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A Idioms connected with praise
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A Idioms connected with praise
Saying people /things are better than the rest
Mary is head and shoulders above the rest of the girls. She’s miles better than the girls (used usually of people).
When it comes to technology, Japan is streets ahead of most other countries (can be used of people or things).
When it comes to exam passes, St John’s school usually knocks spots off the other schools (used of people or things).
That meal was just out of this world (usually used of things).
Saying people are good at something
Some expressions with idiomatic compound nouns, noun-phrases and compound adjectives:
She’s a dab-hand at carpentry, just like her father (usually for manual skills).
She’s a really first-rate /top notch administrator (the very best).
When it comes to grammar, she’s really on the ball (knows a lot).
Bill has a way with foreign students. The other teachers envy him (good at establishing good relations /motivating them).
Marjorie really has green fingers; look at those flowers! (good at gardening).
Let him do the talking; he’s got the gift of the gab (good at talking).
B Idioms connected with criticism
She thinks she’s the cat’s whiskers / the bee’s knees (thinks she’s wonderful).
He was dressed up like a dog’s dinner (over-dressed in a showy way).
When it comes to time-keeping, he’s the world’s worst (no-one is worse).
I’m sorry, this essay of yours is a dog’s breakfast (a mess /very badly done).
When it comes to unreliability, he really takes the biscuit.
Mary wants to have her cake and eat it! (wants everything without any contribution from her side).
I think he’s just trying to butter me up (give false praise in order to get something).
A pay-rise and a company car! You want jam on it, you do! (have totally unreasonable expectations /demands).
Note these idiomatic synonyms of the verbto criticize:
You shouldn’t run down your own country when you’re abroad.
Why do you always have to pick holes in everything I say?
7 Using idioms from ex. 6, p. A, rewrite these sentences without changing the basic meaning.
a) The hotel we were staying in was absolutely superb.
b) Joe is a long way above the other kids when it comes to doing hard sums.
c) This restaurant is much, much better than all the other restaurants in town.
d) You’re a long way ahead of me in understanding all this new technology; I’m impressed.
8 Which idioms might these pictures help you to remember (рисунок 3. 3)?
Рисунок 3. 3
9 Which of the expressions in ex. 8 is most suitable for?
a) praising someone’s knowledge /ability in their profession?
b) saying that something is a real mess?
c) saying someone has a very high opinion of themselves?
d) praising someone’s gardening skills?
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10 Express the opposite meaning to the words and phrases in italics using idioms given in ex. 6 A and B:
Example: He’s a third-rate athlete. He’s a first rate (or top-notch) athlete.
a)She was dressed beautifully, just right for the occasion.
b) Penny has such an inferiority complex.
c) She’s hopeless at DIY; just look at those bookshelves she made.
d) He is no good at talking to people at all.
e) Mick doesn’t get on with the secretaries; just look at how they react when he wants something done.
f) He wants a new office, a secretary and a new computer. But compared to what Geoff wants he isn’t expecting much!
g) She said I was the best boss they’d ever had. It was obvious she was praising me sincerely. I wonder what she wants.
h) He often says how wonderful his school is.
i) She always praises everything I say.
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