E-TIDBIT OF THE DAY: LIKE TWO PEAS IN A POD

LIKE TWO PEAS IN A POD is an American idiomatic expression describing two people who look alike, but are not related biologically. The green pea seeds in a pod look very much alike, appearing identical in color and size. From this vegetable comes the expression. This expression can describe other similarities, like having the same tastes in movies, music, food, similar personalities, opinions, likes and dislikes, etc. But, much of the point communicated by this expression is the likeness of the facial features, and perhaps the hair color. 

Note: This expression can be used without the word "like" in front of it.
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Examples in casual speech

"Wow! The two girls are best friends, but they could be sisters! Everyone says they look so much alike and I agree! They're like two peas in a pod!"

"Those two men look like twins! They're like two peas in a pod, and not related at all!"

"Oh! You mean those boys aren't brothers? Now, there's two peas in a pod, for you!"
                                            

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Congratulations! You're that much closer to speaking excellent American English! 

E-TIDBIT OF THE DAY: To make it or not.

To make it or not make it, is an American idiomatic expression used a lot and which has two different meanings. "To make it or not", does not necessarily have to do with cooking or creating, but everything to do with dying or reaching a goal. Ex: "I like cooking carrot cake, so I made it this afternoon for the kids." In this context, the expression is not used, because I actually made a cake. You can take the sentence literally. The expression, however, cannot be taken literally. Someone, an animal or a plant that doesn't make it means that they or it died.

You will hear the expression a lot in movies, TV Series, and even on the news. Let's deal with the first meaning: "die, dying or died". It can be used with all subjects: nouns, personal pronouns, or proper names, depending on who or what you are referring to.

Examples: 

"John was injured badly in the war. He underwent several surgeries, but after a few weeks, he didn't make it."

The roadside was full of bushes right up to the curb. We couldn't see the deer that jumped onto the highway in front of us. Despite our efforts to miss it, we hit its hind quarters. The forest ranger who came to help, told us that the deer was not going to make it. Its leg was broken, so he had to shoot it.

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Another use of this expression is when one does or does not reach his or her goal; when we plan something that does or does not happen the way we want it to.

Examples:

"We didn't have enough time to reach the city for the Spring Festival. It was already 30 minutes into the night and foggy, so we didn't make it in time to participate in the opening ceremony."

"Our 10-party expedition made it to the summit, conquering the highest mountain in the world at 8,848 meters! But unfortunately, four of us didn't, because our fingers got a case of frost bite at 7,500 meters, so we had to return to base camp for emergency medical treatment."

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So, this is how you can use the expression with the nouns, personal pronouns and proper names:

• My Mom didn't make it to the store, today. (didn't reach her destination or goal)
• She didn't make it through the surgery. (person died)
• The boy made it through the obstacle course in record time. (reached the goal)
• The car didn't make it passed the sharp curve and ran off the road. (didn't get passed the curve safely, which was the goal)
• Barbara made it to the bank just before it closed. (reached the goal)
• The mouse didn't make it after getting caught in the mousetrap. (it died)
• Robert didn't make it on the team. (didn't reach the goal) 

OR: Robert didn't make the team. Here, the expression is not used, in the context of "making a team", meaning not getting selected as a player on a team. The verb "make" is used by itself and is considered an expression used in the context of being selected or not for a team position. (This could be another post all by itself.).

Congratulations! You're that much closer to speaking excellent American English! 

E-TIDBIT OF THE DAY: Spot on!

SPOT ON! is an American idiomatic expression, used to comment or point out that someone is right about something they did or said; exact, absolutely correct.

Take a look at the conversations below:

Conversation 1

Mr. Wellington: Hey, Johnny! How's it going these days? A lot of work?

Johnny: Yes, sir! Mr. Wellington, we do have much to do yet, but we plan to divide up our time spent on each phase of the project. We don't want to spend our nights here in the office. Our families won't appreciate that. So, we came up with a great plan. We're sharing the workload by taking two 4-hour shifts on each phase per day. This way, between the four of us, we'll have the results in a week.

Mr. Wellington: Sounds like a plan! Johnny, you're spot on! Keep up the good work! I always knew you were a potential administrator and think outside the box. After the results of the project are evaluated, let's talk about your promotion.

Johnny: Wow, Mr. Wellington! I...uh, don't know what to say...thank you, sir!

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Conversation 2

Jenny: Good evening, ladies! How's everyone this afternoon? I just wanted to say, how impressed I was with the knitted sweaters you all made! Your ideas were spot on! You chose great colors, as well as interesting designs!

The ladies responded in agreement: Well, Jenny, we have a very good teacher with spot on ideas! 

Jenny: Oh,...thank you for saying so!  I try to pass on to all my students the skills my mother taught me. Knitting is a great hobby to have, especially during this quarantine. 

Conversation 3

Coach: Hey, guys! We have just 1 minute left in the game. We need a 3 pointer...I want you to pass the ball to Joe, once he gets in position, ok? Does everyone understand the play?

The Team answers: Yeah, Coach! We got this!

 - The team takes the ball. Joe gets into position just above the key. With only 3 seconds remaining, he shoots...the buzzer goes off...the ball swishes through the basket! It's a game!

- After celebrating their victory on the court, hugging each other, the family, the friends, the fans, and shaking hands with the defeated opponents, the team and coach go to the locker room.

Coach: Team, you were SPOT ON! Wow! It was close! They didn't know what hit them on that last play! They didn't expect Joe to shoot from so far out. Good game! And Joe! Keep practicing that shot! Now, we're on to the state finals!

Congratulations! You're that much closer to speaking excellent American English!

E-TIDBIT OF THE DAY: That's all she wrote

That's all she wrote is an American idiomatic expression that dates back to the Dear John Letters of World War II (WWII). As the story goes, there was a sad serviceman said to have received a letter that only had two words: Dear John. This became a joke among the soldiers. Some would receive a full-page letter, or just a few lines, or in the case of the sad serviceman who received just a two-word letter.

The expression that's all she wrote came to mean something that has ended or finished or something that has ended and there is nothing more to say about it.

Examples:

"We were just two days from completing a 5-week project, when our supplier informed us that the additional materials we needed were no longer in stock. Our deadline was almost up and we had no more time to look for another supplier, so...that was all she wrote!"

"Our house burnt down last week. We immediately called the fire department, but they took too long to get there and that was all she wrote!"

"John Smith, our champion Formula 1 sensation is neck-to-neck with Ted Campbell...Oh, oh no! His tire blew up just 200 meters from the finish line! He's out and that's all she wrote! What a stroke of bad luck! Ted Campbell, the new champion, has won, folks!"

"Out of 100 candidates, my son got the job! That's all she wrote!"

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Congratulations! You're that much closer to speaking excellent American English!

E-TIDBIT OF THE DAY: Stopped up & backed up

Stopped up & backed up are phrasal verbs! Remember those things?! They have been put into our English vocabulary to confuse those of you whose English is not your mother tongue! 

  

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Stopped up and backed up are related to each other. Stopped up and backed up means something is unable to flow freely, generally inside a pipe. Or something is blocking the flow, so we say the pipe is stopped up! When this happens, it's not fun, because the next thing one has to do is unplug whatever is blocking the flow. 

Note: We can also say that the traffic is backed up, which often happens at rush hour, meaning that many cars are on the street or freeway, causing cars to move slowly or stop.

For example, a kitchen sink drain can get stopped up or backed up, meaning that whatever is down the drain is going to come up and into the sink. You would probably have to turn off the water faucet to keep the water in the sink from overflowing unto the floor! You can be certain that the water, when backed up in a drain will not be clean! So, keep your drains and toilets free (using a plunger) from stopping up or backing up!

Congratulations! You're that much closer to speaking excellent American English!

E-TIDBIT OF THE DAY: Toothbrushing on the go!

TOOTHBRUSHING while out and about is part of Brazilian culture. Most Brazilians carry a toothbrush to brush their teeth after lunch at work or when on an outing away from home for the day. It is a practice that Americans don't have. 

Americans who see a Brazilian brushing their teeth in a restroom, think it strange, to say the least. Brazilians who travel to the United States and who are seen brushing their teeth in a restroom, have told me they have received strange or puzzled looks from Americans. I admit that I reacted the same way when I began seeing Brazilians brushing their teeth in restrooms here in Brazil.

But, my fellow Americans and Canadians...what's all the fuss?!? When you think about it, how hygienic is brushing your teeth after meals eaten out? Very oral hygienic!! So, I ask my countrymen again: What's the problem? We need to brush our teeth more than just once or twice a day. One thing I can't stand is grungy-feeling teeth, even for a few minutes, let alone several hours! Plus, poppin' a breath mint, is not gonna get your teeth clean! After a few years living in Brazil, I not only started carrying a toothbrush, but also dental floss! Doctors say that a clean mouth helps to keep our bodies healthy!

                                           

Well, it's a question of customs related to culture. I'm American, a dentist's daughter, and I think it's a great idea to carry a toothbrush while away from home. Here's a little tip: You should floss correctly (ask your dentist how) before brushing; you must have a good toothbrush (not hard and not too soft - medium is the best) and a proper brushing technique - little pressure and brush with a small circular motion for at least 3 minutes (ask your dentist who can show you). When your toothbrush's bristles start fraying outwardly like a "Y", it's way overdue for a new one. You should have two of two different colors (three, if you decide to carry one with you), and use them alternately. 

There you have it! Think about how much sense it makes to carry and use a toothbrush while at work, the Brazilian way. Does your country have this custom? Let me know! Send a comment.

Congratulations! You are that much closer to speaking excellent American English!

E-TIDBIT OF THE DAY: Toilet Paper doesn't belong in the toilet?!?!

TOILET PAPER in Brazil does NOT belong in the toilet, in most places. So, you ask: Where then does it belong after used? Well, there is a logical explanation for why Brazilians put used toilet paper (hereafter referred to as T.P.) somewhere other than the toilet. 

Now, before we continue this conversation, please keep an open mind! Many might be shocked when they hear this. In Brazil, the toilet water pressure when flushing is not strong in many homes nor businesses. So, to keep from clogging the toilet, you will sometimes see a sign on the wall behind the thone (as we often call it in the USA), instructing visitors and reminding Brazilians to please put the toilet paper in the wastebasket (the sign is usually written in Portuguese). 

Americans think that is nasty, to say the least. We are not accustomed to this practice. Those of my homeland are very happy when we are able to live in an apartment building in Brazil, because the water pressure must be stronger to flush everything down the toilet including TP. I have been doing this for years and the toilet has never failed to get rid of TP...and no stopping up the toilet! What can be really nasty is when the toilet gets backed up, meaning it can start to overflow. 

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Well, anyway...enough of talking about toilet life! I think you now understand the reason why TP doesn't belong in the toilet, but in the wastebasket beside the toilet...in Brazil. Now, should you ever visit Brazil and find no wastebasket in the restroom, well, just do the logical thing and put the TP in the toilet, and hope you don't need a plunger, because you won't find that in the restroom, either. You might wanna hold onto the flusher mechanism for a few seconds just to make sure.

Oh! By the way, you may have noticed that there are a couple of phrasal verbs in bold italics in this cultural lesson that have been used. Don't worry! I'll explain them in the next few posts, just in case you didn't quite understand their meaning or when to use them.

Congratulations! You are that much closer to speaking excellent American English!