ENGLISHameriCAN

2017-07-09 08:38:41 Phrasal verbs
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2017-07-05 09:08:58 Lip service
support for someone or something that is expressed by someone in words but that is not shown in that person's actions

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Having a youth academy is not something German clubs merely pay lip-service too; it is a pre-requisite to gaining their license each year and as such they take it very seriously. With a good pool of coaches plying their trade across the nation, plenty of well-trained players are bound to emerge.

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2017-07-04 08:15:41 Tail wags the dog
Said of situations in which a minor part is in control of the whole.

He is just a minor employee at the firm, yet he gives everyone orders, a case of the tail wagging the dog.

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2017-07-02 08:26:03 Xerox Subsidy

Euphemism for swiping free photocopies from one's workplace.

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2017-06-30 10:33:51 Chicken switch  

1. The emergency eject button used by test pilots in fast and high flying aircraft by means of which they can parachute to safety if the engine fails; later adopted by astronauts in space capsules.

Don't pull the chicken switch, unless absolutely necessary.

2. The panic button; a panicky reaction to an unforeseen situation, such as unreasonable or hysterical telephone calls to friends for help.

Joe pulled the chicken switch on his neighbor when the grease started burning in the kitchen.

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2017-06-29 07:54:49 1. Mash up
A blend of different things

2. Chime in
to add your comment or opinion to a conversation or discussion that you have been listening to

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Deep down you are mysterious. You’re the type of person who hasn’t figured yourself out, so good luck to anyone else who plans to try! You are a mash up of many contradictions, and your mood changes daily. Once find yourself, you’ve changed into someone else. You don’t show the world much about yourself. You are a person of few words and confusing actions. You prefer to observe and learn about people before you chime in. You only say things that you are sure of.

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2017-06-28 00:47:42 Shy away from
Avoid, evade

We are not going to shy away from asking serious questions about what it means, and why it is important. Only through tackling the most difficult topic
first does everything else fall into place so much more easily.

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2017-06-26 08:11:17 Tie in knots  
To make (someone) very nervous or worried.

The thought of having her tooth pulled tied Joan in knots.

The little boy's experience with the kidnapper tied him in knots and it was hard for him to sleep well for a long time.

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2017-06-25 08:07:05 Save up  
To put away for future use; keep as savings; save.

John was saving up for a new bicycle.

Mary saved up pieces of cloth to make a quilt.

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2017-06-23 09:38:43 Five Ways to Ask for Clarification

1. Pardon? (if you didn’t hear or understand what the person said)

2. Would you mind repeating that?

3. What do you mean? (asking for more information)

4. I’m not sure I follow you. (= I don’t understand)

5. Could you explain…

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