American Slang & Idioms II

Here is 2nd title:

On a Date:

How YOU doing?

1) Ask someone out (to) [expression]: To invite someone to go on a date.
Example: Don’t be so scared. Just ask her out. The worst thing she could say is no.
Translation: Don’t be scared. Just invite her to go on a date with you. The worst thing she could say is no.

2) Blind Date [noun]: 1. A date with someone you have never met in person. 2. A person you are going on a date with that you have never seen in person.
Example: Tonight I’m going on a blind date. I hope he’s better than the last one. He was so horrible!
Translation: Tonight I’m going on a date with someone I’ve never met before. I hope he’s better than the last one. He was so horrible!

3) Crush on someone (to have a) [expression]: To have an infatuation with someone.
Example: I think Betty has a crush on me. She keeps following me everywhere!
Translation: I think Betty has an infatuation with me. She keeps following me everywhere!

4) Drop-dead Gorgeous [expression]: Extremely beautiful.
Example: Nancy’s children are drop-dead gorgeous! It wouldn’t surprise me if they became movie stars.
Translation: Nancy’s children are extremely beautiful! It wouldn’t surprise me if they became movie stars.

5) Love at first sight [expression]: Instant love upon seeing someone for the first time.
Example: When I met your father twenty years ago, it was love at first sight.
Translation: When I met your father twenty years ago, it was instant love upon seeing him.

 …

or you can use Joey’s hints in “how to talk to ladies”!

See you and… HOW YOU DOING?

 

Bibliography:
BURKE, David. The Slangman Guide to Street Speak 1 – The Complete Course in American Slang & Idioms. Slangman Publishing. USA, CA. 1999.
Website: http://www.slangman.com

American Slang & Idioms I

Here is a mini course and self-studying about American Slang Words & Idioms as well as the context that they are or shoud be used.

The 1st title is:

 At a Restaurant (Let’s grab a bite!)

1) Cut down on something (to) [verb]: To decrease  something (such as eating, spending, shopping, etc).
Example: I love desserts, but I’m trying to cut down because I’ve started to put on weight!
Translation: I love desserts, but I’m trying to eat less of them because I’ve started to put on weight!

2) Doggie Bag [noun]: A bag used to carry leftover food home from a restaurant or party.
Example: I can’t finish all this food. I’m going to ask our waiter for a doggie bag.
Translation: I can’t finish all this food. I’m going to ask our waiter for a bag to take this food home.
Note: This term was originally used to refer to a bag that people could use to take bones home from a restaurant or party to their dog or “doggie” (a child’s term for “dog”).

3) Go Dutch (to) [expression]: To pay individually.
Example: Every time they eat at a restaurant, they go Dutch.
Translation: Every time they eat at a restaurant, they pay individually.
Note: The phrase “going Dutch” probably originates from Dutch etiquette. In the Netherlands, it is not unusual to pay separately when dating. The Dutch were already internationally known as scrooges, and English rivalry with The Netherlands especially during the period of the Anglo-Dutch Wars gave rise to several phrases including Dutch that promote certain negative stereotypes. Examples include Dutch courage, Dutch uncle and Dutch wife. The particular stereotype associated with this usage is the idea of Dutch people as ungregarious and selfish.

4) Eyes that are bigger than one’s stomach (to have) [expression]: To think one can eat more than one actually can.
Example: You’re going to eat all that food? I have a feeling your eyes are bigger than your stomach.
Translation: You’re going to eat all that food? I have a feeling you think you can eat more than you can.

5) Grab a Bite (to) [expression]: To get something to eat.
Example: I’m starting to get hungry. Do you want to grab a bite somewhere?
Translation: I’m starting to get hungry. Do you want to get something to eat somewhere?
Variation: Grab a bite to eat (to) [expression].

Bibliography:
BURKE, David. The Slangman Guide to Street Speak 1 – The Complete Course in American Slang & Idioms. Slangman Publishing. USA, CA. 1999.
Website: http://www.slangman.com

 

Business English – Part I

Business English

Let’s brush up your English at work? Are you staying on top of your English or do you think being back on your fluency and learning process?

English is a business international language, and sometimes we can not understand some expressions. So, here are some expressions that can help you at work. I hope you enjoy and practice them.

These expressions are based on English for International Communication.

Stay on top of
Se você se sente sufocado pelo seu trabalho, você provavelmente não está staying on top of your work. Isso significa ficar no controle, e não deixar nada para trás ou se acumular.

On the ball
Esta frase vem da área de esportes. Quando você está on the ball, deve ficar pronto e alerta. “Make sure you are on the ball with those reports.” O oposto é drop the ball, que significa não completar uma tarefa e decepcionar pessoas as pessoas com quem você trabalha.

Think outside the box
Muitas empresas esperam que seu pessoal pense criativamente e veja os projetos de maneiras novas e diferentes. Nessa frase, the box significa a sabedoria convencional, ou o que já é sabido por todos. Pensar diferente disso sugere pensar em métodos novos e inovativos. “For this marketing project, we need to think outside the box.”

Get the ball rolling
Isto quer dizer começar alguma coisa e fazê-la ir para frente. “Let’s get the ball rolling on this project.” Quando você teve um grande início, você pode expressar seu desejo de keep the ball rolling.

Brainstorm
Isso quer dizer passar mais tempo pensando em muitas idéias. Muitas companhias fazem brainstorming sessions para enfrentar problemas e imaginar novas idéias. “Let’s brainstorm new ideas for the advertising campaign.”

Pull strings
O que acontece quando você mexe os cordões de uma marionete? Ela faz o que você quiser que ela faça. Essa frase quer dizer ir além do que é feito normalmente para fazer alguma coisa acontecer. “It will be difficult to talk with her. You may have to pull some strings with her department.”

Multi-tasking
Você é bom em multi-tasking ou realizar muitas tarefas ao mesmo tempo? “This week we need you to write a report, make a presentation, and review last year’s earnings. I hope you can multi-task!” Mas ainda significa que você só recebe um salário!

Bite off more than you can chew
Se você pega muito trabalho para fazer, talvez não consiga fazer tudo apropriadamente. “He’s working late every night. He bit off more than he could chew.”

Downtime
Existem períodos de tempo em que não há muito trabalho a ser feito? Quando seu trabalho simplesmente não dá trabalho? Esse período é chamado downtime. “If you have some downtime this week, please brainstorm some ideas for our next team outing.”

That’s it! Have a nice Week!

See you,

Teacher Katia!

Hot Verbs Expressions – Part III

Hot Verbs Expressions – Part III

The 3rd list about some expressions with the Hot Verbs.

4) Verb To Get

Meaning of become: ficar

It’s getting dark. - Está ficando escuro.
We got tired yesterday. – Ficamos cansados ontem.
I’m getting confused. – Estou ficando confuso, estou fazendo confusão.
I’m getting accustomed/used to working hard. – Estou ficando acostumado a trabalhar muito.

Meaning of receive: ganhar, receber

She got a nice present for her birthday. – Ela ganhou um presente legal de aniversário.
Language teachers get about R$15 an hour in Brazil. - Professores de línguas ganham cerca de R$15 por hora no Brasil.
I hope to get better news tomorrow. - Espero receber notícias melhores amanhã.
I got a postcard from Germany. – Recebi um cartão postal da Alemanha.

Meaning of obtain/buy: arranjar, conseguir, comprar

He’s going to get a job after college. - Ele vai arranjar um emprego depois da faculdade. (conseguir, arranjar emprego)
I got a promotion. - Eu consegui uma promoção. (ganhar, conseguir)
He got $800 for his old car. – Ele conseguiu 800 dólares pelo seu velho carro (conseguir dinheiro pela venda de algo)
You can get cheap things in Hong Kong. – A gente consegue comprar coisas baratas em Hong Kong.
I’m planning to get a new car soon. – Estou planejando comprar um carro novo em breve.

Meaning of fetch/pick up: pegar, trazer, buscar

Go and get the newspaper. – Vai lá e pega o jornal.
Shall I get you a book from the library? – Você quer que eu traga um livro da biblioteca para você?
Stay here. I’ll get you some slippers. - Fica aqui. Vou buscar (arranjar) uns chinelos para você.

Meaning of arrive at/reach: chegar, ir

I got home late last night. – Cheguei em casa tarde ontem de noite.
We got to the airport by taxi. – Fomos ao aeroporto de taxi.
Can you get to the roof of the house? – Você consegue chegar (trepar) no telhado da casa?

Meaning of have (possession): ter

I haven’t got much time. - Não tenho muito tempo.
Have you got enough money? – Você tem dinheiro que chegue? 

Meaning of have to (obligation, same as need and must): ter que

I’ve got to go now. - Tenho que ir agora.
You’ve got to study harder. – Você tem que estudar mais. 

Meaning of catch (illness, vehicle, thief): pegar

I don’t want to get a cold. – Não quero pegar um resfriado.
I hope you get on a train before midnight. – Espero que você consiga pegar um trem antes da meia-noite.
The thief ran away but the police got him. – O ladrão fugiu correndo mas a polícia o pegou. 

Meaning of prepare/make: preparar

I’ll get some coffee. – Vou preparar (pegar, buscar) um café.
She’s getting dinner for her family. – Ela está preparando o jantar para sua família. 

Meaning of be (as passive auxiliary): ser

She got hit by a car. – Ela foi atropelada.
The robber got killed by the police. – O assaltante foi morto pela polícia.
He got robbed last night. – Ele foi assaltado ontem à noite. 

Meaning of persuade/convince: convencer

He got his father to buy him a car. – Ele convenceu o pai a dar-lhe um carro.
I got him to help me. – Consegui convencê-lo a ajudar-me. 

Meaning of have something done, order something: mandar

He got his car fixed. – Ele mandou consertar o carro.
I got my hair cut. – Ele cortou o cabelo. (mandou cortar, foi ao barbeiro) 

Meaning of understand: entender

I got you. – Entendi o que você quer dizer.
Did you get the idea? – Você entendeu a ideia?
Don’t get me wrong. – Não me interprete mal. 

Other meanings and in combination with prepositions:

get across – comunicar, esclarecer, convencer
get along (with) – dar-se, relacionar-se com
get away – escapar
get back – recuperar
get back from – retornar de
get something back – reaver algo
get by – sair-se, virar-se
get a chance – ter uma oportunidade
get a cramp – dar uma câimbra
get somebody down – deprimir alguém
get down to – concentrar-se em
get even – acertar contas, ficar quites, vingar-se
get a flat tire – furar o pneu
get a haircut – cortar o cabelo
get …ing! – usado em comandos imperativos
get in – entrar
get into – entrar, envolver-se com
get in touch (with) – fazer contato, manter contato com
get in trouble – meter-se em confusão, dar-se mal
get laid – ter relações sexuais
get lost! – te some!
get married - casar-se
get something off - remover algo
get off - descer de um ônibus ou trem
get on – produzir efeito indesejável; embarcar (em veículo)
get on with someone – relacionar-se com alguém
get out – sair, partir
get over – curar-se, recuperar-se; transmitir
get ready – aprontar-se
get rid of - livrar-se de, dar um sumiço em
get there – chegar ao destino
get through with something - terminar algo
get to a place – chegar a algum lugar
get to someone – afetar ou irritar alguém
get together (with) – reunir-se com
get something under way – pôr a caminho, pôr em execução
get up – levantar de manhã
get upset – irritar-se, descontrolar-se

Fonte: http://www.sk.com.br/sk-make.html

Hot Verbs Expressions – Part II

Hot Verbs Expressions – Part II

The 2nd list about some expressions with the Hot Verbs.

2) Verb To Do

do the (my, your, …) best (to) – fazer o melhor possível
do business (with) – trabalhar em negócios com
do the cleaning (for) – fazer limpeza
do damage/harm (to) – prejudicar, ferir
do a deal (predominantly in the expression “it’s a done deal”) – negócio fechado
do some dictation – fazer um ditado
do the dishes – lavar a louça
do drugs – usar drogas
do your duty – cumprir com suas tarefas
do an exercise – fazer um exercício
do an experiment - fazer uma experiência
do a favor (for) - fazer um favor
do good - fazer bem
do a good/bad job – fazer um bom trabalho
do your homework – fazer o seu tema
do the housework – fazer os trabalhos domésticos
do the laundry – lavar a roupa
do an operation (on) – operar
do (something) over again – fazer de novo
do overtime – fazer hora extra
do a poll – fazer uma pesquisa (de opinião)
do a problem/a puzzle – resolver um problema (em matemática, por exemplo), um quebra-cabeça
do a project – fazer (desenvolver) um projeto
do research (on) – pesquisar, fazer uma pesquisa (investigação científica)
do the right thing - ter uma atitude correta
do the shopping – fazer compras
do someone – transar, ter relações sexuais com alguém
do something - fazer algo
do time in prison – cumprir pena carcerária
do a translation – fazer uma tradução
do well/badly (in) – sair-se bem/mal
to be done – estar pronto
to have nothing to do with … – não ter nada a ver com …
to have your hair done - arrumar o cabelo
that will do it – isto será suficiente

3) Verb To Take

take advantage – levar vantagem
take advice – aceitar conselhos
take (something) apart – separar, desmontar
take back – levar de volta
take the blame – assumir, levar a culpa
take a break – fazer uma pausa, dar uma folga
take care – cuidar-se, tomar cuidado, ser cuidadoso
take care of – cuidar de
take a chance – arriscar
take a course (lessons) – fazer um curso
take it easy – acalmar-se
take effect – vigorar a partir de
take an injection – tomar (levar) uma injeção
take into consideration – levar em consideração
take it as … – crer, supor, entender, aceitar como …
take it or leave it – é pegar ou largar
take a leak – urinar
take lessons – tomar aulas
take liberties – tomar liberdades
take a look (at) - dar uma olhada
take medicine – tomar remédio
take a nap – tirar uma sesta
take notes – fazer anotações
take off - decolar, ir embora
take (something) off – tirar (casaco, óculos, etc.)
take the opportunity - aproveitar a oportunidade
take (somebody/something) out – levar alguém para sair, remover algo
take over - assumir controle, tomar conta
take part - fazer parte, participar
take a piss – mijar
take personal offense - ofender-se
take place – acontecer, ocorrer
take pride – orgulhar-se, ter orgulho
take a poll – fazer uma pesquisa de opinião
take the responsibility – assumir a responsabilidade
take a rest - fazer um descanso
take a shower – tomar banho
take steps – iniciar preparativos
take a taxi (bus, plane) - pegar um taxi
take the temperature – tirar a febre
take a test – fazer um exame
It takes time – leva tempo
take one’s time – tomar seu tempo, não ter pressa
take a trip – fazer uma viagem
take up something – começar a estudar ou praticar algo
take a walk - dar uma caminhada
take your time – não te apressa

Fonte: http://www.sk.com.br/sk-make.html