A quick study
Definition: a person who learns quickly and easily
Usage: informal, conversational
Sample Dialogue:
1.A: How long has Rachel been playing piano?
B: Only about a year.
A: Really? She plays beautifully.
B: Yes. She's a quick study.
2.A: Are you in the Algebra 2 honor?
B: Yes, and I'm also a freshman.
A: Wow! You are a quick study.
Usage: informal, conversational
Sample Dialogue:
1.A: How long has Rachel been playing piano?
B: Only about a year.
A: Really? She plays beautifully.
B: Yes. She's a quick study.
2.A: Are you in the Algebra 2 honor?
B: Yes, and I'm also a freshman.
A: Wow! You are a quick study.
Ace in the hole
Definition: an advantage that is saved until needed
Usage: informal, conversational
Sample Dialogue:
1.A: Coach, why am I not in the game?
B: I need you to stay here for a little longer.
A: Oh...come on. I can play now.
B: Just wait. Ineed to put you in the last quarter. You're my ace in the hole. We can win the game if we wait till the last quarter.
2. You have to wait until when he makes the goal. You're my ace in the hole.
Usage: informal, conversational
Sample Dialogue:
1.A: Coach, why am I not in the game?
B: I need you to stay here for a little longer.
A: Oh...come on. I can play now.
B: Just wait. Ineed to put you in the last quarter. You're my ace in the hole. We can win the game if we wait till the last quarter.
2. You have to wait until when he makes the goal. You're my ace in the hole.
Add fuel to the fire
Definition: to make a problem worse
Usage: conversational, informal
Sample Dialogue:
1.A: Steve, just leave Mary alone when she's angry.
B: I'm only trying to help.
A: But you're not. you're aggravating her.
B: I am just trying to...
A: You're not helping. You're just adding fuel to the fire.
2.A: How are we going to survive on this iceberg?
B: It's okay. This iceberg is not going to melt so easily.
A: Really...?
B: Of course. But we're going to die first when the iceberg melt.
A: Ahhh! You scared me more! You're adding to the fire!
Usage: conversational, informal
Sample Dialogue:
1.A: Steve, just leave Mary alone when she's angry.
B: I'm only trying to help.
A: But you're not. you're aggravating her.
B: I am just trying to...
A: You're not helping. You're just adding fuel to the fire.
2.A: How are we going to survive on this iceberg?
B: It's okay. This iceberg is not going to melt so easily.
A: Really...?
B: Of course. But we're going to die first when the iceberg melt.
A: Ahhh! You scared me more! You're adding to the fire!
Add insult to injury
Definition: to make a bad situation worse
Usage: informal, conversational
Sample Dialogue:
1.A: Jim, you're all wet. What happened?
B: I'm not having a good day at all.
A: Then tell me what went wrong.
B: Well, first my car broke down. Then I was late to my meeting, and to add insult to injury, it started to rain.
2.A: Oh, no. I'm so dead!
B: What's wrong?
A: Well, Iost my money. Then Iforgot to do my work, and to add insult to injury, I broke my mom's neckless.
Usage: informal, conversational
Sample Dialogue:
1.A: Jim, you're all wet. What happened?
B: I'm not having a good day at all.
A: Then tell me what went wrong.
B: Well, first my car broke down. Then I was late to my meeting, and to add insult to injury, it started to rain.
2.A: Oh, no. I'm so dead!
B: What's wrong?
A: Well, Iost my money. Then Iforgot to do my work, and to add insult to injury, I broke my mom's neckless.
As sick as a dog
Definition: to be very ill
Usage: conversational, informal
Sample Dialogue:
1.A: Scott's been out of school all week.
B: What's the matter with him?
A: I don't know, but he can't even get out of bed.
B: Wow, sound like he's as sick as a dog.
2. Peter can't come to school because he's as sick as a dog.
Usage: conversational, informal
Sample Dialogue:
1.A: Scott's been out of school all week.
B: What's the matter with him?
A: I don't know, but he can't even get out of bed.
B: Wow, sound like he's as sick as a dog.
2. Peter can't come to school because he's as sick as a dog.