Expressions to be studied in April/2026

YOU HAVE TO PUT DOWN A $500,00 DEPOSIT,AND THAT’S JUST FOR STARTERS.
Você tem que dar $500,00 de sinal só pra começar.
THAT WAS FULL OF MUMBO JUMBO (MUMBLE JUMBLE).
Estava cheio de blá-blá-blá.
I WAS RUNNING ERRANDS.
Eu estava resolvendo coisas na rua.
I DON’T GO AROUND DOING THINGS LIKE THAT.
Não ando por aí fazendo essas coisas.
YOUR TAG IS STICKING OUT.
Sua etiqueta está aparecendo.
YOUR T-SHIRT IS INSIDE OUT.
Sua camiseta está do avesso.

🔹 Expression:

“You have to put down a $500 deposit, and that’s just for starters.”

🔹 Meaning:

  • “put down a $500 deposit”
    = pay an initial amount of money before getting something (like renting, buying, booking)
  • “that’s just for starters”
    = that’s only the beginning; more (usually more money, effort, or requirements) will come after

👉 So the full sentence means:
You need to pay $500 now, and that’s only the beginning—there will be more to pay or do later.

🔹 Important note:

In English, we usually write:

  • $500.00 (not $500,00)

🔹 Tips:

  • Don’t say: ❌ “five hundred dollars deposit”
  • Correct: ✅ “five hundred dollar deposit” (adjective form)

🔹 More examples:

  1. Buying a car
  • You’ll need to put down $2,000, and that’s just for starters.
  1. Planning a wedding
  • The venue costs $5,000, and that’s just for starters.
  1. Starting a business
  • We’ve already invested $10,000, and that’s just for starters.
  1. Travel expenses
  • The flights alone cost $1,200—and that’s just for starters.
  1. Home renovation
  • Fixing the roof will be $3,000, and that’s just for starters.

🔹 Similar expressions:

  • “That’s only the beginning”
  • “That’s just the first step”
  • “There’s more to come”
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Expressions to be studied in March/2026

I COULDN’T PUT MY FINGER ON IT.
Eu não conseguia explicar.
WHAT DO YOU KNOW?
Quem podia imaginar! Olha só!
SHE HIT THE GROUND RUNNING!
Ela chegou arrebentando/começou com tudo.
LET’S PLAY IT BY EAR.
Vamos deixar rolar.
IT’S A LONG SHOT, BUT I NEED TO TRY.
É improvável/difícil/um tiro no escuro, mas preciso tentar.
HE DID A QUICK FIX ON THE LAMP.
Ele consertou a lâmpada com uma gambiarra.

👉 “I couldn’t put my finger on it.”

Meaning:
You feel or notice that something is different, strange, or wrong — but you can’t clearly explain exactly what it is.

It’s used when you have a vague feeling or intuition, but you can’t identify the specific reason.

🔎 Simple Explanation

It means:

“I know something is going on… but I can’t explain what exactly.”

🗣 Examples

  1. About a person
    There’s something different about her today. I can’t put my finger on it.
  2. About a problem
    The project isn’t working properly, but I can’t put my finger on the issue.
  3. About a feeling
    I felt uncomfortable during the meeting, but I couldn’t put my finger on why.
  4. About appearance
    Did you change something? I can’t put my finger on it, but you look different!
  5. About a place
    This restaurant feels strange tonight. I can’t quite put my finger on it.

💬 Mini Story Example

When Denise walked into the classroom, everything seemed normal. The students were quiet, the lights were on, and the lesson plan was ready. But something felt off. She looked around and thought, “I can’t put my finger on it… but something isn’t right.”

Five minutes later, she realized — she had forgotten her laptop charger!

🎯 Similar Expressions

  • Something feels off.
  • I can’t quite explain it.
  • I have a funny feeling.
  • There’s something about…
  • I can’t pinpoint it. (more formal)
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Expressions to be studied in February/2026

LET’S CALL IT A DAY.
Vamos encerrar por hoje.
IT’S A PIPE DREAM.
É um sonho impossível.
CUTTING A LONG STORY SHORT…
Indo direto ao ponto.
I’M PARTIAL TO VANILLA ICE CREAM.
Eu gosto de sorvete de baunilha.
TO TEACH YOUR GRANDMOTHER TO SUCK EGGS.
Ensinar o padre a rezar a missa.
WHY ARE YOU MAKING SUCH A FUSS?
Por que você está fazendo toda essa confusão?

“Let’s call it a day”

Meaning:
This expression means to stop working or doing an activity for now, usually because:

  • you’re tired 😮‍💨
  • you’ve done enough for today
  • it’s late
  • continuing wouldn’t be productive

It doesn’t mean the task is finished forever — just for today.

🕔 Very common at work, meetings, classes, or study sessions.

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Expressions to be studied in December/2025 and January/2026

THERE ARE OTHER FISH IN THE SEA.
Haverá outras oportunidades.
THERE’S A METHOD TO HIS MADNESS.
Ele é mais esperto do que pensa.
IT IS A POOR WORKMAN WHO BLAMES HIS TOOLS.
Não culpe outra pessoa por seus erros.
OUT OF THE FRYING PAN TO THE FIRE.
De mal a pior.
SNUG AS A BUG IN A RUG.
Está super confortável.
A WORD TO THE WISE IS ENOUGH.
Para um bom entendedor, meia palavra basta.

Gustavo Decleve’s contribution

🐟 THERE ARE OTHER FISH IN THE SEA

Meaning:
It means there are plenty of other opportunities, people, or possibilities, especially after a disappointment.
Most commonly, it’s used to comfort someone after a breakup, rejection, or something that didn’t work out, reminding them that better options still exist.

✅ Examples

  1. After a breakup:
    “I know you’re sad, but don’t worry — there are other fish in the sea.”
  2. After not getting a job:
    “You didn’t get the position? That’s tough, but there are other fish in the sea.”
  3. After a friendship ends:
    “If she doesn’t value you, there are other fish in the sea who will appreciate you.”
  4. After missing an opportunity:
    “You didn’t buy the house in time, but there are other fish in the sea.”
  5. Encouragement:
    “Don’t stress about this one chance. There are other fish in the sea.”

🧠 THERE IS A METHOD TO HIS MADNESS

✅ Meaning

This expression means that even if someone looks chaotic, strange, or illogical, they actually have a plan or a purpose behind what they are doing.
What seems like “madness” is actually organized or intentional.

It’s often used when someone’s behavior appears confusing at first, but then you realize it makes sense.

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Expressions to be studied in November/2025

YOU DON’T NEED TO SHOW ME OUT.
Não precisa me acompanhar até a porta.
WE’VE RUN OUT OF PETROL.
Estamos sem gasolina.
WHAT A CHICKEN SCRATCH SHE GOT!
Que garrancho que ela tem.
HE’S ON CLOUD NINE.
Ele está nas nuvens.
I’VE READ THE ARTICLE, WHICH I TAKE WITH A GRAIN OF SALT.
Não confiei muito no artigo que eu li.
SHE WAS BACK TO SQUARE-ONE.
Ela voltou a estaca zero.

keep digging—you’ll find more insights below.

YOU DON’T NEED TO SHOW ME OUT.

The expression “You don’t need to show me out” is something you say when you’re leaving someone’s home, office, or room, and you want to tell them that they don’t have to accompany you to the door — you can find your own way out.

💬 Meaning

  • Literal: You don’t have to walk with me to the exit.
  • Polite sense: It’s a courteous way of saying “I can leave by myself.”
  • Context: Common in homes, workplaces, or meetings when you don’t want to trouble the host or person you were visiting.

🏠 Example situations and sentences

  1. At a friend’s house: Thanks for having me! You don’t need to show me out — I remember the way.
  2. At an office: It’s been great meeting you. You don’t have to show me out; I know the building well.
  3. After a class or appointment: No worries, you can stay seated. I’ll see myself out.

🔁 Similar expressions

  • “I’ll see myself out.” → Very common and slightly more natural in English. “Thanks for your time, I’ll see myself out.”
  • “Don’t bother to get up.” → Used when you don’t want someone to interrupt what they’re doing. “Don’t bother to get up — I’ll let myself out.”
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Expressions to be studied in October/2025

HE FLIES OFF THE HANDLE VERY EASILY.
Ele fica nervoso/bravo muito rápido
AN HONEST DAY’S WORK FOR AN HONEST DAY’S PAY.
Trabalhe honestamente e você será recompensado.
LOOK BEFORE YOU LEAP
Pense antes de fazer.
ARE YOU GONNA SULK?
Você vai ficar magoado?
YOU HAVE TWISTED MY ARM.
Você me convenceu!
HE WENT FROM RAGS TO RICHES.
Ele ficou rico do dia pra noite.

keep digging—you’ll find more insights below.

HE FLIES OFF THE HANDLE VERY EASILY.

The expression “he flies off the handle very easily” means that he gets angry very quickly and suddenly, often over small or unimportant things.

🔍 Meaning:

  • “Fly off the handle” = to lose your temper suddenly.
  • It’s an idiom (non-literal expression).
  • The phrase originally comes from the idea of an axe head flying off its handle, which is dangerous and uncontrolled—just like someone’s sudden anger.

✅ Example Sentences:

  1. He flies off the handle very easily when someone criticizes his work.
    → He gets angry fast when people give feedback.
  2. You need to stay calm during the meeting. Don’t fly off the handle if things don’t go your way.
  3. She flew off the handle when her kids spilled juice on the carpet.
  4. My boss flies off the handle for the smallest mistakes. It’s very stressful.
  5. I try to be patient, but sometimes I just fly off the handle when I’m tired.

🗣️ Synonyms (similar expressions):

  • Lose your temper
  • Blow up
  • Snap
  • Go ballistic
  • Have a short fuse
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Biscoitinho de Nata com Maizena, Farinha de Arroz, Farinha de Amêndoas e Linhaça Marrom

Ingredientes:

  • 1 xícara (chá) de nata
  • 2 colheres (sopa) de óleo de coco (ou manteiga ghee)
  • 1/3 xícara (chá) de açúcar demerara ou xilitol
  • 1 ovo
  • 1 colher (sopa) de linhaça marrom moída + 3 colheres (sopa) de água (deixe hidratar 10 min)
  • 1 colher (sopa) de fermento em pó
  • 1 xícara (chá) de farinha de arroz
  • 1 xícara (chá) de Maizena (amido de milho)
  • 1/2 a 1 xícara (chá) de farinha de amêndoas (ajuste conforme o ponto da massa)
  • Canela em pó ou essência de baunilha (opcional)

Modo de preparo:

  1. Em uma tigela, misture a nata, o óleo de coco, o açúcar/xilitol, o ovo e a linhaça hidratada.
  2. Acrescente o fermento.
  3. Adicione a farinha de arroz, a Maizena e a farinha de amêndoas aos poucos até a massa ficar macia e não grudar nas mãos (se precisar, polvilhe mais Maizena e farinha de arroz).
  4. Modele em bolinhas ou palitinhos.
  5. Leve ao forno preaquecido a 180 °C por 15–20 min, até ficarem firmes e levemente dourados.

📌 Dica:

  • A linhaça marrom deixa o biscoitinho mais rústico, com sabor um pouco mais intenso que a dourada.
  • Se quiser suavizar, coloque um pouquinho de baunilha ou raspas de limão.

A mesma receita pode ser usada para fazer biscoitinhos de chocolate.

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Simple Present

🧠 1. EXPLANATION: When do we use the Simple Present?

✅ We use the Simple Present to talk about:

  1. Habits and routines
    • 🕘 “I wake up at 7 a.m.”
  2. Facts or general truths
    • 🌎 “The Earth orbits the Sun.”
  3. Scheduled events (like classes or buses)
    • 🚌 “The bus arrives at 8 o’clock.”
  4. States and feelings (non-action verbs)
    • ❤️ “She loves chocolate.”

🧱 2. STRUCTURE

➤ Affirmative:

Subject + base verb (+ s/es for he/she/it)

  • I play soccer.
  • She plays soccer.

➤ Negative:

Subject + do/does not + base verb

  • I don’t like tea.
  • He doesn’t like tea.

➤ Question:

Do/Does + subject + base verb?

  • Do you like coffee?
  • Does she work here?

📌 RULE: Add -ES for verbs ending in O, SH, CH, X, or S

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Used to vs. would

“Would” and “used to” can both be used to talk about past habits or repeated actions, but there are some important differences in meaning, form, and usage.

✅ 1. “Used to”

Function:

  • Describes past habits or states that are no longer true.

Examples:

  • I used to play soccer every weekend. (habit)
  • She used to live in New York. (state)
  • We used to be best friends. (state)

Important:

  • “Used to” can describe both actions and states.

✅ 2. “Would” (for past)

Function:

  • Describes repeated actions or routines in the past, often with a sense of nostalgia.

Examples:

  • When I was a kid, we would go to the beach every summer. (habit)
  • My grandfather would tell us stories every night. (habit)

Important:

  • “Would” is only used for actions, not states.
    ❌ I would live in New York. → Incorrect
    ✅ I used to live in New York. → Correct

🔍 Summary Table:

UseUsed toWould
Past habits✔ Yes✔ Yes
Past states (e.g., live, be, have)✔ Yes❌ No
Repeated past actions✔ Yes✔ Yes
Formality / toneNeutralOften more literary or nostalgic
ExampleI used to ride my bike.I would ride my bike every day.

🎯 Examples to Compare:

  1. I used to be very shy. ✅ (State — OK with “used to,” but not “would”)
  2. When we were kids, we would build forts in the backyard. ✅ (Repeated action — OK with “would” or “used to”)
  3. She used to have a dog. ✅ (State — “would” not possible here)

Here are some practice exercises to help you practice the difference between “used to” and “would”.

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Expressions to be studied in September/2025

… 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!”

🔹 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.

🔹 Explanation in simpler terms:

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

🔹 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.”
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