Beat a dead horsedefinition: to make the same argument repeatedly; to say what has already been said.
Usage; conversation, informal.
Sample dialogue:
A: I understand, I shouldn't have lied to you.
B: Do you realize how serious this is?
A: Yes. I did ten minutes ago. But you don't have to keep on explaining. You've been beating a dead horse.
My dialogue
A: Why did you do that?
B: I don't know, it just happened; you've been beating a dead horse.
Bells and whistles
Definition: Extra features that aren't essential for the operation of a machine, such as the global positioning system (GPS) in a car.Usage:Used in both conversation and writing.
Sample dialogue: A:what kind of phone are you going to buy?B:Don't know yet, but I want something with all the bells and whistles.A: Doesn't the extra stuff just add the cost?B: Maybe, but I love new technology. It's fun.
My dialogue:A: I really want to buy a new watch with all the bells and whistles.B: But why, You are supposed to use your watch to check the time, not to play games on.
Boys will be boys.
Definition: Boys will be mischievous, get in trouble, and fight.
Usage:Conversational, informal.
Sample dialogue: A:My two sons are always fighting, I don't know what to do to get them to stop.
B: Sometimes there isn't much a mother can do, boys will be boys, you know.
My dialogue:A: Me and my brother are always fighting, I don't know why, but he's always hitting me.B: Yeah, I know, all boys are like that, boys will be boys.
Bread and butter
Definition: someone's livelihood or income, or something that usually works well
Usage: informal, conversational
Samlpe dialogue:
A: The tam runs the same play every time. Why don't they try something new?
B: They have to stick with what works.
A: That play is their bread and butter.
My dialogue:
A:Dude, you're really good at playing flute
B:well, yes, it's my bread and butter.
Break a leg
Definition: "good luck"
Usage: figurative, used in conversation, wish them success before a preformace or game
Sample dialogue:
A: I'm so nervous! What if I forget the words to my song?
B: You won't fprger. You're going to be great!
A: OK; here I go. Wish me luck.
B: Break a leg.
My dialogue:
A: I have a big drama thing tonight at my school.
B: Oh my god, break a leg!
A: Thank you!
Break up
definition:
to end a relationship.
Usage:
conversational, informal; slang; sometimes followed by with
sample dialogue:
A: my boyfriend never calls me and never takes me to dinner.
B: He sounds like a bad boyfriend. Are you going to stay with him?
A: no. I think i'm going to break up with him.
Sample:
I don't like my boyfriend anymore, I think i'm going to break up with him.
Busy as a beaver/ busy as a bee
Definition:
to be extremely busy
usage:
cliché phrase used un conversation and in writing.
Sample dialogue:
A: our family is having over a hundred relatives to our house for a party.
B: Big parties can be a lot of fun, but also a lot of work
A: My dad has been working all day, he has been busy as a beaver, preparing this party.
Sample
I have to much to do at work right now, I’m busy as a beaver
Usage; conversation, informal.
Sample dialogue:
A: I understand, I shouldn't have lied to you.
B: Do you realize how serious this is?
A: Yes. I did ten minutes ago. But you don't have to keep on explaining. You've been beating a dead horse.
My dialogue
A: Why did you do that?
B: I don't know, it just happened; you've been beating a dead horse.
Bells and whistles
Definition: Extra features that aren't essential for the operation of a machine, such as the global positioning system (GPS) in a car.Usage:Used in both conversation and writing.
Sample dialogue: A:what kind of phone are you going to buy?B:Don't know yet, but I want something with all the bells and whistles.A: Doesn't the extra stuff just add the cost?B: Maybe, but I love new technology. It's fun.
My dialogue:A: I really want to buy a new watch with all the bells and whistles.B: But why, You are supposed to use your watch to check the time, not to play games on.
Boys will be boys.
Definition: Boys will be mischievous, get in trouble, and fight.
Usage:Conversational, informal.
Sample dialogue: A:My two sons are always fighting, I don't know what to do to get them to stop.
B: Sometimes there isn't much a mother can do, boys will be boys, you know.
My dialogue:A: Me and my brother are always fighting, I don't know why, but he's always hitting me.B: Yeah, I know, all boys are like that, boys will be boys.
Bread and butter
Definition: someone's livelihood or income, or something that usually works well
Usage: informal, conversational
Samlpe dialogue:
A: The tam runs the same play every time. Why don't they try something new?
B: They have to stick with what works.
A: That play is their bread and butter.
My dialogue:
A:Dude, you're really good at playing flute
B:well, yes, it's my bread and butter.
Break a leg
Definition: "good luck"
Usage: figurative, used in conversation, wish them success before a preformace or game
Sample dialogue:
A: I'm so nervous! What if I forget the words to my song?
B: You won't fprger. You're going to be great!
A: OK; here I go. Wish me luck.
B: Break a leg.
My dialogue:
A: I have a big drama thing tonight at my school.
B: Oh my god, break a leg!
A: Thank you!
Break up
definition:
to end a relationship.
Usage:
conversational, informal; slang; sometimes followed by with
sample dialogue:
A: my boyfriend never calls me and never takes me to dinner.
B: He sounds like a bad boyfriend. Are you going to stay with him?
A: no. I think i'm going to break up with him.
Sample:
I don't like my boyfriend anymore, I think i'm going to break up with him.
Busy as a beaver/ busy as a bee
Definition:
to be extremely busy
usage:
cliché phrase used un conversation and in writing.
Sample dialogue:
A: our family is having over a hundred relatives to our house for a party.
B: Big parties can be a lot of fun, but also a lot of work
A: My dad has been working all day, he has been busy as a beaver, preparing this party.
Sample
I have to much to do at work right now, I’m busy as a beaver