Add insult to injury
To make a bad situation worse.
Example: The airline cancelled our flight and added insult to injury by demanding
an extra RM250 for reissuing our tickets.
Cry wolf
To give a false alarm, with the effect that nobody will help when a true emergency
comes about.
Example: We ignored Emily's complaint because she has a reputation for crying
wolf.
Kill the goose that lays the golden eggs.
To destroy something that makes a lot of money.
Example: Selling off our research and development division now would be killing
the goose that lats the golden eggs.
Look before you leap.
Consider the consequences before taking action.
Example: Jim might seem clever but if you're going to invest in his marketing
business, you should look before you leap.
One swallow does make a summer.
A single fortunate event doesn't mean everything that follows will be good, too.
Example: Rachel sold her first dress within minutes of opening her new shop but
realising one swallow does not make a summer, she remained cautious.
Sour grapes
Pretending to dislike something because you can't have it yourself.
Example: Don't listen to Harry. His talk of dirty beaches and poor food is just
sour grapes.
The lion's share
The biggest part of something.
Example: Whenever there is a bowl of crisps on the table, you can be sure that
John will take the lion's share.
Wolf in sheep's clothing
A dangerous person disguised to appear harmless.
Example: With his charming smile and gentle manner, you would never guess that
Richard is a wolf in sheep's clothing.
* Read Aesop's fables online at www.aesopfables.com.
source-by Kee Thuan Chye,
Mind Our English,The Star
Sunday, August 29, 2010
Word Power
If you ever came across these questions in your mind,here are the answers from the expert to help you out.
A comma before 'and'?
Examples of two different usage of commas:
1.The food sold in the canteen includes fried noodles,fried rice,noodle soup and
sandwiches.
2.Food served at the party included sandwiches,hot dogs,spaghetti, and fried
noodles.
Answer:
In British English,the comma is usually omitted before the "and" separating the last two items in a list or series, as in the sentence No.1.
However,if this items are long, a comma is usually used,e.g. "The food sold in the canteen includes fried noodles, fried rice, noodle soup with prawns, and toasted tuna sandwiches."
This means the sentence No.2 quite acceptable.
Plural after no?
Example: 'Chelsea have no plans to sell or buy'-adapted from the front-page headline of a newspaper.
Answer:
When there is "no" before a countable noun, the plural form of the noun is generally used unless the context makes it necessary to use a singular noun, e.g.
1."She had no mother to look after her."(We can have only one mother)
2."Are you looking for a boy?There are no boys in this hostel."
3."There were absolutely no taxis on the road!"
source-Fadzilah Amin,
Mind Our English,The Star
A comma before 'and'?
Examples of two different usage of commas:
1.The food sold in the canteen includes fried noodles,fried rice,noodle soup and
sandwiches.
2.Food served at the party included sandwiches,hot dogs,spaghetti, and fried
noodles.
Answer:
In British English,the comma is usually omitted before the "and" separating the last two items in a list or series, as in the sentence No.1.
However,if this items are long, a comma is usually used,e.g. "The food sold in the canteen includes fried noodles, fried rice, noodle soup with prawns, and toasted tuna sandwiches."
This means the sentence No.2 quite acceptable.
Plural after no?
Example: 'Chelsea have no plans to sell or buy'-adapted from the front-page headline of a newspaper.
Answer:
When there is "no" before a countable noun, the plural form of the noun is generally used unless the context makes it necessary to use a singular noun, e.g.
1."She had no mother to look after her."(We can have only one mother)
2."Are you looking for a boy?There are no boys in this hostel."
3."There were absolutely no taxis on the road!"
source-Fadzilah Amin,
Mind Our English,The Star
10 Ways to Be Kind
1.Buy an extra book and donate it to your child's classroom,the local library or a refuge.
2.Next time you're craving something sweet,bake a double batch of chocolate-chip biscuits and give some to a housebound neighbour or overworked colleague.
3.Pick up litter on your way to the bus or the train in the morning.
4.Go the extra distance when someone goes out of her way for you.Send a complimentary note to her supervisor,with a copy to the person who helped you.
5.Next time you're in line at the supermarket with a loaded trolley,be gracious.Let the person behind you-the one with a single item-go ahead of you.
6.Carry change to feed expired parking meters.
7.Donate blood,and give the gift of life.
8.Offer to water the neighbours' plants while they're away on holidays.
9.Praise your children.Try to rise above the inevitable petty conflicts that litter family life.
10.Be recklessly courteous and wildly polite:hold doors open.Thank the bus driver,the coffee shop's counter person-all the service people whose work makes life a little more livable.
source-by Helen Zelon,Reader's Digest
2.Next time you're craving something sweet,bake a double batch of chocolate-chip biscuits and give some to a housebound neighbour or overworked colleague.
3.Pick up litter on your way to the bus or the train in the morning.
4.Go the extra distance when someone goes out of her way for you.Send a complimentary note to her supervisor,with a copy to the person who helped you.
5.Next time you're in line at the supermarket with a loaded trolley,be gracious.Let the person behind you-the one with a single item-go ahead of you.
6.Carry change to feed expired parking meters.
7.Donate blood,and give the gift of life.
8.Offer to water the neighbours' plants while they're away on holidays.
9.Praise your children.Try to rise above the inevitable petty conflicts that litter family life.
10.Be recklessly courteous and wildly polite:hold doors open.Thank the bus driver,the coffee shop's counter person-all the service people whose work makes life a little more livable.
source-by Helen Zelon,Reader's Digest
Saturday, August 28, 2010
Quotable Quotes
I'd rather work with someone who's good at their job
but doesn't like me,than someone who likes me
but is a ninny.
-SAM DONALDSON
Education is more than filling a child with facts.
It starts with posing questions.
-D.T.MAX,in New York Times
I believe in an open mind,but not so open
that your brains fall out.
-ARTHUR HAYS SULZBERGER
but doesn't like me,than someone who likes me
but is a ninny.
-SAM DONALDSON
Education is more than filling a child with facts.
It starts with posing questions.
-D.T.MAX,in New York Times
I believe in an open mind,but not so open
that your brains fall out.
-ARTHUR HAYS SULZBERGER
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