Page 50 - Speak English Like an American

happy camper [slang] — a happy person; a satisfied participant
EXAMPLE 1: When Linda’s passport was stolen in Florence, she was not a
happy camper.
EXAMPLE 2: Steve is taking five difficult courses this semester. He’s not a
happy camper!

Note: This expression is usually used in the negative (not a happy camper).

(to have) mixed feelings — to feel positive about one aspect
of something and negative about another
EXAMPLE 1: When our houseguests decided to stay for another week, I
had mixed feelings. On the one hand, I enjoyed hanging out with them.
On the other hand, I was tired of cooking for them.
EXAMPLE 2: I have mixed feelings about the president of our company.
He’s good with the clients, but he’s nasty to his employees.

needless to say — obviously
EXAMPLE |: You’ve got a test tomorrow morning. Needless to say, you
can’t stay out late tonight.
EXAMPLE 2: Needless to say, you shouldn’t have waited until Christmas
Eve to do your shopping. The stores are going to be very crowded!
SYNONYM: it goes without saying. Example: You’ve got a test tomorrow,
so it goes without saying that you can’t stay out late tonight.

(to) not have a clue — to know nothing about
EXAMPLE 1: Bob talks about working at McDonald’s, but the truth is he
doesn’t have a clue about making hamburgers.
Exampte 2: “Do you know how to fix a broken printer?” — “No, I don’t
have a clue!”

(to) not sleep a wink — to be awake all night
EXAMPLE 1: Ted was so nervous about his chemistry test that he didn’t

sleep a wink the night before.
te
Examp 2: It’s not surprising that Jill didn’t sleep a wink last night.
She drank a large cup of coffee before going to bed.

(to) work like a dog — to work very hard
EXAMPLE |: Larry became an investment banker after college, and now
he works like a dog.
EXAMPLE 2: Al worked like a dog on his term paper and got an “A+” on it.

Synonyms: to work one’s tail off; to work like a horse; to work one’s
fingers to the bone

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