TOPIC: 영어 공부 - 관용구 | Common English Idioms Series 1

Why the long face? (idiomatic question): Why do you look so sad?

Tip to help you remember: When people are sad their faces look longer.
long face (informal n.): (Be/look) sad



Examples

1. Situation: A parent talking to their child.
Parent: Hey, why the long face? What’s the matter?
Child (looking sad): I feel really lonely at school; I don’t have any friends.
Parent: Oh, honey. I’ll tell you what; let’s go to the ice cream shop so we can talk about it. What do you say?

2. Situation: A guy just got fired from his job.
Beth: Ken, why the long face?
Ken: Ah, I just got fired from my job!
James: What!? What did you do?
Ken: I’m not sure. I think my boss hated me.

3. Situation: A husband and wife talking about their money problems.
Wife: Why such the long face? Is everything OK?
Husband; Well, have you seen our savings account? We have nothing put away for the future.
Wife: Really? So, let’s try to save more each month. Easy!

Communication Tip: 'I'll tell you what,...'

'I'll tell you what,...' is generally used to introduce a suggestion, especially when the suggestion is an activity that will make someone feel better

* I'll tell you what, let's see the movie after dinner.
* I'll tell you what, why don't we get some ice cream to cheer you up?
* I'll tell you what, why don't i meet you at the gym after I finish work?

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Saved by the bell (idiom): saved by a last minute intervention

Tip to help you remember: If a boxer is about to be knocked out by their opponent but then the bell rings to end the round – then the boxer has been saved by the bell.



Examples

1. Situation: Students at school talking about homework.
Paul: I hope the teacher doesn’t give us homework today. (School bell rings)
Teacher: OK. There is no time to give you homework. See you tomorrow.
Mary: Phew, I guess we were saved by the bell, literally.

2. Situation: The last call had already been made at the local bar.
Patron 1: Can I please get a beer and a glass of red wine.
Bartender: Oh, I’m sorry, last drinks were called 15 minutes ago.
Patron 1: Really? I didn’t know.
Patron 2: (Ha ha) You were saved by the bell that time. I know you hate spending money.

3. Situation: There is a meeting room reservation conflict in the office.
Boss: So, Bill, tell me what you think about our new marketing plan.
Bill: Well, um, I think it is… (Someone knocking at the door)
Person needing the room: (Knocking on the door) I’m sorry, but I have this meeting room booked. You will have to leave and finish your meeting somewhere else.
Boss: OK. Let’s finish this tomorrow.
Jeff: Phew. You were saved by the bell on that one.

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A little bird told me (idiom): used to say that someone told you something but you are not going to reveal who told you; you heard a rumor or some information, however you are not going to say who told you that information or rumor

Tip to help you remember: Imagine a bird whistling in your ear to tell you something – like what you see in many children’s movies. Or, think of Game of Thrones and Lord Varys and his “little birds” (i.e. spies secretly reporting information back to him).



Examples

1. Situation: A mother talking to their child about smoking.
Mother: A little bird told me you were smoking at school.
Son: Sorry, mom. The seniors made me do it.
Mother: I'll tell you what, if you promise not to do it again, i'll promise not to tell your father. Deal?

2. Situation: Two friends talking about a rumor one of the friends heard.
Mary: A little bird told me a story about you.
Kate: Really? About me? What was the story? ... And who is this little bird?
Mary: It is about you paying hush money to keep a secret buried.

3. Situation: A boss talking to her subordinate.
Boss: A little bird told me you might be getting promoted next month.
Employee: Really? That’s fantastic! Is this little bird reliable?
Boss: Very.
Employee: Wow! fantastic! I'm going to call my wife and tell her.
Boss: Hold your horses for a moment. We need to keep it secret until the official announcement.

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throw someone under the bus: If you 'throw someone under the bus', then you cause them to suffer in order to save yourself or gain some form of personal advantage.

Examples
1. Bill threw James under the bus in the marketing meeting.
2. My brother threw me under the bus by telling mum I stole the last cookie - but it was him.
3. Be careful of Bob; he has a tendency to throw people under the bus.
4. I am 100% sure that my manager will throw me under the bus for the failed project.
5. Chuck always looks for someone to blame and throw under the bus for his failings

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