“Strong minds discuss ideas, average minds discuss events, weak minds discuss people.” How to talk about secrets and news.People love gossiping. Either you are a gossip or they gossip about you. Learn a handful of phrases to describe the very act of gossiping. to confide - zwierzyć się
- to tell something secret or personal to someone who you trust not to tell anyone else My friend confided to me that she was pregnant. to drop a bombshell - oznajmić złą wiadomość - to announce a sudden and often unpleasant piece of news My son dropped a bombshell by informing us that he was going abroad. eavesdrop (on a conversation) - podsłuchać - to listen to someone's private conversation without them knowing: He was eavesdropping on our conversation. to overhear - przypadkowo podsłyszeć - to hear what other people are saying without intending to and without their knowledge I accidentally overheard them say they were going to fire you. to gossip - plotkować - to talk about other people's private lives The employees started to gossip about their affair. a gossip (gossipmonger) - plotkarz - someone who enjoys talking about other people and their private lives My mum is a terrible gossip. indiscreet - niedyskretny - saying things that should be secret The actor was rather indiscreet about his relationship. a rumour - pogłoska - an unofficial interesting story or piece of news that might be true, and quickly spreads from person to person Rumours are going round about CEO and his assistant. to tell in the strictest confidence - w największej tajemnicy - expecting not to tell it anyone else I'm telling you this in the strictest confidence. be the soul of discretion - uosobienie dyskrecji - a person who keeps a secret Don't worry, I'm the soul of discretion when it comes to delicate matters. to breathe a word to somebody - pisnąć słowko - to reveal the secret You cannot breathe a word of this to anybody. don't quote me on this - nie powołuj się na mnie - do not tell other people I said this Don't quote me on this, but I saw our neighbour cheat on his wife. it's very hush-hush - to ściścle tajne - highly confidential It's very hush-hush, don't tell anyone! be under wraps - trzymać w tajemnicy, zamieść pod dywan - keep as a secret These incidents have to be kept under wraps, or we will lose our jobs. hear on the grapevine - uslyszeć pocztą pantoflową - find out about something unofficially I heard on the grapevine he is being promoted.
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How to talk about decisionsA pessimist, confronted with two bad choices, chooses both. Everyone has to make decisions. Sometimes they are less important, but sometimes they are life-changing ones. Learn new phrases to equip yourself with the language which will help you to talk about your choices and decisions. TO BE IN TWO MINDS ABOUT STH - whether to do it or not I'm in two minds about going to Jennifer's party. TO BE SHORTLISTED - to be chosen from a large number of applicants for a job Mary has been shortlisted for the position of marketing manager and now she is preparing for a job interview. TO BE SPOILT FOR CHOICE - to have a lot of similar things to choose from The restaurant has a big variety of dishes. I'm spoilt for choice and don't know what to choose. TO HAVE A CHANGE OF HEART - to change the way you feel about sth I wasn't going to do that, but I had a change of heart and did it. TO HAVE NO ALTERNATIVE BUT TO ... - to have no other choice If you don't pay, I will have no alternative but to take legal action against you. TO OPT FOR - to choose to do something After much deliberation, I opted for the car. TO REACH / COME TO / ARRIVE AT A DECISION - to decide We have reached a decision concerning changing flats. TO SIT ON THE FENCE - to delay making a decision when you have to choose between two sided in an argument She criticized members of the committee for sitting on the fence and failing to make a useful contribution to the debate. TO BE TORN BETWEEN ST AND STH - to find two things attractive and not be able to decide between them I don't know which dress to choose. I'm torn between blue and purple. Have you decided to start learning English? Maybe I could be of any help? Contact me. Are you a FAT CAT?e.g.
There is a lot of public anger about corporate fat cats and their huge bonuses. How to talk about hot weather
The article above provides a few expressions used to describe hot weather. Read below to learn a few more.
to be baking / boiling (hot) - to be very hot It has been boiling hot all week in Poland. a drought - a long period of time with little or no rain If the drought continues, water will have to be rationed. to be muggy - hot, wet and uncomfortable London is very hot and muggy this summer. a scorcher - a very hot day. Saturday was a real scorcher. to be sweltering - to be uncomfortably hot It's sweltering outside. What's the weather like in your country/city? |
AuthorKatarzyna Sawicz Key facts:
- teacher of English - interpreter PL-EN, EN-PL - B.A in English Linguistics, M.A in Linguistics, Sworn and Business Translations, Financial Analysis and Reporting - over 18 years experience teaching and designing materials - experience teaching online to individuals and small groups - experience teaching in-company - 3500+ hours of online lessons Archives
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