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Making the cut

Making the cut means being chosen or picked to be part of a group or to move forward, as in a competition. When you make the cut, this usually means that you performed well in something and because of this, you are considered worthy of moving forward. Things can also make the cut, as in… Read more »

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Kindle anyone?

 It’s ready! Get your digital copy of The small guide To Improving Your English at the Kindle Store. For a mere $1.99, you can check out the booklet and consider giving it out for the holidays. Really, it’s a great small gift idea–perfect for friends, family, coworkers, employees who are studying English. Give them grammar rules; give them examples; give them chances to… Read more »

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That just doesn’t cut it.

When something just doesn’t cut it, it means it’s simply not good enough. Because it’s not good enough, you usually have to do it again until it meets someone’s approval or some kind of requirement. This expression is usually used only in the negative.like this:1. You have to rewrite this essay and correct the mistakes… Read more »

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They’re now at the Grand Canyon!

Our family has reached the Grand Canyon after their 3-hour drive from Las Vegas. It sounds like they’re enjoying their trip. See which English expressions they use as they talk about their experiences, and check if you can use the same expressions correctly. Good luck! Joe Yu the small guide thesmallguidesite.com  

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Cutting someone some slack

This expression means not being so strict with someone. The word slack can mean loosening your pull on a piece of rope. You can pull a rope tight or you can give it some slack. So when you cut someone some slack, you loosen your hold on the person. You’re not as tight and, therefore,… Read more »

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be cut out for something

This expression is more often used in the negative. If you’re not cut out for something or to do something, it means you’re not made or meant to do this thing. This usually means that you aren’t good at doing this activity or won’t be completely comfortable doing it because it just isn’t for you. You may… Read more »

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It’s that time again!

Click on over to the small guide site. We have a brand new exercise for you to check your proficiency in English expressions. Really, it’s a nice review to see if you remember our lessons on this blog and if you can use them in context.  Good luck!

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have a thing for …

If your friend has a thing for something, he probably gets excited and enjoys being around or talking about or even just hearing about this thing. For example, you can say, “My friend, John, has a thing for insects. He gets excited whenever he sees one and has to figure out what kind of species… Read more »

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Extra! Extra!

Try out our latest exercise at the small guide site and see how well you know or remember some English expressions from this blog. You can mouse over the blanks to check your answers. Good luck!

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I’m all about …

This is an informal way of expressing what you believe in or enjoy doing.like this:1. I’m all about going out of town now and then. 2. Our teacher is all about giving students a lot of practice.3. They’re all about saving the environment.4. She’s all about taking advantage of sales.5. That organization is all about helping… Read more »