for your offer.

No matter what your decision and what the package, make sure you give your thanks. You may also want to offer phrases such as, “I appreciate your consideration” and “I am honored that you have selected me.”

Hmm…

It’s often difficult to negotiate an offer once you’ve shown extreme interest in the job and satisfaction in the salary, so it’s best to start at the beginning. Instead of saying, “OK”, when you hear the salary figure, say “Hmmm…” This lets the hiring manager know you aren’t quite satisfied and can lead to immediate negotiations.

Based on my current salary…

Give a reason for your higher expectations. Maybe it’s based on your current salary, other job offers or statistics you’ve recently read about your field. Finish up the sentence with, “I had something a little higher in mind” or “I was expecting something within the 5 to 7,000 range.”

Can I let you know my final decision on Monday?

Hiring managers have been known to put the squeeze on, especially if they really want you, but don’t rush into decisions. Request at least several days to think through the decision. You can add, “I’m very interested in your company, but this will give me some time to make a more informed decision.”

I’ll take it!

When it comes down to the final decision, this is a fun and friendly way to accept an offer. If you had something more formal in mind, say “I’d like to formally accept your offer.” If, on the other hand, you don’t want the job, say, “After much consideration, I’m afraid I won’t be able to accept your offer.” Be sure to always give an answer, and to always be polite!

Ever been to Australia and wondered what everyone was saying? You thought they spoke English in Australia, right? Well, they do, but it’s a special kind of English. Here are some helpful tips for talking to Australians.

Dead horse
When someone says, “Please pass the dead horse,” don’t worry, they’re not talking about the animal. It’s another word for ketchup. Australians usually pronounce it dead ‘orse.

Elbow grease
If you’re trying to open the tight lid of a jar of dead horse, your Australian friends might tell you, “Put some elbow grease into it.” Never fear! Your elbows aren’t greasy! What they’re really telling you to do is try harder.

Fair crack o’ the whip
Your boss tells you, “I’m going to give you a fair crack o’ the whip.” Don’t be afraid – you have nothing to worry about! It means he’s going to give you a fair chance.

Digger
You couldn’t dig a hole to save your life, so why do people keep calling out, “Hey digger!” when they see you? Take it as a compliment! This is another word for friend. Australians also use the words mate and cobber.

Spit the dummy
You’re in a really bad mood and want to be left alone. Your friends tell you, “Don’t spit the dummy.” This expression has nothing to do with spitting. It really means to sulk or feel sorry for yourself.

Struth!
This is short for “is it the truth?” It’s a common expression used when you are really surprised about something. For example, if someone just won the lottery, their friends might say “Struth!” It’s like saying, “Oh my God!” Australians might also say strike a light or Hogan’s ghost.

Come the raw prawn
If you think your friend is playing a joke on you, you can say, “Don’t come the raw prawn with me!” This is used when you don’t believe what you’ve just been told. It means, don’t treat me like a fool!

Back of Bourke
You’re talking about a place you want to go to and your friend says, “It’s all the way out back of Bourke!” What are they talking about? This expression means that the place is in the middle of nowhere.

Give you what for
If somebody wants to give you what for beware! This is something parents often say to their children who don’t want to do what they’re told, and ask “what for?” If someone says, “I’ll give you what for,” they are basically saying “I’m in no mood to argue. Do what I ask or else!”

Can we just be friends? English for relationships

What does your girlfriend really mean when she says, “I just want to be friends”?

To get dumped

If someone breaks up with you, you can say you got dumped.

To split up

This means that two people have separated, without saying who dumped who!

We need to talk

If your partner says this, they want to tell you something serious or give you bad news.

I’ve met someone else

You could say this if you meet someone you are more interested in romantically than your current partner (not just an acquaintance).

I think we should see other people

In this expression, /see/ means “date” or “go out with”.

I need some space

This means that the person needs time alone, or with friends, and not with you!

I need a break

This might mean that the person wants to split up for a short time only, but if you hear this you are probably getting dumped!

I need time to think

This is similar to taking a break, and means the person has to make some important decisions about the relationship.

My life is very complicated right now…

This is another way to say you don’t have time for a relationship, or it might just mean you are not interested in that person.

Let’s just be friends

This probably means that they never want to see you again.

Are you an English small talk champion?

Are you often at a loss for words in English? You have the opportunity to practice, but you don’t know what to say? When it comes to conversing in English, keeping the conversation going can be tricky. Whether you’re at a party or in a business setting, put these tips to use and you’re sure to turn out a small talk champion!

Great starters

When opening a conversation, it’s best to choose safe topics like the weather, jobs, sports, hobbies and interests.

1. Where are you from? This is often the first question people ask each other. You could reply with a country or place, e.g. I’m from England or I’m from Dallas.

2. Is this your first trip to New York? This is a common question if one person is a visitor.

3. It’s hot today, isn’t it? Talking about the weather is a common small talk topic, especially in Britain.

4. What do you do for a living? This means Where do you work?, or What’s your job?

5. Did you see the match last night? Sports can also be a good small talk topic, but this might lead to arguments if you support different teams!

Topics to avoid

Although it depends on your culture, in general you should avoid taboo topics like politics, religion, age and marital status.

6. How old are you? Age is a sensitive topic, especially when a man asks a woman her age.

7. Have you put on weight? You should avoid comments about appearance. You might think you are paying someone a compliment, when you are actually offending them!

8. How much do you earn? Most people dislike talking about money and would be embarrassed if you asked their salary.

Conversation tips

You can also improve your small talk techniques with these tips:

9. Ask follow-up questions to keep the conversation going. For example, if someone says, “I saw a really good film last night”, you could reply by asking, “Really? What was it about?”

10. Use appropriate responses to show you are listening. Suitable expressions include Oh?, Wow!, That’s great! or That’s too bad.

English a boss likes to hear

So you’ve landed a much desired job in a foreign company, but every time you need to communicate with your boss in English, you freeze up. Fear not! Exhibit the following five qualities and use the corresponding phrases – they’re sure to make your boss love you!

Enthusiasm

A positive attitude can make a big difference! Make your passion known by volunteering for tasks using the phrase, “I’d be happy to do that.” Additionally, communicate willingness to take on responsibilities by asking, “Is there anything else you’d like me to do?” Of course, when your boss thanks you for your work, reply with, “My pleasure” to show you truly like what you’re doing!

Support

We all like to be around people who see eye to eye with us, or who hold the same opinions as we do. Be supportive of your boss’s ideas, and you’ll surely get on his or her good side. Use expressions like “Good point!”, “I couldn’t agree with you more” and “That’s exactly how I feel” to convey agreement. Your boss will appreciate your support.

Politeness

Remember that a sincere “please” or “thank you” can go a long way. Even if you have a friendly relationship with your boss or manager, it’s important to be polite. If you have an urgent need while your boss is speaking with someone else, be sure to say, “Excuse me for interrupting.” If you request information, you can add, “Please get back to me as soon as possible.” Finally, when they respond, tell them, “Thanks for your help!”

Efficiency

Hard work is an aspect we can’t forget! You will definitely be appreciated if you are on the ball, or capable and efficient in your work. When assigned a task, say, “I’ll get right on that” to show you will begin working on it immediately. Or, you can tell your boss, “I’ll get that to you by 6 p.m.” if he or she inquires about something you are working on.

Imagination

If you have a brilliant idea, don’t be afraid to suggest it! This reveals that you’re innovative, ambitious, and looking for ways to improve the company. Use phrases such as “I was thinking that it might be a good idea to ? or “Why don’t we ? to introduce your ideas in a non-threatening way. Additionally, prepare yourself for rejection, as not all ideas are an overnight hit, or immediate success – but that doesn’t mean you should stop suggesting them!

Business English to make people listen

Success in business requires confidence. When you’re doing business in a second language, though, it’s easy to sound uncertain. But don’t give up so soon! Even if you’re not sure of the words, you can still sound like you know what you’re talking about. The trick is in how you start your sentences. Get down to business with the following phrases and see the difference!

Let’s focus

When you’re leading a meeting, it’s crucial that you get everyone focused immediately. The best way to start is by making a direct statement. “The purpose of this meeting is to decide on the company logo.” Avoid indirect statements like, “Well, here’s the agenda,” or “Maybe we should get started.” You’ll lose people’s attention immediately.

Strong words

Your boss calls everyone into a meeting to discuss a problem and asks for your suggestions. Frame your response with “I recommend …” or “In my opinion ….” In addition, to come across as authoritative, use “should” as opposed to “could” as it is stronger. “In my opinion, we should consider different vendors” is much stronger than “Maybe we could think about different vendors.”

Talk tough

When you need to use even stronger language than above, begin with “I’m positive that ? or “I really feel that ? Saying, “I’m positive that it’s the vendor’s fault” expresses to the listener that you are absolutely sure. It says, “I’m sure, so you should be sure, too!” A less confident way would be to say, “John in Marketing said it could be the vendor’s fault. I thought he had a good point.”

Moving on

Business discussions have a way of getting off track. So you need a tactful way to refocus people. If you sense a discussion is wandering ?whether it’s in a big meeting or an informal chat between colleagues ?you can say, “Let’s move on to the next point.” This ensures you maintain control of the discussion ?as long as you don’t start with “Maybe” or “Um.”

Speak up

Sometimes you just have to disagree. And it’s easy to be ignored if you don’t express your disagreement effectively. “I’m afraid I can’t agree with this plan” is a polite, but clear, way to start. It’s much better than, “Well, I’m not sure; it doesn’t seem like it will work.”

Business English you should know

Can you stay on top of all the English at your workplace? Or do you feel you’re behind in your language learning? English is the international business language, but not all of it is straightforward. Here are some terms you might hear at your office.

Stay on top of
If you’re feeling overwhelmed in your job, you’re probably not staying on top of your work. This means to stay in control, and not get behind or let your work pile up.

On the ball
This phrase comes from the sports field. When you are on the ball, you have to be alert and in charge. “Make sure you are on the ball with those reports.” The opposite is to drop the ball, which would mean not completing an assignment and letting down the people you work with.

Think outside the box
Many employers expect their staff to think creatively and approach projects in new and different ways. In this phrase, the box signifies conventional wisdom, or what is already known. Thinking outside the box suggests coming up with new and innovative methods. “For this marketing project, we need to think outside the box.”

Get the ball rolling
This idiom means to start something and set it in motion. “Let’s get the ball rolling on this project.” Once you’re off to a great start, you may express your desire to keep the ball rolling.

Brainstorm
This means to spend time thinking up lots of ideas. Many companies may hold brainstorming sessions to tackle problems and dream up new ideas. “Let’s brainstorm new ideas for the advertising campaign.”

Pull strings
What happens when you pull the strings to a puppet? It does what you want it to do. This phrase means to go beyond what is normally done to make something happen. “It will be difficult to talk with her. You may have to pull some strings with her department.”

Multi-tasking
Are you good at multi-tasking or doing multiple tasks at the same time? “This week we need you to write a report, make a presentation, and review last year’s earnings. I hope you can multi-task!” It still means you only get paid one salary though!

Bite off more than you can chew
If you take on too much work, you may not be able to do it all properly. “He’s working late every night. He bit off more than he could chew.”

Downtime
Are there periods of time where you don’t have much work to do? Where your job is just not as busy? That time is called downtime. “If you have some downtime this week, please brainstorm some ideas for our next team outing.”

Great games to improve your English

Put away your boring textbooks and forget about memorizing long lists of vocabulary. It’s time to add some excitement into learning English! To spice up your studying and have a few laughs, check out our list of fun English games.

Two truths and a lie

Begin this game by thinking of two somewhat unusual facts about yourself that the other players don’t know. Then, make up a lie about yourself.

Players take turns telling the true and false statements. They ask each other questions to try to determine which one is a lie. The more unique your truths are, the more fun and challenging the game is!

I have never…

Form a circle of chairs enough for all but one person. That person will stand in the middle, and speak a true sentence beginning with “I have never…” For example, “I have never been to the US.” or “I have never colored my hair”. Then, everyone who has been to the US should get up and change seats. Move quickly, or else you’ll be the one left standing in the middle!

In the manner of the word

Send one person out of the room and pick a fun adverb, such as gracefully or sleepily. When the person reenters the room, he or she has to guess the adverb by asking someone to perform an action “in the manner of the word,” for example, “Please dance in the manner of the word.” If the adverb is gracefully, then a participant should perform a graceful dance. The person can continue to ask for performances until able to guess the adverb.

I’m going on a picnic…

On this picnic, you’ll be bringing a wide range of items from A to Z. The first player will begin by saying, “I’m going on a picnic, and I’m bringing apples,” or anything that starts with an ‘a’. The second player will continue, “I’m going on a picnic, and I’m bringing apples and bananas.” Continue taking turns until you have reached the end of the alphabet.

20 Questions

Start by secretly thinking of a person, an object, an animal, etc. The other players should ask up to 20 yes/no questions to gather information about it. Remember to only answer with the words ‘yes’ or ‘no’. If the players can guess correctly before reaching 20, they win. If not, you win!

By Heather Daigle

Top tips for socializing in English

Feel like you need some time to relax? There is no better way to get rid of stress than by spending time with your friends. Here are some ways to get out and have fun with your buddies.

Hang out at the mall
When friends hang out, it means they are relaxing and having fun together. The mall (shopping center) is the perfect place to hang out and chat with your friends.

Catch some rays
Prefer the outdoors? Get outside and catch a few rays (enjoy the sunshine) at the beach. The beach or the park is the ideal place to enjoy the sun with people you know.

Enjoy a cup of joe
Cafes are the perfect place to talk with your mates over a cup of joe. No – you don’t need a friend called Joe! A cup of joe is just a cup of coffee.

Go window-shopping
This doesn’t mean that you are are shopping for windows! Window-shopping means looking ?perhaps through the shop windows – without buying anything.

Shoot some hoops
The next time somebody asks you to go to the park and shoot some hoops, don’t worry, they just want to have a game of basketball with you!

Chow down at a fast-food joint
Chow down simply means to eat. A fast-food joint is a great place to grab a pizza or a burger, and chill out (relax) with your crew (group of friends).

Paint the town red!
It’s the weekend. Time to party! Go out with your friends and paint the town red! Red symbolizes fun and excitement. Painting the town red means to have a fun-filled night out.

Caught a flick lately?
If your friends ask you to the cinema to catch a flick, they are just asking you to see a movie with them. You won’t really have to catch anything!

Keep it low-key
Planning a relaxing, quiet night at home with a small group of friends? Tell them you are having a low-key night. This is the opposite of going out and painting the town red.

Grab some munchies and hit the road
Get away on a car-trip with your friends. Don’t forget to grab some popcorn, candy, or other munchies (food, especially snacks)!

The most commonly mispronounced English words

Ever get stuck on a word? You’re talking to a native English speaker, you say something, and the person just doesn’t understand? When they finally figure it out, they repeat the word back and you think, “But that’s exactly what I said!”

English is known for some subtle pronunciation differences that can completely change a word’s meaning. Use this list of easily mispronounced words to avoid misunderstandings!

Limb / Limp: Watch out for the last letter on these! A limb is your arm, leg, or the main branch of a tree and the “b” is silent. You limp when you’ve hurt your leg or foot. The “p” is pronounced.

Said / Set: Be sure to clearly pronounce the “d” and “t”. Said is the past tense of the verb to say (to speak or utter). Set is a verb which can mean ‘to make ready’ or ‘put in a specified position’. E.g. I said I would set the table.

Zen / Then: Practice pronouncing “z” and “th” here. Zen is a form of meditation. Then is an adverb meaning ‘at that time’, ‘after that’, or ‘in that case’. E.g I went to a class about Zen, then I went home.

Loose / Lose: Pay close attention to the final “s” and “z” sounds. Loose ends with an soft “s” sound and means ‘not tight’. When you lose something you can’t find it. Emphasize the “z” in lose. E.g. My ring is loose, I’m afraid I’ll lose it.

Statue / Stature: Watch out for the endings! A statue is a large sculpture of a human or animal and sounds like “chew” at the end. Stature refers to someone’s height or their power and reputation. The end sounds more like “chur.” e.g. We honor historical figures of great stature with statues.

Quite / Quiet / Quit: These three words aren’t as difficult as they look! Just pay attention to the vowel sounds. Quite sounds like “kwite” and is often used to emphasize – it can mean ‘completely’, ‘really’, and ‘to a degree’ (I’m quite alone, I’m quite sure). Quiet (kwi-et) means ‘little noise’ – like a library. Quit (kwit) means ‘to cease’, ‘to give up’ or ‘to leave’. e.g. I quit playing loud music and now it’s quite quiet.

English compliments to get you on anyone’s good side!

In some cultures, flattery may not get you anywhere, but in English-speaking countries, you might find that a simple compliment will take you a long ways. It doesn’t take much, so keep on reading for a few easy and guaranteed ways to get on people’s good side.

Finding the right compliment actually isn’t as difficult as it seems. A little sensitivity, intuition and observation and you’ll be everyone’s favorite person in no time.

The easiest praise to deliver is object-related. For example, while amongst friends, you can adopt a casual tone and drop compliments such as “I like your shoes” or “Nice haircut”. You can’t fail with one of these and often they can serve as good conversation starters in social situations as well. Just find an interesting object or thing to focus on and then concentrate on the delivery.

In business situations, compliments never hurt either. If one of your colleagues or teammates has done a good job on a project, why not let them know what a great contribution they’ve made. Simply use a positive adjective with a work-related term and your work compliment is all ready. An occasional “great job!”, “nice effort!” or “good work” will work wonders for maintaining productive work relationships.

In cases where you struggle to find something nice to say, think twice before saying something you may regret later. For example, if someone is wearing an extremely unflattering outfit, don’t tell them how bad it looks right away. Instead, start by saying something like “that dress looks really nice”, and then launch into your true opinion “…but the black pants you wore last week were really, really amazing, you should wear them more often.”

Lastly, one word of precaution for your future compliment endeavors: try to avoid certain sensitive topics such as weight or physical attributes. Even with the best intentions, these types of compliments might be misinterpreted. The last thing you want to do is congratulate someone on their impending pregnancy only to find out the extra curves are due to a few unwelcome pounds picked up over the past few months.

Again, focus on inanimate objects or things and most likely your flattery will be well received. Of course, a little sincerity in the delivery always helps and may just win you a compliment yourself one of these days!

On the rocks? Top 10 English bartending terms

Do you know the difference between a Margarita and a Martini? What do you reply if the bartender asks, “On the rocks, sir?” Here are some expressions to help you order drinks in English!

On the rocks

This means ‘with ice’, as in I’ll have a whisky on the rocks.

Single or Double?

This means the number of shots or measures of alcohol. You could tell the bartender, Make it a double if you want a stronger drink.

Spirits

This is strong alcohol e.g. vodka, rum, gin, whisky, brandy, tequila.

Straight

This is alcohol with no ice or mixers added.

Mixer

Mixers are non-alcoholic drinks like soda water, cola or orange juice that are added to spirits to make a mixed drink.

Tab

This is a bill paid at the end of the evening. You can run a tab (pay the bill at the end of the evening) or tell the waitress, Put the drinks on my tab.

Happy hour

This is a specified time (not always exactly one hour) when the bar sells drinks at a discount, e.g. Happy hour is from 6pm to 8pm.

Cocktail

This is a mixed drink. Popular cocktails include Martini, Margarita or Pina Colada.

It’s my round

In many Western countries it is common to take turns for one person to buy drinks for the whole group. The person paying will say, It’s my round!

Draft

If you order beer in a bar, you can have it in a bottle or can, or have a draft: i.e. drawn from a cask or tap.

Don’t hang up! Telephone English tips

Do you know how to make and receive telephone calls in English? Talking on the phone is more difficult than speaking face-to-face, so improve your telephone tactics with these useful expressions.

Who’s calling please?

This is a polite way to ask the name of the caller.

I’d like to speak to…

Use this phrase to give the name of the person you want to speak to.

Speaking

If you say “I’d like to speak to Shirley” and she is the one who answered the phone, she would reply “Speaking!”, meaning This is Shirley speaking’.

I’m sorry, the line’s busy.

This means that the person is talking to someone else and the line is occupied.

Would you mind holding?

If the line is busy, you should ask if the caller is willing to wait for a few moments.

Would you like to leave a message?

If the person you wish to speak to is unavailable, the person answering the phone can offer to take a message (write down the message) for the caller.

Could you spell your name please?

When taking a message, you should check that the name is spelled correctly.

Extension number

You can use the extension number to get through to individuals within a company.

I’ll put you through to his office.

Another way to say this is I’ll connect your call.

Sorry, you’ve dialed the wrong number.

You might hear this if you make a mistake and get through to the wrong person.

Too shy to speak English?

Cat got your tongue? Are you tongue-tied? If so, you’re probably just shy. These idioms refer to what happens when you want to speak but just can’t get your tongue around the words. Will you ever be able to speak confidently? Of course! Here are some techniques that’ll make it easier to overcome your shyness.

Practice out loud.
You’ve heard it before. The only way to improve is to practice. Use English frequently and out loud. Some students practice silently – having conversations only in their heads. But you need to get your mouth used to using the words – and your ear used to hearing them. You can do this anytime – in private, with friends, or through an online conversation class.

Plan ahead and warm up.
If you know you have to have a conversation or make a speech in English, think about what you need to say. Practice a few phrases. Get used to the sounds. Then, you’ll be prepared when you need to communicate with someone else.

Build confidence by going back to basics.
Shy speakers’ biggest fear is that when they DO speak they’ll sound silly or won’t be understood. So English teachers advise using simple sentence structures. Use phrases that are very basic and familiar to you. When you see that people can understand you, you’ll be ready to move on to more complex ideas. Maybe on paper you’re at an advanced level, but all that knowledge doesn’t help if you can’t speak!

Umm and aah.
Do what natives speakers do. If you’re not sure what to say or you forget a word, then pause and insert a verbal pause like “um”, “er”, or “ah”. It gives you a moment to think and indicates to the listener that you’re going to talk. Sometimes all you need is a few “umms” just to get a sound out of your mouth. But be careful not to rely on this too often, or it may become a nervous habit you can’t get rid of!

Use an online conversation class.
Online English conversation classes might be the most effective way for shy speakers to improve quickly. You can join in a teacher-led discussion with other students over the web. It’s convenient, but best of all, no one will see you blush! Englishtown.com is a leader in this field, offering online conversation classes with a professional native-speaking teacher every hour – 24 hours a day. Plus, the classes are small so you have lots of opportunities to speak. All you need is a computer and Internet connection. And you can try the classes for free!

Why no one understands your English

You might have memorized the entire English dictionary, but all that vocabulary is useless if no one understands you when you speak! If you’re frustrated because you know you’re using the correct word and sentence structure, but have to repeat a word three or four times before you’re understood, you’re not alone.

A lot of people know English well, but they learn from non-native English-speaking teachers, they practice with non-native speakers, and they have never been to an English-speaking country. Their grammar and vocabulary might be excellent, but they just can’t make themselves understood.

The problem is lack of correct speaking practice. If everyone in your class – including the teacher – knows the spelling and meaning of a word but is mispronouncing something as simple as a vowel sound it could make you all indecipherable.

There are a few ways you can compare your speech to a native English-speaker’s without ever being face-to-face. Two commonly used methods are: watching movies in English and listening to English radio. Then, you finish by recording yourself and comparing what you hear on the tape to what you hear in the movies or on the radio.

While listening and recording your voice is popular and can be helpful, nothing compares to getting feedback and help from a real native speaker. But isn’t this your problem in the first place? No access to native speakers?

Not so fast. Through the Internet you have plenty of opportunities to practice with native English speakers. If you have headphones and a microphone along with your computer and Internet connection, you could listen in on a video chat room. But these aren’t usually filled with people interested in helping you improve your pronunciation.

A better option is one of the growing number of online English schools. Through Englishtown.com, you can join regular, live conversation classes with a native English-speaking teacher – every hour, 24 hours a day. Classes are small and organized around a topic. Join in with other students at the same skill level, discuss the subject, and get feedback and guidance from the professional teacher. Soon you’ll be impressing people with your vocabulary and your accurate pronunciation!

Need a good laugh? Check out these 5 funny English sayings!

Learning the grammar and vocabulary of English can be hard enough, but trying to understand English sayings can be impossible. Some are just hard to figure out and others don’t make any sense at all. Here are five funny English sayings that you can use every day. Just be careful to use them right!

“I’m happy as a clam.” Think of a clam. It doesn’t have to do anything. It just sits on a beach or on the bottom of the ocean all day every day doing nothing. It never has to work. That sure sounds like happiness, doesn’t it? If someone asks, “How are you today?” you can tell them this to let them know what a great mood you’re in.

“I wouldn’t touch that (or him/her) with a ten-foot pole.” Don’t like something? Maybe it’s something gross like garbage or rotting food. Or maybe there’s a person who you don’t want to be friends with or even talk to? Well, this saying means that you dislike them so much that you don’t want to touch them or go near them – even within ten feet!

“I think I went overboard.” If you ever to do something that is excessive or irresponsible, this is a handy expression to use. “Going overboard” literally means falling off a ship, but, as an English saying, it’s a way of admitting that you’ve done something you shouldn’t have. There are many synonyms for this such as “I’ve stepped over a line” and “I’ve gone too far.” You can also use it to say that someone else has made a mistake.

“You don’t have a leg to stand on.” No, this doesn’t mean that the person you’re talking to has no legs. It means that their argument is incorrect. They don’t have a leg to stand on because they have no facts to support what they’re saying. This saying is a good way to tell a person that you think they’re wrong.

“Break a leg!” This actually means the opposite of what it sounds like. If you tell this to a person, you’re wishing them good luck! The saying comes from a superstition that whatever you say aloud, the opposite will come true. Because it originated in the theater, this saying is usually used only for wishing someone good luck in some type of performance. So it’s nice thing to tell someone who is preparing to make a business presentation or attend an interview where they need to make a good impression.