Lesson
If you desire to learn Fluent American English, it is necessary to understand the many idioms, phrases, slang etc. It's possible to increase your vocabulary of phrases to add to your formal study of English.
I've been publishing these mini lessons in the Teacher's Forum and this actually is Mini Lesson No. 20 there. However, they will be published here also as lessons accessible from my profile page.
Mini Lesson No. 1
Weigh in / A leg up / You nailed it
A. Weigh in= To offer your opinion or judgement in a discussion, argument or a certain matter.
Origin/Background of the phrase:
To determine the weight class of a fighter such as boxers or wrestlers, they must prove they are eligible for their weight class. Once their weight has been confirmed, they can proceed with the fighting match.
When used as a phrase, you are making your opinion known. Here are some examples:
1. With the campaign season starting, the public is waiting for the Republican candidates to "weigh in."
2. Everyone was waiting for the president to "weigh in" concerning his plan to improve the economy.
3. Until the referee "weighs in," we won't know if the basketball shot made when the clock ran out will count!
B. A leg up= To gain an advantage or receive a helping hand.
Origin/Background of the phrase:
The first known use of this phrase was in 1837.
This phrase is from the act of an equestrian receiving assistance in mounting a horse. The person helping the rider would cup his hands (put them together with the inside facing up) tp allow the rider to use the cupped hands as a step while the other person lifted him up and over onto the horse.
Can you imagine how this phrase can be used to indicate someone received help or has an advantage? Here are some examples:
1. The runner sacrificed going to a celebration party to get "a leg up" on the competition by receiving a good nights rest.
2. College students are always trying to get "a leg up" to be accepted by a college!
3. To get "a leg up" for a job interview, it helps if you can meet someone from the company.
C. You nailed it= To get something absolutely right (correct) or you were successful at doing something.
Origin/Background of the phrase:
I could not determine the origin of this phrase, however, my guess concerning the logic of the phrase may be that when you nail something, you attach something to a definite point. When using the phrase, you're correct on a certain point. Here are some sample statements:
1. Jane "nailed it" when she predicted the winning team.
2. "Daughter, "you nailed it" when you got all "A's" on your report card!"
3. The Defense Attorney "nailed it" when he proved the defendant was in another place, thus, vindicating his client of all criminal charges.
English lessons from within:
Determining the mood of the speaker/writer:
It is important to understand the mood of the speaker/writer, this is the foundation of the words that will follow. As you gain experience learning English, you will learn not to take everything in a literal sense. Your goal will be to discern the mood of the speaker/writer.
I've started a new lesson entitled: "Inside the language" which I invite you to read on my profile page.
Well, that's all I have for you in this session, here are the phrases for
Mini Lesson No. 21
A shoe-in / Waiting for the other shoe to drop / Caved and Caved-in
Until next time, use English as much as you can!
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