IDIOMS - ANIMALS - Part 2

Hello, today the second part of animal idioms. Try to learn at least one or two of them!

to act as a guinea pig = I am not sure which one is funnier...the English idiom or its Polish equivalent..;) (to be an experimental rabbit )

(to have) ants in one's pants = not to be able to remain calm out of nervousness

(to have) a cat nap = a short sleep

cat's got one's tongue = said about someone who doesn't speak (usually because of shyness)

to chicken out  = not to do something out of fear

a copy cat = a person who does the same things as someone else

dog days = very hot days

to drop like flies = to die/give up quickly

fishy = suspicious

to have a cow = to become very angry (usually about something minor)

Oscar Pistorius - "the fastest man on no legs"

Oscar Leonard Carl Pistorius is a South African sprint runner. "The fastest man on no legs", as he is often called, underwent a double amputation. Pistorius runs with the aid of artificial limbs. In 2007 Pistorius took part in his first international competitions for able-bodied athletes. However, his artificial lower legs became the reason for vivid discussion about whether “the blade runner” had unfair advantage over able-bodied runners. Having monitored his track performances and carried out tests, scientists came to the conclusion that Pistorius enjoyed considerable advantages over athletes without prosthetic limbs. On the strength of these findings, the International Association of Athletics Federations  decided that Pistorius was ineligible for competitions. This decision was reversed by the Court of Arbitration for Sport, which stated that there was no evidence that Pistorius had any advantage over able-bodied sportsmen.

The case of Oscar Pistorius started a heated discussion about whether disabled sportsmen, supported by technical devices, should compete with able-bodied athletes. Time will tell how this question will be resolved. One thing is sure – Oscar Pistorius can be an example to all disabled people who don’t believe that they can become successful, realize their ambitions and make their dreams come true. “I don’t see myself as disabled” – says Oscar Pistorius, the world record holder in the 100, 200 and 400 metres events.

The photos come from : http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Oscar_Pistorius, http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Oscar_Pistorius_Daegu_2011.jpg GNU License, author - Erik van Leeuwen, http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Oscar_Pistorius-2.jpg Creative Commons, author - Coda.coza, original photograph by Elvar Palsson

Thessaloniki !

Hello, today I would like you to get to know the city I have already visited - Thessaloniki. This georgeous town is the second biggest city in Greece. It is renowned for its numerous festivals, events and vibrant cultural life. 

Here are Thessaloniki's sights :

The symbol of Thessaloniki - The White Tower

The Tower, which is also a museum, used to be a notorius prison during the period of Ottoman rule.

A fountain in the park near the White Tower

Alexander the Great and his horse,
Bucephalus

Thessaloniki's old market

The Church of Holy Wisdom (Hagia Sophia)

The Church of Holy Wisdom is one of the oldest churches in Thessaloniki. It was raised in the 8th century as a copy of Hagia Sophia located in Constantinople (present-day Istanbul in Turkey).

The Church Of Hagios Demetrios

The church, which was built in the 4th century, is believed to be the biggest basilica in Greece.

They are the most often visited sights in Thessaloniki...the sunny town has still a lot to reveal and to enchant with. If you visit the north of Greece, don't skip seeing this charming city!

Photos:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Thessaloniki
private collection

IDIOMS - ANIMALS - Part 1

Hello!

Do you know what idioms are? These are fixed expressions, often of metaphorical meaning. They convey a message, teach us something or simply enable us to express ourselves quickly and precisely.

Idioms concern almost every sphere of life...Today some animal idioms!

It's raining cats and dogs! = It's raining a lot!

Curiosity killed the cat = Don't be too nosy!
Birds of a feather flock together = We keep together with people who resemble us...
A bird in the hand is worth two in the bush = it's better to be satisfied with one little thing
than try in vain to get something more
To think one is the cat's whiskers = to think you are the most important
To play cat and dog with sb = to play with someone like the cat plays with mice
When the cat's away, the mice will play = when a person in charge is away,  their subordinate people
won't do their duties and have fun
as strong as an ox = very strong
Every dog has its day = everyone has a moment of glory in their life
I could eat a horse! = ...you'd better not... ;)
That's a horse of a different colour = that's something totally different
to go to the dogs = not to work/study diligently, not to apply oneself to your work
Love me, love my dog = when you love somebody you must also respect the things around them
He buries his head in the sand = We are not saying it in the eye..but I think everyone knows which animal we are talking about here...

It's raining cats and dogs!

The picture comes from the book I bought in France 'It's raining cats and dogs et autres expressions idiomatiques anglaises'. The cartoon was designed by Mr. Marion Montaigne.

An Indian summer

That's it! The autumn has come! The summer is wonderful but it cannot last forever...unfortunately. It remains us to be glad with what we have! In my view, the autumn is, is spite of its coldness, the most beautiful season... We are sourrounded by magnificent colours, which change every day. Here is your autumn vocabulary :

Colourful leaves

Leaves turning yellow and red

In autumn we gather walnuts and apples

Sunflower seeds

Walnut shell

And that's a wonder of nature! A daisy in autumn!

Leaves falling off trees

Autumn forest with dense foliage on the floor

In autumn we need to rake dry leaves

Vocabulary:

last - trwać

unfortunately - niestety

remain - pozostawać

in my view - według mnie

in spite of - mimo

coldness - zimno

season - pora roku

surrounded - otoczony

magninicent - wspaniały

turn (red) - czerwienić się

gather - zbierać

walnut - orzech włoski

seeds - ziarenka, pestki

shell - skorupka

fall off sth - spadać z czegoś

a wonder of nature - fenomen natury

foliage - liście

dense - gęsty

floor - poszycie lasu

rake - grabić

The photos have been taken by myself.