Autor: Denise Barros

… IS A SIGHT FOR MY SORE EYES.
… é um colírio para meus olhos.
PERSISTENCE PAYS OFF BIG TIME!
Persistência dá muito resultado.
CAN YOU DO WITHOUT A COMPUTER?
Você consegue sobreviver sem um computador?
LOOK OUT! THAT WALL IS COLLAPSING!
Cuidado! Aquele muro está caindo!
ALL BUT FORGOTTEN.
Quase esquecido.
TO EACH HIS OWN.
There is no accounting for taste. (gosto não se discute)

… IS A SIGHT FOR MY SORE EYES.

The expression “… is a sight for my sore eyes” means that something or someone is very pleasant or welcome to see, especially after a long time or after seeing unpleasant things.

It doesn’t literally refer to eyes being sore — it’s an idiomatic way of saying, “I’m really happy to see this!”

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🔹 Examples:

1. “Oh, you’re here! You’re a sight for my sore eyes!”
   → (Said to a friend you haven’t seen in a long time.)
2. “After hours of hiking, that waterfall was a sight for my sore eyes.”
   → (Seeing something beautiful or refreshing after being tired.)
3. “A comfy bed is a sight for sore eyes after a long flight.”
   → (Happy to finally rest.)
4. “When she walked into the room with a tray of coffee, it was a sight for sore eyes.”
   → (Seeing something comforting and needed.)

PERSISTENCE PAYS OFF BIG TIME!

The expression “Persistence pays off big time!” means that if you keep trying and don’t give up, you will eventually succeed — and the reward will be significant.

• Persistence = continuing to try, even when it’s difficult.
• Pays off = brings good results or rewards.
• Big time = in a major or impressive way.

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🔹 Explanation in simpler terms:

👉 If you keep working hard and don’t quit, your efforts will be rewarded — in a big way!

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🔹 Examples:

1. “I applied to ten jobs before I got hired at my dream company. Persistence pays off big time!”
   → (The person didn’t give up and got a great result.)
2. “She practiced the piano every day for months, and now she’s performing on stage. Persistence really paid off big time.”
3. “I failed the test twice, but I kept studying and finally passed. Persistence pays off big time!”
4. “He kept training despite injuries and is now running marathons. That’s proof that persistence pays off big time.”

Continue lendo “Expressions to be studied in September/2025”

THEY GET ALONG LIKE A HOUSE ON FIRE!
Eles se dão muito bem!
LET’S GO OUT AND PAINT THE TOWN (RED)!
Vamos sair e cair na farra!
EVERY ROSE HAS ITS THORN.
Não há rosas sem espinhos.
I CROSS MY HEART (AND HOPE TO DIE)!
Eu juro, estou falando a verdade!
I CAME DOWN ON HIM LIKE A TON OF BRICKS!
Eu caí matando em cima dele!
YOU MAKE A BETTER DOOR THAN A WINDOW!
Você está bloqueando minha visão!

keep digging—you’ll find more insights below.

THEY GET ALONG LIKE A HOUSE ON FIRE

Even though it mentions fire (which can sound negative), the meaning is completely positive.

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✅ Example Meaning:

• “When Sarah met Tom at the party, they got along like a house on fire.”
  → They became friends instantly and talked for hours like they’d known each other for years.

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🔥 More Examples:

1. “My dog and my new cat get along like a house on fire — I didn’t expect them to be so friendly!”
2. “As soon as the two kids met at school, they got along like a house on fire.”
3. “My sister and her new boyfriend get along like a house on fire — they’re always laughing and having fun.”
4. “I was worried about meeting my new coworkers, but we got along like a house on fire from day one.”

Continue lendo “Expressions to be studied in July and August/2025”

I CAN’T BELIEVE MY EARS.
Não acredito no que estou ouvindo.
THAT TRIP WAS WORTH EVERY PENNY.
Aquela viagem valeu cada centavo.
CAN I DROP YOU OFF SOMEWHERE IN TOWN?
Posso te deixar em algum lugar do centro?
HE ENDED UP BEING A DOCTOR.
Ele acabou se tornando um médico.
THE NEW SHOES HURT HER FEET BECAUSE THEY WERE NOT YET BROKEN IN.
Os novos sapatos machucaram o pé dela porque eles ainda não estão amaciados.
I’M TEASING.
Estou só enchendo o saco.

keep digging—you’ll find more insights below.

I CAN’T BELIEVE MY EARS.

The phrase “I can’t believe my ears” is used when you’re shocked, surprised, or amazed by something you just heard—either in a good or bad way. Here are some example sentences:

1. Shock or Disbelief (Negative)

• When she said she was quitting her job with no backup plan, I couldn’t believe my ears.
• He told me he’d been lying the whole time—I couldn’t believe my ears.
• I can’t believe my ears—are you seriously blaming me for that?

2. Surprise or Amazement (Positive)

• When they said I got the scholarship, I couldn’t believe my ears!
• I can’t believe my ears—did you really just say we’re going to Paris?
• When I heard my name announced as the winner, I couldn’t believe my ears.

3. Humor or Sarcasm

• He actually apologized? I can’t believe my ears!
• You want to do the dishes without being asked? I must be hearing things—I can’t believe my ears!

Continue lendo “Expressions to be studied in June/2025”

MY LIPS ARE SEALED!
Minha boca é um túmulo!
MR. SMARTY PANTS / MR. KNOW-IT-ALL
Espertinho / Sabichão
TALK IS CHEAP!
Falar é fácil!
NEVER A ROSE WITHOUT THE PRICK.
Não há rosas sem espinhos.
BEYOND A SHADOW OF DOUBT.
Sem sombra de dúvidas.
EAT YOUR HEART OUT!
Morra de inveja!

Gustavo Decleve’s contribution

Let’s study a little bit more:

MY LIPS ARE SEALED!

🗣️ Everyday Conversation

1. “You can trust me with your secret. My lips are sealed.”
2. “He begged me not to tell anyone, so yeah—my lips are sealed.”

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💼 Professional Setting

3. “I overheard the plans for the merger, but my lips are sealed until it’s official.”
4. “Don’t worry, I won’t leak any of the meeting details—my lips are sealed.”

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🧡 Romantic/Friendly Context

5. “You don’t want anyone to know we’re dating yet? My lips are sealed.”
6. “You told me you like her—I won’t say a word. My lips are sealed!”

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Continue lendo “Expressions to be studied in May/2025”

A TRUCK RAN INTO MY CAR THIS MORNING.

Image generated by DALL.E

A TRUCK RAN INTO MY CAR THIS MORNING.
Um caminhão bateu no meu carro esta manhã.
OUR PROJECT RAN INTO DIFFICULTIES WHEN WE LOST A SPONSOR.
Nós encontramos dificuldades quando perdemos um patrocinador.
IT WAS US$12,00 APIECE.
Foi US$12,00 por cabeça.
I WANT TO GO OVER THESE PLANS WITH YOU AGAIN.
Eu quero revisar estes planos com você de novo.
IT’S A BIT IFFY.
É meio duvidoso.
YOU “GOTTA” PULL YOURSELF TOGETHER.
Você tem que se recompor/dar a volta por cima.

Let’s study some sentences with the expressions:

RUN INTO

Here are some sentences using the phrasal verb “run into”, which can mean to collide with, to meet unexpectedly, or to encounter difficulties:

1. Collision (Physically Hitting Something)

• I wasn’t paying attention and ran into a pole while walking.
• A cyclist suddenly ran into my car at the intersection.
• She lost control of the bike and ran into the fence.

2. Unexpected Meeting

• I ran into an old friend at the grocery store yesterday.
• Guess who I ran into at the airport? My high school teacher!
• While traveling in Paris, I ran into my neighbor—what a small world!

3. Encountering Problems or Difficulties

• We ran into some technical issues during the presentation.
• The project ran into delays due to bad weather.
• They ran into financial trouble after the market crashed.

Continue lendo “Expressions to be studied in April/2025”

TO GET BLOOD OUT OF A STONE.
Tirar leite de pedra.
EVERY TOM, DICK, AND HARRY
Fulano, sicrano e beltrano (todo mundo)
JIBBER JABBER
Papo furado, blá blá blá, conversa fiada
DANIEL IS AS POOR AS A CHURCH MOUSE.
Daniel está vendendo o almoço para comprar a janta.
AS LOST AS A NUN ON A HONEYMOON.
Mais perdido que cego em tiroteio
CREDIT WHERE CREDIT IS DUE!
Que a verdade seja dita!

Gustavo Decleve’s and Nadia’s contribution

HE DOESN’T HAVE A POT TO PISS IN.
Ele não tem onde cair morto.
IT COMES WITH TERRITORY.
São ossos do ofício.
THE PROJECT IS ON THE BACK BURNER.
O projeto foi colocado em segundo plano.
HE IS ON THE WAGON AGAIN.
Ele está sem beber de novo.
DON’T PUT THE CAR BEFORE THE HORSE!
Não coloque a carroça na frente dos bois!
HE’S A FAIR-WEATHER FRIEND.
Ele é amigo só nas horas boas.

Gustavo Decleve’s contribution

imagem criada por DALL.E, chatGPT, a meu pedido.

551        I’M GOING UNDER THE KNIFE!

               Eu vou fazer uma cirurgia

552        GO TAKE A HIKE!

               Vai passear!

553        DAMNED IF YOU DO, DAMNED IF YOU DON’T.

               Se correr o bicho pega, se ficar o bicho come.

554        THE WORLD IS YOUR OYSTER.

               O mundo é seu / Você tem o mundo nas mãos.

555        BY ANY MEANS NECESSARY.

               Custe o que custar.

556        THAT’S ALL SHE WROTE.

               Esse é o fim da história.

557        AFTER WORK I DROVE HOME HELL FOR LEATHER.

               Depois do trabalho eu dirigi pra casa muito rápido.

558        SHE HIT IT OUT OF THE PARK WITH HER PRESENTATION.

               Ela se deu muito bem com a apresentação.

559        CAUGHT BETWEEN A ROCK AND A HARD PLACE.

               Se correr o bicho pega, se ficar o bicho come

560        I’LL BE PUSHING UP DAISIES BEFORE YOU GET MARRIED.

               Eu vou estar morto antes de você se casar.

Continue lendo “551-600 Useful English Expressions and Phrasal Verbs”

JOHN WAS BORN WITH A SILVER SPOON IN HIS MOUTH.

imagem criada por DALL.E, chatGPT, a meu pedido.

501        I LOOK AFTER MY NIECE AFTER SCHOOL.

               Eu tomo conta da minha sobrinha depois da escola.

502        THE LESSER OF TWO EVILS/THE LESSER EVIL.

               Dos males o menor.

503        I VOUCH FOR HIM.

               Eu coloco a mão no fogo por ele.

504        I HAVE A BONE TO PICK WITH YOU.

               Estou irritado e preciso falar com você.

505        I SEE THAT YOU’RE STICKING TO YOUR GUNS.

               Vejo que você está determinado a não mudar.

506        I’VE HAD MY EYE ON YOU.

               Estou de olho em você.

507        SPILL THE BEANS.

               Conte o segredo.

508        I’M FALLING APART.

               Estou tendo um colapso.

509        I DON’T HAVE A LEG TO STAND ON.

               Eu não tenho apoio/suporte.

510        A CLEAN SLATE, YOU OWE ME NOTHING.

               Um recomeço, você não me deve nada.

Continue lendo “501-550 Useful English Expressions and Phrasal Verbs”