a crime of passion: a crime committed because of very strong emotional feelings, especially in connection with a sexual relationshipExamples: He killed his lover. It was a crime of passion. She described the stabbing as a crime of passion and jealousy.
Customer: I’d like to open a bank account. Bank Teller: What type of account? We have several types. Customer: I’d like an account for regular banking. Bank Teller: Will you be writing many cheques? Customer: A few but not many. Bank Teller: Less than ten per month? Customer: Yes. Definitely less than ten. Bank Teller:…
to leave open: to delay making a decision on. Examples: So, mark the date, get your list together, and make sure to leave the date open. While he tries to leave open spaces in his schedule, sometimes they get filled.
striking (adj.) Very noticeable; easily attracting attention– This is a striking example of how misleading statistics can be.trend (n.) A movement in one direction or a widespread change in fashion.– The trend among some young men is to wear their caps with the bill off to one side.freezing (adj.) very cold.– Are you warm enough…
Chicken feed: A very small amount of money. Examples: Of course I can afford $800. That’s just chicken feed. He’s so rich that $1000 is chicken feed to him.
Crocodile tears: False or fake tears. Examples: Politicians love to cry crocodile tears about how hard it is to cut government spending. President Obama shed his crocodile tears for the latest group of victims.
Midterm: A test you take halfway through a class. It measures what you have learned from the beginning until that point. Before then, players will be pressed to score well on midterm exams and papers. Cubicle: A small work space that is separated from other work spaces by low, often temporary walls. At work he…
Friend 1: I’ve been looking forward to this movie for some time. Friend 2: I know. It has so many great revues. Friend 1: Do you want to get a regular ticket or an IMAX ticket? Friend 2: What do you think? Friend 1: I’m not sure. Friend 2: Well, they say there’s a lot…
a sore point/spot: a subject which someone would prefer not to talk about because it makes them angry or embarrassedExamples Try not to mention baldness while he’s here – it’s a sore spot for him. Annual running operation now comes to $5.4 million, a sore point in Parliament.
a bitter pill to swallow: unpleasant, but has to be acceptedExamples: Losing my job was initially a bitter pill to swallow. It’s a bitter pill to swallow but a difficult cure promises the best result.