Blog

Each week of 2017 we present an English idiom. “to get/start the ball rolling”: to begin something such as a task, project or discussion; den Ball ins Rollen bringen Example 1:  We need to get the ball rolling on the IT project as soon as possible. Example 2:  Let’s take a few minutes to brainstorm and see …

Each week of 2017 we present an English idiom. “to push the envelope”: to do something to a greater degree than has ever been done before; to push the boundaries of what is possible; bis an die Grenze gehen Example 1:  Pushing the envelope always involves risk. Example 2:  The most well-known brands have pushed the envelope in …

Each week of 2017 we present an English idiom. “head honcho”: the most important person (at a company) (very informal) Example 1:  Most decisions get the final OK by our head honcho. Example 2:  Our positions are equal, but Richard often acts like he’s the head honcho.

Each week of 2017 we present an English idiom. “to be (or have something) in the bag”: something appears to be finished or achieved Example 1:  We met with the client last night, and the deal seems to be in the bag. Example 2:  A meeting with the CEO meant that the job offer was in the bag.

Each week of 2017 we present an English idiom. “when push comes to shove”: when something becomes urgent or critical; wenn es hart auf hart kommt Example 1:  The team always gets a slow start, but when push comes to shove they manage to meet the deadline. Example 2:  When push comes to shove our department manager …

Enjoying your summer holiday and a break from your English lessons? Take a few minutes to check out this list from Oxford Dictionaries and review some common mistakes. Learn the points on this list and impress your English trainer at your first lesson this fall.  

Each week of 2017 we present an English idiom. “to show (somebody) the ropes”: to show someone around or how to do a particular task; jdn in etwas einweisen Example 1:  Following the breakfast for new employees hosted by HR, Sue will show you the ropes in the department. Example 2:  I wasn’t sure how to …

Each week of 2017 we present an English idiom. “to be out of the loop”: to not have information that others have; to not be included in a group that has access to information about something Example 1:  This is my first day back from vacation, so I’m out of the loop on the Palmer …

Each week of 2017 we present an English idiom. “to see eye to eye”: to agree (with someone about something); mit jdm einer Meinung über etw. sein Example 1:  My colleague and I get along very well. We see eye to eye on most issues. Example 2:  Those meetings are so frustrating! No one ever sees eye to …