IDIOM: ace-high
four-letter words: Many English "swear words" have four letters, so the term might mean vulgar words with any number of letters, including words for body parts or functions related to sex (like the famous "F word") or toilet functions.
Example: "You can't use four-letter words on TV!"
Proverb: "When the cat's away, the mice will play."
Meaning: People will relax when the boss, teacher, parent, etc., is not there to keep them working.
Mini-Dialogue:
Artie: Hey, let's take a break!
Bertie: Well, we just had one, but since Mr. Dithers is out, why not? When the cat's away, the mice will play!
Sometimes we can just use the first half of the proverb: "When the cat's away..."
fringe benefit: something given to a worker besides the salary or wage.
It could include: housing; health, dental, or life insurance; retirement benefits; daycare; sick leave; vacation; social security; profit sharing; and other specialized benefits.
emoticons: from "emotion" and "icon," symbols people use to tell how they feel, like :( is sad or ;) is a wink.
Strictly speaking, emojis--which look like a cartoon--are not emoticons; these are made up only of punctuation marks, numbers, and letters.
chocolate: borrowed from the Nahuatl (Mexican native) word xocolatl or cacaua atl, meaning "cacao water.
Invented 3,000-4,000 years ago, cacao is the bitter substance which--with the addition of oils, sugar, and sometime milk--becomes the divine substance we all know and love.
analysis (noun): a careful study of something.
Example: "The analyst analyzed the problem and reported her analysis."
Proverb: "Like a fish out of water."
Meaning: Leaving one's usual environment can be uncomfortable, and may even cause serious troubles.
Mini-Dialogue:
April: "My grandpa went to a rave last week!"
Brenda: "Wow. He must have been like a fish out of water."
compliance: from the verb "comply," it means following the laws and regulations of business.
It's good to be "in compliance," bad to be "out of compliance."
Example: "Some companies hire staff to ensure compliance with mask requirements."
Term: a heck of a lot of
Meaning: very much or very many
Mini-Dialogue:
Boss: "If you're late to work again, you'll be in a heck of a lot of trouble."
Employee: "Sorry, boss, there were a heck of a lot of cars on the freeway! It was a heck of a lot of traffic!"
(Some people say "hell" for "heck," but that's vulgar.)
Proverb: "Leave well enough alone."
Meaning: If something is ok--even if it's not perfect--don't try to change it. That might make it worse!
Mini-Dialogue:
Annette: "My boyfriend snorts when he laughs. Should I say something?"
Brendan: "No way! He's great! Just leave well enough alone."
These days, people also say: "If it ain't broke, don't fix it!"
freegan: person who eats only food they get for free, usually because it has been thrown out. Freegans believe food shouldn't be wasted--so they eat it! They're also called "dumpster divers," referring to the large trash cans ("dumpsters") behind grocery stores and restaurants.
Proverb: "If the shoe fits, wear it."
Meaning: Accept things the way they are. If you did something wrong, take the blame!
Mini-Dialogue:
Armando: "Christina just called me fat!"
Belinda: "I'm not saying I agree, but if the shoe fits, wear it!"
(Sometimes we say only half of the proverb: "If the shoe fits...")
golden parachute: An attractive offer of benefits to convince an employee to retire early or resign, perhaps to make way for younger (and lower-paid) employees, or as part of downsizing (reducing the company's size).
Example: "Fred finally decided to go after they offered him a golden parachute."
"me time": Time do things just for oneself, without obligation to work or family.
Examples:
"After the dishes are washed, the kids are in bed, and my are clothes ironed for tomorrow, I always take 'me time.'"
"I've been busy lately; Sunday I'm going to take a little 'me time' and go hiking."
Proverb: "Actions speak louder than words."
Meaning: What we do matters much more than what we say. (Do you agree?)
Mini-Dialogue:
Albert: "I love you."
Brenda: "You say that, but you treat me bad. Remember, 'Actions speak louder than words.'"
