*when it rains, it pours"*
*[image: "when it rains, it pours"]* *When it rains, it pours* describes how
after there has been no *rain* for a long time, it suddenly *rains* a lot
all at once. Example: "It hadn't rained for over two months. Now it has
started raining and it has been raining for a week straight." Reply: "*When
it rains, it pours*."
*When it rains, it pours* means that once something happens after a long
pause, it happens in large amounts. Example: "It looks like everyone in our
department is sick again, and all at the same time." Reply: "*When it rains,
it pours*."
When there is a lot of *rain* all at once we say that it is *pouring*. Some
people say, *It never rains, but it pours*; the meaning is the same as *When
it rains, it pours*. Example: "Sometimes we have no customers for two or
three hours, then suddenly we get 20 people all at once." Reply: "*It never
rains, but it pours*."
**
**
*burn**ing the midnight oil"*
*[image: "burning the midnight oil"]* You are "*burning the midnight oil*"
when you are working hard late into the night. Example: "I could see the
light in your window last night. It looks like you have been *burning the
midnight oil*." Before they had electric lamps, people used
*oil*-*burning*lamps to read or work in the darkness at night. When
you are working very
hard until late at night you are "*burning the midnight oil*." "Has your son
been working hard to prepare for his final exams?" Reply: "He sure has. He's
been up each night *burning the midnight oil*."
** *"looking a gift horse in the mouth"*
[image: "looking a gift horse in the mouth"] You are *looking a gift horse
in the mouth* when you receive a gift and then you question the value of
that gift. Example: "This shirt you gave me is not my favorite brand."
Reply: "*Don't look a gift horse in the mouth*! That was the best they had."
You are like a person who has been given a *horse* as a *gift* (a *
gift-horse*) and you are looking into the *horse*'s mouth to see if it is in
good health. Example: "Here is your drink." Reply: "Oh, I hate this kind."
Answer: "*Don't look a gift horse in the mouth*."
You should be thankful when you receive a *gift*, and not wish for something
better. *Don't look a gift horse in the mouth* means don't measure the value
of something that you have received for free. Example: "Great interception!"
Reply: "Yes, but I almost scored a touchdown." Reply: "*Don't look a gift
horse in the mouth*."
**
**
*sink or swim"*
*[image: "sink or swim"]* "*Sink or swim*" is a situation where you will
either fail *or* you will find a way to succeed. " Example: "Sales is not an
easy job here. We give you two weeks training, then it's *sink or swim*." If
you are thrown into the water, you will either *sink* to the bottom *or* you
will *swim* to safety. You will either fail, *or* you will find a way to
succeed, in a situation that is *sink or swim*. Example: "How do you
interview new teachers here?" Reply: "We just put them in with the kids, and
see how they do. It's *sink or swim*." *Sink or swim*" means that you will
either succeed, *or* you will fail completely, at what you are trying to do.
**
**
*finding your feet"*
*[image: "finding your feet"]* You are "*finding your feet*" when you are
learning what to do and becoming more comfortable acting in a certain type
of situation. Example: "I've only been at this job for a few months. I'm
just *finding my feet*." It takes time to *find your feet*, because you need
to learn what to do and become comfortable doing it. Example: "I was at that
job for over a year before I really *found my feet*." You have gained the
needed skills and are performing your job well, once you have *found your
feet*. Example: "Don't worry about it. We will help you out until you *find
your feet*."
** *"turn over a new leaf"*
[image: "turn over a new leaf"] When you decide to do something different to
change your life for the better, you are *turning over a new leaf*. Example:
"This year I've joined a gym and I am exercising every day. I'm *turning
over a new leaf*."
*Turning over a new leaf* is like *turning over a new* page ("*leaf*") in
your life and seeing what is on the other side. Example: "Wow. Look how
polite your son has become." Reply: "Yes. We had a big talk with him, and he
has really *turned over a new leaf*."
You *turn over a new leaf* when you commit to changing your life for the
better. Example: "*I'm turning over a new leaf*: I've decided to quit
smoking. " i was seeing some sites and checking web cam some phone clls
** ** *"start from scratch"*
[image: "start from scratch"] You are *starting from scratch* when you *
start* a project from the very beginning. Example: "How are you going to
build your business?" Reply: "Just like everyone does: *starting from
scratch*."
You start *from scratch* in cooking when you cook a meal *starting* with
only the smallest food ingredients. Example: "This cake is excellent. Where
did you buy it?" Reply: "Actually, my mother made it *from scratch*." Example:
"My father is excellent with cars. He *started* with spare parts and built
this engine *from scratch*."
When you do or make something using the smallest parts, you *start from
scratch*. Example: "My computer crashed and I lost all of my work." Reply:
"That's terrible. What will you do?" Answer: "I'll do it again,* starting
from scratch*."
*cnu.pne*
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