New Beginnings

Sometimes in your relationships, problems will arise. New Year's Day is the best opportunity for people to forgive each other for past transgressions, so you feel free to make fresh mistakes in the new year. The following are expressions for letting go of grudges and forgiving others.

"Let's let bygones be bygones." ~ This means we have had problems in the past, but we should forget them. We can continue our old relationship and express good will towards each other again.

"Let's put the past behind us." ~ This has the same meaning. We can't change past actions, but we shouldn't be burdened by those mistakes. Instead, let's focus on the future and try to do better.

"It's water under the bridge." ~ This means you made a mistake with me. Perhaps, you said or did something wrong, but I'm willing to forget about it and continue our old relationship.

"Let's make a fresh start." ~ This means all of our former history is forgotten. We should forget all of the actions that passed between us. We should meet each other as new people, get to know each other again, and maybe grow from the experience.

I Still Haven't Found What I'm Looking For

Beyond being the lyrics of a famous U2 song, "I still haven't found what I'm looking for" is a grammatically complex sentence and there are a few grammar points that merit explanation.

Grammar Point #1: Still

In this case, still means he has been looking for something for a long time. By now, he would have expected to find it, but, alas, he hasn't.

Example: #1) I have been looking for a job for a year, but I still haven't found one.
#2) I looked all over the house for my glasses, but I still haven't found them.


Grammar Point #2: haven't found (Present Perfect)

The present perfect tense is used for actions that have/haven't been achieved. Within the song, finding what he's looking for has yet to happen. However, he hasn't given up looking.

Example: #1) Aha! I have found what I'm looking for.
#2) I have seen this movie.
#3) I have been to hell and back.


Grammar Point #3: What (Relative Clause)

In short, a relative clause is used to describe something according an action acted upon it. Confused? Me, too. In the U2 song, Bono is looking for something and means to indicate that he hasn't found it. Since we don't know what the thing is (e.g. his insulin shots), we can only refer to it by the action.

Example: #1) I heard what you said about me.
#2) I like what you wrote in the letter.
#3) I don't care what you think about me.
#4) Don't look at what I left in the toilet.


Grammar Point #4: Looking for (Present progressive / phrasal verbs)

In this song, the singer is presently looking for something. And when he finds it, we can assume he'll stop. At that point, he will say, "I found what I have been looking for." There are more phrasal verbs we more commonly hear in the present progressive tense.

Example: #1) What you are looking for? I'm looking for my pet squirrel.
#2) What are you thinking about? I'm thinking about my missing squirrel.
#3) What are you talking about? We're talking about husbandry.
#4) What are you waiting for? I'm waiting for spring, so I can go swimming again.
#5) What exactly are you asking for? I'm asking for money to pay off the mafia.

Doubt

Doubt is a feeling of distrust, anxiety or disbelief. The sentiment depends the tone and context of the speaker. Example: #1) I have some doubts about the success of our project. (anxiety) #2) Michael said that he was coming to the event, but I doubt he will come. (disbelief) #3) I have a few doubts about the new employee, but the manager seems to trust him. (distrust)

Self-doubt is when a person doesn't wholly believe in the correctness of their decisions and actions. Example: Since his divorce, David has been afraid to make any decisions. He is filled with self-doubt and over-analyzes everything. It's difficult to talk to him and I'm convinced he will die a lonely old man. I hope his ex-wife is happy with her new husband because it turned David into a self-doubting, unapproachable and unpleasant person, who can never love again.

"I doubt it" is a response to an assertion or question you don't believe is likely. Example: #1) "I heard that David stopped drinking." "I doubt it." #2) "Do you think true love is possible within or lifetime?" "I doubt it."

Doubtful is used to describe a situation that doesn't look hopeful. Example: #1) My kids want to go to Dizneyland this summer, but it's doubtful that I can afford it. #2) My kids want to go to university, but it's doubtful that they can get good enough grades. #3) My daughter wants to marry someday, but it's doubtful any man would be interested in her.

Dubious is used to describe a situation that may be different than it appears on the surface. It is a term to express suspicion. Example: #1) The carpenter told me he was an expert, but the quality of his work is dubious. #2) The man told me he didn't know the killer, but his claims are dubious.

Advanced Vocabulary: Recede and Flourish

Recede is a synonym of "to withdraw" or "to draw back." It's used when something was going forward, stopped and started moving in the opposite direction.

Examples:
#1) The enemy army has lost many troops and they are receding.
#2) He's getting older and his hairline is receding.
#3) The treatment seems to be working because the cancer is receding.


Flourish is a synonym of "to thrive" or "to prosper." It's used when something is responding well and growing within its environment.

Examples:
#1) The vegetables in the garden are flourishing this year.
#2) The child is flourishing within his new classes. He has made many friends and is getting good grades.

Like/alike

Look like is used when making a direct physical comparison between two things and/or people. Example: #1) The man coming out of the adult video store looks like my uncle. #2) The homeless bag lady looks like my ex-girlfriend. #3) This sweater looks like the one I gave you for your birthday. #4) That baby looks like a deformed pink dolphin.

Looks (like) fun can be used for enjoyable activities. Example: #1) Riding that donkey looks like fun. I want to try. #2) The swings look like fun. It's my turn.


Look alike is used when two things are physically similar. Example: #1) My brother and I look alike. #2) That woman and her dog look alike. #3) Tangerines and mandarin oranges look alike.

Off Idioms

Not off the top of my head means you have been asked a question, or you are trying to recall information, and you need time to think about an answer. Example: #1) Can you think of any good ideas for the Christmas party? No, not off the top of my head. #2) Do remember the actor's name from the movie we saw yesterday? Not off the top of my head.

Off the mark means incorrect or inaccurate. Example: #1) We projected the quarterly profits, but the real results were completely different. We were totally off the mark. #2) The quarterback threw a pass, but it was way off the mark.

Off the charts means there is an unprecedented result, for better or worse. Example: #1) The bands record sales were amazing. They were off the charts. #2) The student athlete is physically incredible. His on-field performance is off the charts.

Off the cuff means unplanned, and usually refers to remarks that were better unsaid. Example: His statement was offensive, but it was clearly off the cuff. If he apologizes, we should forgive him.

Characteristics

Defensive people often believe they are being criticized or attacked, and they seek to defend their behavior unnecessarily. Example: My coworker got defensive when I asked her for clarification of her work on the project. I can't talk to her about anything because she gets so defensive.

Pushy people force questions or opinions on you relentlessly. Example: He's so pushy. He won't stop talking about his point of view until everyone agrees with him.

Evasive people hide information to protect themselves or others. Example: My boyfriend gets evasive when I ask him about his past girlfriends.

Overbearing people will often give you orders because of their own sense of superiority. Example: My older brother is overbearing, always giving me orders even though we're both adults.

Animals as Verbs

to squirrel something away - This expression means saving something, probably over a long period of time, until you have a large hoard. Example: He squirreled away his money for his whole life, until he finally had enough to buy a boat.


to weasel out of something - This expression means avoiding a situation that requires unwanted effort from you, possibly by deceptive means. Example: He weaseled out of doing any work by pretending he had other things to do.


to badger someone - This means aggressively annoying someone. It's often used in the courtroom. Example: #1) The lawyer badgered the witness. #2) Stop badgering me! I'm working as quickly as I can.


to chicken out - This means to run away from a situation or act out of fear. Example: #1) He was going to ask the girl for a date, but he chickened out. #2) We dared him to dive off the cliff, but he chickened out.

Very Much, Very Many

Very is most commonly used to express the intensity of a description. Example: #1) My brother is very tall. #2) The conference in Barcelona is very expensive.

It can also be used to express the intensity of an adverb. Example: #1) I did very badly on the exam. #2) He did very well during the interview. #3) She swam very quickly during the race.

Many is used to express a large amount for countable nouns. Example: #1) I have many books in my library. #2) There are many suicides on the bridge every year.

Much is used to express a large amount for uncountable nouns, but it is usually done in the negative. Example: #1) We don't have much money in the bank. #2) There isn't much wine left in the bottle.

Very can be used in combination with many and much. It is usually done for negative statements. Example: #1) He doesn't have very many friends. #2) There aren't very many job opportunities for a man my age. #3) She doesn't talk to her children very much. #4) He doesn't eat very much.

Once exception would include: He loves her very much.

"Of" Metaphors

If someone has a heart of gold, it means they have a very good character and they are a generally good person. Example: He is generous and always thinks of others first. He has a heart of gold.

If someone is made of money, they simply have a lot of money. However, you will usually use it to express the opposite because someone is asking you for too much money. Example: I bought you a new bike last week and now you want a new Playstation. Do you think I'm made of money? (Alternates: I'm not made of money. What, am I made of money?)

If someone has the voice of an angel, they are a very good singer. Example: My son was in a boys' choir. He had the voice of an angel until he became a teenager.

If someone has nerves of steel, they are courageous and can endure difficult situations easily. Example: He got lost in the forest for days, but he never panicked and got out of the forest safely. He must have nerves of steel.

Running

Running has two common definitions apart from the physical activity. It can be a synonym for both "flowing" and "working".

Things that run: a car (engine), a river, a nose.

Examples: #1) The car was running fine yesterday. I don't know why it isn't running today.
#2) The engine doesn't run well in cold weather.
#3) A river runs through the middle of the city.
#4) The river was running rapidly after the storm.
#5) My nose is running because of my allergies.

Runny (adj.) can be used only for noses.

Example: My nose is runny. Maybe I'm getting sick.


To run away can be literal and metaphorical. It can also be used to discuss leaving your home against your parents wishes.

Examples: #1) I ran away from the attacking tiger.
#2) He always runs away from his responsibilities.
#3) She ran away when she was 13, and the family hasn't seen her since.

Expressions for Close

Close friends is a title reserved for the few friends who are most important to you. They are the ones you speak to most often and share the most with. A person can have many friends in their life, but you generally have only a few close friends. Sometimes it relates to the amount of time you know a person, but not always. It relates more to your feelings towards the person.

Examples: #1) She is my closest friend. I can tell her anything.
#2) We have been friends for a few years, but we aren't really close.
#3) He and I are close friends, and we know we can depend on one another.

You may also use close to describe your relationship with your family members. In this case, it refers to how often you speak to them and your emotional intimacy with them.

Example: #1) Are you close with your family?
#2) I'm close to my mother, but I'm not very close to my brothers.



A close call is a situation where you narrowly avoid danger.

Example: #1) The bus stopped within inches of hitting me. That was a close call.
#2) I was on a date with my girlfriend and I saw my wife walk past the restaurant window. Luckily, she didn't see me. That was a close call.
#3) I was an hour late to work, but my boss was late, too. That was a close call.

A similar expression is too close to call, which means the result of a competition is so close that we don't yet know the final outcome.

Example: #1) We had to check the photo because the horse race was too close to call.
#2) We checked 90% of the votes, but the result of the election is still too close to call.