Boye Lafayette De Mente - Cheaters Guide to Speaking English Like a Native

This is an old saying that comes from the sport of bird hunting. When one bird is shot, the others fly away. It is another way of saying that it is better to achieve one goal than try to do too much and gain nothing.

a. A bird in the hand is worth two in the bush.

b. Let's go for a bird in the hand and forget the rest.

c. He was never satisfied with a bird in the hand, and went on to become very successful.

This is a phrase used to conceal the identity of someone who has told you something that was previously confidential or secret.

a. A little bird told me, and you might as well stop asking because I'm not going to tell you who the little bird was!

b. I heard it from a little bird.

c. Your little bird is nothing but a tattle tale.

This expression originally referred to being shot at and the bullet just barely missing you. It is now used in reference to a variety of negative things that could have happened but didn't.

a. When I left just before the earthquake I really appreciated that a miss is as good as a mile.

b. When his wife showed up just seconds after his girlfriend left he smiled and said to himself that a miss is as good as a mile!

c. When a speeding car almost hits you, a miss is not as good as a mile!

Something or somebody that is difficult to find.

a. Trying to find him in that crowd would be like searching for a needle in a haystack!

b. Finding something in this store is like looking for a needle in a haystack.

c. Finding your office was like looking for a needle in a haystack.

A nightcap is a euphemism for an alcoholic drink taken just before the evening ends. It is often used in movies when a man or woman invites someone to come into their home or apartment after an evening out on the town, giving it strong sexual overtones. In essence, it means to "cap off" an evening with a final drink.

a. It's still early! How about a nightcap?

b. You're interested in more than just a nightcap, aren't you!

c. Your problem is that you have one nightcap after another!

An advantage in a game or business that is kept in reserve, or secret until it is needed to ensure victory. The saying comes from the card game of poker.

a. That guy always has an ace in the hole!

b. He always comes up with an ace in the hole.

c. What I need now is an ace in the hole.

This expression derives from a reference to the entire width of a board, and may mean everything and everybody.

a. The pay raise was across the board. Everybody got a hike in pay.

b. He made an across-the-board accusation, blaming everybody on the team.

c. His criticism was across the board. He left nobody out.

Acting young, energetic; often said of older men and women who begin acting like they are young again.

a. Stop trying to act like a spring chicken! You're making a fool of yourself! b You're a grandmother acting like a spring chicken! c. That old man is still acting like a spring chicken.

Fish, especially small fish, habitually dart here and there, making it difficult to predict which way they are going to go next. This led to "acting fishy" being applied to people who behave in a suspicious manner.

a. The guy in front of the bank was acting fishy, so someone called the police.

b. She said she didn't like you because you looked fishy.

c. My wife can spot fishy behavior a mile away!

Generally, what you do is far more important, and far more influential, than what you say.

a. Never mind what he says. Wait until you see what he does. Actions speaker louder than words.

b. Who ever said actions speak louder than words must have been thinking about you!

c. When it comes to politics, actions definitely speak louder than words!

This expression is used to describe someone with whom you agree on many or most things. You might say your hearts beat in harmony.

a. My new boss loves to go fishing every weekend. He is a man after my own heart.

b. I was very pleased to find out that the boss was a man after my own heart.

c. It is always a special pleasure to spend time with friends who are after your own heart.

When couples and others become estranged and begin revealing unsavory and damaging facts about each other it is commonly said that they are airing their dirty laundry.

a. Let's not air our dirty laundry!

b. After that couple broke up they aired all of their dirty laundry.

c. All she does is air her dirty laundry!

"All rolled into one" refers to multiple duties, obligations or efforts being pursued at the same time, often by just one person.

a. His brother is president and vice-president all rolled into one.

b. When I realized that I had been given several jobs all rolled into one I didn't know whether to say thanks or no thank you.

c. Here are our problems, all rolled into one.

This expression refers to being emotionally upset, usually in a negative sense.

a. She got all shook up when she heard the news.

b. Don't get all shook up about it!

c. You look all shook up. What happened?

People who are "all wrapped up" in themselves are egocentric and do not think about the feelings or needs of others.

a. You shouldn't date that guy! He's too wrapped up in himself!

b. He's so wrapped up in himself nobody likes him.

c. She can't stand men who are wrapped up in themselves.

Someone or something that can go seriously wrong without warning, often said of a person who is accident prone, or who is under serious emotional pressure that might cause him or her to do something violent.

a. That new off-road vehicle is an accident waiting to happen!

b. He's an accident waiting to happen.

c. I knew he was an accident waiting to happen when I first met him.

Very common in the political area, an also-ran refers to someone who runs for a political office and fails, or someone in office who fails to get re-elected.

a. Forget him! He's going to be an also-ran!

b. After becoming an also-ran it's hard to make a comeback.

c. It's interesting that political also-rans often become university professors.

During the American depression of the 1930s people were lucky to have a job. Many found work only occasionally and were paid one dollar a day, giving birth to the comment. Now, the saying refers to the relief felt after finishing another day of hard work.

a. I had to work overtime and all I can say is another day another dollar!

b. It was a really rough day but another day another dollar.

c. I'm just trying to hang in because another day is another dollar.

This term comes from the game of poker, and refers to the amount of money you must put into the pool before receiving cards or additional cards. It also refers to paying one's share, and includes the sense of paying up front, in advance.