Tag: Study English

Here is a story about a lady who has a different job each day. You’ll find idiom definitions, example sentences, conversations, and a short quiz after reading the story.

On Monday morning, Leticia’s mother sent her off to work in their nearby garden. Leticia was under the weather that day, but she still obeyed her mother. Leticia watered all the plants and did the task with a smile. As she crossed a path to the other side of the garden, she dropped the bucket.

When she told her about it, Leticia’s mother shook her head. “Be careful next time,” she advised. “You should learn how to hold a bucket properly. You should practice today and remember that tomorrow when you go again in our garden.”

On Tuesday morning, Leticia’s mother sent her off to work in a nearby grocery store. Leticia did her job well, so the grocery owner gave her a bonus for that day. Leticia remembered her mother’s words, went to the mall to reward herself. On her way home, she realized that she had spent all her money.

When she told her, Leticia’s mother shook her head. “Be wise next time,” she advised. “You should learn how to spend your money wisely, get your act together, and save some for your future.” 

On Wednesday morning, Leticia’s mother sent her off to work in a park to offer volunteer work. Leticia did her job well, and the park manager gave her a beautiful white rabbit. Leticia remembered her mother’s words, so she decided to go home immediately without spending too much. But on her way home, the rabbit was frightened, jumped from Leticia’s basket into a nearby house, and never had the chance to find it. 

When she told her, Leticia’s mother shook her head. “Be quick next time,” she advised. “You should learn how to move fast and run after things quickly. Never try to get bent out of shape if you cannot get what you want.”

On Thursday morning, Leticia’s mother sent her off to work in a bakery. Leticia did her job well, so the owner gave her a dog. Leticia remembered her mother’s words, so she decided not to get the dog because she was afraid that she might not have caught it when it will suddenly run.

When she told her, Leticia’s mother shook her head. “Be grateful next time,” she said. “You should learn how to recognize the significance of rearing a dog. I believe that having a dog gives you the best of both worlds. it can be your cuddly companion at the same time bring health benefits to you.”

On Friday morning, Leticia’s mother sent her off to the nearby garden again. Leticia was under the weather again, so it was evident that cutting corners was her strategy. Leticia watered the plants inefficiently. A few minutes later, she thought that some plants might die soon because of what she did. With this, she went back and watered all plants again. But as she crossed a path to the other side of the garden, she saw a cookbook, kept it, and went home. Leticia remembered all her mother’s words, and she got back home without dropping the book.

When she told her, Leticia’s mother didn’t shake her head. She hugged and kissed her daughter and said, “You don’t need to go to work anymore, and you don’t need to remember many things. Read this cookbook and stay with me.”

After a month of preparation, she became an excellent cook for her mom. Leticia’s knowledge paved the way to establishing a small restaurant. Leticia has remembered all her mother’s advised. A few years passed, her restaurant became one of the most famous restaurants in their area. 

Cutting corners

Meaning  

• to skip some specific steps or processes to make something easier to finish and this can harm the output

Example Sentences

Stop cutting corners when completing a project as it has to be undertaken efficiently, whatever the cost.

Leila secretly finishes her task too quickly by cutting corners, and this causes some problems in her output.

A: The accounting team was suspended due to some discrepancy issues found. 

B: Yes, the team is under investigation. When the director finds out that they are cutting corners, I am sure they will be fired. 

Get your act together

Meaning

• to work more efficiently or organize yourself and work well with defined goals

Example sentences

You must get your act together if you wanted to be the next leader of the research team. 

The department head warned him to get his act together because he had a constant poor performance.

A: I heard our senior analyst had a hard time completing his weekly reports on time.

B: Yes, that is correct. Our manager warned him to get his act together. Hopefully, he can change for the better.

Under the weather

Meaning

• someone feels sick

Example Sentences

My daughter did not go to school yesterday because she was feeling under the weather. 

After a long walk, Dana was feeling under the weather for the next few days.

A: I did not see Michael the whole day. What do you think has happened? 

B: Michael has attended a whole night party, so now he is under the weather. 

Bent out of shape

Meaning 

• someone that is angry or annoyed

Example Sentences

You should talk to Jacky and apologize to her before she gets bent out of shape.

Carol has no right to bent out of shape to her sister as she intentionally harms her.

A: Our Math teacher has given us a very difficult quiz. 

B: I think she did that because she was bent out of shape. Most of us were not paying attention during our Math class a few weeks ago. 

The best of both worlds

Meaning

• a situation wherein you can benefit desirable traits of two different things

Example Sentences

Mae believes that residing in a university dorm offers her the best of both worlds: a place where she can both study and meet new friends. 

My sister gets the best of both worlds because she always overeats but doesn’t get fat! 

A: Hey, I have bought this bicycle for a very minimal amount. You will be surprised at its cost!

B: Don’t party yet! Most of the time, you can never have the best of both worlds when you buy an item that is so cheap, but the quality is not guaranteed. 

Quiz

1. Some businesses were used to __________________ and this led them to bankruptcy after a few years.

2. Simon was warned to _________________ if he wanted to stay long in his current company.

3. Jake was a bit ____________________. With this, he decided to rest instead of going to the movies with his friends.

4. My father gets ____________________ when we pronounce his name incorrectly.

5. Brian has ____________________ because he lives in a small village but only two miles away from the city.

Here is a story about a man who is a good leader with excellent time management. You’ll find idiom definitions, example sentences, conversations, and a short quiz after reading the story.

When he was in his teenage years, James was a shy boy living in a small apartment. He had many days of loneliness and failure. But after he experienced the beauty of being outspoken, James had changed to a man full of confidence. With this, he became the class president when he went to college and fulfilled the task with a heart. When a class project was too complicated and took a long time to finish, he realized the need to have a break to be more productive. With this, he decided to call it a day to have enough rest.

After his busy day, James used to meditate, which helped him manage the stress a student’s life may bring. Of course, time management is vital as he gave a minute to do the planning for the whole week. As they say, waste not, want not. After years passed, James became a manager of a digital marketing company. He was known to cut some slack to his staff. He gave freedom to his staff and put no pressure on his work environment. Additionally, he used to wrap his head around the issue of team management, but he was able to face it.

James was very popular because of his outstanding work ethics. He was able to see eye to eye with all his staff about the goal of a specific task and finish it on schedule. This made him a good leader. He was able to listen to others to meet a common goal. These qualities made him victorious. While his life gave him some reasons to be sad, James believed that there were a lot more good reasons to be happy. 

Call it a day

Meaning

• to stop, finish or give up like a day’s work or any regular activity and go back to home 

Example Sentences

The team realized that they were unable to complete the project, so they decided to call it a day.

Kara and Mia decided to call it a day and visited their friend’s house.

A: May we call it a day? 

B: I’m getting a little tired now. We still have a week left to do this.  

Cut somebody some slack

Meaning

• to give someone more freedom or allow someone to relax and not put any pressure

Example Sentences

The manager cut some slack to the new staff.

Martha was cooking for the first time and told her friends to cut some slack as she was not an expert at all.

Father: I see that your grades don’t improve at all, and you still want to sign up for a swimming class? 

Son: Cut me some slack, Dad! I always obey you. Can you allow me to do something I want to do?

Wrap your head around something

Meaning

•  to have a difficulty understanding something that can be very challenging or confusing

Example Sentences

John bought an expensive bracelet, but I could not wrap my head around her reason for getting it.  

I need the assistance of an accountant because I can no longer wrap my head around these tax forms. 

A: Hi, Emma. It’s been a few weeks that you are studying the data on file. What is going on?

B: Yes, this is not an easy job. It will take longer to wrap my head around this new policy.  

We see eye to eye

Meaning

• to fully agree with someone or to have a similar view/opinion on something

Example Sentences

My parents and I are at peace now, as we see eye to eye about my decision to study abroad next year.

I’m so happy that we see eye to eye on what to watch on Netflix.

A: I heard you are getting married next year. What made you conclude that you will settle with Sara? 

B: We see eye to eye about almost everything— career, having children, and interest.

Waste not, want not

Meaning

• to use something wisely and never waste anything so that you can use something when you are in need

Example Sentences

It is best to plan your weekly meals so that you can buy what you only need to prepare meals. Waste not, want not. 

You have to share this food with your friends because you cannot consume them before they expire. Next time you have to buy what you need. Waste not, want not.

A: My notebook has no enough pages for me to write my notes during our lecture.

B. That is because you did not write on both sides of your notebook’s pages. Next time, make sure to do that. Waste not, want not.

Quiz

1. The leader will ________________ too early because she needs to attend a meeting in the next few minutes.

2. Liza _________________ in her daughter’s study time.

3. I called my mom to assist me in cooking spaghetti as I can no longer _________________ these procedures in preparing it.

4. My girlfriend agreed to marry me as __________________ with many things.

5. Adam has the habit of planning his weekly to do’s. “__________________,” he said.

Here is an interesting story about a student who is courageous and friendly. You’ll find idiom definitions, example sentences, conversations, and a short quiz after reading the story.

It’s an excellent opportunity to ponder how good the life of a successful student who weathered the storm. His name is Todd, and he has done well for his student life. He has a circle of friends who are supportive of each other. When one of them needs support, whether it be moral or financial, all of them are there to lend a hand. If there is a need to bite the bullet to solve someone’s difficulty in the group, they will bravely face it. 

Jim, one of Todd’s friends, always drops a note to Todd saying “break a leg” before his weekly quiz starts. That’s how encouraging Jim as he is consistently very sincere to all of his friends. One day, Todd came to see Jim because he heard that Jim had encountered an issue paying his contribution to their group project. He suggested that they should start to save a portion of their daily allowance so that they can pay their future project expenses next time. Months passed, and they had saved enough. After that, they firmly believed that penny saved is a penny earned.

Todd’s life is not so perfect, of course. Friends come and go, but he always learns how to accept all inevitable parts of life courageously. Occasionally, he saw his classmates arguing on things, but he realized it was a storm in a teacup. He didn’t bother to include himself in those situations. At a young age, he felt that his student life became more manageable when he learned to master the art of embracing challenges. 

Bite the bullet

Meaning

• to face a difficult situation bravely and endure it for an extended period

Example Sentences

I am now determined, so I had to bite the bullet and take my Chemistry classes although I know that these are always tough classes.

I never liked cleaning, but I bite the bullet as I don’t want to have a messy and dirty surrounding. 

A: It seems that you look exhausted in the past few months. Are you happy with your job?

B. I am not. I need to bite the bullet and look for a different job next month.

Break a leg

Meaning

• to wish or tell someone good luck before he/she performs

Example Sentences

“Hey Isaac, I hope you break a leg tonight in your recital.”

Maine always drops a note to say “break a leg” to her best friend before the final examination.

A: Tomorrow will be my thesis defense. 

B: I wish you all the best of luck on your thesis defense. Break a leg! 

Weather the storm

Meaning

• to survive difficult situations or problems and successfully solve them 

Example Sentences

The president frightened his staff due to unsatisfactory job performance, but no one resigned and decided to weather the storm.

Bea tried to weather the storm and refused to resign in her company.

A: You have been so patient with the team’s policy. Things are becoming complicated. What’s your plan for the next few months?

B: I know that things will get better so I will weather the storm.

A penny saved is a penny earned

Meaning

• it is crucial or wise to save money

Example Sentences

Bob has been saving a portion of his monthly salary because he believes that a penny saved is a penny earned.

Children are advised by their parents to work hard to save money when they get to the corporate world someday. Their parents knew that a penny saved is a penny earned.

A: You should celebrate and reward yourself. Let’s go shopping tomorrow!

B: I am sorry. I can’t go because I have started saving money from my monthly salary. I realized that a penny saved is a penny earned.

A storm in a teacup

Meaning

• people are very upset, angry or annoyed on minor things or those that are not important at all

Example Sentences 

The issue is not too serious, but Jim’s wrath is unreasonable, just a storm in a teacup.

Pamela won’t be angry for long about what happened last night; it’s only a storm in a teacup.

A: Why are the neighbors arguing again? What’s the problem? 

B: We should get used to them; they are always arguing, but it is usually a storm in a teacup.

Quiz

1. Bella decided to just ___________ to complete her term paper and accepted that she would not play computer games this weekend. 
2. “_____________” Nico’s mother shouted out to him before he started his presentation.
3. Denzel and his friends were strong enough to ____________ as they completed their final term paper.
4. You must save at least 10% of your monthly income because ______________. 
5. Martha thought that the entire matter is nothing but ___________ and that it would solve quickly.