Idiom of the Week: “Benefit of the Doubt”

Meaning: To give someone the benefit of the doubt is to choose to not be disappointed or upset when they may have made a mistake because you have some trust in them.

Examples:

My daughter is usually so good with studying that I gave her the benefit of the doubt when I saw her watching TV all night, and I knew she had a math test the next day.

Last night the food wasn’t good at my favorite restaurant, but I will give them the benefit of the doubt and go back again because the chef probably had just one bad night.

He didn’t have any professional experience but he said he was an excellent barber, so I gave him the benefit of the doubt and let him cut my hair because my friend knew him.

Pop Quiz:

Which student should get the benefit of the doubt?

Student A and Student B have the same problem – both are often late to class. Student A has arrived several times in gym clothes and carrying a gym bag. Student B has talked with the teacher about her lateness, explaining that she has to drop off her son right before class, but she seems to be trying to avoid be being late. The teacher needs to select one student to be cancelled first.

Read More to see the answer.

Read More »
Share this:

Idiom of the Week: A Question of Time

Harold Lloyd | Harold Lloyd (1893-1971) in Safety Last!, 192… | Insomnia  Cured Here | Flickr

Meaning: Used to describe something that will definitely happen, maybe sooner, maybe later. Also expressed as “A matter of time.”

Examples:

Life will eventually return to normal. It’s just a question of time.

Spring and warm weather will come. It’s just a question of time.

The volcanologist said it’s just a matter of time when the volcano will erupt. It could be next month, it could be next year, it could be twenty years.

Pop Quiz:

If someone says “It’s just a question of time,” they are saying…

A. Something will happen soon.

B. Something will happen a long time from now.

C. It will never happen.

To see the correct answer, click on “Read More…”

Read More »
Share this:

Idiom of the Week: A Shot in the Arm


Meaning: Something that gives energy or encouragement

Examples:

Thanks for talking to him – it was a shot in the arm. He feels a lot more confident than before.

The development of the new vaccine was a shot in the arm. People are more optimistic now.

Online learning is so much easier now that we have faster Wi-Fi. It was a real shot in the arm.

Pop Quiz:

Which would one is not a good example of “a shot in the arm?”

A. A raise in pay

B. A good night’s sleep

C. A bad headache

To see the correct answer, click on “Read More.”

Read More »
Share this:

Idiom of the Week: In the Same Boat

Meaning: To be in the same situation as someone else; to have a similar problem

Example:

I forgot to do my homework. My classmate’s in the same boat – she forgot to do her homework too.

“Looks like you and I are in the same boat,” the stranger said to me when we both missed the train that just left.

He was going to borrow money from his friend, but then he found out his friend was in the same boat – he needed money too.

Pop Quiz:

Your roommate hasn’t paid his rent yet. You’re in the same boat because…

A. you paid your rent.

B. you are going to move.

C. you haven’t paid rent yet either.

To see the correct answer, click on “Read More.”

Read More »
Share this:

Idiom of the Week: Turn Over a New Leaf

A lot of people make New Year’s resolutions and decide to “turn over a new leaf.” Not sure what that means? Read on…

Meaning: To change your behavior for the better.

Examples:

That’s it – I’m quitting smoking! I’m turning over a new leaf!

A lot of people try to turn over a new leaf when the New Year begins.

She decided to turn over a new leaf and start studying harder.

Pop Quiz:

You might be turning over a new leaf if you…

A.  start exercising more regularly.

B.  totally stop exercising.

C.  continue exercising the same amount you usually do.

To see the correct answer, click on “Read More”:

Read More »
Share this:

Idiom of the Week: Cold Turkey

Thanksgiving was one week ago today. Have you eaten all your leftovers yet? What about your cold turkey?

Meaning: To suddenly, totally stop a bad habit, usually referring to an addiction, usually expressed as “quit something cold turkey.”

Examples:

I quit smoking cold turkey ten years ago and I haven’t had a cigarette since.

Some say the best way to quit drinking alcohol is cold turkey, but some say you need to drink less and less or else you’ll get very sick.

That’s it! No more Facebook! I’m quitting cold turkey!

Pop Quiz:

Which is a good example of quitting cold turkey?

A.  To decide to maybe quit drinking beer sometime in the future.

B.  To drink fewer and fewer cans of beer a week until you reach zero.

C.  To totally stop drinking beer right now.

To see the correct answer, click on “Read More”:

Read More »
Share this: