Tag: Real life English

“Cock up” – British slang

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cock up meaning - English slang - Free English Materials For You.jpg

Example sentences from the web:

  • The whole affair was a monumental cock-up from start to finish.
  • Nothing goes right, it’s just one cock-up after another!
  • I cocked up the orders for table number four.

*Notice that this expression isn’t commonly used in the USA, where it is generally assumed to have a vulgar meaning.

Burning Millions’ Worth of Illegal Ivory

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I suggest that you read the vocabulary list before watching the video ;-):

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VOCABULARY

TUSK => a very long, large tooth that sticks out of the mouth of an animal (such as an elephant, walrus, or boar)

tusk.jpg
TO GO UP IN SMOKE => to burn up completely

to go up in smoke meaning.jpg

Image source

STOCKPILE => a large supply of something that is kept for future use

stockpile meaning.jpg
TO TORCH => to set fire to (something, such as a building) deliberately : to cause (something) to burn
TRADE => the activity or process of buying, selling, or exchanging goods or services
STUNT => something that is done to get attention or publicity
TO BAN => to forbid, to prohibit; to say that something cannot be used or done
TO POACH => to hunt or fish illegally

“Blinding” – British slang

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Blinding - British slang - Free English Materials For You.jpg

Example sentences from the web:

  • I was waiting for a blinding revelation that never came.
  • He showed a blinding display of skills.

“Blinding” in the news: The Blinding Success Of The Lumineers

 

“Every cloud has a silver lining” – English proverb

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Every cloud has a silver lining

This phrase is often said to people who are feeling down or depressed in an attempt to try and cheer them up.
Here you can read some information on this proverb: Origin of this proverb.

 
Example sentences from the web:
  • Well, I suppose it’s nice to know that every cloud has a silver lining.

  • Interview With Mexican Quake Witness (CNN, 2003):

    HARRIS: Well, actually, then, if that’s the case, this toll of only 23 deaths can — I should say — shouldn’t say only 23 deaths — but 23 deaths is actually quite a low number, considering the fact this could be a lot worse, then.
    PETERS: In fact, Mexican authorities are saying they’re quite amazed that the casualties appear to be so low at this point. They do expect them to rise, but they say — well, I guess every cloud has a silver lining. This may be that for this earthquake because previous earthquakes of this magnitude in Mexico have killed hundreds.
    HARRIS: Well, here’s hoping that silver lining gets even bigger and more pronounced there. Thank you, Gretchen Peters, thank you very much. We appreciate it. Take care. Gretchen Peters of the ” Christian Science Monitor ” talking to us from Mexico City.

  • Don’t forget that every cloud has a silver lining. The sun will shine again.

Words from the example sentences you may not know:

  • TOLL: the extent of loss, damage, suffering, etc., resulting from some action or calamity: The toll was 200 persons dead or missing.
  • CASUALTIES: loss in numerical strength through any cause, as death, wounds, sickness, capture, or desertion.
  • EARTHQUAKE: a shaking of a part of the earth’s surface that often causes great damage