10 useful stable expressions in English

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To expand your vocabulary, it is not enough to learn only words - it is important to know and stable expressions. They are easy to remember if you know the history of origin and sometimes literal meaning, writes Lifehacker

1. Cut to the chase

Meaning: go straight to the point.

This expression has a very interesting history. Cut is an assembly gluing together at the cinema (transition from one frame to another), chase is the chase (for example, cops after a criminal). In the past, the most interesting part of the movie was the chase, but inexperienced screenwriters inserted too many boring dialogues into the tape that had little effect on the plot. Later, the producers watched the tape and said: “This part is too boring. Let's cut it and go straight to the chase. ” So the expression cut to the chase and stuck in the language.

Example. Look, I don't have time for this. Just cut to the chase already. “Listen, I don't have time for this.” Go straight to the point.

2. Backseat driver

Value: the one who gives unsolicited advice.

Sometimes people in the back seat of a car start giving advice to the driver, who not only help him, but, on the contrary, annoy him. In modern English, this expression is used both literally and figuratively.

Example. You are too much of a backseat driver right now. I can do it myself, thanks! “You are now giving me too many tips that I don’t need.” I can do it myself, thanks!

Meaning: make fun of someone, play someone.

In the 18th century in England, the streets were very dirty, so at that time such a joke was extremely popular: someone took a cane or a stick with a hook, put a footboard on another person, and he fell face down in the dirt. Literally, this expression translates as "pull someone by the leg."

Example. This can't be true. You must be pulling my leg! - Can not be. You're kidding me!

4. So much for something

Meaning: that's all; something went wrong, as intended.

Usually, this expression is used to express frustration about a situation that has developed differently than was intended.

Example. The weather is awful. So much for our walk in the park. - The weather is disgusting. It does not work out in the park.

5. You wish

Meaning: what more.

This expression is the equivalent of the Russian “yes, right now,” or “aha, ran away,” that is, a sarcastic answer to some kind of request.

Example:

- Will you buy me the new iPhone? (Will you buy me a new iPhone?)
- Yeah, you wish! (Yeah, what else!)

6. No sweat

Meaning: don't worry, it's very easy.

This idiom is a kind of synonym for piece of cake. The word sweat translates as "sweat." The expression is used when they talk about something light (this can be done without sweating at all). Also, the phrase is sometimes used as an informal response to “Thank you!”

Example:

- Can you finish the project by Friday? (Will you finish the project by Friday?)
- No sweat, boss! (Yes, no problem, boss!)

7. Go dutch

Meaning: pay for yourself

In the US, for example, when a couple goes on a date, often everyone pays for himself, and this is considered polite and correct. The expression itself comes from the so-called Dutch doors (Dutch - "Dutch"), which are divided into two identical parts.

Example. Let's go out together! We'll go Dutch if you want. - Let's go on a date! If you want, we pay equally.

8. Call it a day

Meaning: round out.

This expression is often used at work in the sense of "enough for today, let's finish."

Example. Alright, let's call it a day. - Enough for today.

9. Go off the rails

Value: go crazy, fly off the coils.

The comparison is very simple: as the train goes off the rails from its normal path, so does the person go crazy.

Example. Looks like jim has gone off the rails. “Looks like Jim is completely out of his mind.”

10. Catch someone red-handed

Meaning: catch someone red-handed.

The origin of the expression is rather trivial. If a person has red hands, then most likely they are in the blood. And if they are in the blood, then he is certainly guilty. Of course, today this expression is used in a figurative sense.

Example. You are caught red-handed. - It makes no sense to deny you caught red-handed.

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