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Thursday, October 25, 2012

On the Tip of One’s Tongue

Idiom: On the Tip of One’s Tongue




EXAMPLE:

Rory: Laurie! You have to help me! Something’s really bothering me!

Laurie: Sure, Rory. What’s going on?

Rory: Well, I was listening to a song that I really like, but I can’t remember the name of the singer! It’s on the tip of my tongue!

Laurie: Ok. Do you remember the name of the song?

Rory: Ummmm…no.

Laurie: That’s not helpful. Do you remember what the singer looks like?

Rory: Yeah. He has long black dreadlocks. He’s a really good piano player as well as a singer.

Laurie: All right, now we’re getting somewhere. What else can you tell me about him?

Rory: Um…he always wears sunglasses.

Laurie: He always wears sunglasses? Why does he always wear sunglasses?

Rory: Oh, he always wears them because he can’t see. He’s blind.

Laurie: Rory! Are you thinking of Stevie Wonder?

Rory: Yes! That’s it! Thank you so much! I feel better now!

Laurie: No problem. I can’t believe you forgot Stevie Wonder’s name…

Meaning:
This is an expression that we use when we can remember what something looks like, sounds like, etc. but we can’t remember the actual name of the object or person. It is often used, for example, when we can remember someone’s face, but we can’t remember their name. We can almost remember the name, but not quite, and it’s a very frustrating feeling!

Tuesday, October 23, 2012

To get to know

Idiom: To get to know:  used as a verb




Example 1: At first, the new-hire wasn't sure about his co-workers; but now that he has gotten to knowthem, he enjoys their company.

Example 2: When you arrive in a city for the first time, traveling around and finding new things is usually difficult. Once you get to know the city, however, everything becomes much easier.

Meaning: "To get to know" suggests that something that was unfamiliar or "unknown" becomes familiar or "known." "To become familiar with" is a synonym.

"To get to know" is an idiom found in unit 4 of Reading Transitions, a Language Systems International text book used for Level 4 students.