Cultural Context & Idiomatic Expressions Flashcards
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Read the first 7 Cultural Context & Idiomatic Expressions flashcards as text
A coworker says, 'Don't put all your eggs in one basket.' What are they advising?
Answer: Don't risk everything on a single plan
This idiom warns against depending entirely on one plan or resource.
Your American friend says dinner is at '7-ish.' What does '-ish' communicate?
Answer: Approximately 7:00 PM
The suffix '-ish' in informal American English means approximately or roughly.
Someone says, 'He really dropped the ball on that project.' What happened?
Answer: He failed to do what was expected
'Drop the ball' means to fail to meet a responsibility or make a mistake.
In US culture, when someone gives a 'thumbs up,' it typically means:
Answer: Good job or approval
A thumbs up is a widely recognized gesture of approval or agreement in American culture.
Your boss says, 'Let's table this discussion.' In American English, this means:
Answer: Postpone the discussion for later
In American English, 'table' a discussion means to postpone it, unlike British English where it means to bring it up.
Which sentence uses the idiom 'bite the bullet' correctly?
Answer: He bit the bullet and finally went to the dentist.
'Bite the bullet' means to endure a painful or difficult situation with courage.
When Americans say someone is 'under the weather,' they mean the person is:
Answer: Feeling slightly ill
'Under the weather' is an idiom meaning someone feels sick or unwell.
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