Taken From http://theslantedlens.com/2012/hit-bricks/

If you say “The death of his mother hit Tony like a ton of brick,” it means Tony was extremely shocked by the death of his mother. Therefore, like a ton of break is used to describe a great shock. Click here for more information. If you have something that you want to discuss about this phrase, just leave a comment.

The English phrase we are exploring at today is: “To rack your brains.”

It means: To strain mentally to recall or to understand something.

A rack was a medieval torture device.

Visit my website for more information on how you can receive a Free Introductory online English conversation lesson.

My Website: English Conversation Website

All you need is enthusiasm, an internet connection and a Skype account!

I look forward to meeting you.

Best Wishes,

David.

The English phrase we are exploring at today is: “A watched pot never boils.”

It means: That time feels longer when you’re waiting for something to happen and constantly checking the progress.

Visit my website for more information on how you can receive a Free Introductory online English conversation lesson.

My Website: English Conversation Website

All you need is enthusiasm, an internet connection and a Skype account!

I look forward to meeting you.

Best Wishes,

David

The English phrase we are exploring at today is: “Keep your nose to the grindstone.”

It means: Apply yourself diligently and conscientiously to your work or job.

Example: “Suzy kept her nose to the grindstone last month, as her career review is due soon.”

Visit my website for more information on how you can receive a Free Introductory online English conversation lesson.

My Website: English Conversation Website

All you need is enthusiasm, an internet connection and a Skype account!

I look forward to meeting you.

Best Wishes,

David

The English phrase we are exploring at today is: “Daft as a brush.”

It means: Someone is very being stupid or foolish.

Visit my website for more information on how you can receive a Free Introductory online English conversation lesson.

My Website: English Conversation Website

All you need is enthusiasm, an internet connection and a Skype account!

I look forward to meeting you.

Best Wishes,

David

The English phrase we are exploring at today is: “Handbags at ten paces.”

It means: A confrontation, argument etc., between two or more people, that is very emotional in nature but it does not have any physical violence.

Visit my website for more information on how you can receive a Free Introductory online English conversation lesson.

My Website: English Conversation Website

All you need is enthusiasm, an internet connection and a Skype account!

I look forward to meeting you.

Best Wishes,

David.

The English phrase we are exploring at today is: “Butter wouldn’t melt in their mouth.”

It means: Someone who is very cool and unemotional in their appearance. Sometimes it is also used to suggest that someone looks very innocent and harmless, when they are not.

Example: “Kate looked as if butter wouldn’t melt in her mouth, when the bad news reached her.”

Visit my website for more information on how you can receive a Free Introductory online English conversation lesson.

My Website: English Conversation Website

All you need is enthusiasm, an internet connection and a Skype account!

I look forward to meeting you.

Best Wishes,

David.

Part of my reason to remain celibate is because I became Christian, not the suffocating rules and regulations kind of Christian, but the one that walks in relationship with God. Part of biblical Christianity is to keep sex for marriage because then you can give yourself to your lifetime partner without any limits. The other part of my celibacy reason is that my tolerance levels for ‘wham-bham-thank-you-ma’am’ relationships have gotten to the point where they are at an all-time low, so getting attached to someone at a sexual level is bound to cause more emotional harm than good.

Now I’m at a point where the cage in which my celibacy vow has been placed is being rattled quite a lot. I’m starting to wonder if I’ll be able to keep the cookie in the cookie jar when my beloved ginger bread man comes to me with the desire of wanting to open the jar. And I might just allow him to open it, off-course if his approach is sexy enough coupled with sensual manners, because I get hungry too. Yes I said it; I put the card on the table by saying that celibates get hungry too.

As a celibate young woman, I do get hungry from time to time because once you know the affectionate and hair-raising touch of a man’s hand and lips (a man that you’re into off-course; not just any Tom, Dick and Jabulani) you can’t help but crave for it. Something weird yet special happens to me when I’m pursued. It’s a thrilling adventure and an extra stamp on my feminine ego that lets me know once again that I’m captivating enough to be pursued and adored. So with women, it’s not merely about sex, but about the thrill and extra feelings of powerful sexiness that we get from being pursued. And sometimes I just want to have sex. I want to feel the pleasure of being kissed in places that weaken my knees and the delight of touching my ginger bread man in places that will cause him to scream out in pleasure. I want to feel the rapturous thrill of an orgasm and the intimate feeling that comes with knowing that only I and my ginger bread man know each other that deeply that we can bring that much physical pleasure to each other.

I must say that my hunger hasn’t been completely left for my imagination and Cosmo magazines to feed.  I did find a ginger bread man, who happened to be a friend of mine, but I knew that if I fully gave in to my hunger, our relationship would be forever changed and I wasn’t ready to lose his friendship over satisfying a hunger that ebbs and flows. There were more than a few occasions where we devoured each other at first base so passionately when we were alone together that those inhibitions almost got thrown out the window. I looked forward to our moments together because I knew that I would tap into the secret, sensual side of me that I never quite explored and I would know from experience what it’s like to be left with the sweet, husky linger of his perfume on my neck. Even though my sensual side was open to new experiences, I couldn’t let him devour all the cookies in the jar because he wouldn’t commit to me. But at least some part of the hunger was satisfied.

I’m no longer oblivious to the fact that celibacy comes with hunger strings attached and that I’m a sexual being with desires to touch and be touched, but even with the heavy tide of my raging hormones, I’m convinced that having a whole meal to myself is better than snacking on a few, different foods that offer little nutrition. Thank goodness that my friendship with Mr. Ginger Bread Man has not gone down the drain, and I’m nervous for the next time that we’re alone because we might eat each other up all over again.

*pic sourced from Pinterest

My temporary rental cellphone has an “Interpreter” tool that translates hundreds of useful phrases into English, Chinese or Korean. All the Japanese traveler has to do is search the situation categories, choose a written Japanese phrase, and an animated cat will do all the talking in a chirpy, non-threatening, female voice.

Faced with mystery meat that has suspicious little red things in the gravy? Have your phone tell the waiter, “There is something strange in my food!”

Eager to come clean? Kitty can confess to the police, “I have stolen property.”

Want to get rid of the guy chatting you up at the bar? “I have rashes all over my body!”

And, of course, the essential phrase needed if you mow down the pumps at a service station with your rental car: “I can smell gas!”

I found this expression from hotelier forum some of them are used to reply a negative comment on tripadvisor.com. This English expression has made good sense understanding in replying negative guest comment; it has very deep meaning, precise and polite.

Here are some expressions that you can use:

• I am sorry for all this inconveniences that have been caused to you during your stay here. I foresee that we probably will not be able to satisfy your needs and since I do not wish to ruin your holiday may i suggest another hotel that may be able to look after your better.
• The delays to have the rooms ready:
  As much as we understand the disappointment in waiting for the room, we do our utmost to find the best product to every of our guests. Sometimes getting a larger room takes a bit more time, but it is always done in the spirit to optimize the guest’s whishes at best.
  Unfortunately this time of the year being the busiest in ….., we do not have very much flexibility to upgrade most guests.
• The room size:
  We also feel very sorry that the guests found our rooms small. We do advertise our room sizes on our website, and have never pretended to have very large room sizes. They are however very practical and the space are optimized at its best. Being located in a 19th century building, all our rooms differ in sizes, but it is also part of the charm of a boutique hotel.
  Although yes, we are a boutique hotel located in the golden triangle, and therefore have sizes matching with the standards of any luxury hotels in the same area.
  We have created intimate and trendy atmosphere, and are proud to advertise it.
• We do not wish to comment any further about the personal comments made towards the management. We feel that we did the utmost to accommodate the guests at best, and know therefore that our duty was accomplished. We are however sorry that the guests did not acknowledge it.
• The lack of information from Front Office Attendants:
  Most of our staff have been working with us for a long time. We keep regular and happy co-workers who are professional and willing to always do their best. We have however hired several trainees and new co-workers due to the level of occupancy. Even though all information might take time to be gathered to everyone, we acknowledge these weaknesses, but learning and training takes time if one wants to do it properly.

To summarize, Hotel management feel that they are always hearing with great attention any customers’ comments. Sometimes however, one gets a better idea by hearing both points of views.
They would be of course delighted to discuss further any complaints or comments and will be happy to assist any disappointed customer to renew their experience with them in order to demonstrate their willing to serve them in the best way we always do.

We usually use the phrase in military and police if you have the full time status in service or work.

The phrase is easy to understand and remember its meaning.  The dictionary doesn’t offer much meaning.  It can be considered as self-explanatory.

Let me just give you some examples on the use of the phrase.

e.i.

The military has just started to disseminate additional information regarding their recruitment for active duty program.

His father retired from active duty earlier this year.

She was able to start her own business even she was in active duty.

By and large, only the blue-collared employees end up losers.  It is because executives/managers are usually given the golden parachute.

What does golden parachute means in the corporate/business world?

Golden parachute, according to my Oxford English Phrase Dictionary, is an informal phrase which means contract or agreement that guarantees top executives of a company severance pay or other compensation in the event that they lose their jobs as a result of an acquisition by or merger with another company, or the severance pay so offered.

These are most commonly used British and American English collocations and phrases.  There will be some phrases used in Australia as well.