Page 30 - Speak English Like an American

(to) hit the nail on the head — to be right
ExampLe |: Dawn hit the nail on the head when she said that Tiffany is
jealous of Amber.
EXxaMpLe 2: Steve hit the nail on the head with his idea of moving his
company’s manufacturing facility to China.

(to be) on thin ice (with someone) — to be in a dangerous
position; to be temporarily on somebody’s bad side
EXxaMPLe 1: Joey was on thin ice with his mom after he spent his lunch
money on candy bars.
EXAMPLE 2: Bill was on thin ice with his girlfriend after she saw him at
the movie theater with another girl.
Note: There is also the variation “to skate on thin ice.” Joey knew he
was skating on thin ice when he bought candy with his lunch money.

(to) pay (someone) a compliment — to give someone a com-
pliment; to offer someone an admiring comment
ExampLe 1: Professor Russo paid Jennifer a compliment. He said she
had a beautiful smile.
EXAMPLE 2: Isn’t it wonderful to pay someone a compliment? It makes
them feel good, and it doesn’t cost you anything!

(to) shake in one’s shoes — to tremble with fear; to be afraid
EXAMPLE |: Brianna is scared of her French teacher, Monsieur Le Mon-
stre. Whenever he speaks to her, Brianna starts shaking in her shoes.
Exampce 2: During the storm, Billy was hiding under his kitchen table
and was really shaking in his shoes.

shut up
1) be quiet, stop speaking

EXxampLe: The professor talked for hours. I thought he’d never shut up.

2) Stop speaking!
Exampte: Nicole kept telling Ted to turn down his stereo. Finally, he got
angry and said, “Shut up!”
had
is rude. It’s better
Norte: Remember that telling somebody to “shut up!”
to say “Be quiet!” or more politely, “Please be quiet!”

Way to go! — Good work!
ExampLe 1: You won $2,000 in the poetry writing contest? Way to go!
EXAMPLE 2: That was an interesting article you wrote. Way to go!

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