Pedal to the Metal

I went driving with my two cousins this summer.

We were going to a mall to do a little shopping. I had heard that my cousin, Delilah, had some bad luck since she had started driving 2 years earlier. She had been in a few accidents and had "totaled" one vehicle entirely.

I was not afraid of her luck so we got into the car. As she backed out of the driveway, I felt perfectly comfortable. That was soon to change. She got onto the highway and we "headed" into town. Her speed continued to increase until we were going 20 km over the limit. She was a real "lead foot". I did ask her why she had her "pedal to the metal" but she just laughed. I told her she could continue if she wanted but should a police car "pull her over", I would not "have her back". She laughed again and we continued on to the mall. We arrived safely, "no thanks to" her driving.

1) "totaled" - We understand that the word "total" means complete or entire. "What did your groceries total?" means "What was the final amount of money you paid for your groceries?". However, it is very common to discuss things that have been severely damaged as "totaled". A car that was in an accident and is either not able to be driven or is unsafe to drive will be called "totaled". So, in this case, we can equate the word "totaled" to the word demolished.

In the figurative sense, we use the word "totaled" to describe anything that we have "destroyed" or left in a state of disrepair. This can be an emotional, physical or suggested destruction. For example, we can say that we "totaled" a buffet at lunch if we ate a large amount of food. We can say that we were "totaled" after a long day of meetings at work if we are very tired or emotionally drained. And we can also say we got "totaled" at the party. The last example is suggesting that we lost all control due to alcohol consumption.

2) "headed" into - We've discussed to "head" before. This is discussing direction. We can "head" towards the office or the mall or home. The idea is that the direction we are going is the direction or where we are "heading".

A footballer will "head" the ball by hitting the ball with his head. This move is often called a "header". Sometimes we will use an extremely similar sounding expression when we tell someone we have to leave. You might hear someone say they have to "head 'er" as they are getting up to leave. This means they have to "head" home (go in the direction of home).

3) a "lead foot" - "Lead foot" is a term we use for someone who drives very fast. The suggestion is that they have actual lead in their driving shoe or foot and so they apply more pressure to the accelerator of the vehicle. There isn't any other use of this term that I can think of unless you want to use the term figuratively. You might want to suggest great speed relating to some other event or action. If you want to suggest that your assistant hurries to finish their work on Friday afternoons, you might say you assistant is a real "lead foot" when it comes to working on Friday afternoons. I wouldn't say that this is a very common expression outside of driving.

4) "pedal to the metal" - This is another expression for driving very fast. The suggestion is that you are pressing the accelerator pedal all the way to the floor of the vehicle or to the metal frame on the bottom of the vehicle. This phrase can be used more commonly outside of a driving incident. Any time you want to suggest someone move or work quickly you can tell them to "put the pedal to the metal". You can tell your daughter to "put the pedal to the metal" when she is washing the dishes. You can also tell you boss that you will "put the pedal to the metal" when you want them to understand you are going to do your assignment as quickly as possible to meet the deadline.

5)  to "pull her over" - Police "pull cars over" when the driver has done something wrong. For example, if you are driving along and the car in front of you is speeding, when you pass a police car you should not be surprised when the car in front of you is "pulled over". The action of "pulling someone over" is to indicate to them that you want them to stop driving and move to the side of the road.

We can use this phrase figuratively too. If you want to make sure that someone stops talking or whatever they are doing so that they will listen and pay attention to you, you can tell them to "pull over". This clearly suggests that you want them to stop. Because this is a power move, you can only use this phrase to someone you have power over. You cannot use this phrase with a superior because it would be considered rude. I think it is generally rude unless you are in a joking situation with someone. Maybe you are with your friends and you are discussing a subject, but then one of your friends makes a statement about his recent night out with his ex. You can say to the group of people talking, "OK, everybody pull over" so that you can make everyone stop talking and you can focus attention on the person you want everyone to hear from - the guy who went out with his ex and wants to talk about it.

6) to "have someone's back" - Always an expression used in a difficult situation where someone needs or could use assistance to win. The literal idea is that if your friend is in a physical fight, then you as their friend will watch or "have their back" meaning that you will make sure no one can attack your friend from behind (the back) while they are fighting face-to-face with another attacker. In general, this expression is used whenever someone wants to suggest that they support their friend. You can say to a friend going into an exam, going to court to fight a traffic ticket, getting a divorce or just preparing to talk to the boss about a pay raise that you "have their back" to tell them you support what they are doing. If any question arrises to put your friend's actions or words into question/doubt, then you would have to show your support by talking to whomever is questioning your friend to prove you have their back.

7) "no thanks to" something/someone - If you say "thanks to" someone/something you are giving them credit for something. Your mother could tell you how nice your new haircut looks and you could say, "My hair looks this good thanks to my friend Tom who is a stylist". So "no thanks to" someone/something is the opposite expression. Again, if your mother tells you your hair looks good you could say "Yes, no thanks to Jennifer who used to cut my hair. Tom helped me with this style".

The example in the above story, "We arrived safely, no thanks to her driving.", indicates that I give no credit to the driving abilities of my cousin but some other factor when referring to our safe arrival. Perhaps a guardian angel. At the office, your boss might tell you what a great job your team did on a project. You could say, "The project is finished no thanks to our team member, Joshua." if you wanted to make clear to your boss that Joshua did not work well on the project. Joshua doesn't deserve any credit for the work, in your opinion, and so he deserves "no thanks".

Hot or Not? What is the question?

I'm reading a book and one of the characters just said "You don't look so hot." to the main character. Is that good or bad? Sometimes I don't feel so hot, so what should I do? Should I heat something up or cool something down?

You could go to a good salon and get a makeover. Then you would look and feel hot. Maybe that good-looking someone you have been trying to "catch the eye of" will come up to you with a big smile and say, "Wow, you look hot". Is that good?

Can coffee or soup look hot? Yes. Can a car look hot? Yes. Does it mean the same thing when you say soup looks hot compared to a car looking hot? No. Not usually.

And what if someone yells out their car window, "Hey, Hot Stuff!", is that the same as someone carrying a bowl of steaming food yelling "Look out! I'm carrying hot stuff"?

---- Hot has two main meanings in English today. 1) It can be literal, suggesting high temperature as in, "It is 30 degrees Celsius outside. The temperature outside is hot". 2) It can be used figuratively suggesting sexiness/attractiveness or excitement of some kind. That is how a new, shiny car can look "hot". This means the car's appearance is exciting to the viewer. It is similar to actual high temperature "hot" because when we get very excited about something our physical temperature usually raises.

Sometimes English is very confusing, especially when colloquialisms (words or phrases used in casual conversation) are involved.

1) "You don't look so hot." - This is said to someone who looks ill or very unhappy about something. If your hair is a mess and your nose is red because you are sick, then someone can tell you that you "don't look so hot". You do need the word "so" in the statement. Otherwise, your statement would be "you don't look hot" which could be understood as temperature "hot" or attractiveness "hot".

If you are feeling sick after eating a meal, you could say "I don't feel so hot". This suggests that you are ill.

2) "I feel hot." OR "You look hot."- Depending on the circumstances, this can suggest either temperature or attractiveness. English frequently depends on the situation in which it is being spoken and who is listening to the speaker. 

If you say that you are feeling "hot" when you are outside in a park, it seems obvious that you are describing your feeling of high temperature. 

However, if you say you feel "hot" when you are wearing your best nightclub clothes, then you mean that you feel sexy or very attractive in those clothes. If you tell your friend that their new hairstyle looks "hot", you again are talking about attractiveness.

3) "Hot Stuff" OR "hot stuff" - "Hot Stuff" is an expression from the seventies. You would use it to describe anyone looking very attractive.

If you are talking about carrying some "hot stuff" into the dining room, you are talking about something that has a high temperature. For example, if you tell your child to not touch the oven door because it is "hot stuff", you mean the temperature is high and therefore dangerous.

4) to "catch the eye of" someone - This is an expression based on a literal movement. If you are trying to attract someone by wearing sexy clothing or if you are trying to attract someone's attention by waving your arms in the air, you are trying to catch their eye. The physical movement of someone turning their head or moving their eye so that they can focus on you (or something else interesting) is termed "catching their eye" because their mind and focus are held (caught). You could ask your friend where they bought their new hat. Your friend might say, "I was walking to the train and while I was passing a shop, the hat caught my eye". This means that your friend's focus was shifted, not by any specific action taken by the hat, but by its appearance (colour, style, shape, etc.).

How to Get Rich Quick

Last Wednesday I was kidnapped by my father. Not really. I went with him to a town situated between the two large towns in our province so we could go watch a seminar series on building wealth.

Someone's wealth was built that day but it wasn't mine. The seminar started at 6pm and by 5:30pm there were a good-sized group of "pigeons" waiting at the door. I know this because we were also there early. What the seminar would describe to us was supposed to "blow you away" and we would definitely want to "pick up whatever they would be laying down".

Since we had a little time before the seminar, we went to have supper at the hotel's restaurant. Lucky for us we did. When we returned to the seminar room, it was "standing room only". The speaker began telling stories of how he built his own wealth and how we could purchase a class to find out how to do the same. They only had 9 places in the class so we had to act quick. The class, at this one time only offer, was discounted from $6,000.00 to $2,000.00. Wow, what a bargain! At the break (2 hours+ later) we were offered a granola bar for a snack. Unbelievable! These people were talking about all the million dollar deals they were making daily and then we were offered a granola bar for supper.

In the end, they sold all 9 seats in their first class for $2,000.00 and the 9 seats in the second class at $1,250.00 each, for a grand total of $29,250.00. The cost for the room we were in was maybe $500.00 and if you add in the cost of the water (available at the back of the room), $0.00, and the cost of the snacks, maybe $20.00,  you get a final intake of about $28, 730.00. Even if the classes offered cost them $2,000.00, they still "come out ahead" at $26,730.00. So whose wealth was built that night?

1) a "pigeon" OR a "sucker" OR a "mark"- "There is a pigeon born every minute" OR "There is a sucker born every minute". This is an expression that isn't discussing actual flying pigeons. The suggestion is that pigeons are not very smart and they like to be in groups, i.e. do what the other pigeons are doing. So if you are someone who wants to convince someone to give you money or to purchase something above the actual worth of the product, you must look for a "pigeon". A "pigeon" is someone who wants to believe that they have knowledge that they do not and so they will pretend to understand what the salesperson is saying just to belong. This "pigeon" will purchase a car that is broken for full price. They will buy a new sweater for ten times the regular retail price because they believe the salesperson when they tell the "pigeon" that the sweater has magical powers. Essentially a pigeon, a sucker and a mark are all very gullible people who will buy whatever you tell them to. A disreputable salesperson will always want to talk to the pigeons before they try talking to the informed shopper.

2) to "blow you away" OR to be "blown away" - This expression suggests a bomb exploding or a very strong wind that would physically move your body and therefore mind. We use this expression anytime we want to suggest that the information we have to share is amazing and will shock the listener. Usually, this is a good thing. If you have gone on a buying trip for work, and your boss asks you what you paid for your samples, you can say "You will be blown away be the prices". When you read a mystery book and it reveals the reason for the killer's actions, you could say you were "blown away" by that information.

You can also say that something can "blow your mind". Again, this suggests amazement. The expression does have a drug-related connotation because some drugs (not alcohol) can change your perception and therefore what your mind perceives. You can use this expression at work if you are sure that what you are about to demonstrate will be new and surprising information for your audience. You could tell the client at your advertising firm that the new ad campaign will "blow her mind" because it is so revolutionary.

3) to "pick up what someone is laying down" - A slightly dated expression that can refer to a dog that follows a scent to a lost object. We use this to describe the idea that everything that is about to be said is important or exciting information that needs to be understood and considered valuable. It can be used at least 2 ways. 1) You can ask someone, like a subordinate at work, if they are "picking up what you are putting (OR laying) down" because they do not seem to be listening to you. The idea is that because of your greater experience at the job, you have good information to share. You can also tell someone to make sure they "pick up what you lay down" because you are offering a gift of your knowledge and the listener would be wise to take the valuable information and learn it. 2) If you are at work and the boss is questioning whether you are listening, you can say "I am picking up what you are laying down" to assure the boss that not only are you listening but that the information being given is also being valued.

4) "standing room only" - This term is literal but can be used figuratively. If a room has a limited number of chairs and every chair is full, then any other individuals in the room would have to stand. Hence, the room was "standing room only". Figuratively, the expression suggests an unexpected number of participants in any activity. For example, if you expect about 20 workers to attend your talk on workplace safety, but 40 people come to your talk, then you can describe the talk as "It was standing room only" thereby suggesting great success. The number of chairs in a room are not really relevant in the figurative use of the expression, only a successful number of participants.

5) to "come out ahead" - To "come out" is a phrasal verb usually equivalent to "result". "Ahead" here is referring to a gain, not a loss or balanced result. You can "come out ahead" financially or in product or valuable information. So, if you go to a conference that cost you $800.00 to attend and none of the information you get is useful to you, then you did not come out ahead. However, if at that same conference you made 3 new contacts that lead to sales for your company, then you could say that you "came out ahead" at that conference.

To "come out" also has some other meanings. One meaning is to move from one enclosed space into an open space. A cat hiding under the table could be convinced to "come out" by the offer of a special cat treat. Another meaning is very similar but used more figuratively. It refers to homosexual individuals that hide their sexual orientation from others (sometimes from themselves). An individual hiding their orientation can be referred to as "in the closet". This is a very common expression. When this person discovers or decides to tell the truth about their orientation to their family and friends then they are considered to be "out of the closet" or to have "come out".

Is Platini On The Right Track?

I read an article about UEFA president Platini on BBC News this week. The article was based on one of the problems with football - goals that are not seen, and therefore not counted, by the referee.

In the last World Cup, England was denied what seemed a clear goal to those of us who watched live and then was proven a clean goal by all the camera replays. Since then, some football talk has been centred around the topic of adding technology to the game so no goal would be missed. There have been a number of "hats tossed into the ring" offering ways to solve the problem. Some believe the ball should contain a chip that would make a signal "go off" when it crossed the goal line. Some think there should be a device like the ones used in tennis or cricket to visually track the ball. Both of these technologies have been tested in the past and neither "passed muster". The rulemaking division of FIFA is inviting ideas about technology that would be useful to ensure no goals would be missed.

However, I believe UEFA president Platini is "on the right track". He believes all we need is "an extra pair of eyes" at the goal line. That is how they solved the problem in hockey. This season UEFA Champions League games are being played with an extra official at the goal line. I think this is the best way to keep the integrity of the game and ensure that the referee is being supported in his decisions. Being the referee and having all your decisions challenged by players, managers, fans and 20+ cameras is an impossible situation. Support is needed.

I hope they choose to continue with the extra official at the goal line and not add technology. Adding technology would not only change the game by undermining the referee, but it would take football away from all the countries that don't have the money to come "up to code" if this type of technology becomes standard.

1) "hats tossed into the ring" OR to "toss your hat into the ring" - When you "toss your hat into the ring", you are joining in a competition. Applying for a new job is the same as tossing your hat into the ring. The job is essentially a competition of the most qualified people. Sending your resume is joining the competition. If there is a bonus to be won at work, you can toss your hat into the ring by asking to be considered for the bonus. If working the hardest will win the bonus, then you have to work harder than usual to be considered as a contender. Just offering an opinion or a suggestion during a meeting can be the same as tossing your hat into the ring because it brings attention to you. If your opinion is the best, then you can "win" the discussion. Therefore, offering an opinion is the same as joining a competition or tossing your hat into the ring.

2) to "go off" - Surprisingly, this phrasal verb has more than one meaning. To "go off", as used in the above passage, is the same as to "set off" something. Any item, like an alarm, needs something to occur so the alarm will sound. Whatever the "thing" needed to make the alarm sound is what makes the alarm "go off". In the case of a fire alarm, smoke would make it "go off".

Another definition of to "go off" is to get very angry. Usually this includes yelling and violent behaviour.  If your boss has a very bad temper, this means that they can get very angry at small things. If you know that leaving coffee cups on the reception desk makes your boss very angry, you would say that leaving coffee cups on the desk makes your boss "go off" (or... it "sets off" your boss).

3) to "pass muster" - When something "passes muster", it is good. Something that "passes muster" also "passes inspection". If you are searching for a new car because you current car doesn't have any cup holders, then a new car with 4 cup holders would "pass muster". Anything, including a person, that requires a positive review by an authority, needs to "pass muster". If you have hired a new assistant for your manager, then once your manager agrees that the new assistant shows all the skills required, then the new assistant as well as your ability to hire assistants would both "pass muster".

4) to be "on the right track" - This is used in all types of situations. To be "on the right track" means that your ideas agree with mine. Being "on the right track" is completely a matter of opinion. If the website designer for your company decides that the home page should contain photos of management AND you agree with this opinion, then you would say the designer "is on the right track". However, if you do not agree with the opinion of the designer, then you would say they are "not on the right track".

5) an "extra pair of eyes" - This is a literal expression. In the case of the extra official at the goal line, we are talking about having an extra person, with their eyes, watching the ball. We use this expression often at the office. If your marketing manager comes to you to ask for "an extra set of eyes" to check the new ad before it goes to print, then they want you to look at or edit the ad. We often discuss needing "an extra pair of eyes" to check our projects at work. Sometimes the expression is less literal. It can mean that we don't trust our ability (and the computer's) to edit our own work or just that we like having someone else edit and therefore approve of our work.

6) to be "up to code" - For something to be "up to code" means that it follows or agrees with the rules that apply. A car seat for your child must be "up to code" before it can be sold in the stores. Because rules change, they suggest not to buy used/old car seats as they may not be "up to code" or agreeing with current regulations. Anything that does not agree with current regulations is simply "not up to code".

You can use this expression in a less literal way. At the office, an older computer program may not be "up to code" (literal) for security. A bad or sexist joke told at the office can be "not up to code" (literal or figurative depending upon regulations at the workplace). However, the behaviour of a worker at the office can also be "not up to code". Perhaps they say offensive things or just act in a way that makes the other workers feel uncomfortable. This person's behaviour must be addressed by the manager and if the person changes so that the other workers become happy with their behaviour then they would be considered to have brought "up to code".

How Did It Go? I'll Let You Know...

So many people asked me today, "How did it go?". They were referring to the Calgary Woman's Show that I mentioned last blog. It went well. We must have had 1000 people "come by" our booth for a "chat". Everyone told us they were impressed with our concept and product. That really put a "spring in our step" on the way home the first day. Sales were not "off the charts" but we made some great contacts and got a few ideas for different marketing schemes. "At the end of the day", we didn't make a large sum of money but considering all the positive responses from the public, this show was "well worth the effort".

1) I will "let you know" - To "let someone know" is to tell them that you will give them information at a later time. If your boss asks you to "let her know" about how the new person is fitting into your team, she wants the information at a later date. This gives you a little time to prepare your response. This phrase is so common it is used everywhere. "Do you want me to tell you when my car is ready for sale?" "Yes. Let me know."

2) "How did it go?" or "How is it going?" - "How is it going" is a very common phrase used when meeting with anyone about anything. You can ask your courier "How's it going?" and you would be greeting them. So it can be used like "Hello".

"How's it going" can also be used to ask someone about their progress on a specific project. Your boss may come into your office and say, "How's it going on the Simpson project?". This is a direct request for a progress report on that specific project. Your answer should include how close the project is to completion and what steps you are taking to get the project complete.

3) to "come by" - Like most, this phrasal verb has a number of meanings. In the context of the short piece above, to "come by" (also "to drop by") means to go to a place for a visit, conversation or specific purpose. I could say to my friend, "Don't forget to come by the house to get the recipe you wanted". Your client could tell you to "come by" the office to sign the papers for your agreement.

You can also "come by" something. This suggests that you have found something that you weren't specifically looking for. You might be walking past a shop on Saturday and "come by" a fantastic sale. You weren't looking for the sale, but you did find it. You could also be looking in your car for a tissue and happen to come by a packet of gum. How fortuitous!

4) to "chat"- This word means to have a short conversation. It can be used in any context but often suggests a casual situation. You might go for coffee with a friend just to chat. Your boss could ask you to come into the office for a chat. The suggestion is a casual conversation will occur.

5) to have a "spring in your step" - When you have a "spring in your step" you are happy. It literally suggests that your steps are full of energy and bounce (spring). Happiness and positive energy are always the focus of this phrase. Sometimes something simple like finding money on the street or getting a good price for your car will give you a "spring in your step". People can see your happiness as you walk.

6) "at the end of the day" - This phrase is used to "sum up" or to give a synopsis of whatever you have just been speaking about. It usually is said before you make your very last statement. You can use it at the end of a meeting or a speech. For example, "This afternoon we have been talking about investments. We have given you a great number of ideas and names of companies that should see excellent financial quarters. But, at the end of the day, the decision to invest is completely yours."

7) "well worth the effort" - Something that is "well worth the effort" is something that has been hard work but has resulted in a positive outcome. Everyone would say that raising children is "well worth the effort". But some might not agree that running a daycare facility is also worth the effort. You could say that going across the city to get a 5% discount on shoes is not worth the effort but when you get to your destination and they offer you an additional 25% for coming before 10:00, your long trip would be considered well worth the effort. Sometimes, dealing with a client who is unhappy isn't worth the effort because they do not add significant wealth to the company. But perhaps they are good friends with an investor who is looking for a company to do business with, then dealing with the unhappy client might be well worth the effort.

On the Edge of Our Seats

Tomorrow is The Calgary Woman's Show. In itself, the show is not overly exciting for me. However, this year my sister's company You Get Well Soon is "manning" a booth and I will be there. We are truly "on the edge of our seats" about the outcome. As we haven't been to any other shows, we have "no idea" what to expect. Will she have people "falling over themselves" about the product or only "looky loos"? We are "clueless" as to what will happen. "Fingers crossed" all goes well.

1) "manning" or "to man" something - This is a strange example of how English takes nouns, like "man", and changes them into verbs. "To man" something means to physically be present. A person must be attending whatever situation is in need. So, if you are walking past a flower stand that no one seems to be working at, you could say that the stand wasn't being manned.

I know this term sounds sexist but we do use it for both men and women. If your boss asks you to volunteer to represent the company at a trade show next month, you will be "manning" the trade show booth for your company.

2) to be "on the edge of one's seat" - This phrase is very common. It means to be extremely excited about something. You "can't wait" for the event to happen. The image this phrase suggests might be a person sitting in an audience, waiting for their favourite performer to walk onto the stage. The excitement this person feels could physically move them to the edge of their seat. They would perch, like a bird on a branch, on their seat with anticipation. This phrase can be used anywhere and sometimes is used sarcastically. If, for example, you don't like cats but your friend has invited you to a cat show, you could say you are "on the edge of your seat" about which animal will be chosen the winning cat. If, on the other hand, you really enjoy having the newest technology, you could say you are "on the edge of your seat" about the upcoming release of the new iPad.

3) to have "no idea" = to be "clueless" - These expressions mean you do not have any notions, ideas, or knowledge about a subject. If you have just returned from vacation and your boss asks you what your opinion is of the new computer system your company put in last week, you could say that you "have no idea" about the new computer system because you haven't seen it yet.

In general, it's not good to be "clueless" at work. "Clueless" has the slight suggestion that your brain isn't working to capacity. You might say that the new accountant in your office is "clueless" because they cannot print out a receipt. This suggests a lack of knowledge that should be had.

4) to be "falling over oneself" - This phrase can be used a number of ways. sometimes it suggests a group of people are moving towards the same object and they are literally "falling over each other" to get to the object. Figuratively, the same group of people could be "falling over each other" if everyone in the group was trying to make a purchase of the same object.

5) a "looky loo" or "lookie loo" - This is strictly slang. a "looky loo" is a person who goes into a shop to browse but not to purchase. Because this person is only interested in looking, not buying, we call them a "looky loo". At your big sales presentation at work, you could say to your client that this new advertising campaign will turn all their "looky loos" into buyers. This will definitely make your client happy.

6) to have your "fingers crossed" - This expression comes from the physical motion of crossing one's middle finger over one's index (or pointer) finger. This is done to bring good luck to the person doing the finger crossing or to bring good luck to whomever the person crossing their fingers wants. Sometimes this same motion is used to ward off (keep away) bad luck. If your colleague at the office is going in to see the boss for their annual review, you could either make the motion of crossing your fingers or just say "fingers crossed" indicating you wish the person good luck.

Fingers crossed you all have a good week.

This blog has not been regular since the World Cup. Sorry. It will soon be again. Some football will be mentioned but I'll add a story or two about other world events - even if it's just my world.

Death in the Family

Hello.

I mentioned in my last blog that there was a death in the family. There were some issues that needed to be dealt with but now are mostly resolved. I got a few stories from my trip that I will be sharing in the next few blogs.

When we heard the news that my maternal grandfather had "passed on", my mother, father and myself made plans to travel to Winnipeg (1300+ kilometers away). We considered driving there, briefly. The trip is approximately 14 hours and with 2 diabetics (both my parents have type 2 diabetes) we decided that a long "road trip" was "out of the question". So we "winged it".

We stayed with my aunt and her family. So there were four of us in their house for three days. We actually had a very nice visit, excluding the funeral aspect. We haven't seen each other since my sister's wedding four years ago. It was nice to "reconnect". My aunt has two daughters, 16 and 19, and a large golden retriever. The house was busy but fun.

As for the funeral itself, it was a lovely ceremony. My grandfather had been "doing poorly" for a long time. It was a relief for all involved (my grandfather included I believe) that he died. His health , both physical and mental, was very bad at the end and no one believed that his quality of life was good.

We had a nice reunion and looked through old photos and papers. Reliving good times and bad and telling stories to each other was fun and educational. I hope everyone can have such a lovely ceremony to celebrate their life. My aunt prepared everything and I give her all the credit I can for burying her father is such a respectful and loving was. Everyone should have such a nice "send off".

1) to "pass on" - This is a phrasal verb that has two meanings. One meaning is to "refuse" or "say no to"something. "Did you pass on the whipped cream for your coffee beverage?"

The second meaning is relevant to my family situation. To "pass on" is to "die". There are many expressions we use in English to mean "die". Some are quite respectful: "pass on", "move on", leave this Earthly plane",and to be "lost" ("I'm sorry for your loss." or "When did you lose him?"). Some expressions are very casual and may be considered callous depending on whom you are talking to or about. These can include: "croak", "kick the bucket", "buy the farm", and "buy it". I would recommend never using the latter list no matter to whom you are talking. You never know how someone will react to your comments about their loved one's Passing" even when their own comments seem casual or flippant.

2) a "road trip" - Very simply, this is an extended car ride. It can actually be any length of time from a few hours to days or longer. "Did they have a good vacation?" "They had a great vacation. Their road trip took them all across the western half of the country."

3) "out of the question" - Another way to say this is "there is no possibility" or "absolutely not". In answer to your wife asking for you to increase your vacation time, you could respond that you asked your boss already and he told you that, "It is out of the question." This expression is very common and can be used anywhere, including at the workplace. But be careful that you really mean it when you say it. This is an absolute answer.

4) to "wing it" - Another phrasal verb with at least two definitions. The way it was used in the short story above, we "winged it" to Winnipeg, the meaning is we "took a plane" or  we "flew". This is not an overly common expression anymore but you can use it without embarrassing yourself. "How are you getting to your business meeting in Chicago?" "I plan on winging it."

The other definition of to "wing it" is to do something without preparing for it in advance. "Are you studying for your exam tomorrow?" "No. I'm going to wing it. The exam only constitutes 20% so I am choosing to concentrate on my essay instead." Although this is an expression that can be used anywhere, you probably do not want to use it at work. At least not in front of your superior at the office because this expression suggests a lack of preparation and therefore a lack of interest. If your boss asks you if you are prepared for  the sales meeting and you say that you are planning on "winging it", it is likely that your boss will lose confidence in you and you will not be in charge at the next meeting.

"Winging it" can also be used to describe a situation where you do not have an obvious showing of your preparedness. Maybe you have given the same presentation about the product you sell to numerous different groups. In the beginning, you may have gone to the presentations with a written script but after the twentieth time, you may decide to "wing it" by doing the presentation without note cards. Although you may look unprepared, this does not mean you are not capable of doing he job without the physical support of a written script.

5) to "reconnect" - To "reconnect" is to "connect again". If your internet goes down, you may need to reconnect to it by having your computer search for the wi-fi source. "Reconnecting" with family or old friends is a common way to explain how we get close to someone that we haven't seen or spent time with for a long time. "I went to my high school reunion last year. I had a good time because it gave me the opportunity to reconnect with my best friend when we were 16."

6) a proper "send off" - A "send off" or "send-off" is a way to celebrate someone leaving some place. "We gave Iker a great send off when he moved to Malta for his new job. We had a big party and everyone told him how much they would miss him." We can use it in many situations including a funeral ceremony. The ceremony and the time we spent remembering my grandfather was, in my opinion, a very nice send off.

Matchday #25 -FIFA World Cup 2010 - Championship Match

Sorry for the delay with this post. There was a death in my family.

The Reign of Spain

I told you they would win. I couldn't be more pleased and all my friends in Madrid are "over the moon". It wasn't the most exciting match but it certainly "picked up" after the introduction of Jesus Navas in the second half. It was like Spain got "a new lease on life" and they really "turned up the heat". Navas almost got a goal early on in his appearance on the pitch. The announcer made a fantastic comment that I have to share: "If Jesus Navas had scored, that would have made headlines of biblical proportions". I thought it was very funny.

Not that Netherlands played poorly. Not at all. They played well but with less energy than I had expected. Robben was definitely an exception. One great banner in the crowd read: "Who needs Batman when you have Robben?" They were also more physically aggressive than I anticipated. I've never seen so many players on one team get yellow cards. I think it 9 of the 11 on pitch were cautioned. It was  a game "fraught" with tension and there was at least one bad call against the Netherlands. But overall I enjoyed it. I hope you did too. Now we wait for the Euro in Poland and Ukraine in 2012 and then on to Brazil in 2014.

1) reign, rain and rein - These are all pronounced exactly the same (homonyms or homophones). To "reign" is to "rule", like a king would reign over his subjects. To"rain" is the meteorological condition when water falls from the sky (not very technical but I think you understand). A "rein" is a leather strap that is used to control the direction of a horse. We use an expression "to rein in" something. It means to control something. Often we are referring to a person or their emotions. "He had to rein in his emotions when he met his mother's new boyfriend."

So the headline "The Reign of Spain" could be referring to the ruling of Spain over the world of football by their winning of the World Cup. There is also a commonly used tongue twister used for enunciation practice "The rain in Spain stays mainly on the plain." Was the headline a play on words? Spain doesn't care.

2) to be "over the moon" - Not a very current expression but we all know what it means. It means to be extremely happy. This expression is a reference to a child's nursery rhyme that includes the line "the cow jumped over the moon". You can use this anytime someone is very happy about something. "She was over the moon when he asked her to marry him." In business you can say "I was over the moon when I got the promotion."

3) to "pick up" - This phrasal verb has a few meanings.

One is to physically take something up off the ground or up off any surface. "He picked the book up off the table."

Another definition has a sexual connotation. It is used when trying to describe one person trying to meet another person for a romantic encounter. "He picked her up at a bar last night." This usage can also be innocent depending on the context. "He picked her up from the mall." In this context, we mean that he went to the mall to give her a ride home in his car. This definition is the opposite of to "drop off". For example: "I dropped off my daughter at gymnastics an hour ago. I think it is time for me to go pick her up now."

But in the context of this football match, to "pick up" means to "enliven" or to "make more interesting". "The movie really picked up after the main character was shot." In business you could say, "The meeting picked up after Jerome brought in doughnuts and coffee."

4) to get "a new lease on life" - Someone gets a "new lease on life" when they start acting happier and full of more energy. It is as though they were near death and now they are appreciating life. This, of course, does actually happen to people who are given good news from doctors after they were expecting bad news. This expression is most commonly used figuratively. In business you could say, "Our new website has given our company a new lease on life." In this football match, the introduction of a new player was described as giving the spanish team a new lease on life.

5) fraught - Fraught has 2 definitions. An adjective that means "full of" something or it can mean "upset" or "worried". A common expression is to be "fraught with tension". Any stressful situation, like a meeting where your boss is supposed to tell you whether the company will be sold, can be considered a situation "fraught with tension". The other usage can be used to describe someone who is feeling stress. "She sounded fraught when I spoke to her last night. I hope her massage appointment will help." This second usage is not very common. I would sooner say that "she sounded stressed" or that "she sounds upset".

The next blogs will start with short stories and/or anecdotes that are not related to football. Although you have to expect that I will return to my favourite subject often. We will also soon be adding a podcast so you can hear pronunciations. If anyone has any suggestions for phrasal verbs or idioms they want explained, please email us. You can also go to our website and contact us through that: www.yourenglishconection.com

Matchday #24 -FIFA World Cup 2010 - Bronze Medal Match

What a "humdinger" of a match! It was high scoring. It was full of action. It was a great performance full of serious players trying to win a game.

It was not what we often see in these race-for-third-place games which is; a bunch of "sore losers" not "showing up" and giving a "lacklustre" performance. I saw a great game with players that wanted to prove themselves as the champions that they are. This game really "lived up to expectations". It was a game that was "easy on the eyes" and I hope that the game today - the fight for the FIFA World Cup - will be as exciting to watch.

1) "humdinger" -  A "humdinger" is an informal noun used when you see something that is amazing or even unusually large. If you are walking along the street and see a 20 metre high statue of a football boot, you could easily describe it as a "humdinger of a statue". We can use this when we hear something surprising also. If you are in the management meeting and the CEO tells you all that he is leaving the company to pursue his interest in interpretive dance, you couls easily describe the meeting and/or the announcement as a "humdinger". Similarly used informal words include: a "doozy", a "whopper", a "dandy", or a "peach".

2) to be a "sore loser" - A "sore loser" is someone who is very unhappy at not being the winner. The competitors that remove their silver medals as soon as they are placed around their necks could be called "sore losers". We use this expression commonly anytime anyone does not accept defeat graciously and/or in the manner you consider gracious. Just because your brother-in-law gets up from the table doesn't mean that he is a "sore loser. However, if he throws the cards on the ground and starts to cry, we would be more comfortable calling him a "sore loser" or maybe we should check if he took his medication today.

3) to "show up" - This is one of the myriads of phrasal verbs in English. We use them all the time and you just have to memorize them and try using them in your conversation. To "show up" literally means to be present where you are expected. IF you are making plans with a friend to go to a movie together and the movie starts at 19:00 then you may ask your friend to ensure they "show up" 15 minutes early so you can secure good seats. Never "show up" at a meeting late, unless you like making your coworkers wait for you.

In the case of the football game, we use "show up" figuratively because there would be no game if no players were present. We are describing their mental abilities shown during the game. We mean that although their bodies are there, they seem distracted and uninterested in who will win the game. "I don't like to have Monday morning meetings too early because although there are people in the chairs, no one really shows up to work on Monday until 10 am."

4) something is "lacklustre" - "Lacklustre" (or "lackluster" if you are American) describes something that  literally has no shine and figuratively is not exciting or "uninspired". Often we use "lacklustre" with the word performance as in, "That was a lacklustre performance. At halftime the coach should give a speech to help the players remember why they are here and hopefully they will play harder." In business you could describe a sales presentation as lacklustre.

5) something "lived up to expectations" - Another phrasal verb! To "live up to" something is to achieve the expected result. That is why we often use the phrase to "live up to expectations". A great match, like the bronze medal match, can "live up to expectations" (or "live up to the hype") like Uruguay against Germany did or they can do the opposite and "not live up to expectations" or be a "disappointment". In business you could say to your team, "I hope next months sales figures will live up to our expectations. We need a strong sales month."

6) something can be "easy on the eyes" - Anything that is "easy on the eyes" is beautiful. We use it to describe attractive people most often. To describe something like a football match as "easy on the eyes" is a true compliment to the players. I describe football as beautiful all the time. But using the phrase "easy on the eyes" is much more poetic. Perhaps I will try it.

Will we have a humdinger of a final today? Will the players show up and really live up to our expectations? I hope that both teams do their best but you know I am hoping that Spain wins. Go Spain!

Matchday #23 -FIFA World Cup 2010 - Leading By Example

Spain versus Germany. Even I didn't expect to see the game we saw.

I thought I knew the Spanish game pretty well but they surprised me with the "cat and mouse" tactics they used with Germany. Although there were one or two "hairy" moments, Spain "thwarted" the German attacks. Germany "were not themselves" for the entire game - it seemed to me. They didn't keep control of the possession as well as expected, especially during the second half, and when they did attack Spain's defense was effective and their keeper - Iker Casillas - was "on his game".

When I was living in Madrid, the 2008 FIFA European Cup was played. The advertising campaign for Spain was very simple - "Podemos" (We can.). The commercials showed different members of the team over and over just saying the same thing - "podemos". As the competition progressed and Spain continued to do well, the ads were more and more frequently seen. It somehow "rallied" a people (at least in Madrid) that had lost faith in their team. Every win and every ad increased belief in the team, for the Spanish citizens and the team members. You could see it on every face you passed. It was quite incredible to see such positive ideas in action. And, in the end, it worked. Spain did win the FIFA 2008 European Cup. Much to the amazement and glee of millions of Spanish.

Now, because of those events in 2008, does Spain have the advantage? Can they do it again? I hope they are saying in the streets, on television and in the papers - "Podemos".

1) "leading by example" - This expression was used to describe Lahm, the German captain, because of his consistency and good attitude during the game. Because he is the leader of the team (as the captain) and because he played well we say he is "leading by example". He is showing those he is leading - the other team members - how he wants them to proceed. We use this expression anywhere a leader is found including work situations. For example: "I really like that Maria is the head of this department. She doesn't just tell us what to do and then sit in her office. She works with us every day and if a project goes past schedule, she stays to work after hours with the rest of her team. She is an excellent team lead because she leads by example."

2) "cat and mouse" tactics - Usually, this refers to a competition between two opponents. It can be two companies negotiating terms for a sale, two teams playing a game, or even two governments trying to decide how to settle an armed disagreement. The term "cat and mouse" is very simply taken from how a cat would play with a mouse. The cat catches the mouse and then it lets the mouse go, not very far, and then it catches it again. Any large movement by the cat would allow the mouse a chance to get away. So any two sides that have opposite motives (the cat wants to eat or kill the mouse and the mouse wants to be free) can use "cat and mouse" strategies. One side will offer something, then the other side will offer something - a definite negotiation. Neither side will say or do anything too strong (like suggest the other company lower their asking price by 50%) because they want to continue playing (negotiating) and they want the other side to make the big move. It is a strategy of small moves and waiting. You want the other side to tell or show you exactly what they want so you can counter their request.

3) something is "hairy" - The football announcer described a few moments when the ball was almost kicked into goal as "some hairy moments" for the goalkeeper. It describes something that is dangerous, awkward or risky. This is a very informal expression and probably shouldn't be used in business unless you are very comfortable with your audience. "When the ladder fell backwards off the roof, we had a few hairy moments trying to get down."

4) to "thwart" - Other verbs meaning the same include: frustrate, foil, derail or prevent. We use "thwart" when we talk about trying to outwit (use your intelligence to beat someone) or overcome an opponent. "His attempts to get a date with the girl from the coffee house were thwarted when her boyfriend walked up to him and told him to stop." This term is fairly formal and can be used in business. For example: "Our company wanted to decrease the number of employees it has so it could save money on health benefit payments. But the union thwarted them by reminding management that employees were not allowed to work overtime. So the company had to find another way to try to save money."

5) to not "be yourself" - An expression used anytime someone is acting unusual or not normal. If your mother-in-law starts asking you about your sister and you know that she doesn't like your sister, then she is not acting like herself. If someone is ill or not concentrating well, we can say they are not themselves. "I was awake until 4 am because of the baby. I can't remember when my meeting is and I can't seem to focus. I am really not myself today." "After you get some sleep, you will be back to being yourself again."

6) to be "on your game" - Obviously, this expression refers to sporting activities but we can use it anywhere. To be "on their game" someone has to be doing a good job or performing very well. If your sister is in marketing and she plans a really popular ad campaign, then you can say "she was on her game" when she thought up that idea. The opposite of this expression is also common. Perhaps the best salesman in your office just lost a big account. You could say that "he was not on his game" or "he was off his game" when he lost that account.

7) to "rally" - This word can be a verb or a noun. As a verb it has more than one meaning (Hooray for the simple language of English!). The meaning used in the above example is to "join forces" or to "get together" a group of people. The Spanish people were "rallied" in 2008 by positive results from their football team in the 2008 FIFA European Cup and by ads that ran throughout Spain. The people were brought together to believe that winning was possible. We usually use "rally" when things have not been positive but are starting to get better because people worked together or start thinking the same way. For example: "After months of looking for work, I was tired and had started to lose hope. But I rallied myself and when I walked into my interview, I was positive I would get the job." "The sales team was having a bad month. But the team leader got everyone together for a mid-week meeting and gave them an uplifting speech full of positive support. This really rallied the sales team and the following month the sales figures exceeded all expectations."

Enjoy the race for third place. Can Uruguay rally or will Germany dominate?

Matchday #22 -FIFA World Cup 2010 - Heading For Soccer City

Do you miss the days of the Group Stage when you could watch 3 or 4 games per day? Part of me does. But because "the stakes are higher" during the quarter, semi-final and final games doesn't that make them more thrilling to watch? I think so.

It's a little sad that Uruguay "lost heart"in the last portion of the second half because they really could have given Netherlands a "run for their money". As it was, the Netherlands seemed like they could "walk away with" the win because Uruguay looked "dead and buried". The last minutes proved that Uruguay still had "a little something in the tank" but their belief in themselves and shots on goal were "too little, too late".

1) to be "heading for" something - In football, we use the head to move and hit the ball. A shot on goal using the head is termed a "header". But this expression means that the person or group is moving towards a target. To be "heading for" something is to be looking at and/or moving in the direction of something. For example: "Where are you heading for your vacation this year?" "We are going to Paris." This expression is very general and can be used in business too. "Where is this company headed?" or "Where do you see yourself heading in this department?" Essentially we are asking for the direction expected or planned to be taken. A company could be heading for the Fortune 500 list or for bankruptcy depending on the sales figures.

2) "the stakes are high" - This reference is to gambling, like in poker, when the level of the bet ($5 or $50000) is high. The "stakes are high" when the level or degree of risk is high. In football, the stakes are higher at the quarter finals than at the group stages because only one result affects whether you get to stay in the competition or not. In business, day trading stocks is a much "higher stakes game" than working at a coffee house. The more you can lose, the higher the stakes.

3) to "lose heart" - This should have gone in our last blog regarding "heart" expressions. To "lose heart" is to give up or lose hope. Doctors don't want you to "lose heart" when you get a negative test result because there is still a strong chance that medicine can help you. We don't talk much about losing heart in business because it is a negative expression and we try to avoid these. Maybe you are watching a movie and the dog hero is trying to fight a bear and it looks like the dog is going to lose so you call out to the movie screen "Don't lose heart fighting dog! You can win." and all the people around you cheer. Or maybe you get removed from the theatre for talking too loud.

4) to "give someone a run for their money" and "walk away with" - To "give someone a run for their money" is to give them a good fight and/or strong competition. This expression is related to gambling again. This time we are referring to horse racing. Although you want your horse to win, you want to see a strong competition with the other horses. If your horse wins in a good fight between them and the  other horses then the horse gave you a good run for your money. "I got the promotion at work. But my colleagues gave me a good run for my money." This means the competition was good.

The opposite is to let someone "walk away with" the competition. If your child comes home and tells you that they won their softball game by 22 to 1, you could say "Your team walked away with that game." The Netherlands scored two more goals than Uruguay and looked like they would have scored more easily because Uruguay wasn't trying as hard. The Netherlands almost "walked away with" the game. But...

5) to have "a little something left in the tank" - We are referring to a gas tank on a vehicle. If you have a "little something left in your tank" then you have another idea or a little more energy so you can continue on. We use this expression anytime someone looks like they are failing or at the end of their abilities but then they surprise us with another attempt to win or continue. Uruguay looked "dead and buried" (over, finished, without recourse) but then they started to really try again proving they had "a little something left in the tank".

6) "too little, too late" - Unfortunately, Uruguay's attempts to win in the last moments were "too little, too late". Anytime an effort comes at a time when no real positive influence can be made it is "too little, too late". For example: "After three years at my company, the boss finally offered me a 5% raise. I quit and told her that her offer was too little, too late." or "It was too little, too late when my friends offered to help me pack the day after I had moved."

Spain or Germany? Choose your favourite and good luck to your team. I know my choice.

Matchday #21 -FIFA World Cup 2010 - Their Hearts Weren't In It

This blog is the day after Matchday 21 because I couldn't watch the second match until today. I saw the first game live but the second game I had to tape. I was on the side of a new house putting up siding. Hooray for physical labour!

So, were their hearts in it? I am talking about Argentina, of course. What happened? It was like they didn't even try. Germany was almost unstoppable, but almost isn't certain. Argentina was a huge disappointment for me because although they were there (on the pitch and at the game) in body (physically there), they were not there in spirit. It was like they didn't want to win. Their hearts weren't in it.

Let's hope that Spain brings their bodies and hearts to their game against Germany in the semi-final. Paraguay was a strong opponent for Spain and they could easily have won that game. I like Spain but I thought Paraguay should have won. If Spain plays like they did yesterday when they meet Germany, it will not be a good game. I am, however, hoping for the best. A strong game between two powerful contenders.

Today we are listing expressions used by football announcers that include the word "heart".

1) "African hearts are broken." -  To have a "broken heart" is a common expression in many languages. Anything that makes you very sad can "break your heart" or be "heartbreaking". We often talk about romance with this expression but, in this case, we are talking about love of country. When Ghana lost their quarter-final game against Uruguay, the commentator said, "African hearts are broken". No statement could be more fitting. When your team misses a penalty kick that could have seen you on to the semi-finals, it is "heartbreaking".

2) a "heart-stopping" moment  OR their "hearts were in their mouths" OR it "gave their hearts a flutter" - These are used any time something happens to cause extreme anticipation. We also say someone's heart "missed a beat" ("Missing a beat" is the same as "fluttering the heart" as both refer to abnormal heart function due to fear.) or their "breath was taken away". We use these expressions anytime something suspenseful is about to be resolved. The moment before the movie killer takes off their mask is a "heart-stopping" moment. The moment before your girlfriend says "yes" to your offer of marriage can also be a "heart-stopping" moment. My "heart was in my mouth" while I waited for the doctor to tell me my test results.

3) "at the heart of" the defense... - Here the announcer is talking about the football team's defensive players. The "heart of" the defense here is one or two of the strong players that the defense is "built around". This is similar to talking about a "foundation", "core" or "basis". You can use this kind of expression anywhere you want to describe a focus around which something or someone else is functioning. Often the kitchen is considered "the heart of" the house. The "heart of " your sales team may be your top two sales people. The heart of the company can be the best manager that works there.

To "get at the heart of something" is to try to find the main idea ("We need to get at the heart of this problem.") or the core of a person's problems ("Can you tell me what is at the heart of your insomnia?").

4) "This is not a time for faint hearts." - There is a quote commonly used and referred to :"Faint heart never won fair maiden." as attributed to Miguel Cervantes. The quote is generally suggesting that a man who wants to win the heart (receive the affection from) a fair maiden (a pretty lady) must be brave (not of faint heart). A "faint heart" refers to someone who is timid and easily faints (loses consciousness temporarily - like some people when they see blood) when the pressure is high and/or danger is present. The football announcer here was describing how the players must behave during the penalty shootout. A player is tired and mentally exhausted after having played for 120 minutes but he must gather his mind and inner strength to perform his best under the extreme pressure of the penalty kicks.

Bring on the FIFA World Cup 2010 Semi-Final matches!

Matchday #20 -FIFA World Cup 2010 - Are you Repeating Yourself?

The first day of the quarterfinals! Lots of action and a few questionable situations. Not bad overall for a day of football.

We're going to jump right in with our list of English selections today. We've picked grouping of expressions that mean the same things. All have been taken from games since the beginning of the Cup.

1) He is "giving chase". = He took off in "hot pursuit". - Both these phrases mean to chase someone. Chasing someone is running after them. A child that is running away from Mommy with her wallet, will soon be chased by Mommy. A criminal that is trying to get away from police will be chased. The phrase "hot pursuit" is commonly used to describe police chasing criminals. Urgency is definitely suggested when you use the phrase "hot pursuit".

2) The "door has been slammed shut". = They've "put the final nail in the coffin". - These both mean that whatever you are talking about is finished. In football, these expressions are used when there is no possibility that the losing team can recover. We use these expressions any time something is nearly over. When you are just waiting for the last moments of the meeting, movie or game to happen but you know the ending. When the boss comes into the meeting and tells everyone that there will be no bonuses this year, the door has been slammed shut in the face of the salespeople wanting to prove their positive effect on the company.

3) "a whisker away from" ="a hair's breadth away" - These both mean to be extremely close to something. In football, you could use either expression to describe an shot at goal that almost was a score or when a player has a yellow card already and has just committed another foul and he is now a "whisker away form" being red carded. You can use these expressions anywhere something is almost complete. Positively, in a business meeting, you could tell your client that their firm is "a hair's breadth away" from reaching their goal of one million customers served. You could use these expressions in a negative way like a warning to someone. For example: "You are a whisker away from being fired. You have to work harder."

Let's see who gets into the semifinals next. Enjoy tomorrow's games!

Matchday #19 -FIFA World Cup 2010 - What is the Referee Saying?

Portugal lost. We were not happy! I hate to see panic and/or doubt on the faces of my players. That's what I saw and I was not pleased. Why can't Portugal gat a coach that inspires them and helps them use their skill?

Oh well, I am still pleased that Spain is continuing. They will meet Paraguay and unless Paraguay has a magician in the locker room, it is likely that Spain will move on to the semi-finals - in my opinion.

Ever wonder what the referees are saying? The CBC commentators have some opinions on what the refs tell the players and/or coaches.

1) I'm using a common sense approach. - Anyone who reacts with a normal response is considered to be using their 'common sense'. Following rules or enforcing them in situations that could have negative impact is not using your common sense. For example: "The label on the bottle states it is a poison but it doesn't state that you can't rub it in your eyes. Should I wash my hands before I rub my eyes?" "What do you think? Use your common sense." In business your could say: "Even though we didn't follow the company standards exactly, we did get the sale because the client said we used a common sense approach."

2) He wants the keeper to "get on with it". - To "get on with it" is to continue with whatever you are doing. You tell someone to "get on with it" when they have stopped temporarily. Telling someone to get on with it means they are stalling (procrastinating) because they want a break or they want to interfere with the flow of the project. This expression can be used emotionally or matter-of-factly. Be careful about your tone when you use this expression. If you say, ""Let's get on with doing the dishes." in a normal voice, then there is no malice intended or inferred. However, if you say, "What is taking so long? Get on with it.", in an aggravated voice then the person you are talking to will take offense. When a referee says "Get on with it." it means the player is holding up the game.

3) "Come here you naughty school boy." - This is an actual quote from one of the commentators. In this situation, the referee was trying to show a yellow card to a player that had made an infraction. The rule is that the player has to show his back to the referee so that his shirt number can be visible to the referee. I hope that the referee didn't actually say this because it is quite offensive to tell this to an adult. "Naughty" means to be "badly behaved" or "disobedient".

4) The referee is "not amused". - To say someone is "not amused" is a very polite way to say they are angry. It is a formal enough expression to use at work and it is used usually when you are talking about someone in authority. You wouldn't say that your younger sister is "not amused" with her homework. You would say that your mother is "not amused" with the price quoted by the repairman.

I was not amused by Portugal's loss. At least, it was only 1-0.

On to the quarter finals!

Matchday #18 -FIFA World Cup 2010 - Orange Burns Your Retinas - and More

At least today's calls were closer to accurate. No missed goals due to 'Sun in the eyes' syndrome. So that's good news. Of course looking directly at the orange shirts of the Netherlands is enough to impair the vision. No problem picking them out on the pitch though.

Perhaps Netherlands can 'turn up the volume' on their shirts and see if they can confuse Brazil. Chile certainly couldn't. It was a bit of a disappointment that they couldn't convert any of their attempts into goals. But that's the way the cookie crumbles.

1) "That's the way the cookie crumbles." - This expression can be used like "tough luck", "hard luck" or "too bad, so sad". I know they all sound a little bit crazy. Essentially, they mean that sometimes no matter what you do, you do not succeed. Hopefully, this is a short-term situation and success finds you later on. For example, if you did not get the promotion at work that you were sure you would get and you tell your friend about it, they might say "That's tough luck." If you make numerous attempts to bake a certain type of cookie but they do not look or taste very good, the most appropriate thing for your friend to say would be "That's the way the cookie crumbles." Of course, this would not be your best friend. In fact, I would recommend you look for a new friend after that bad joke attempt.

2) Last game he was showing cards "left, right and centre". - "Everywhere", or "all over the place" can substitute for this expression. You can use it any time you want to convey the idea of nearly complete coverage. For example: "I couldn't believe that the teacher marked so many papers with an "A". He was handing them out left, right and centre." In business you could say: "The mail delivery person gave everyone she saw an invitation to her party. She passed them out left, right and centre."

3) trying to "make tracks" downfield - To "make tracks" is to move quickly. "Tracks" are the marks left behind when you step on or in something  - like snow. This expression is quite casual but you can use it anywhere. Usually, it is used to end a conversation and/or to explain why you are not staying longer. For example: "My daughter is playing volleyball at 4 and I need to make tracks so I can go watch her game." In business it would be more appropriate to say you have to "get going", "hurry along" or "Can we continue this at a later time as I have to be running along?"

4) Brazil and Germany are "neck and neck" at the moment. - "Neck and neck" is an expression taken from horse racing. When the horses are running hard trying to win the race and two horses are running at the same speed, we say they are "neck and neck". This is because if you were to view the two horses from the side, their heads and necks would be equally forward. We use "neck and neck" to describe any competition where competitors (particularly two of them) are equally expected to win. For example: "I heard that both Angel and Agella are trying for the new management position. Which one has the better chance?" "At the moment, neither. Angel has more experience but Agella did her studies in management. They are neck and neck at this point."

Tomorrow is the last day of the Group of 16. Will Portugal make us deliriously happy and beat Spain? Time will tell. Sleep well gentle players so that you can show us a hard fought game tomorrow. Go Portugal!

Matchday #17 -FIFA World Cup 2010 - "Maradona's March Continues"

There were good arguments made today for the introduction of better technology or more linesmen into the game of football. Personally, I don't trust the technology of having a ball that 'beeps' when it goes over the goal line. They tried it in hockey some time ago and found that it didn't work. Technological failures could always be blamed.

What did work was the introduction of specialty linesmen whose only job was to watch the goal line. They were positioned directly over the goal so they would have a "bird's-eye view". This stopped a good deal of the controversy and helped the game flow. I think FIFA should give this idea a try.

Let's see what they decide after England and Mexico yell at them for a few days. In my opinion, there is no excuse to stop playing the game and that is what England did for sure. Mexico, not so much. They tried to play well. Of course the loss of a goal was a blow to the English game, but is that new to them? NO. They should have "manned-up" and continued with their normal game plan.

I know if I was the coach in that locker room at halftime, I would have shown them the footage and "lit a fire under them" that would have set them in the right direction. We know that Capello's influence on the team was to calm the wildness of the team and "dampen" the outbursts that caused England to qualify for extreme-yellow card treatment in the past. He did an excellent job. The players were so calm and relaxed out on the pitch that they looked asleep half the time. Oh well, "out with the old and in with the new" must be the current England chant.

Speaking of "the old"...Maradona"s team really put on a show. One bad call "notwithstanding". Onward ho, Argentina!

1) "bird's-eye view" - If you take this expression literally, it suggests you are flying or at least in the sky so you have a complete perspective of the situation below. We use this expression to describe anyone with clear sight of something. For example: "The boy who climbed onto the roof, had a bird's-eye view of the neighbourhood." In business you could use the expression to describe anything you saw with your own eyes. For example: "Did you hear about the CEO's fight with the Marketing Manager?" "Yes. I was in the conference room when it happened. I had a bird's-eye view."

2) to "man-up" - A sexist expression that is used for women as well. To "man-up" is to gather your strength of body and/or mind so you can perform at your best. This expression is usually used after you have sustained a physical or emotional blow. For example: "After the player twisted his ankle, he chose to man-up and continue playing until the end of the match." An emotional example is: "His cousins were so cruel to him in childhood that he considered not attending a family wedding because they would be there. But, instead, he manned-up and went to the wedding with a smile on his face."

3) to "light a fire under someone" - This means to excite or strongly encourage someone who could benefit from this assistance. For example: "The team was sad after they heard they could not qualify for the finals. But their coach lit a fire under them and their next game was their highest-scoring game ever." In business you could say: "My new intern hasn't been very efficient but I think the prospect of a real job offer after this internship might light a fire under her.  I'll see if her performance improves next week."

4) "dampen" - To "dampen" something is literally to wet it. A rain shower can dampen the grass but it can also dampen your spirits. We use dampen literally and figuratively often. Figuratively dampening someone is to decrease their excitement or excitability (quickness to become emotional). "Capello has dampened the wildness of Rooney. He plays a more controlled game and doesn't get overly upset anymore."

5) "out with the old and in with the new" - This expression can be used when anything or anyone is changed for a newer or younger version. If you replace you fax machine with a new model that has more features, like scanning, you can say "out with the old and in with the new". Although not a very polite thing to say, you can use this expression when people are replaced in their jobs or even (really not nice to say) in their marriage.

6) "notwithstanding" - This strange-looking word combination is real. We can use it in the same places we use "regardless of", "in spite of", or "although". You usually use this word to suggest that one thing is not relevant to the final decision or outcome. For example: "Notwithstanding the snow, our mail was delivered on time." In business you could say: "The sales from last month notwithstanding, our company continues to grow." This last example suggests that last month's sales were not very good but they had no lasting effect on the company's growth.

Netherlands or Slovakia? Chile or Brazil? Who will be the victors tomorrow? I have a guess, but I have been proven wrong before. I suppose we'll just have to wait and see.

Matchday #16 - World Cup 2010 - Terminology from Other Sports Used in Football

Did everyone enjoy the first day of the knockout rounds? We certainly did.

Uruguay will meet Ghana in the quarter finals. With all the yellow cards in today's matches, the teams may not have their best and brightest able to play in the next game. Particularly Ghana will probably struggle. But their game was especially riveting today. I hope everybody who is allowed to play will rest and prepare for the next big game. We have a true fondness for Forlan as we lived in Spain for a time and were able to watch him play on Villareal and Atletico Madrid. But, I still want the Black Stars to try their best and make a proper show for Africa.

As I listen to commentators, it strikes me that they use alot of language that is more common in other sports. Perhaps because football is a unifying type of sport, it uses such a variety of language. For example:

1) from Basketball - "dribbling" the ball downfield - To "dribble" the ball in football is to move it down or up the field using a series of small touches (or short passes to yourself). It is akin to (like) dribbling the ball in basketball where you are bouncing the ball off the court to your hand as you move over the court. It is a legal way to move the ball while keeping control of it.

2) from Hockey - He tried to "slap" the ball into the goal. - "Slap" used here can be considered the short version of hockey's "slapshot". The "slapshot" in hockey is when the player with the puck takes a hard, fast shot (attempt on goal) at the net by hitting the puck with the full blade of the stick. The sound that the hockey stick's blade makes when it contacts the puck sounds like a slap (an open-handed hit often across the face). When he "tried to slap it in", the football player took a hard, fast attempt on goal by hitting the ball with the inside flat side of his foot. In this case, it did not work.

3) from Baseball - They haven't really "stepped up to the plate" yet. - "Stepping up to the plate" is used in baseball and literally means moving to your place at Home Plate so you can take your turn at bat. Once you have "stepped up to the plate" you are ready to attempt to hit the ball. We use this expression anywhere that you have to show your readiness to accomplish something. In the case of football, the commentator was referring to his opinion that the American team hadn't made a proper effort to win at that point in the game.

We can use this phrase anywhere to describe someone as not "giving their all", "putting their best foot forward" or making a strong effort when attempting anything. For example: "I was very disappointed when my team leader gave a poor sales pitch to the client. It was bad from beginning to end. He never really stepped up to bat." Another example that equates closer to not being given the opportunity to show readiness or ability is: "I knew I was ready to take over the new division at Head office but they never let me step up to bat."

4) from Rock Climbing - The U.S. is "looking for a toehold" in this game. - A "toehold" or a "handhold" in rock climbing is a place to put your foot or hand so that you can support your weight and  move up or down the rock. While a "handhold" is something you can often see, depending on your position on the rock, a "toehold" you can rarely see. You have to feel for a "toehold" so it is considered harder to find but it is usually more important because you can often support more of your weight here.

In the case of this football game, the commentator was trying to describe his opinion that the U.S. team did not seem to have control of the game yet. You can also use the phrase "to get a footing" the same way. This phrase talks about having control or getting control of any situation. For example: "We have been trying for months to get a toehold in the market." In this last example the expression explains that our company has been trying to find some stable place or support for our business in this market. Another way to express this is, "We have been trying to get a footing in the market." It is another way to express a desire for or attempt at control.

Visit our website (www.yourenglishconnection.com) for more information on personal assistance for your projects written in English or presented to English speakers.

Tomorrow we get to watch Argentina vs. Mexico and England vs. Germany. In case you were not sure,  vs. is a shortened version of the word versus which is equal to against or confronting. Who will be the next to move on? We'll find out tomorrow.

Matchday #15 - World Cup 2010 - Nice Things Commentators Say

Today was the last day of the group stage. I'm not sure about you but I was pleased with the final results. The last match-ups are finalized as Brazil meeting Chile (sure to be a dazzling game) and Spain meeting Portugal (I can't wait).

Although it is easy to focus on the negative words and phrases of everyday English, today we will discuss some 'nice words' that have been uttered by our football announcers during the games.

1) He has really "given his all". - To "give your all" is to try your hardest to accomplish something. Actual success is not measured but the effort put into attempted success is. For example: "You may not have won the game, but I know you gave your all. No one could have tried any harder than you." You can use this phrase anytime you want to describe someone's strong effort to win. "My mother  gave it her all in convincing the policeman but in the end she was given the parking ticket." You can also use this phrase when success has occurred. "We tried for months to get the contract with that overseas company and finally we succeeded. Giving it our all really paid off."

2) They are "flying high" tonight. - "Flying high" is being very happy. We can say "You look up in the clouds today." and we mean that you look extremely happy. The football players who won the game and qualified for the next round were flying high after the game.

Unfortunately, there can be a negative connotation with this phrase because the term "high" also refers to being on drugs or having had a quantity of alcohol. You should be aware of this when you use the expression because even though you mean it innocently, some listeners may laugh thinking you mean the 'drug' version of the expression. You can use the expression at work: "We were flying high after we landed that new client. Everyone was overjoyed."

3) This game is "a thrill a minute".  - A simple expression meant to emphasize the amount of entertainment something has given - something exciting. In this case, the announcer was describing a football match that had very even ball possession and many shots on target. We weren't sure until the end of the game who the winner would be. Other things that could be considered "a thrill a minute" could include; a roller coaster,  a vacation or a scary movie. In football, we often use an expression meaning the opposite like "it was a real snoozer" suggesting that the game was boring. "Snoozer" is not an actual word but it derives from the word "snooze" which means "sleep".

4) to excite or vuvuzelerate their team - OK just a small joke one announcer made. He was describing the fans of a team that was struggling on the pitch. The fans began making an enormous amount of noise and in this World Cup that cannot be done well without blowing those special horns - the vuvuzelas. So this announcer made up a word "vuvuzelerate" to describe the fans' attempts at inspiring their team. The creation of words, in particular the creation of verbs from nouns, is an extremely common practice in English. We do it all the time. Although the word may not be official, we guess at the meaning from our knowledge of the original word. For example, we all know what a chair is and that the word is a noun. But I have heard the command "Chair me." many times. The extrapolated meaning here is that you want someone to give you a chair. Sorry, but it does happen all the time and is a large part of common English slang. Try it. You might enjoy it.

On to the Round of 16!

Matchday #14 - World Cup 2010 - "From World Cup Heroes to World Cup Zeroes."

Groups E and F have been finalized. We say goodbye to Cameroon, Denmark, New Zealand and Italy.

Some of these are not a shock but one was. My viewing partner and I were on opposite sides again and let us just say that there was a "little tension" in the room during the game. After the game finished, he got up and walked from the room. This was not a happy man. Oh well, more room for Portugal to stretch its wings. At least we agree there.

The CBC commentator had two great quotes today:

"Slovakian football has never had it so good." and "From World Cup Heroes to World Cup Zeroes."

I have nothing to add.

1) Italian hearts were in mouths. - To "have your heart in your mouth" is the same as "being on the edge of your seat" or "being on tender hooks". This means that anxiety was at a high level. You can use any of these expressions whenever you want to express a feeling of high anxiety. For example: "I had my heart in my mouth until they announced that employees would get bonuses this year." or "My mother was on the edge of her seat for the entire awards show."

2) "running into brick walls" - In the case of this football game, the "brick walls" were the defensive players of Slovakia. The Italian players were having a difficult time getting through to the goal (until near the end of the game when things started to go better). In business you can "hit a brick wall" when you try to sell a product to someone who is not interested. You can "run into a brick wall" when you ask the boss for a raise and the answer is "No." not "We'll talk about it in a month." or "Let's look at your performance record." Essentially "running into" or "hitting" a "brick wall" is getting to an impassable object or person. You cannot find a way through, around or over this object and you cannot find a way to change the opinion of the person. You have no recourse but to keep trying or give up.

3) the challenge was "nowhere near" the ball - "Nowhere near" equates to "not even close to" or "far from". We use all these expressions whenever someone has made a poor choice or has missed opportunity due to choice or ability. If I tried to hit a mosquito that was sitting on your arm and missed because the mosquito flew away, you could say "Your hit was not even close." or "That was nowhere near the target." In business you could say: "Our company's offer to buy that building was nowhere near the final purchase price."

4) This is a rather "dodgy" Italian defense. - "Dodgy" is used like "suspect" or "doubtful". It is not a formal word but is common slang in Britain more than North America. You could say that the cafeteria food in the hospital looks "dodgy". You could also say that the new patio your father-in-law built looks "dodgy". You would not say that your boss's wife looks "dodgy" unless you were not very interested in keeping your job.

"Rather" is a common addition to English expressions and in this context it equates to "a little bit" or "somewhat". "My hair is rather long." does not mean that it is very long but it is a little bit long. It is definitely a word used casually but you could use it in a business setting. For example: "The quote for repairing the copy machine was rather high so I fixed it myself."

5) "calamitous" - "Calamitous" is "disastrous", "devastating" or "catastrophic". Definitely a strong word. Perhaps a little too strong for some people, but for the real fans of football, it is always a calamity when your team loses. Particularly so when the team that beats them is nowhere near the same ranking. Oh well, that's life. Unpredictable.

Tomorrow is our big day. We will get to watch Portugal play and we'll find out whom they will meet in the knockout round of 16. Good luck to everyone else, but my heart remains steadfast.

Matchday #13 - World Cup 2010 - Football words used in Business English

Lucky Matchday #13 - for some. So, the United States and England are through to the next round along with Germany and Ghana. Australia was a great surprise today. 2-0 was an amazing score. Not for Serbia but definitely for the down-under crowd.

Today we have a grouping of words used in football that are also used in business English.

1) "pitch" - In football, the pitch is the playing field.

In business, we talk about a "sales pitch" or "to pitch something to" the boss. These are similar. In baseball, a "pitch" is when the ball is thrown to the batter so it can be hit. This is a similar analogy to business usage. To give a "sales pitch" is to tell someone or a group of people about your product in the hopes of having them buy the product. For example: "The sales pitch that my brother-in-law gave us was so convincing, we bought his car the same day". To "pitch something to" the boss is essentially the same thing but what you are pitching may not be a product for sale but instead an idea you have about your work or workplace. For example: "I pitched my idea about overtime to my boss and she loved the idea. Our department will be using my idea to write new rules for the entire company."

2) "take a shot" - Football players "take a shot" when they "attempt" to make a goal. They can "take a shot" that is "on target" or that is "a long shot". A "long shot" is an attempt on goal that is taken from a difficult distance or angle. It has less chance to be successful but is still worth a try, at least in the player's mind.

When we "take a shot" at something in business, the idea is the same as football. Essentially it is an "attempt" or "try" for something. Perhaps there is a new job opening in your department and you want to "try" to get this new position. You may "take a shot" at this new position by handing in your resume and/or talking to the Human Resources department. We can also use this expression to discuss a "long shot" in business or elsewhere. For example: "We knew that the other company was considering moving their head office to Tokyo, but we took a shot at selling them our cleaning service anyway." Anything that you think is worth attempting, whether the odds are good or bad, is worth "taking a shot" at.

3) "shoot" - To "shoot" in football is , not surprisingly, the same as "taking a shot". It is an attempt to make a goal.

In business, and everywhere else, this expression is used to encourage someone to speak to you. If someone comes into your office and tells you they have something to talk about but they don't launch into their information right away, they may be waiting for encouragement to speak. You can say to this person simply, "Shoot." and they will know you are ready to listen to them. "Shoot" in English is used the same way as the expression "go ahead" to encourage someone to speak or take the next step in something.

4) "goal" - You know that a "goal" in football is a completed and successful attempt at getting the ball into the opponent's net. We also use "the goal" to describe the posts and net marking the area where a "goal" is made. So "the goal" or "the goal area" is the focus of any attempts at scoring.

A "goal" in business or life is your focus for success. It is your "aim" or "desired result". For example: "My goal in writing these blogs is to help ESL learners to better understand everyday expressions used in English that may not be found in their textbooks or taught in their classes." The "goal" may or may not be successfully attained, like in football, but it is your intention.

5) to be "fit" - A player who is "fit" or "has good fitness" is one who is capable of doing their job physically. It simply means that they are well-trained and healthy enough to complete their task of playing the football match. Fitness can be a factor when, for example, an unusual circumstance like playing at constantly changing elevations affects players' abilities to compete.

In business, "to be fit" or to "have a good fit" is to be "appropriate". Employees are expected to "fit" in the company. We also use the phrasal verb to "fit in". Their skills and personal habits have to combine with the skills and expected behaviours of workers in the department in question. The term "fit" is used frequently in the hiring and firing aspects of a business. For example: "We had to fire Paula because her skill level wasn't as high as we needed in the sales department. She didn't make a good fit."

On to Matchday #14. Groups E and F. Since this World Cup has had more than its share of surprises, we are expecting an entertaining if not unpredictable day of football. Enjoy.

Matchday #12 - World Cup 2010 - Things Said About Coaches by CBC Announcers

Group A and B are finalized. So in the knockout round that starts on Saturday, we'll see Uruguay meet South Korea and Argentina meet Mexico. Any predictions?

The people who should have a good idea about the results of the upcoming games are the coaches. We watch them stand, pace, shout and wave their arms every game. They are a mixed bunch of individuals with different focus points and ways to display their feelings. We all do these things under pressure but few of us are under the scrutiny that the coaches are on those South African sidelines.

Here is a list of terms used by football commentators describing these world-class coaches and their actions:

1) "livid" and "apoplectic" - Both these terms mean overcome with anger. The anger level is so high that it is difficult or impossible to hide. If your child lied to you about breaking the lamp, you might be angry but if your mother broke the lamp and then blamed your child, you might get livid. I, for example, was livid when the live World Cup game I was watching was interrupted at the 72nd minute by the television station's weather warning test symbol. It went on for over three minutes and in the end it was only a test. Really?! They couldn't have run the test during halftime or right after the live game? I am still very angry about that event but in the moment I was apoplectic.

2) He may "feel the need to shake things up a bit". - To "feel the need" is to believe something is necessary and is a casual way of describing this feeling. You can "feel the need" for an ice cream cone just as much as a company can "feel the need" to raise prices to compensate for their increasing advertising budget. You can use this anywhere but remember it is casual and not formal.

To "shake things up" is to change things. Usually it means you want to deviate from a plan or a routine. If your daily schedule includes stopping for coffee everyday before work, maybe today to "shake things up a bit" you could go to the gym or meet a friend for breakfast. This is a common phrase you can use in business too. You might want to hire a new sales manager to shake things up a bit in a department where sales are fine but not increasing. You want this new manager to change the way things are done and maybe even who does what job. Shaking things up isn't always good but it is usually used to change a stagnant situation or relationship. So the coach may "shake things up" by substituting a player into a game that would force the current players to move the ball differently to accommodate this new player's style and abilities. Essentially, change is good.

3) feeling rather "vexed" about that last decision - To be "vexed" is to be "worried" or "upset". Someone can be vexed (you don't feel vexed, you are vexed) and something can be vexing. A problem at work can be vexing. You can be vexed by your new boss's overtime policy. Anything "annoying" is vexing too. You can use the term anywhere and it is considered a little formal, especially in North America.

4) "pensive" - "Pensive" means "thoughtful" or "reflective" and can be used anywhere, business included. You can say to your boss, "You seem pensive today? Are you thinking about that new project we start on Monday?". You can also ask a friend if they "have something on their mind". This is the less formal version of pensive. Maybe you notice that your teenager is not responding to questions from his little sister (not a real surprise) and this is not his normal behaviour. You could ask if he "has something on his mind" that he might want to talk about and maybe you will get an answer. It is worth a try.

5) he is "pacing like a panther" on the sidelines - To "pace" (verb) is to walk back and forth in the same area usually due to anxiety. The simile of "like a panther" is accurate because most caged animals pace in their cages (walk back and forth at the front of the cage). They do it from boredom and some animal experts say "loss of mental faculties". Most coaches pace on the sidelines when there team is doing poorly or when a player is hurt and they are unsure of the severity of the injury. Pacing by the coach is not a signal that things are going well for your team.

You do hear the word "pace" used commonly during games. When it is used as a noun we are usually talking about the speed of walking or running. In a football match we talk about a player getting a pass at pace or about a player getting upfield at pace. Essentially it can be replaced by "fast" or "quickly".

Let's see who qualifies for the next round tomorrow. Can England remember who they are and the quality of their players in time to move forward? I believe so. Do you?