Phrase of the Week: Anything but that

Mom: Joey, you’re grounded! No video games for a week! Joey: No! Anything but that! Joey would prefer any other punishment than losing his video games. When someone proposes the worst possible thing, any other option at all would be better. Of course, it is a little...

Phrase of the Week: So much for that!

Jane: Did Spot like the toy I bought him? Martha: Yes, he has already ripped it to shreds. Jane: Well, so much for that toy! We say “so much for X” when X has been destroyed or ended. In this case “so much” doesn’t mean “a lot” but “that specific amount.” The thing we...

Phrase of the Week: Red herring

Fred: I can’t believe the butler did it! What about the maid’s missing alibi? George: That was just a red herring. A red herring is something that seems important, but is actually just there to distract you from what is really important. It is common in mystery...

Phrase of the Week: From Scratch

Bob: This cake is delicious! Where did you get it? Terry: I made it myself. Bob: Did you use a cake mix? Terry: No, I made it from scratch. When you make something from the raw ingredients, you make it from scratch. If you use anything pre-made, like a sauce, mix, or...

Phrase of the Week: Take your word for it

“This is a really great book. But you don’t have to take my word for it. Read it yourself and see.” “I don’t like reading much, so I’ll just take your word for it.” To take someone’s word is to believe something they say. If you don’t take their word for it, you have...