Site's root page and all-inclusive feed

#quoteoftheday When you're born you get a ticket to the freak show. When you're born in America, you get a front-row seat. Categories: humor

#esl #english #idioms #verb give ground  {v. phr.} To go backward under attack; move back; retreat. After fighting for a while the troops slowly began to give ground. Although they were outnumbered by the enemy, the men refused to give ground. Compare: DRAW BACK, DROP BACK, LOSE GROUND. Contrast: HOLD ONE'S GROUND, STAND OFF, STAND ONE'S GROUND, STAND PAT, STAVE OFF. Categories: {v. phr.}

#esl #english #idioms #verb make one's way  {v. phr.} 1. To go forward with difficulty; find a path for yourself. They made their way through the crowd. 2. To do many hard things to earn a living; make a life work for yourself. He was anxious to finish school and make his own way in the world. Compare: SHIFT FOR ONESELF. Categories: world {v. phr.}

#esl #english #idioms put it on thick See: LAY IT ON.

#esl #english #idioms Public See: JOHN Q. PUBLIC.

#esl #english #idioms #noun pile-up  {n.} 1. A heap; a deposit of one object on top of another. There is a huge pile-up of junked cars in this vacant lot. 2. A large number of objects in the same place, said of traffic. I was late because of the traffic pile-up on the highway. Categories: {n.}

#esl #english #idioms #informal #verb play the field  {v. phr.},  {informal} To date many different people; not always have dates with the same person. Al had a steady girlfriend, but John was playing the field. Jim was crazy about Mary, but she was still playing the field. Contrast: GO STEADY. Categories: date {informal} {v. phr.}

#esl #english #idioms #informal #verb put up to  {v. phr.},  {informal} To talk to and make do; persuade to; get to do. Older boys put us up to painting the statue red. Compare: EGG ON. Categories: {informal} {v. phr.}

#esl #english #idioms #informal #verb pull off  {v.},  {informal} To succeed in (something thought difficult or impossible); do. Ben Hogan pulled off the impossible by winning three golf tournaments in one year. The bandits pulled off a daring bank robbery. Compare: PUT ACROSS (2). Categories: {informal} {v.}

#esl #english #idioms #verb dream of  {v.} To think about seriously; think about with the idea of really doing; consider seriously. — Usually used with a negative. I wouldn't dream of wearing shorts to church. Categories: {v.}

#esl #english #idioms #informal #verb go like clockwork or go off like clockwork  {v. phr.},  {informal}To run smoothly and regularly like the workings of a clock; go smoothly and without difficulty; go on time or as planned. The car's motor went like clockwork after Bob fixed it. The birthday party went off like clockwork and everyone had a good time. Categories: time {informal} {v. phr.}

#esl #english #idioms pebble See: NOT THE ONLY PEBBLE ON THE BEACH.

#esl #english #idioms #verb look up to  {v.} To think of (someone) as a good example to copy; honor; respect. Mr. Smith had taught for many years, and all the students looked up to him. Young children look up to older ones, so older children should be good examples. Categories: children {v.}

#esl #english #idioms if the hill will not come to Muhammad, Muhammad will go to the hill If one person will not go to the other, then the other must go to him. — A proverb. Grandfather won't come to visit us, so we must go and visit him. If the hill won't come to Muhammad, then Muhammad will go to the hill. Categories: proverbs

#esl #english #idioms #verb pluck up  {v.} 1. To have (courage) by your own effort; make yourself have (courage). In spite of failure, he plucked up heart to continue. He plucked up courage when he saw a glimmer of hope. 2. To become happier; feel better; cheer up. He plucked up when his wife recovered. Categories: {v.}

#esl #english #idioms #verb go stag  {v. phr.} 1. To go to a dance or party without a companion of the opposite sex. When Sally turned him down, Tom decided to go stag to the college prom. 2. To participate in a party for men only. Mrs. Smith's husband frequently goes stag, leaving her at home. Categories: {v. phr.}

#esl #english #idioms #verb get the feel of  {v. phr.} To become used to or learn about, especially by feeling or handling; get used to the experience or feeling of; get skill in. John had never driven a big car, and it took a while for him to get the feel of it. You'll get the feel of the job after you've been there a few weeks. Categories: experience feelings {v. phr.}

#quoteoftheday (1880—1956), "What is Going on in the World," American Mercury (November 1933) No one hates his job so heartily as a farmer.

#LearnRussian #RussianIdiom #RussianSaying жить припеваючи  {v. phr.}  {colloquial} zhit' prip'e`vayuchi  {literally}To live humming. To live an easy, pleasant life in prosperity. To live happily, in comfortable circumstances. ~to live in clover. ~to live humming a tune.

#esl #english #idioms #verb pass the time of day  {v. phr.} To exchange greetings; stop for a chat. They met at the corner and paused to pass the time of day. Categories: greeting time {v. phr.}