Seasonal and holiday idioms and sayings
Have you ever wondered why you can’t understand English speakers? Well, perhaps it’s because of the hundreds of expressions they so easily use without even thinking. Here’s a rather exaggerated conversation full of them! See if you can follow the story. After you’ve read it, all will be revealed.
| Susan: |
So Bill how you going to ring in the New Year? |
| Bill: | I’ll be spending it with my friend, John, in Australia. I haven’t seen him since the year dot. So what about you? |
| Susan: | I’m not sure. I think I’ll spend it with some friends in Amsterdam. So are you going to make any New Year’s resolutions for next year? |
| Bill: | Well, I’m going to turn over a new leaf and start living more healthily. Did you know that eating at least 5 pieces of fruit and vegetables and working out can take years off you? I’ve heard it can make you look at least ten years younger. Actually, I’ve been even thinking of joining a gym. Do you want to come along? |
| Susan: | Not in a million years. I haven’t been to the gym in donkey’s years. I want to spend my twilight years enjoying life rather than in a gym. Anyway, weren’t you going to live a healthier life last year? |
| Bill: | Yes, that’s true. I tried to go swimming once a week, but I couldn’t find a year-round swimming pool. |
| Susan: | I don’t know why you make New Year’s resolutions. Year in, year out, you make the same resolutions, but you always break them within a few weeks. |
| Bill: | But as they say, if at first you don’t succeed, try, try again. |
| To ring in the New Year | To celebrate the beginning of the new year at midnight on December 31 |
| Since the year dot | For a long time |
| To turn over a new leaf | To start behaving better |
| To take years off you | To look younger |
| Not in a million years (Spoken English) | It’s unlikely to happen |
| Twilight years | Last years of someone’s life |
| In donkey’s years | For a long time |
| A year-round | All year round |
| Year in, year out | Every year, especially in a boring/ negative way |
| If at first you don’t succeed, try, try again. | Encourage someone to try again, especially someone who has failed many times. |
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