Languages and Computer: أبريل 2008

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German terms commonly used in English

Words in this category will be recognized by most English speakers and are commonly used in English. A few, such as delicatessen and hinterland, are often used without awareness that that are originally German. It should be noted that some words in this list (hamburger, kindergarten) are more common than others (ersatz, wanderlust).

Food and drink

Beergarden (German spelling: Biergarten)
Bratwurst
Delicatessen (German spelling: Delikatessen; abbv. deli)
Frankfurter
Hamburger
Kraut
Lager (beer)
Muesli (German spelling: M�sli)
Pils, Pilsner, Pilsener
Pretzel (German spelling: Brezel)
Pumpernickel
Punch (German spelling: Punsch; several fruit juices, possibly with alcohol)
Sauerkraut
Schnapps (German spelling: Schnaps)
Schnitzel
Spritzer
Strudel
Wiener (abbreviated from Wiener W�rstchen)
Wurst
Zwieback

Sports and recreation

Abseil (German spelling: abseilen, a verb)
Foosball (German spelling: Fußball, which refers to the game called soccer in the United States) - in English, foosball refers to the tabletop soccer games found in bars and pubs, which are called Tischfußball or Kicker in German.
Rucksack (more commonly called a backpack in English)
Zugzwang
Zwischenzug

Other aspects of everyday life

Angst (though the meaning is much more specific in English.)
Dachshund (a word that Germans rarely use; they say 'Dackel')
Doberman pinscher (German spelling: Dobermannpinscher)
Doppelganger (German spelling: Doppelg�nger)
Ersatz, "substitute", derogatory
Feinschmecker (gourmet)
Fest
Flak (Flugabwehrkanone ), in the figurative sense: "drawing flak" = being criticized
Hinterland
Gesundheit (in US English, only used as an exclamation used after somebody has sneezed)
J�gers (German spelling: J�ger for singular and plural)
Kaffeeklatsch - coffee culture (literally: coffee gossip)
Kaput (German spelling: kaputt)
Kindergarten
Kitsch (also used in Yiddish, but derivative of German)
Kraut, generally as a derogatory word for a German person.
mishmash (German spelling: Mischmasch)
-meister (primarily satirical usage)
Oktoberfest
Poltergeist
Schadenfreude
Spitz
Verboten
Verklemmt
Volkswagen (proper name in English; pronounced folksvagon, people's car)
Wanderlust, the yearning to travel
Wunderkind, "wonder child", a prodigy
Zeppelin, type of airship named after its inventor

German terms commonly used in academic contexts in English

German terms frequently appear in several academic disciplines in English, notably in history, psychology, philosophy, music and the physical sciences. Non-specialists in a given field may or may not be familiar with a given German term.

General academic language

Ansatz, basic approach
Methodenstreit, disagreement on methodology

Architecture

Bauhaus
Plattenbau

Economics

Freigeld
Freiwirtschaft
Lumpenproletariat

Music

Biedermeier, era in early 19th century Vienna
Glockenspiel, a percussion instrument
Heldentenor, "heroic tenor"
Hammerklavier, "hammer-keyboard", an archaic term for piano or the name of a specific kind of

piano

Kapellmeister, "music director"
Leitmotif (German spelling: Leitmotiv)
Lied (pronounced "leet"), "song"; specifically in English, "art song"
Lieder ohne Worte, "songs without words"
Minnesinger (German spelling: 'Minnes�nger')
Rosenkavalier, "cavalier of the rose", an opera by Richard Strauss
Sprechgesang, form of musical delivery between speech and singing
Sturm und Drang, "storm and stress", a brief esthetic movement during the Classical period
Urtext, "original text (of the composer)"

Philosophy

Gott ist tot!, a popular phrase from Nietzsche; more commonly rendered "God is dead!" in English.
�bermensch, also from Nietzsche; the mythic Superman or Overman
Weltanschauung, Worldview or View of the world
Weltschmerz, World-weariness, angst; despair with the World (often used ironically in German)
Wille zur Macht, a central concept of Nietzsche's philosophy; it means "the Will to Power."

Physical sciences

Aufbau principle (physical chemistry)
Bauplan = body plan of animals
Bremsstrahlung
Gedanken experiment (German spelling: Gedankenexperiment; more commonly referred to as a "thought experiment" in English.)
Gerade and its opposite ungerade (quantum mechanics)
Lagerst�tten
Mischmetall
Spiegeleisen
Umpolung (organic chemistry)
vierbein, and variations such as vielbein

Psychology

Gestalt (psychology; much narrower meaning than in German.)
Zeitgeber (lit. tide-giver; something that resets the circadian clock produced by the SCN.)
[edit]
Academic culture
Festschrift, book prepared by colleagues to honor a scholar
Privatdozent

German terms mostly used for literary effect

There are a few terms which are recognised by many English speakers but are usually only used to deliberately evoke a German context:
Achtung
Frau and Fr�ulein
F�hrer (umlaut is usually dropped in English) — always used in (American) English to denote Hitler or to connote a Fascistic leader — never used, as is possible in German, simply and unironically to denote a (non-Fascist) leader, i.e. Bergf�hrer just means Mountain Guide
H�nde hoch — "hands up"
Herr — evokes German context; but used with military titles ("Herr Oberst"), immediately connotes Nazi era to (American) English listeners.
Lederhosen (Singular Lederhose in German denotes one pair of leathery trousers. The original Bavarian word is Lederhosn, which is both singular and plural.)
Meister — used as a suffix to mean expert, or master
Nein, "no"
Reich — to (American) English speakers, "Reich" does not denote its literal meaning, "empire", but strongly connotes Naziism and is often used to suggest Fascism or authoritarianism, e.g., "Herr Reichsminister" used as a title for a disliked politician.
Jawohl
Schnell! — Fast!
Kommandant — officer or person in command, especially of a military camp or U-Boat. (Applies regardless of military rank, in distinction to the English "commander".)

German terms rarely used in English

This is the unsorted, original list. If a term is common in a particular academic discipline, and there is no more commonly used English equivalent, then please move it to the list above.
Autobahn
Fahrvergnugen (German spelling: Fahrvergn�gen, literally pleasure of driving. Caused widespread puzzlement in America when used in a Volkswagen advertising campaign. Actually, a German native speaker would prefer "Fahrspa�" because of the easier pronunciation.)
Gem�tlichkeit
G�tterd�mmerung, downfall of the once mighty (literally: Twilight of the Gods)
Katzenjammer
Kinderfeindlichkeit
Kobold
Kursaal
Luftmensch
Putzfrau
Schmutz
Sexualpolitik
... �ber Alles (originally "Deutschland �ber Alles"; now used by extension in other cases, as in the Dead Kennedys song "California �ber Alles")
Ur- (as a prefix to mean "proto-")
Waldsterben
Weltpolitik
Zweihander (German spelling: Zweih�nder)

English words of Arabic origin

English words of Arabic origin

A
Admiral أمير البحر amiir al-baHr "commander of the sea"
Adobe الطوب aT-Tuub "the brick" (itself originally from Coptic t�be)
Albacore al-bakoura
Albatross
Alchemy الكيمياء al-keemiyaa (from disputed origins; possibly Greek)
Alcohol, via Spanish alcohol الكحول al-kuHuul (original meaning "eyeshadow", from a root meaning "dark"; cf. kohl)
Alcove, al-qubba, "the arch"
Alfalfa al-fasfasa "fodder"
Algebra via Spanish �lgebra; الجبر al-jabr (literally "repairing")
Algorithm from the name of الخوارزمي al-Khwarizmi
Alkali al-qaliy "calx"
Almanac al-manaakh, "the climate"
Amber anbar, "ambergris"
Apricot al-birqouq
Arsenalدار الصناعة daar sinaa`a, "house of manufacturing"
Artichoke via Italian from Arabic الخرشوف al-khurshouf (which, ironically, was reborrowed back into Lebanese Arabic as Ardthi-Shoki أرضي شوكي)
Assassin - حشّاشين al-hashaasheen "users of hashish" (from the drugs used by the original Assassins of Alamut)
Azimuth as-sumut "the paths"
Azure via persian , al-lazward "lapis lazuli"

B
Balsam balsam
Bedouin - بدويين badawiyyiin "nomads"
Borax via persian , buraaq

C
Caliber qaalib "mold, model"
Camel - jamal , from Latin camellus, from one of the Semitic languages (which one is uncertain, but the term is found in Latin before Arabic)
Camphor كافور kaafuur (via Medieval Latin), probably from Malay kapur.
Candy from sugar qandi "candied", from qand "cane sugar"
Carafe ghiraaf "handfuls of water"
Caramel
Caraway karaawiyaa
Check - through Arabic sakk, from Persian shah "king"
Checkmate - shāh māt "the King is dead"
Chemistry (see "Alchemy")
Cipher صفر Sifr "zero"
Coffee قهوة qahwah (via Turkish kahve)
Cork qoorq, ultimately from Latin quercus "oak"
Cotton قطن quTn
Crimson qirmizi , from qirmiz "red dye" (see "Kermes")
Cumin from Greek kuminon, from an unidentified Semitic language; c.f. Arabic kamuun

E
Elixir الإكسير al-'iksiir "philosopher's stone" (via Greek)

G
Garble gharbala "sift", ultimately from Latin cribellum "sieve"
Gauze qazz "raw silk"
Gazelle غزال ghazaal
Genie جنّ jinn
Gerbil yarbu
Ghoul غول ghuul
Giraffe زرافة zaraafah
Guitar qithaar , via Spanish, ultimately from Greek

H
Haremحريم h'aram "prohibited, set apart"
Hashish حشيش Hashiish "grass"
Hazard الزهر az-zahr �the die�
Henna حنة hinaa

J
Jar جرة jarrah "large earthen vase"
Jasmine ياسمين yaasamiin (ultimately from Persian)
Jinn جنّ jinn "spirits"
Julep جلاب julaab "rose water" , ultimately from Persian gulaab

Kermes قرمز qirmiz (via Spanish; ultimately from Sanskit krmi-ja "worm-produced")
Kismet via Persian, qisma "portion, destiny, fate"

L
Lacquer
Lake pigments
Lemon via Persian, laymoun
Lilac via Persian, laylak
Lime limah "citrus fruit"
Lute العود al-`uud "the lute" , The fore-runner of the guitar.

M
Macrame miqrama "embroidered veil"
Magazine makhaazin "storehouses" , possibly from Crusades
Marzipan mawthaban "coin featuring a seated figure"
Mascara maskhara "buffoon"
Massage
Mattress مطرح maTraH "place where something is thrown, mat, cushion"
Mecca مكّة Makkah
Minaret manarah , nar "fire"
Mochaمخا al-mukhaa "Mocha" [Yemen]
Mohair mukhayyar "having the choice"
Monsoon mawsim "season"
Mosque مسجد masjid (via Italian)
Mummy mumiyaa "embalmed body"
Myrrh from Greek, ultimately from one of the Semitic languages, but which one is unclear; cf. Arabic مر murr "bitter"

N
Nadir - nazeer "parallel"

O
Orange Naranj or Naranja نرنجة (orginally an Arabic word for a type of an orange fruit and also a Spanish word for the orange color)
Ottoman uthman

R
Racket raaha "palm of the hand"
Ream rizma "bale, bundle"

S
Safari سفر from Arabic safar "travel" through Swahili
Saffron za`faraan
Sahara �ah'ra "desert"
Sash shaash "muslin"
Sequin sikkah "die, coin"
Satin probably zaytuni "of Zaytun"
Sesame simsim
Sherbet شربات sharbaat "drinks"
Shrub, as in the drink
Soda
Sofa suffa "stone ledge"
Spinach isfanakh
Sugar سكّر sukkar (possibly from an Indian language, cf. Sanskrit sharkara)
Sultan سلطان sulTaan "ruler"
Syrup sharaab "beverage, drink"

Talc talq
Talisman ultimately from Greek telesma
Tamarind tamr-hindi "date of India"
Tambourine via Persian, tanbur a small "tambour"
Tariff ta`riifa "notification, price list"
Typhoon طوفان Tuufaan "flood", itself from Greek Typhon; also affected by Cantonese taai-fung

V
Vizier وزير waziir "minister" (via Turkish vezir)

Y
Z

Words Borrowed from European languages

Words Borrowed from French (175)

A) A- أ la carte, Adieu, Ambiance, Apأ©ritif, Attachأ©, Attorney, Au revoir, Authority, Avant-garde, أ©migrأ©

B) B- bagatelle, Ballet, Bas-relief, Baton, Bأھte noire, Billet-doux, Bizarre, Blasأ©, Blond, Bonbon, Bouffant, Boulevard, Bouquet, Bourgeoisie, Brochure

C) C- cadet, Canard, Caprice, Carousel, Carte blanche, Chagrin, Charade, Charity. chef, Chef d'oeuvre, Chemise, Chic, Clergy, Clientele, Coiffure, Connoisseur, Coroner, Corsage, Coterie, Coup de grأ¢ce, Cravat, Crime, Cuisine, Cul-de-sac

D) D- debacle, Debonair, Debris, Debutante, Demitasse, Denouement, Depot, Detour, Devotee

E) E- أ©lan, Elite, Encore, Ennui, Entente, Entourage, Entrأ©e, Entre nous, Entrepreneur, Envoy, Esprit de corps, Essay, Expose

F) F- facade, Fait accompli, Faux pas, Fأھte, Fiancأ©, Fiancأ©e, Filet, Finesse, Flamboyant, Foyer

G) G- garage, Gendarme, Gourmet, Government

I) I- impasse, Impromptu, Ingأ©nue

J) J- judge, Jury, Justice

L) L- laissez-faire, Legerdemain, Liaison, Liberty, Lingerie

M) M- maأ®tre d', Maladroit, Malaise, Malapropos, Martinet, Mayor, Mأ©lange, Miage, Migraine, Milieu, Minister, Morale, Morgue, Mot juste, Motif, Musicale

N) N- naive, Nee, Noblesse oblige, Nocturne, Noel, Nonchalant, Normal, Nouveau riche, Nuance O)

P) P- palette, Par excellence, Parasol, Pastoral, Penchant, Pension, Piأ¨ce de rأ©sistance, Pince-nez, Prأ©cis, Progress, Protأ©gأ©, Public

Q) Q- quart r- raconteur

R) Raison d'أھtre, Rapport, Rapprochement, Rأ©gime, Rebel, Religion, Rendezvous, Repartee, Repertoire, Resume, Riposte

S) S- sabotage, Sangfroid, Savoir faire, Silhouette, Sobriquet, Souvenir, Suede, Suite

T) T- table d'hأ´te, Tأھte-أ -tأھte, Ticket, Toupee, Tour de force, Traitor, Treasurer, Troop, Trophy

U) U- universal

V) V- vague, Verdict, Victory, Vignette, Viola, Vis-a-vis, Vogue

W) W-

X) X-

Y) Y-

Z) Z-

Alphalary for Words Borrowed from Spanish (45)

A) A- adios. adobe, Albino, Alfalfa, Amigo, Armada, Avocado

B) B- bronco, Burro

C) C- cafeteria, Canoe, Canyon, Chocolate, Corral, Coyote

D) D-

E) E-

F) F- fiesta, Flotilla

G) G-

H) H- hurricane

I) I-

J) J- junta

K) K-

L) L-loco

M) M- mesa, Montana. mosquito

N) N-

O) O-

P) P- palomino, Patio, Pinto, Plaza, Poncho, Potato

Q) Q-

R) R- ranch, Rodeo, Rumba

S) S- sierra, Silo

T) T- tobacco, Tomato, Tornado, Tortilla

U) U-

X) Y) Z)

Alphalary for Words Borrowed from Italian (110)

A) A- a cappella, Adagio, Alfresco, Allegro, Alto, Andante, Antipasto, Aria, Arpeggio, Attitude

B) B- balcony, Ballot, Bandit, Banister, Basso, Bologna, Brigade, Bronze

C) C- cameo, Campanile, Cannon, Cantata, Canto, Carnival, Casino, Cavalry, Cello, Chianti, Chiaroscuro, Cognoscente, Colonel, Concerto, Confetti, Contralto, Crescendo, Cupola

D) D- dilettante, Dolce, Duel, Duet

E) E-

F) F- falsetto, Fiasco, Finale, Forte, Fortissimo, Fresco

G) G- ghetto, Gondola, Grave, Grotto, Gusto

H) H-

I) I- incognito, Infantry, Influenza, Intaglio, Intermezzo

J) J- jean

K) K-

L) L- lento, Libretto

M) M- macaroni, Maestro, Majolica, Malaria, Mascara, Mezzanine, Mezzo-soprano, Moderato

N) N-

O) O- opera, Oratorio

P) P- pasta, Pastel, Patina, Piano, Piazza, Portfolio, Portico, Presto, Prima donna

Q) Q-

R) R- relief, Rotunda

S) S- salvo, Sentinel, Sonata, Sotto voce, Spaghetti, Staccato, Stiletto, Stucco

T) T- tempura, Tenor, Terra-cotta, Torso, Trio

U) U-

V) V- vendetta, Vibrato, Virtuoso, Vista, Vivace, Volcano

W) W- wig

X) X-

Y) Y-

Z) Z-

5 -Expressions in American Slang

all along - throughout; from beginning to end
EXAMPLE 1: Jenny told Nicole she would vote for her, but all along shewas planning on voting for Andrea.
EXAMPLE 2: I never believed Joel when he told us he was marrying aprincess from Denmark. I knew all along that he was lying.

all better - completely cured
EXAMPLE 1: "All better?" asked Maureen, after her son stopped crying.
EXAMPLE 2: If you're not all better, you shouldn't go to work tomorrow.

(to) buy (some) time - to make more time available (in orderto achieve a certain purpose)
EXAMPLE 1: We're not sure yet whether or not we want to buy the house.We'd better buy some time so we can think about it over the weekend.
EXAMPLE 2: I'm not sure whether or not I want to take the job offer. I'dbetter buy some time to think about it.

(to) chill out [slang] - to relax
EXAMPLE 1: Chill out! If we miss this train, we'll just take the next one.
EXAMPLE 2: Your dog ate your homework? Chill out, I'm sure yourteacher will understand!

(to) cut it out - stop it; stop the annoying behavior
EXAMPLE 1: Tracy was chewing gum loudly during the movie. Her boyfriendfinally told her to cut it out.
EXAMPLE 2: Cut it out! Stop trying to pull my shoes off!

first things first - let's focus on the most important thing ortask first
EXAMPLE 1: You want to work here at Lulu's Dance Club? First thingsfirst, have you ever worked as a dancer before?
EXAMPLE 2: You want to ask your teacher if you can hand in your papertwo weeks late? First things first, you'd better think of an excuse.

(to) freak out [slang] - to respond to something irrationallyor crazily; to overreact
EXAMPLE 1: Ashley's parents freaked out when she told them she wasdropping out of college to become an actress.
EXAMPLE 2: Don't freak out when I tell you this, but I lost the laptop youlent me last week.

(to be) in charge of- having responsibility for
EXAMPLE 1: John is in charge of all international sales for his company.
EXAMPLE 2: Who's in charge of making sure we don't run out of toiletpaper in the bathroom?

in progress - happening; under way; going on now
EXAMPLE 1: The play is already in progress, so you'll have to wait untilintermission to sit down.
EXAMPLE 2: Once the test is in progress, you will not be allowed to leavethe room.

(to) make a fortune - to make a lot of money
EXAMPLE 1: Adam made a fortune when he sold his company to Microsoft.
EXAMPLE 2: Emma made a fortune selling candy to her classmates afterlunch every day.SYNONYMS: to make a bundle; to make a killing

(to be) sick and tired of- completely bored with; sick of
EXAMPLE 1: Ted is sick and tired of hearing about what an excellentstudent Nicole is.
EXAMPLE 2: I'm sick and tired of this nasty weather we've been having!

(to) burn someone up - to make someone angry
EXAMPLE 1: Jenny didn't vote for Nicole. That really burns Nicole up.
EXAMPLE 2: I can't believe Kristen and Andrew didn't invite us to theirwedding. That really burns me up!

come on in - enter
EXAMPLE 1: Come on in, the door's open!
EXAMPLE 2: If nobody answers the door when you ring tonight, just comeon in.
NOTE: This is a more conversational way of saying "come in."

(to) get plastered [slang] - to get drunk
EXAMPLE 1: Harold got plastered at the wedding and fell into the weddingcake.
EXAMPLE 2: That's your fifth martini. What are you trying to do, getplastered?SYNONYMS:
to get loaded [slang]; to get sloshed [slang]

(to) get rid of - to free oneself of; to throw out
EXAMPLE 1: We finally got rid of our spider problem, but now we have ants.
EXAMPLE 2: I've got too many old magazines and newspapers in my office.I need to get rid of some of them.

(to) get (something) straight - to clarify; to understand
EXAMPLE 1: Are you sure you got the directions straight?
EXAMPLE 2: Let me get this straight — you're leaving your husband?

(to) hold a grudge against (someone) - to stay angry withsomeone about a past offense
EXAMPLE 1: Nicole holds a grudge against Jenny for voting for Andreainstead of her.
EXAMPLE 2: Julia held a grudge against her boyfriend for not bringingher flowers on Valentine's Day.

(to) let (someone) go - to fire; dismiss employees
EXAMPLE 1: The investment bank let Chris go after they discovering hewas stealing erasers, paper clips, and other office supplies.
EXAMPLE 2: The Xerxes Corporation was doing so poorly, they had to letmany workers go earlier this year.

(to) level with (someone) - to speak openly and honestlywith someone
EXAMPLE 1: Let me level with you. I'm voting for Andrea instead of you.
EXAMPLE 2: I have a feeling you're not telling me the whole truth. Pleasejust level with me.

(to) lose one's head - to lose control of one's behavior; tonot know what one is doing
EXAMPLE 1: Nicole lost her head after losing the elections and startedyelling at all her friends.
EXAMPLE 2: Remember to stay calm before the judge. Don't get nervousand lose your head!

no hard feelings - no anger; no bitterness
EXAMPLE 1: After the elections, Andrea said to Nicole, "I hope there areno hard feelings."
EXAMPLE 2: I know you were disappointed that I beat you in the golftournament, but I hope there are no hard feelings.

no use crying over spilt milk - there's no point in regrettingsomething that's too late to change
EXAMPLE 1: Nicole realized she'd made some mistakes with her campaignfor president, but there was no use crying over spilt milk.
EXAMPLE 2: Your bike was ruined in an accident? There's no use cryingover spilt milk. You'll just have to buy a new one.

Not on your life! - definitely not
EXAMPLE 1: You want me to sit in that sauna for an hour? Not on your life!
EXAMPLE 2: Thanks for offering me a job in Siberia. Am I going to takeit? Not on your life!

on the job - at work
EXAMPLE 1: Jennifer has four men on the job painting her house.
EXAMPLE 2: Dan got fired for drinking on the job.

small fortune - a good amount of money
EXAMPLE 1: When her great aunt died, Anne inherited a small fortune.
EXAMPLE 2: You won $25,000 in the lottery? That's a small fortune!

(to) stop by - to pay a quick visit
EXAMPLE 1: I'm having some friends over for pizza tomorrow night. Whydon't you stop by?EXAMPLE 2: Stop by my office on your way home tonight.

three sheets to the wind - drunk
EXAMPLE 1: After drinking four beers, Bob was three sheets to the wind.
EXAMPLE 2: Somebody needs to make sure Greg gets home safely. He'sthree sheets to the wind.SYNONYMS: wasted [slang]; liquored up [slang];

dead drunkwell off - wealthy; financially secure
EXAMPLE 1: Betsy's grandfather used to be very well off, but he lost mostof his fortune when the U.S. stock market crashed in 1929.
EXAMPLE 2: Debbie is a doctor and her husband is a lawyer. They're quitewell off.

better off- in a more fortunate position
EXAMPLE 1: We're better off leaving for France on Thursday evening, sowe can spend the entire weekend there.
EXAMPLE 2: If you're interested in studying languages, you'd be betteroff attending Northwestern University than the University of Chicago.
NOTE: This expression is often used with conditional tense (would), especiallywhen you're giving advice: "you would be better off doing something"or "you'd be better off doing something."

(to) buy out - to purchase an entire business or someone'sshare of a business
EXAMPLE 1: Microsoft bought out Adam's company for $12 million.
EXAMPLE 2: Harriett and Jane sell homemade snack chips. They hope oneday a big company will buy out their business.

dragon lady - a nasty woman who misuses her power
EXAMPLE 1: Beth is a real dragon lady. She's always screaming at heremployees and blaming them for her mistakes. I hope she gets fired!
EXAMPLE 2: Liz was nasty to you? I'm not surprised. She's a dragon lady.SYNONYMS: bitch [slang]; shrew

(to) get it - to understand
EXAMPLE 1: I invited 40 people to my Thanksgiving dinner, but only 10people came. I don't get it!EXAMPLE 2: Don't you get it? Your company is about to go out of business!134Bob: Why not?Susan: The National Cookie Company called. They want tobuy out our business.Bob: Susan, this is a dream come true. It looks like we'vestruck it rich!Susan: Yes. Soon we'll be rolling in dough!

it looks like - it's likely that
EXAMPLE 1: It looks like I'll be able to get out of work early today, solet's plan on meeting downtown at 4:30.
EXAMPLE 2: It looks like it's going to rain, so we'd better just cancel thepicnic now.

no laughing matter - nothing to joke about; something serious
EXAMPLE 1: When the tornado came into town, it was no laughing matter.
EXAMPLE 2: Jim might have been fooling around when he hit John, buthe really hurt him. It was no laughing matter.

nothing to do with (someone or something) - not have anyrelationship with someone; to not get involved with something
EXAMPLE 1: After I found out that Nora shoplifted some lipstick from thedrugstore, I wanted nothing to do with her.
EXAMPLE 2: Larry asked Nick if he wanted to help him plan a robbery.Nick told Larry that he wanted nothing to do with it.

rolling in dough - very rich
EXAMPLE 1: Susan and Bob don't need to work anymore. They're rollingin dough.EXAMPLE 2: Adam will be able to retire young. He's rolling in dough.NOTE: This is a play on words. "Dough" means "money" as well as whatis used to make cookies, breads, and pastries. The dough (cookies) madeby Bob and Susan brought them lots of dough (money).SYNONYMS: rolling in it; rolling in money; loaded

(to) strike it rich - to attain sudden financial success
EXAMPLE 1: Chad struck it rich with the winning lottery ticket.
EXAMPLE 2: Craig hopes to strike it rich so he can quit his job and opena winery in California.
that's the way the cookie crumbles - that's the way thingsgo sometimes and there's nothing you can do about it
EXAMPLE 1: You lost your job? That's the way the cookie crumbles.EXAMPLE 2: Somebody drank your last can of Pepsi? Oh well, that's theway the cookie crumbles.

all over - throughout; everywhere
EXAMPLE 1: Nicole's classmates are from all over the world, includingArgentina, Brazil, China, Japan, Korea, Poland, and Ukraine.
EXAMPLE 2: Oh no! I got ketchup all over my white sweater.

(to) come to an agreement - to reach an agreement
EXAMPLE 1: If we can come to an agreement now, I can start work onMonday.EXAMPLE 2: If you're not willing to negotiate, it's going to be very difficultfor us to come to an agreement.in that case - under that circumstance
EXAMPLE 1: It's snowing? In that case, you'd better take the bus to schooltoday instead of driving.

EXAMPLE 2: You forgot your wallet at home today? In that case, you canborrow five bucks from me for lunch.

(to be or to get) in touch with (someone) - to be or to get incontact with (someone)
EXAMPLE 1: I was surprised when Luis called me, since we hadn't been intouch with each other since high school.
EXAMPLE 2: Leave me your contact information in case I need to get intouch with you while you're on vacation.

(to) look forward to - to anticipate eagerly
EXAMPLE 1: I'm looking forward to my trip to Mexico next month.
EXAMPLE 2: Ron has worked as a high school teacher for over 40 years.He's really looking forward to retiring next year.

(to) make one's day - to give one great satisfaction
EXAMPLE 1: Our neighbors with the crazy dogs are moving away? Thatreally makes my day!EXAMPLE 2: Thanks for bringing over those cookies last week. That mademy day!

nuts and bolts - details; basic components of something
EXAMPLE 1: I don't need to know the nuts and bolts of how the computerworks — just show me how to turn it on.
EXAMPLE 2: Simon really understands the nuts and bolts of how toiletswork.

He would be a very good plumber.on a shoestring - on a very low budget
EXAMPLE 1: Bob and Susan were living on a shoestring after Bob lost his job.
EXAMPLE 2: In the beginning, the Hewlett-Packard company ran on ashoestring out of a garage.

track record - a record of achievements or performances
EXAMPLE 1: The women's basketball team at the University of Connecticuthas an excellent track record.
EXAMPLE 2: We've spoken to your past employers, so we know you'vegot an excellent track record.

(to) work out - to find a solution; to resolve
EXAMPLE 1: Nicole spent half the night helping Ted work out a very difficultchemistry problem.
EXAMPLE 2: Sally couldn't work out her problems with her neighbors, soshe finally decided to move away.
NOTE: "Work out" has several other meanings, including:1. succeed; prove effective. This plan won't work out — you'll need togo back to the drawing board and work out a new plan.2. endure; last. Tony and Angela argue all the time. I don't think theirmarriage will work out.3. exercise. After working out at the gym for two hours, Scott couldbarely walk.

all by a hair -just barely; very narrowly; by a small amount
EXAMPLE 1: Larry won the bicycle race by a hair. The second-place winnercame in just a second behind him.
EXAMPLE 2: Was the tennis ball in or out? I think it was out by a hair.You know the old saying: "When in doubt, call it out!"

fair and square - honestly
EXAMPLE 1: Did George Bush win the 2000 presidential election fair andsquare? That depends on whether you ask a Democrat or a Republican!
EXAMPLE 2: Tony won the ping pong tournament fair and square.

for sure - definitely
EXAMPLE 1: This year, Tom Cruise will win an Academy Award for sure.
EXAMPLE 2: Mike is the most popular guy in school. If he runs for studentbody president, he'll win for sure.

(to) give it one's best shot - to try as hard as one can
EXAMPLE 1: Courtney lost the race, but at least she gave it her best shot.
EXAMPLE 2: I know you're nervous about the interview. Just give it yourbest shot and see what happens.

(to) give up - to admit defeat; to surrender
EXAMPLE 1: Bill gave up golf after realizing he'd never be good at it.
EXAMPLE 2: I know you're 100 points ahead of me, but I still might winthe Scrabble game. I'm not giving up yet!

(to) go wrong - to make a mistake; to go astray; to malfunction;to work incorrectly
EXAMPLE 1: Follow the directions I gave you, and you can't go wrong.
EXAMPLE 2: Something went wrong with my neighbor's car alarm system,and the alarm wouldn't stop ringing all night.

(to) live with it - to accept a difficult reality

EXAMPLE 1: Your boss is an idiot. Live with it.
EXAMPLE 2: Your hair will never be straight. Just live with it!
NOTE: There is also the expression "to learn to live with it," which meansto get used to something annoying or difficult. Example: Sandra knewthat Roger would always throw his dirty clothes on the floor. She'd justhave to learn to live with it.

(to) make a fool of oneself- to cause oneself to look stupid
EXAMPLE 1: Dan drank too much and then made a fool of himself.
EXAMPLE 2: Please stop arguing with me in front of all these people.You're making a fool of yourself!

(to) mess up - to make a mistake; to spoil an opportunity
EXAMPLE 1: Amber messed up and put salt instead of sugar in the cookies.
EXAMPLE 2: Ted really messed up on his chemistry test. He got a "D."SYNONYM: screw up [slang]

(to) put the blame on (someone) - to name somebody elseas responsible for a misdeed or misfortune
EXAMPLE 1: Mrs. Lopez put the blame on her husband for losing theirlife savings in the stock market.
EXAMPLE 2: Don't put the blame on me that your plants died while youwere on vacation. You forgot to tell me to water them!

4 -Expressions in American Slang

(to) set the record straight - to correct an inaccurate account

EXAMPLE 1: Ken knew his father was innocent, and he hoped he could setthe record straight one day.

EXAMPLE 2: Let me set the record straight.

I won the last game.sure thing - an outcome that is assured

EXAMPLE 1: Gary bet all his money on a horse named Trixie, thinking shewas a sure thing.

EXAMPLE 2: Nicole has a good chance of getting accepted to Yale, but it'sstill not a sure thing.

as a matter of fact - in fact; actually

EXAMPLE 1: We need more milk? As a matter of fact, I was just going toask you to go shopping.

EXAMPLE 2: This isn't the first time Andy has gotten in trouble at school.As a matter of fact, just last month he was suspended for an entire week.

(to) blow things out of proportion - to exaggerate; to makemore of something than one should

EXAMPLE 1: They sent a 12 year-old boy to jail for biting his babysitter?Don't you think they're blowing things out of proportion?

EXAMPLE 2: Sally called the police when her neighbor's party got tooloud. I think that was blowing things out of proportion.SYNONYM: To make a mountain out of a molehill

(to) find out - to learn; to discover

EXAMPLE 1: Al is calling the theater to find out what time the movie starts.

EXAMPLE 2: David had a big party at his house while his parents wereaway on vacation. Fortunately for him, they never found out.

(to) get a handle on - to gain an understanding of

EXAMPLE 1: This new computer program is very difficult. I still haven'tgotten a handle on it.

EXAMPLE 2: Once you get a handle on how the game works, please explainit to everybody else.

(to) get one's act together - to get organized; to start operatingmore effectively

EXAMPLE 1: If Ted gets his act together now, he might be able to get intoa good college.

EXAMPLE 2: We'd better get our act together. Otherwise, we're going tomiss our flight.

(to) knock oneself out - to work very hard at something(sometimes too hard)

EXAMPLE 1: Ted knocked himself out getting votes for Nicole, and shedidn't even say thank you.

EXAMPLE 2: I really knocked myself out getting these free concert ticketsfor you and your girlfriend. I hope you appreciate it.

NOTE: "Don't knock yourself out!" means don't work too hard at somethingor for someone; it's not worth it. Example: Don't knock yourselfout for Jeremy — he won't appreciate it anyway!

one's heart goes out to (someone) - to feel sorry for someone

EXAMPLE 1: My heart goes out to the Richardsons. Their home wasdestroyed in a fire.

EXAMPLE 2: Naomi's heart went out to all the people who lost their jobswhen the auto plant shut down.

(to) rant and rave - to talk loudly, often in anger

EXAMPLE 1: A customer in the video rental store was ranting and ravingthat the DVD he rented was broken.

EXAMPLE 2: Please stop ranting and raving! Let's discuss this issue in acalm manner.

(to) sweep (something) under the rug - to hide something,often a scandal

EXAMPLE 1: "Senator, don't try to sweep it under the rug. Everybodyknows about your affair with the intern."

EXAMPLE 2: Let's just sweep this incident under the rug and move on.

taken aback - surprised (almost always in a negative sense)

EXAMPLE 1: Nicole was taken aback when her friend Rosa told her sheno longer wanted to hang out with her.

EXAMPLE 2: I was taken aback when my friend asked me if she couldborrow my toothbrush because she forgot hers at home.

(to) throw the book at someone - to punish or chide severely

EXAMPLE 1: When Ted failed his chemistry test the second time, histeacher really threw the book at him.

EXAMPLE 2: The judge threw the book at Matt for stealing a footballfrom the store. He'll be going to jail for six months.

as a matter of fact - in fact; actually

EXAMPLE 1: We need more milk? As a matter of fact, I was just going toask you to go shopping.EXAMPLE 2: This isn't the first time Andy has gotten in trouble at school.As a matter of fact, just last month he was suspended for an entire week.