Idioms

– Manuscript – Welcome to English in a Minute! This is a spruce tree. Some people use them as a Christmas tree. But what does it mean to "spruce up" something? Speaker A: Anna, what are you doing?Speaker B: Redecorating! Sprucing up my work area will help my creative energy.Speaker A: But… what is all of that?Speaker B: This is a hat, Dan. For my desk robot. He needs … [Read more...] about Spruce Up (Idioms)

– Manuscript – Welcome to English in a Minute! A "daisy" is a kind of flower. But what do you think a "doozy" is? Doozy Speaker A: Wow, Dan. That is a big book!Speaker B: It's called War and Peace. I'm reading it for my book club. It's over 1,000 pages.Speaker A: Whoa. That is a doozy of a read! Does it at least have pictures?Speaker B: Not one! And carrying it … [Read more...] about Doozy (Idioms)

– Manuscript – Welcome to English in a Minute! Touch is one of our five senses. So, what might "touch-and-go" mean? Speaker A: I just heard from Ashley that you lost your pet. I'm so sorry.Speaker B: Thanks, Dan. Things were touch and go for a while. But finally, I found Rocky.Speaker A: It's a rock?Speaker B: It's Rocky-- my pet rock. We go way back, … [Read more...] about Touch and Go (Idioms)

– Manuscript – Welcome to English in a Minute! You need water for a boat to float. But in American English, just about anything can float your boat. Let's listen. Float Your Boat Speaker A: Anna, are you reading another children's book?Speaker B: Yes! I read about two a week.Speaker A: Wow. Well, whatever floats your boat.Speaker B: Children's books have magic and … [Read more...] about Float Your Boat (Idioms)

– Manuscript – Welcome to English in a Minute! Some things, like shoelaces, must be tied up to keep them from becoming undone. But what do you think "tie up loose ends" means as an idiom? Speaker A: Anna, how is your trip planning coming along?Speaker B: Great! I just need to tie up a few loose ends, like booking a hotel room.Speaker A: That isn't a loose end. That is … [Read more...] about Tie Up Loose Ends (Idioms)