A quick study
Definition: a person who learns quickly and easily
Usage: informal, conversational
Sample dialogue:
A: How long has Reachel been playing piano?
B: Only for about a year.
A: Really? She plays beautifully.
B: Yes, she's a quick study.
Own dialogue:
A: How long did you studiy for the test?
B: Only for one hour
A: Only one hour? I studied for at least five hours.
B: I know, bu I'm a quick study.
Usage: informal, conversational
Sample dialogue:
A: How long has Reachel been playing piano?
B: Only for about a year.
A: Really? She plays beautifully.
B: Yes, she's a quick study.
Own dialogue:
A: How long did you studiy for the test?
B: Only for one hour
A: Only one hour? I studied for at least five hours.
B: I know, bu I'm a quick study.
Ace in the hole
Definition: an advantage that is saved until needed
Usage: informal, conversational
Sample dialogue:
A: Coach, why am I not in the game?
B: I need you to stay here for a little longer.
A: Oh... come on. I can play now.
B: Just wait. I need to put you in the last quarter. You're my ace in the hole. We can win the game if we wait till the last quarter.
Own dialogue:
A: Should I run as fast as I can from the beginning?
B: No, you shouldn't.
A: Why not?
B: Save it to the end, your endurance is your ace in the hole.
Usage: informal, conversational
Sample dialogue:
A: Coach, why am I not in the game?
B: I need you to stay here for a little longer.
A: Oh... come on. I can play now.
B: Just wait. I need to put you in the last quarter. You're my ace in the hole. We can win the game if we wait till the last quarter.
Own dialogue:
A: Should I run as fast as I can from the beginning?
B: No, you shouldn't.
A: Why not?
B: Save it to the end, your endurance is your ace in the hole.
Add fuel to the fire
Definition: to make a problem worse
Usage: conversational, informal
Sample dialogue:
A: Steve, just leave Mary alone when she's angry.
B: I'm only trying to help.
A: But you're not. You're aggravating her.
B: I am just trying to...
A: You're not helping. You're just adding fuel to the fire.
Own dialogue:
A: David forgot to tell his wife that he was going to work late.
B: Oh, what happened?
A: His wife got really mad; it is already bad between them, so this was only adding fuel to the fire.
Usage: conversational, informal
Sample dialogue:
A: Steve, just leave Mary alone when she's angry.
B: I'm only trying to help.
A: But you're not. You're aggravating her.
B: I am just trying to...
A: You're not helping. You're just adding fuel to the fire.
Own dialogue:
A: David forgot to tell his wife that he was going to work late.
B: Oh, what happened?
A: His wife got really mad; it is already bad between them, so this was only adding fuel to the fire.
Add insult to injury
Definition: to make a bad situation worse
Usage: informal, controversal
Sample dialogue:
A: Jim you're all wet. What happened?
B: I'm not having a good day at all.
A: Then tell me what happened.
B: Well, first my car broke down. Then I was late to my meeting, and to add insult to injury, it started to rain.
Own example sentence: To add insult to injury I was late to he lesson on which we had a test I hadn't studied for.
Usage: informal, controversal
Sample dialogue:
A: Jim you're all wet. What happened?
B: I'm not having a good day at all.
A: Then tell me what happened.
B: Well, first my car broke down. Then I was late to my meeting, and to add insult to injury, it started to rain.
Own example sentence: To add insult to injury I was late to he lesson on which we had a test I hadn't studied for.
As sick as a dog
Definition: to be very ill
Usage: controversational, informal
Sample dialogue:
A: Scott's been out of school all week.
B: WHat's the mater wth him?
A: I don't know, but he can't even get out of bed.
B: Wow, sounds like he's as sick as a dog.
Own dialogue:
A: Where is Maria?
B: She is home sick.
A: But she can't be so sick that she misses this important test.
B: Well, I guess she is as sick as a dog.
Usage: controversational, informal
Sample dialogue:
A: Scott's been out of school all week.
B: WHat's the mater wth him?
A: I don't know, but he can't even get out of bed.
B: Wow, sounds like he's as sick as a dog.
Own dialogue:
A: Where is Maria?
B: She is home sick.
A: But she can't be so sick that she misses this important test.
B: Well, I guess she is as sick as a dog.