“To beat about the bush; to beat around the bush”
When I searched for an image for this week’s idiom, photos of George W. Bush came up! As you can imagine the... Read More
“To judge a book by its cover”
Last Thursday we had the third English Tree book club evening where intermediate/advanced students read the same book, “The Penguin Lessons” by... Read More
“To take something or someone with a pinch of salt”
Have you ever come across the verb to pinch (“pizzicare”) or the noun a pinch (“pizzico”)? We sometimes use it with children... Read More
“In the long run / short run”
Are any of you marathon runners – or even half marathon runners? Maybe you went to watch the Rome to Ostia half... Read More
“The bee’s knees / to be the bee’s knees”
The mimosa and fruit trees are flowering and spring is on its way! This is good news for bees who have been... Read More
“To sail too close to the wind”
Hurricane Doris battered the UK last week, some newspapers calling it “a weather bomb!” In London a man was hit when part... Read More
Book Club: “The Penguin Lessons” by Tom Michell
About the Book A unique and moving real-life story of the extraordinary bond between a young teacher and a penguin. Set against... Read More
“To have kittens…”
Last week we talked about the idiom “to have a soft spot for someone or something” which means that we really like... Read More
“To have a soft spot for someone or something!”
Well, tomorrow is Valentine’s Day and so not surprisingly this week’s idiom has a romantic feel to it – although it can... Read More
“To make a mountain out of a molehill!”
Are you going on a skiing trip soon? It’s the season, isn’t it? I imagine that quite a few of you will... Read More