Job Discussion Forums

[Synne]

[Sweetsee]

A friend with weed is a friend indeed.
(herbe brings us together)

[Damd]

Busier than a one-legged man at an ass-kicking contest

Erm... very busy

[Sweetsee]

The blind leading the blind.
(Japanese education system)

[stretch]

To bend over backwards.
- To do something that requires great effort or go out of your way for someone.

[Perpetual Traveller]

This is a great thread!

1. AS WELCOME AS A SKUNK AT A GARDEN PARTY.
Self-explanatory

2. TIGHTER THAN BARK ON A TREE.
Not very generous

3. BIG HAT, NO CATTLE.
All talk and no action

4. WE�VE HOWDIED BUT WE AIN�T SHOOK YET.
We�ve made a brief introduction, but have not been formally introduced

5. HE THINKS THE SUN CAME UP JUST TO HEAR HIM CROW.
He has a pretty high opinion of himself

6. IT�S SO DRY THE TREES ARE BRIBING THE DOGS.
We could really use a little rain

7. JUST BECAUSE A CHICKEN HAS WINGS DOESN�T MEAN IT CAN FLY.
Appearances can be deceiving

8. THIS AIN�T MY FIRST RODEO.
I�ve been around awhile

9. HE LOOKS LIKE THE DOG�S BEEN KEEPING HIM UNDER THE PORCH
He�s not the most handsome of men

10. THEY ATE SUPPER BEFORE THEY SAID GRACE.
They�re living in sin

11. TIME TO PAINT YOUR BACKSIDE WHITE AND RUN WITH THE ANTELOPE.
Stop arguing and do as you�re told

12. AS FULL OF WIND AS A CORN-EATING HORSE
Rather prone to boasting

13. YOU CAN PUT YOUR BOOTS IN THE OVEN BUT THAT DOESN�T MAKE THEM BISCUITS.
You can say whatever you want about something, but that doesn�t change what it is.

14. WE�RE IN TALL COTTON.
Things are going really well

15. WERE YOU BORN IN A TENT?
Close the door.

16. HE THINKS HIS OWN SHlT DOESN'T STINK.
He has a high opinion of himself.

17. HE THINKS THE SUN SHINES OUT OF HIS ARSE.
He has a high opinion of himself.

18. AS DRY AS A DEAD DINGO'S DONGER.
Rather thirsty.

19. NOT ROOM TO SWING A CAT.
Not much room.

20. ONCE BITTEN TWICE SHY.
Won't be making the same mistake again.

21. CAN'T TEACH AN OLD DOG NEW TRICKS.
Don't attempt to change someone's habits.

22. SHARP AS A TACK.
Very smart.

23. BEFORE YOU JUDGE A MAN WALK A MILE IN HIS SHOES.
(Because then you'll be a mile away and you'll have his shoes )
Put yourself in someone's place before judging them.

24. NOT THE SHARPEST/BRIGHTEST CRAYON IN THE BOX.
Not very clever.

Ok, ok, I'll leave some for everyone else.

PT

[Sweetsee]

Thanks.

[Apsara]

Two of my mother's favourites, which were (sometimes still are) usually directed at me:

"You make a better door than a window" = You're in the way of the TV, I can't see it.

"You're like a hen dropping feathers" = Stop leaving stuff lying all over the house.

I like this thread! Living in Japan, with a Japanese husband and most of my co-workers/ friends being Japanese, I don't get a chance to hear/use these very often- even when speaking English the conversations have to be pretty straightforward! Even when talking to English speakers I have problems with these kinds of things- I said to a Canadian friend recently "Well, that really throws a spanner in the works, doesn't it" and she answered "What's a spanner?"

[Sweetsee]

Goodness begets goodness.
(do good stuff and good stuff will happen for you)

[Sweetsee]

Never look a gift-horse in the mouth.
(don't question where good things come from)

[spidey]

Heeeere we go...!


"A woman needs a man like a fish needs a bicycle." (self-explanatory)

"Bird in the hand is worth two in the bush." (or her bush)

"Butter wouldn't melt in her mouth." (A prim and proper woman)

"Chinless wonder" (that one's for all you Brits out there)

"Don't try to teach your Grandma to suck eggs" (Don't try to teach someone who already knows much more than you do.)

And don't forget..."A little knowledge is a dangerous thing." (To most of us ESLers out there)

And that's just A through D

S

[Sweetsee]

Bury the hatchet.
(let's make up)

[Zzonkmiles]

Dance with the one who brought you.
(Reward people who helped you accomplish something. Kinda like "you scratch my back and I'll scratch yours. This expression is often used in political contexts, as in rewarding your constituents with favorable legislation because their voting strength is what got you elected in the first place. It can also be used to suggest that you should do a favor for someone who did something good for you, such as help you get a promotion or a new job.)

Dirty pool.
(Dishonest, manipulative, or shady activities.)

Up a creek without a paddle.
(Screwed. Out of luck.)

When pigs fly...
(Impossible.)

Wrapped around my finger.
(Someone or something that is so firmly under your control. For example, a really aggressive wife could say that her passive husband who does everything she asks without question is wrapped around her finger.)

The emperor has no clothes.
(Someone who seems so powerful and so firmly in control, but really has nothing underneath their elaborate mask other than a hollow shell. Some people refer to George W. Bush using this phrase.)

All bark and no bite.
(Someone whose appearance is gruff, tough, and commanding, but is actually really weak and non-threatening.)

A wolf in sheep's clothing.
(Someone who looks innocent and harmless, but is really quite tenacious and pugnacious. This is the opposite of the previous expression.)

The gig is up.
(The charade is over. You've been found out. It's time to get serious.)

Welcome to the big leagues.
(A reality check for someone who is a newcomer to something and feels they can rely on their previous training to help them survive. Think of a guy who has only worked part-time jobs as a college student and then gets his first full-time regular job and doesn't understand why he gets chewed out when he shows up to work 5 minutes late. His unsympathetic coworkers will then use this expression.)

Playing with fire.
(Voluntarily involving oneself in a risky or dangerous situation where it is possible to get caught or have the situation backfire and harm you somehow. Having two girlfriends at the same time who don't know about each other is an example of this.)

Preaching to the choir.
(Trying to persuade people who already agree with your opinion.)

The 11th hour.
(The last minute. Shortly before something significant happens. An example of this is an 11th hour appeal of a pending execution.)

The blind leading the blind.
(Someone who is misinformed or ill-advised about something who has many followers, supporters and believers who never question what they're doing or whether it's the right or best course of action.)

Shoot yourself in the foot.
(Do something that is not to your benefit, but rather your detriment.)

Put your foot in your mouth.
(Say something incriminating about yourself that could get you in trouble at a later date.)

The writing's on the wall.
(Something that is obvious--usually referring to a future course of action or decision that must be made. However, this advice is never said directly. This expression is often used regarding resigning from a job [instead of letting yourself get fired] or an athlete retiring from a career in sports when he is past his prime.)

The right hand doesn't know what the left hand is doing.
(One part of a group is doing one thing, but doesn't know what another part of the same group is doing. This can be both good in that it lets you keep secrets from someone, but it can also be bad if it backfires or work is duplicated.)

There are so many of these kinds of expressions, but these are some of my favorite ones. This thread has the potential to become very, very long.

[Sweetsee]

Above and beyond the call of duty.
(doing extra things at work)

[Sweetsee]

Better than a sharp stick in the eye.
(what you have may not seem so great but could be a lot worse)