Dave's ESL Cafe's Student Discussion Forums

[BMO]

1. With 16 percent of the world's automobiles, Asia accounts for 60 percent of accidents.

2. Asia has 16 percent of the world's automobiles, but it accounts for 60 percent of accidents.

------------Are both correct?

Thanks.

bmo

[asterix]

Yes... It means Asians can't drive for beans.

[BMO]

Thanks. What is drive for beans?

bmo

[pugachevV]

It's a slang expression - it means they are bad drivers.

[BMO]

Thanks, it is an interesting idiom.

[Bob S.]

And you can substitute other verbs.

It took me 2 hours to type this page because I can't type for beans.

[BMO]

Can't xxx for beans = can't do something well, isn't it? I know quite a few idioms, but have never seen this one.

Thanks.

bmo

[advoca]

There is another idiom (or is it slang?) used in Britain

We would say, "The Asians cannot drive for toffee."

It means the same as, "Cannot drive for beans."

And believe me, the drivers in Beijing cannot drive for toffee or beans.

[BMO]

Thanks again.

bmo

[missdaredevil]

[Bob S.]