In this mini English lesson I want to explain the English Idiom "put your money where your mouth is".
The first thing to note is that this idiom is not offensive and is safe to use.
The origin of this idiom is not very clear, however there are two theories and both of them are related to gambling.
The first theory states the phrase has its origin in the pubs of Ireland where people used to play gambling games while they drank, and the second theory says that the phrase has its origin in the world of poker playing.
However, in modern parlance the phrase is used in many different situations to tell someone that if they truly believe in what they are saying, then they should do more than just talk about it.
For example:
Speaker 1: "I am so upset at the plight of all the poor people living in the city"
Speaker 2: "You have been saying that for so long, why don't you put your money where your mouth is, and go and work for a charity"
In this exchange, the first speaker expresses their opinion that they are upset about the bad conditions in which some poor people the city are living.
The second speaker suggests that the first speaker has been talking about this situation for such a long time that the first speaker should really take some action rather than just taking.
To put your money where your mouth is, an English idiomatic expression used to encourage people to do more than just talk about a problem.
Learn English online with native speaking professional teachers at SmartLanguageSolutions.Com
Showing posts with label Idiom. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Idiom. Show all posts
Thursday, 8 April 2010
Tuesday, 23 March 2010
A Cougar is not only a cat!
In this mini English lesson I would like to talk about the phrase Cougar.
A few days ago I was driving through London and I noticed billboard for a new American TV show.
The name of the show is Cougar Town, and I thought it might be a good idea explain what is the meaning of Cougar in this context.
If you look up the standard dictionary you will find that Cougar is a wild American Mountain Lion.
However in the urban dictionary and in the title of show Cougar, is used to describe a woman who is over 40 years old who likes to date younger men, normally a man who is 32 years old or younger.
In return a man who dates a Cougar can be called either a cub or a toy boy.
The urban dictionary also tells us that an older man who dates a younger woman is normally called a Sugar Daddy, while a younger woman who dates an older man could be called either a sugar baby or a Chihuahua.
We at Smart Language Solutions, would not recommend you use any of these terms in your writing or speaking as they may be considered offensive, however we would ask you to be aware of the them so you can recognise them when you see or hear them used by others.
Learn English interactively online @ SmartLanguageSolutions.com
A few days ago I was driving through London and I noticed billboard for a new American TV show.
The name of the show is Cougar Town, and I thought it might be a good idea explain what is the meaning of Cougar in this context.
If you look up the standard dictionary you will find that Cougar is a wild American Mountain Lion.
However in the urban dictionary and in the title of show Cougar, is used to describe a woman who is over 40 years old who likes to date younger men, normally a man who is 32 years old or younger.
In return a man who dates a Cougar can be called either a cub or a toy boy.
The urban dictionary also tells us that an older man who dates a younger woman is normally called a Sugar Daddy, while a younger woman who dates an older man could be called either a sugar baby or a Chihuahua.
We at Smart Language Solutions, would not recommend you use any of these terms in your writing or speaking as they may be considered offensive, however we would ask you to be aware of the them so you can recognise them when you see or hear them used by others.
Learn English interactively online @ SmartLanguageSolutions.com
Friday, 19 March 2010
Urban Slang - muppet
In the late 1950's puppet master Jim Henson created some puppet characters and called them the Muppets.
Since the 1950's the Muppets have been entertaining children and adults alike with their silly antics.
However in Brittan, Ireland, Australia, and New Zealand, the word muppet has become a mild term of abuse.
When using muppet as a mild term of abuse the first thing to notice is the difference in spelling, the puppets created by Jim Henson and now owed by the Disney Corporation are spelt with a capital "M", as in The Muppets, and when we call someone a muppet we spell it with a lowercase "m".
When you call someone a muppet (lower case) you are suggesting that they stupid or silly.
For example: "John its six o'clock, you were supposed to be here an hour ago, you muppet!"
Calling someone a muppet should not cause them offensive, and has even been used in street advertising, however as a learner of English, remember if you are going to call someone a muppet, be sure that they have a good sense of humour.
Learn English correctly @ the online language school, SmartLanguageSolutions.com
Since the 1950's the Muppets have been entertaining children and adults alike with their silly antics.
However in Brittan, Ireland, Australia, and New Zealand, the word muppet has become a mild term of abuse.
When using muppet as a mild term of abuse the first thing to notice is the difference in spelling, the puppets created by Jim Henson and now owed by the Disney Corporation are spelt with a capital "M", as in The Muppets, and when we call someone a muppet we spell it with a lowercase "m".
When you call someone a muppet (lower case) you are suggesting that they stupid or silly.
For example: "John its six o'clock, you were supposed to be here an hour ago, you muppet!"
Calling someone a muppet should not cause them offensive, and has even been used in street advertising, however as a learner of English, remember if you are going to call someone a muppet, be sure that they have a good sense of humour.
Learn English correctly @ the online language school, SmartLanguageSolutions.com
Friday, 26 February 2010
English Lesson - Bailout or Bail Out
In this mini English lesson I want to look at the phrase bailout, which when used as a noun is one word and when used as an intransitive verb is two words.
Bailout - noun
and
Bail Out - intransitive verb
If you have been following the business news in English over the last few months you will have heard the phrase bailout used as a noun.
Bailout - used as a noun
For example:
" The bank happily took the bailout given to them by the government, but they still are paying themselves big bonuses."
In business English we use the phrase bailout to describe the act of giving money to a bank or company who is danger of financial failure.
When we spit bail out into two different words we are using it as an intransitive verb.
Bail Out - when used as an intransitive verb, has three distinct:
1) To describe the act of parachuting from an aircraft
"I bailed out of the plane with my parachute at 20,000 feet and it took me 4 minutes to land"
2) To describe the act of leaving a harmful or difficult situation
"We bailed out of the bar when the two men started fighting"
In American English when we use bail out to describe the act of leaving a harmful or difficult situation bail out can be shortened to balled.
"I bailed on maths class because I didn't have me homework done."
And 3) to describe the act of removing water from a boat
"It was a nice day so we rented a row boat to go out on the lake, unfortunately the boat was leaking and we had to use our shoes to bail out the water"
So there you have it Bailout or Bail Out, now you know!
If you would like to learn more English go to our website www.SmartLanguageSolutions.com
Bailout - noun
and
Bail Out - intransitive verb
If you have been following the business news in English over the last few months you will have heard the phrase bailout used as a noun.
Bailout - used as a noun
For example:
" The bank happily took the bailout given to them by the government, but they still are paying themselves big bonuses."
In business English we use the phrase bailout to describe the act of giving money to a bank or company who is danger of financial failure.
When we spit bail out into two different words we are using it as an intransitive verb.
Bail Out - when used as an intransitive verb, has three distinct:
1) To describe the act of parachuting from an aircraft
"I bailed out of the plane with my parachute at 20,000 feet and it took me 4 minutes to land"
2) To describe the act of leaving a harmful or difficult situation
"We bailed out of the bar when the two men started fighting"
In American English when we use bail out to describe the act of leaving a harmful or difficult situation bail out can be shortened to balled.
"I bailed on maths class because I didn't have me homework done."
And 3) to describe the act of removing water from a boat
"It was a nice day so we rented a row boat to go out on the lake, unfortunately the boat was leaking and we had to use our shoes to bail out the water"
So there you have it Bailout or Bail Out, now you know!
If you would like to learn more English go to our website www.SmartLanguageSolutions.com
Tuesday, 25 August 2009
Idiom of the day - Jam Tomorrow
This idiom is used to describe the situation when people promise good things for the future that will never come.
- “Don't worry everything will be fine because we are going to win the lottery tomorrow”
- “Be seriously will you, you always promised jam tomorrow”
Be very careful when using this idiom as it is specific to the north of England! While it might be known in all parts of England it is not widely known in other English-speaking countries.
It is very important when learning English to use the assistance of a professional native speaking English teacher, the kind of teacher you can find at the online English school www.SmartLanguageSolutions.com
- “Don't worry everything will be fine because we are going to win the lottery tomorrow”
- “Be seriously will you, you always promised jam tomorrow”
Be very careful when using this idiom as it is specific to the north of England! While it might be known in all parts of England it is not widely known in other English-speaking countries.
It is very important when learning English to use the assistance of a professional native speaking English teacher, the kind of teacher you can find at the online English school www.SmartLanguageSolutions.com
Monday, 24 August 2009
Idiom of the day – Paddle your own canoe
To paddle your own canoe is used to describe when someone does something without the help of others.
“John, if you want to open your own business you are going to have to paddle your own canoe, I don’t think anyone will help you.”
The idiom “paddle your own canoe” is an American English idiom, English speakers in the UK, Ireland, Australia, & New Zealand don’t use this idiom as part of their language! In fact some people may not fully understand its meaning!
This is why it is so important to learn English from a professional native speaking teacher, the kind of teacher you find at www.SmartLanguageSolutions.com
“John, if you want to open your own business you are going to have to paddle your own canoe, I don’t think anyone will help you.”
The idiom “paddle your own canoe” is an American English idiom, English speakers in the UK, Ireland, Australia, & New Zealand don’t use this idiom as part of their language! In fact some people may not fully understand its meaning!
This is why it is so important to learn English from a professional native speaking teacher, the kind of teacher you find at www.SmartLanguageSolutions.com
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