Phrasal verbs are short expressions of 2 words that act as one action.
Their meaning is not the same as the meaning of the 2 words separately.
Here are some examples:
Take a Quiz to see which ones you know:
Tag: vocabulary
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 »Idiom of the Week: “A Blessing in Disguise”
Meaning: A blessing in disguise is something that seems to be bad but actually there is a positive result.
Examples:
I wasn’t accepted to my first choice school, but it was a blessing in disguise because another school accepted me and that’s where I met my wife.
Having a baby in high school was a blessing in disguise since it turned his life in a positive direction by making him realize he had to grow up himself.
Sometimes we don’t see a blessing in disguise right away – it could be years before we see the blessing.
Pop Quiz:
Which of these sounds like a blessing in disguise?
a. I had no money, then won the lottery.
b. When I tripped and fell on the street, I hurt myself but found $100.
c. I failed my test, but my mom still bought me ice cream.
Read More to see the answer.
Read More »Idiom of the Week: “Cutting Corners”
Meaning:
Cutting corners is to take the fastest way to finish something in order to do less work, however the result is also lesser.
Examples:
Copying other students’ homework is just cutting corners – you may fool the teacher but you won’t learn.
The big assignment was due Thursday morning and Wednesday he hadn’t started, so he cut corners to finish.
Cutting corners will only get you so far – eventually you will be passed over by those who work harder.
Pop Quiz:
True or False? When you cut corners, you…
1. Work as hard as you can
2. Leave out details
3. Finish quickly
4. Do the best job possible
5. Will always succeed
Read More to see the answers.
Read More »Idiom of the Week: “Straight From the Horse’s Mouth”
Meaning: To be said directly by the person or people who have knowledge about something. It is often used by a person talking about another person.
Examples:
1. I won’t believe it until I hear it straight from the horse’s mouth.
2. The news came straight from the horse’s mouth, so we all listened.
3. The rumor proved to be true when it finally came straight from the horse’s mouth.
Pop Quiz:
*Bill and Sam are teammates on a soccer team.
Bill: John told me there is no practice today.
Sam: No, there is practice today! I just talked to Mr. Anderson.
Bill: Ah, straight from the horse’s mouth, I knew John was wrong.
Mr. Anderson is probably:
A. Bill and Sam’s coach
B. Bill and Sam’s teammate
C. Bill and Sam’s parent
To see the correct answer, click on “Read more”
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