Beat a dead horse
Definition: to make the same argument repeatedly: to say what has already been said
Usage: conversational, informal
Sample dialogue:
A: I understand. I shouldn't have lied to you.
B: Do you realize how serious this is?
A: Yes. I did ten minutes ago. But you don't have to keep on exlaining it. You've been beating a dead horse.
Samlpe: If you are arguing about the same thing all the time, you are beating a dead horse.
Usage: conversational, informal
Sample dialogue:
A: I understand. I shouldn't have lied to you.
B: Do you realize how serious this is?
A: Yes. I did ten minutes ago. But you don't have to keep on exlaining it. You've been beating a dead horse.
Samlpe: If you are arguing about the same thing all the time, you are beating a dead horse.
Bells and whistles
Definition: extra features that aren't essential for the operation of a machine, such as the global positioning system (GPS) in a car
Usage: used in both convertational and writing
Samlpe dialogue:
A: What kind of phone are you going to buy?
B: I don't know yet, but I want something with all the bells and whistles.
A: Doesn't the extra stuff just add to the cost?
B: Maybe, but I love new technology, it's fun.
Samle: I really want to have that camera with all the bells and whistles so that I can take really good and cool pictures.
Usage: used in both convertational and writing
Samlpe dialogue:
A: What kind of phone are you going to buy?
B: I don't know yet, but I want something with all the bells and whistles.
A: Doesn't the extra stuff just add to the cost?
B: Maybe, but I love new technology, it's fun.
Samle: I really want to have that camera with all the bells and whistles so that I can take really good and cool pictures.
Boys will be boys
Definition: boys will de michievous, get in trouble, and fight
Usage: conversational, informal
Samlpe dialogue:
A: My two sons are always fighting. I don't know what to do to get them to stop.
B: Sometimes there isn't much a mother can do. Boys will be boys, you know.
Samlpe: Sometimes I wish that my brothers could stop fighting, but I guess that boys will be boys even how old they get.
Usage: conversational, informal
Samlpe dialogue:
A: My two sons are always fighting. I don't know what to do to get them to stop.
B: Sometimes there isn't much a mother can do. Boys will be boys, you know.
Samlpe: Sometimes I wish that my brothers could stop fighting, but I guess that boys will be boys even how old they get.
Bread and butter
Definition: someone's livelihood or income, or something that usually works well
Usage: informal, conversational
Samlpe dialogue:
A: The tam runs the same play every time. Why don't they try something new?
B: They have to stick with what works.
A: That play is theis bread and butter.
Samlpe: My bread and butter is that I play proffessional soccer and get payed pretty well.
Usage: informal, conversational
Samlpe dialogue:
A: The tam runs the same play every time. Why don't they try something new?
B: They have to stick with what works.
A: That play is theis bread and butter.
Samlpe: My bread and butter is that I play proffessional soccer and get payed pretty well.
Break a leg
Definition: "good luck"
Usage: figurative, used in conversation, wish them success before a preformace or game
Sample dialogue:
A: I'm so nervous! What if I forget the words to my song?
B: You won't fprger. You're going to be great!
A: OK; here I go. Wish me luck.
B: Break a leg.
Samlpe: My friend said "break a leg" to me before my big soccergame to wish me luck.
Usage: figurative, used in conversation, wish them success before a preformace or game
Sample dialogue:
A: I'm so nervous! What if I forget the words to my song?
B: You won't fprger. You're going to be great!
A: OK; here I go. Wish me luck.
B: Break a leg.
Samlpe: My friend said "break a leg" to me before my big soccergame to wish me luck.
Break new ground
Definition: to do something no one else has done; pioneering
Usage: common in both speech and writing
Samlpe dialogue:
A: Did you hear? Someone found a new treatment for cancer.
B: That's great!
A: I know. It's about time someone broke new ground on cancer treatment!
Samlpe: You have to break new ground if you want to get famous for doing something comletley new.
Usage: common in both speech and writing
Samlpe dialogue:
A: Did you hear? Someone found a new treatment for cancer.
B: That's great!
A: I know. It's about time someone broke new ground on cancer treatment!
Samlpe: You have to break new ground if you want to get famous for doing something comletley new.
Break the ice
Definition: to eliminate tension, typically when people first meet or are in an uncomfortable situation
Usage: informal, conversational
Samlpe dialogue:
A: My boss spilled the whola bottle of wine on the table.
B: Wow. That must have been embarrassing.
A: It was actually good. It helped break the ice. Everyone stardet talking after that.
B: Well, that ended up being a great ice breaker.
Samlpe: If something funny happens in a tensed situation, that is often a good thing to help break the ice.
Usage: informal, conversational
Samlpe dialogue:
A: My boss spilled the whola bottle of wine on the table.
B: Wow. That must have been embarrassing.
A: It was actually good. It helped break the ice. Everyone stardet talking after that.
B: Well, that ended up being a great ice breaker.
Samlpe: If something funny happens in a tensed situation, that is often a good thing to help break the ice.
Break up
Definition: to end a relationship
Usage: conversational, informal: slang: sometimes followed by with
Samlpe dialogue:
A: My boyfriend never calls me and never takes me to dinner
B: He sounds like a bad boyfriend. Are you going to stay with him?
A: No. I think I'm going to break up with him.
Samlpe: When you are not in love with your boyfriend anymore, maybe its time o break up.
Usage: conversational, informal: slang: sometimes followed by with
Samlpe dialogue:
A: My boyfriend never calls me and never takes me to dinner
B: He sounds like a bad boyfriend. Are you going to stay with him?
A: No. I think I'm going to break up with him.
Samlpe: When you are not in love with your boyfriend anymore, maybe its time o break up.
Busy as a beaver
Definition: to be extremely busy
Usage: cliche phrase used in conversation and in writing
Sample dialogue:
A: Our family is having over a hundred realatives to our house for a party.
B: Big parties can be a lot og fun, but also a lot of work.
A: My dad has been working all day. He's been as busy as a beaver prepering for this party.
Sample: When you are really busy and don't have time for doing anything else, you are busy as a beaver.
Usage: cliche phrase used in conversation and in writing
Sample dialogue:
A: Our family is having over a hundred realatives to our house for a party.
B: Big parties can be a lot og fun, but also a lot of work.
A: My dad has been working all day. He's been as busy as a beaver prepering for this party.
Sample: When you are really busy and don't have time for doing anything else, you are busy as a beaver.