“To get the hang of something”

Today is 1st May which in English-speaking countries we call “Labour Day.” “Labour” means work or workers, particulary where people use their hands to do or make something, eg. farm workers (“lavoratori in una fattoria”) and factory workers (“lavoratori in una fabbrica”). Usually when workers start a new job they become apprentices while they learn how to do a new task (“compito”) or while they learn to get the hang of something.

This week’s idiom to get the hang of something means to understand and to have the ability to do something. So after a period of training a worker usually gets the hang of the task.

Here that famous word get means to understand…you can also say “I get it!” when something finally makes sense to you after you have been trying to understand it.

Here are some examples we could use in our lives:

• It’s still difficult for me to get the hang of how to use my PC. I usually have to ask Stefano to help me.
• I remember my Mum tried to teach me how to sew, but I never got the hang of it.
• At The English Tree we believe it’s important for us to help you get the hang of the English you need to use in your
• I’m getting the hang of how to use my new cell phone.
• Have you got the hang of how to use some English idioms? We hope so!

Have a good holiday and see you next week!

The English Tree Team.