OCEANO IDIOmas TEAM Total English Active Method

ndice

Beginners 1 (Vol 1)
Beginners 2 (Vol 2)
Elementary 1 (Vol 3)
Elementary 2 (Vol 4)
Lower intermediate 1 (Vol 5)
Lower intermediate 2 (Vol 6)
Intermediate 1 (Vol 7)
Intermediate 2 (Vol 8)
Upper intermediate 1 (vol 9)
Upper intermediate 2 (Vol 10)
Advanced 1 (Vol 11)
Advanced 2 (Vol 12)
Extras, other bock

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OCEANO IDIOmas TEAM Total English Active Method
Beginners 1 (Vol 1) How do you do !
Unit 11 Igual que las dos respuestas anteriores, pero mucho mas
formal. Se responde con la misma expresin, How do you do!
Hello! No es una pregunta y no debe confundirse con How are you
Saludo cordial que se puede usar con todo el mundo. (ver a continuacin)

Hi!
Saludo algo ms informal, que se suele usar entre amigos. How are you?
Cmo ests/est?
Good morning!
Saludo habitual, aunque algo formal. Menos formal sera la
variante, Morning! Se emplea por la maana, mientras que Fine, thanks! Well, thanks!
Good afternoon! Se emplea por la tarde. Bien, gracias

Unit 221
Good evening! On Air. Lights off
Saludo que se emplea al atardecer y durante toda la noche. Rtulo que indica que el programa se empieza a transmitir y
que las luces se apagan.

Good night!
Saludo que se emplea por la noche, pero nicamente para Are you all right?
despedirse y para indicar que uno se va a dormir. Expression equivalente a Te encuentras bien? o Te pasa
algo? All right tambin se escribe alright

Pleased to meet you! Sorry!

Encantado de conocerte/ conocerle Respuesta habitual que
usamos cuando nos presentan a alguien.
Nice to meet you!
Igual que el anterior, pero algo ms informal.
Fromulada como pregunta, esta expresin indica que alguien
no ha entendido lo que se le ha dicho y que por favor se lo
repita.
Look at this!

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Mira esto! Llamar la atencin sobre alguna cosa extraa o la segunda es un gentileza tpica a la hora de agradecerle la
sorprendente. llamada a alguien

Thanks for calling!

Gracias por llamar! What do you do?
A qu te dedicas? Expresin habitual para preguntarle a
alguien su profesin. Admite la conjugacin; es decir, se
Come right now! puede preguntar, por ejemplo, What does she do? [A qu se
Ven/Venga/Venid/Vengan ahora mismo/en seguida! dedica (ella)?] o What do they do? [A qu se dedican
(ellos/ellas)?]

Dont go away!
No te vayas/se vaya! (singular) o No os vayis/se vayan! How much?
(pural) Cunto? Expresin habitual para preguntar sobre una
cantidad de algo o sobre el precio.

Unit 321
Lets see./Let me see
Veamos../Djeme ver Expresiones tiles a la hora
de ganar tiempo cuando se quiere considerer algn
planteamiento o examinar algo ms de cerca.
How old are you!
Cuntos aos tienes? La traduccin literal seria Cmo de
viejo eres t/es Vd?, porque en ingls preguntamos lo viejo
que somos La respuesta sera: Twenty years old

Look at this! Unit 421

Mira esto! Para llamar la atencin a alguien sobre alguna Sure thing, boss!
cosa interesante o extraa Por supuesto, jefe! Forma coloquial de la expresin Of
coure!

Call me/Thanks for calling!

Llmame!/Gracias por llamar! La primera expresin se una Get to work!
habitualmente entre personas que ya se conocen, mientras que

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Manos a la obra! O Ponte en marcha! Tambien se dice Get
goin!
Have fun!
Expresin muy comn que significa, Que te lo pases bien!
Otras expresiones parecida son Have a good time! y Enjoy
yourself!
Dont just stand there!
No te quedes ah parado! Expresin que sirve para instar a
alguien a que se ponga en marcha.
Its not a pretty sight
Expression parecida a No es nada agradable o Es un
espectculo lamentable Se trata de un aviso de que lo que se
va a ver no es muy agradable
How do you spell!
Expression habitual para preguntar Cmo se
escribe..? un nombre o cualquier palabra
Unit 577
Welcome to.!
Bienvenido/a/os/as a.! Tpico saludo de bienvenida al What about.?
comienzo de un programa o concurso televisivo o radiofnico
More and more
Expresin adjetival, parecida a cada vez ms, about? Aunque sta ltima ms para proponer algo
empleada para indicar una creciente abundancia de algo
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Hows it going?
Qu tal va? Expresin habitual para preguntar cmo va algn
proceso y tambin, en un registro ms coloquial, para
preguntar Cmo ests? O Qu tal?
More and more contaminated birds are turning up on
beaches
El verbo turn up es en realidad un phrasal verb o verbo frasal.
Consta de un verbo (turn) ms una preposicin o particula
adverbial (up). El verbo turn, por si solo, significa girar,
pero en combinacin con up adquiere un nuevo significado
(aparecer). Esta es la caracterstica principal de un phrasal
verb.
They are washing up on beaches..
Otro phrasal verb con un significado muy preciso. Significa
llegar o aparecer pero, al ser su primer componente el
verbo wash (lavar), nos indica de qu manera llegan (en este
caso, las aves): deslizndose suavemente sobre la arena.
Muchos phrasal verb ingleses contienen esta precisin
descriptiva referida a una accin.
Unit 697
Y qu hay de?/ Y qu me dices de.? Pregunta
habitual para preguntar sobre otro aspecto del tema de la
conversacin. Se parece bastante a la expresin How
OCEANO IDIOmas
Be careful!
Ten cuidado! Tpica expresin para advertir sobre un posible
peligro
How far is (it to) ..?
Cunto hay dea.?/Cunto dista..de? Expresin Pero de signo positivo, se parece a la ms corriente Wow!
habitual para preguntar la distancia a un lugar o entre dos
lugares determinados. Adems de concretar o cuantificar la
distancia; la lejana de un lugar se expresa diciendo Its a long
way away, Its a long way from here o simplemente Its a
long way (to) En vez de a long way, tambin se puede
decir far (Its far away)
La proximidad se expresa diciendo Its not far from here, Its
close (by), Its near here, etc
How long is .?
How en combinacin con diversos adverbios proporciona una
frmula til para preguntar sobre cualquier medida, sea de
distancia, longitud, intensidad, etc. En este caso, significa
Cunto mide.. (de largo)?
Unit 7117
Be quiet!
Silencio! / Callate! Expresin habitual y correcta para hacer
callar a alguien, equivalente a la variante Keep quiet! La
forma ms coloquial y menos educada es Shut up!
Dont touch it!
No lo toques! Esta expresin implica algn grado de peligro.
Sin embargo, a los nios pequeos, para decirles que dejen de
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toquetear las cosas, se les dice: Dont touch! (sin el
complemento it)
Its amazing!
Es increible! Expresin que expresa sorpresa y admiracin.
He looks like his brother
Se parece a su hermano. Look like se refiere a caractersticas
o rasgos fsicos
Shes like her sister
Se parece a su hermana. Be like se refiere al carcter or
temperamento de una persona, o a las caractersticas de un
objetivo o lugar
It feels like another world
Parece otro mundo/Es como estar en otro mundo Feel se
refiere a la sensacin causada por un lugar, entorno, situacin,
emocin, etc, y sirve de expresin descriptiva, en cambio,
seguido de un gerundio, feel like significa aparecerse
I feel like an ice-cream
Me apetece un helado. Seguido de un sustantivo o gerundio,
feel like tambin significa apetecerse
Unit 8135
Dont worry!
No te preocupes! Expresin habitual para tranquilizar a una
persona que est ansiosa por algn motivo.
OCEANO IDIOmas TEAM Total English Active Method
Ya lo tengo! Se emplea esta expresin, por ejemplo, cuando
encuentra algo que estaba buscando o, en un sentido muy
Never mind! amplio, cuando acierta algo
No importa! / Tanto da!/ No te preocupes! Es muy parecida
a las expresiones Dont worry y tambin It doesnt matter!
(que ya ha visto con anterioridad), aunque Never mind! Tiene Unit 9155
adems una matriz de consolidacin es decir, se utiliza (I want to) ask (you) a (very important) question.
cuando alguien est disgustado por algo que le ha ocurrido. Ask a question Hacer una pregunta Ask es el verbo que
habitualmente se combina con el sustantivo question. En
Stay balanced! ingls, utilizar el verbo indicado para un determinado
Aunque no muy frecuentemente, esta expresin significa algo sustantivo se denomina collocation y es importante
as como mantn el equilibrio o No te dejes vencer aprender este tipo de combinaciones para poder dominar el
idioma.

Ouch! (Their numbers) are down (this year)

Es la tpica exclamacin que alguien que siente un dolor Retomando el tema de los phrasal verbs, comentado en la
repentino, como cuando se golpea el dedo en una puerta o se Unit 5, aqu tenemos el verbo to be combinado con la
pincha con una aguja. partcula adverbial down. Esta combinacin verbo-adverbio
nos da el phrasal verb to be down, cuyo significado puede ser
Trust me? estar en declive bajarse, estar deprimido y otros
Confa en m! Ms que una expresin utilizada para infundir matices de estos conceptos. Lo contrario de to be down es to
confianza, como sera You can trust me, o You can rely on be up.
me, sirve ms bien para reforzar o confirmar alguna
afirmacin hecha con anterioridad. En este sentido una (We drop the nets into the water and they) come up (black
traduccin ms exacta seria Creme! and empty)
En este contexto, come up significa aparecer en la superficie
On your hands and knees! (del agua) aunque generalmente este phrasal verb significa
A gatas/ a cuatro patas Se suele usar con los verbos get, get subir
down y go down, a saber, Ge ton your hands and kness

Ive got it

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Up (and) down
Estas palabras pueden ser preposiciones o adverbios, segn su
funcin y ubicacin en la frase. En una casa o edificio de
varias plantas, con frecuencia figuran en explicaciones
relacionadas con que alguien viva encima o debajo (de uno
mismo), que alguien suba a la planta superior, o que baje a la
planta inferior.
Unit 10175
Congratulations!
Felicidades! o Enhorabuena! Expresin que sirve para
felicitarle a alguien por cualquier logro, sea un ascenso en el
trabajo, un premio ganado, etc
Heres to you!
Es una alternativa a la expresin anterior. Se utiliza para
felicitar a alguien y tambin para brindar por l o ella.
Lgicamente, si uno no se dirige directamente a la persona
agasajada, por estar reunido con muchas personas, you puede
sustituirse por el nombre de esa persona; por ejemplo: Heres
to Mr Smith!
Now we know
Ahora ya lo sabe Expresin que se emplea para indicar que
se acaba de descubrir una informacin o para reconocer que
se acaba de aprender una leccin
Thanks for (the help)!
Gracias por la ayuda! Segn la situacin, the help puede
sustituirse por otro sustantivo- Thanks for the food (Gracias
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por la comida) o por un gerundio que indica una actividad o
accin; es decir, un servicio prestado- Thanks for talking me
(Gracias por llamarme)
Well done!
Esta expresin tiene dos acepciones: en un sentido significa
Enhorabuena!, y otro, Bien hecho!
With a little help from.
Aunque literalmente significa Con un poco de ayuda de.
Se traducira ms bien por Gracias a En realidad es un
juego de palabras basado en el ttulo de un cancin de los
Beatles (Whit a litlle help from My friends)
Beginners 2 (Vol 2)
Unit 111
Oh, well!
Alguien recurre a esta expresin a la hora de encajar alguna
noticia con resignacin, o cuando acaba aceptando hacer algo
a regaadientes. Es parecida a las expresiones: Bueno
Qu se le va hacer!
Better late than never!
Ms vale tarde que nunca!
Thats nice!
OCEANO IDIOmas
Expressin genrica para decir que a uno le parece bien o
bonito alguna cosa, sea un objeto (de regalo, por ejemplo) o
una propuesta (como alguien cuenta a otro que se le ha hecho
una invitacin)
Go on!
Espresin que se puede traducer por Venga! Adelante! En la historia.
marcha! Segn el context.
Happy birthday!
Feliz cumpleaos!
Yesterday was your birthday, right?
Ayer fue tu cumpleaos, no (es as)/verdad/ no es cierto?
Se usa right al final de una frase, con el sentido de pregunta,
para pedir confirmacin.
Unit 1221
Stay tuned for the weather forecast!
Tune significa sincronizar y Stay tuned! Es algo as como
Permanezcan a la escucha! La frase completa invita a los
telespectadores a no apartarse del televisor si quieren ver la
previsin del tiempo.
What do you think?
Qu opinas? Qu crees? O Qu te parece? En el ingls En el mundo anglo parlante la hora mxima siempre son las
actual, es mucho mas corriente el uso de to think a la hora de
recabar una opinin, en detrimento de la forma ms antigua
to believe (creer), que hoy en da se emplea ms bien para
temas de creencia en el sentido estricto de la palabra
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Remember, you can get the full story on our website
El verbo to get tiene tiene muchos significados y aplicaciones
y conviene dominar su uso para poder perfeccionar el ingls.
Es este caso, quiere decir obtener o conseguir. Full story
se refiere a la noticia completa; es decir, la versin ntegra de
They filmed this at the bottom of the sea
El verbo to film significa rodar, aunque, tratndose de un
largometraje o del argot ms tcnico, la variante ms usada
sera to shoot, el mismo verbo que en otro contexto significa
disparar
Unit 1339
Today in San Francisco it will be mostly ccloudy
Cloudy quiere decir nublado o nubloso El adverbio
mostly significa mayoritariamente, principalmente, por
la mayor parte y en su mayoria, etc. Es sinnimo de
mainly. Sin embargo, los adjetivos correspondientes, en los
cuales se basan estos adverbios, no son sinnimos, ya que
most significa la mayora de, mientras que main significa
principal
The sun will rise at 5:47 am, and set at 8:16 p.m
12. Para diferenciar entre maana y tarde se recurre a las
abreviaturas latinas a.m. (ante meridiem) p.m. (post
meridiem), de manera que 8 a.m. son las ocho de la maana,
mientras que 8 p.m. son las ocho de la noche.
OCEANO IDIOmas
It wont rain for several days
Para indicar la duracin de un perodo de tiempo, se emplea
la expresin for (durante), y lo la preposicin during como
cabra esperarse. En cambio, during se emplea para explicar
que una accin ocurre mientras est ocurriendo otra accin o
circunstancia, p. e. The phone rang during the party (el
telfono est timbrando durante la fiesta), pero We lived in
Spain for six years (vivimos en Espaa por seis aos)
Further updates about the fires
Update significa actualizacin; tambien tenemos el verbo
to up date (actualizar). Tanto el verbo como el sustantivo se
utilizan con mucha frecuencia en el mundo de la informtica
y en los medios de comunicacin. En cambio, el adjetivo y el
adverbio correspondientes (up-to-date) son de uso ms
corriente en el lenguaje cotiniano.
Unit 1457
Could I have some water, please?
Igualmente, con el mismo significado, puede decirse: could
you give me some wter, please? (Me puede dar un poco de
agua, por favor?) Could I..? y Could you.? Se utiliza
con mucha frecuencia para pedir cosas en ingls. Could?
Puede sustituirse por Can.? Pero esta variante es ms
coloquial.
Now, for the first task
La expresin Now, for..se emplea para marcar un anter y un
despus, es decir, para cambiar de tema o accin. No tiene
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traduccin ya que esta variara de acuerdo al contexto. En este
caso, sera algo as como bien/bueno/ahora.pasamos a la
primera tarea.
Thats wrong!
Eso est equivocado! Sirve para afirmar que se a cometido
un error (segn el parecer de alguien). La expresin contraria
seri a Thats right , puede significar que algo es correcto, o
simplemente sirve para confirmarlo que alguien ha dicho.
Tambin puede decirse Thats incorrect! que sera una
variante ms formal de la expresin.
Ill call you later
Te/Le llamar ms tarde. Aqu se ve claramente cmo el
auxiliar will (I+will=Ill) sirve para expresar intensionalidad.
Lets continue!
Lets.(vamos a) es una expresin muy corriente que se
emplea en muchas situaciones diarias, sobre todo en el ingls
hablado. Sirve para proponer algo, para poner en marcha
alguna accin o proceso e incluso para instar (a alguien a que
haga algo) de una forma suave
Unit 1575
The games not over
To be over significa haber terminado o haber acabado, y
the games noto ver quiere decir el juego an no ha
terminado En games not over se traducira por el juego ya
ha terminado Evidentemente, para darle el mismo sentido de
finalidad que en ingls, en afirmativo aadidoramos ya, y
en negativo an
OCEANO IDIOmas TEAM Total English Active Method

Its time for a commercial Theres nothing like it!

Its time for. (es hora de..) se parece a la expresin que No hay nada parecido! Otra manera de decir que el producto
vimos en la Unit anterior, Now, for..Del mismo modo que en cuestin no tiene parangn; es decir, que se trata del
sta, its time for..marca un cambio de ritmo en la producto estrella de su categora.
conversacin o en la actividad. Por otra parte, comercial
significa anuncio televisivo, mientras que ad o From the most fabulous palace in India.comes the most
advertisement es anuncio en otros medios de comunicacin. attractive lipstick ever
En realidad, la expresin bsica es From.comes.. (De
Do you want to go ahead with the game? llegar.), otra frmula comn para los reclamos
To go ahead withsignifica seguir adelante con.; es publicitarios. La idea es de crear un misterio alrededor de un
decir continuar En cambio, to goa head, sin with y sin producto y conferirle un valor extico diciendo que llega de
complemento, significa adelante en el sentido de adelante un pas lejano.
un vehculo a otro, aceptacin que se traducira por to
overtake. Your life will never be the same!
Su vida nunca ser igual! Se refiere a que el producto
Unit 1691 anunciado marcar un antes y un despus en la vida de la
Its he latest! persona que lo pruebe. Una variante de esta expresin se
En el argot publicitario abundan los superlativos, que en emplea cuando una persona querida se va, momento en el cual
ingls adopta la terminacin est o se construyen se dice: things will never be the same (without.)
anteponiendo most al adjetivo. Latest se refiere a el ltimo!
es ms actual! Es tambin frecuente la expresin The latest
and greatest! Unit 17107
Think big, Zoe!
Its good for everyone! Hacer algo big es hacerlo a lo grande. Con un significado
La expression its good for (va bien para..) se adapta a parecido pero no igual, ltimamente se viene estilando
muchas situaciones en ingls, sobre todo en el lenguaje tambin la frase adverbial big time, que se refiere a meterse
coloquial y en publicidad. Referida a personas, significa en un actividad de lleno o con mucho ahinco o
sirve para. va bien para.. o es apto para. intencionalidad.
Referida a un perodo de tiempo (Its good for many years),
remite a la duracin o caducidad de un producto u otro objeto. Whats up?

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Qu pasa? O Qu ocurre? Otras expresiones sinnimas son
Whats the matter? o Whats wrong?
Go straight to the point!
Ve directo al grano!. En ingls, the point significa el caso,
el sentido o la cuestin; por tanto, thats not the point
significa no es el caso, mientras que Whats the ponint?
Significa Qu sentido tiene?
Theres talk about/that
Corre la voz que.., se dice que.. Si la frase termina
en about, va seguida de un sustantivo (Theres talk about the
takeover), mientras que, si termina en that, va seguida de otra
frase con sujeto y verbo (Theres talk that John is coming to
London)
Anything to declare?
Algo para declarar? sta es la tpica frase con que se
encuentran los pasajeros recin llegados a un aeropuerto
cuando pasan las aduanas
Unit 18123
Dont make me laught!
No me hagas rer! Expresin irnica que indica incredulidad
o desacuerdo ante una propuesta o afirmacin.
Whats on the men?
Qu hay en la carta? La expresin Whats on.? Tambin
se aplica en otros contextos, como cuando se pregunta sobre
la cartelera de cine, o la programacin de televisin.
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You know.
Ya sabes.. es decir Ya sabes a qu me refiero.
I cant belive it!
No lo puedo creer! Expresin de incredulidad.
Coming up!
Marchando! Lo que un camarero suele decir para indicar que
se est preparando el pedido en un bar o restaurante.
Im just obeying orders
Slo estoy obedeciendo rdenes sta es la tpica frase que
se dice para intentar justificas una accin reprehensible
That was a long time ago
Eso fue hace mucho tiempo Ago significa hace
refirindose a un tiempo transcurrido.
Change the subject!
Cambia de tema Expresin habitual que se utiliza cuando
uno est harto de estar dando vueltas sobre el mismo tema.
Unit 19139
We have to find ways to help
To find ways-y, lo que viene a ser lo mismo to find a way,
significa buscar una/la forma/ manera de solucionar algo. En
este caso va seguido de to ms un verbo; o sea, va seguido del
infinitivo. Tambin puede ir seguido de of, en cuyo caso debe
completarse con un gerundio. En resumen, es igual decir find
a way to open the door que find a way of opening the door
OCEANO IDIOmas
Lets all work together!
Vamos a trabajar todos juntos! o Vamos a colaborar todos!
En este caso, lets sirve para proponer algo (ver nota
siguiente)
Dont let the water run while washing dishes!
No dejen que el agua corra cuando friegan los platos! A
diferencia de la nota anterior, aqu let significa dejar o
permitir La diferencia ortogrfica estriba en que, en el
primer caso, se emplea la forma contracta de la expresin
let us, mientras que en este ltimo caso se emplea slo el
verbo. Utilizando en este sentido, el complemento directo del
verbo puede ser cualquier sustantivo ms los pronombres me,
him, her, it o them.
Here is a list of dos and donts.
Here is..es la expresin ms corriente para decir he
aqu. aqu tenemos, a continuacin relacionamos.. significa De qu se trata?
o cualquier expresin que sirva de prembulo para presentar
una lista o relacin de elementos. Dos and donts (el plural de
do y del negativo dont) significa lo que se debe o no debe
hacer..
Unit 20155
Welcome back!
Utilizando como adverbio, back significa (1) de vuelta, de
regreso, o (2) de nuevo, otra vez, segn el contexto. As,
atenindonos a la primera acepcin, come back significa
volver, regresar (literalmente: venir de regreso). Otros Unit 13
ejemplos incluyen give back devolver (literalmente: dar
de vuelta), pone back o call back (devolver la llamada o
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llamar de vuelta), etc. La expresin Welcome back!
Responde a la segunda acepcin (Bienvenidos de nuevo!)
Go away with empty hands
Irse con las manos vacas Go away es irse, marcharse,
mientras que be away es estar fuera. Es decir, away siempre
tiene el sentido de alejamiento. Por tanto, cuando pregunta
por alguien por telfono, y le responde que hes away, se
entiende que la persona solicitada est fuera de la ciudad. En
cambio, si alguien no est en casa, ni en el despacho, habiendo
salido para hacer cualquier gestin en la ciudad, se dira: hes
out.
Be (all) about
Tratar(se) de Por ejemplo: Its about his doctors
appointment, significa Se trata de su cita mdica.
Refirindose a un libro o a una pelcula, Whats it about?
Be a good sport
Significa algo as como ser bueno, ser buena gente, ser
un to enrolado o ser un to grande. Se refiere a una persona
que sabe encajar los contratiempos y tratar a los dems con
deportividad.
Elementary 1 (Vol 3)
Now, as for me.
OCEANO IDIOmas
As for meintroduces a description of someones personal
tastes, beliefs, opinion or situation.
There you go?
This expression confirms a previous comment, or draws
attention to an action which has started as expected. It
confirms our opinion that someone or something has the
capacity to succeed.
[Esta expresin confirma un comentario anterior, o atrae la
atencin a una accin como la que ha empezado esperada.
Confirma nuestra opinin de que alguien o algo tienen la
capacidad de tener xito.]
Youre bossy enough as it is!
The expression enough as it is is used with an adjective (in
this case, bossy). It means that the quality expressed by the
adjective is intense enough at the moment (as it is). In other
words, greater intensity is not desirable.
I dont know about
We use this to express doubts about something. For instance,
I dont know about that movie can mean that we have doubts
about the quality of the movie (maybe we wont like it); I
dont know about his hand means somebody has problem
with his hand.
Unit 219
Dont tell me Capricorn 77 is online!
The expression Dont tell me..indicates surprise or disbelief
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And, here we are, waiting for them
Here we are..and the past tense, There we werefollowed
by a gerund is a way of emphasizing or drawing attention to
the action taking place at the moment.
To think I want nervous!
To think (that)..show that the speaker is surprised about
how he or she reacted at some time in the past.
Were out of here!
Somebody says this just before leaving a place very quickly.
Now what?
We say this to mean that we dont know what to do next. This
often happens when our plans go wrong and we need to try
something different
I guess..
A colloquial form of I think (that.)
Lets see how he reacts
We use Lets seeas a suggestion to check something,
often by looking. Lets seeis the same as saying, Lets
see what his reaction is. Lets see..can be followed by
various relative pronouns: Lets see howLets see
whichetc
OCEANO IDIOmas
Unit 335
Welcome aboard!
We use this expression to welcome somebody who is going
to work with us, to join us in some activity or to help us with
some tastk.
To hell with this, Zoe!
To hell with(something/somebody) means we are tired of
something/somebody. We have reached a limit and explode
by telling that thing/person to go to tell. This is a form of
swearing/cursing. In this example, this refers to the
situation (between Dan and Zoe)
Indeed you were, Zoe!
We use indeed to confirm something or to say that we agree
with something
I wont let you down!
To let (somebody) down means to disappoint somebody or to
remove your support for somebody when are expecting it.
TEAM Total English Active Method
When you say Not that..it means you are not really
interested in the subject, or you want to show that you are not
worried by it.
Oops!
We say this when we drop something or when weve
forgotten something.
Sounds like someone I know!
In colloquial English, we often leave out the subject of the
sentence (it sounds like.). The expression means that one
thing or person reminds us of another (thing or person). We
also use this expression with the verbs look, smell and taste
(e.g. it tastes like)
He turned out to be such a sweetheart!
Turn out refers to the result of something. A sweetheart is
a really nice, kind person. When you first meet someone, you
dont know what theyre like. After some time, when you
know them better, you discover what theyre really like.

What do you mean? He works, like, 18 hours a day!

To mean usually refers to the meaning of something, but, We use like in colloquial English to take a short pause and/ or
when we use the expression What do you mean? We are to emphasize some information. In this case, the intention is
asking about someones real intentions. to emphasize the long number of hours.

Unit 569
Employees or, should I say, ex-employees.
Unit 453 We use or should I sayto correct something we have just
Not that I care! said. In the above example, Dan Lavish firt say employees

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but he corrects that to ex-employees because they have just part of phrasal verb, back always indicates that somebody or
lost their jobs something will return. Right indicates that the time will be
very short (usually a few seconds or minutes)

As Im sure you can imagine

This means we think the person we are speaking to knows and
understands what we are saying
Top management
This refers to the group pf managers and directors who are at
the top of a company. Below these we have middle
management.
Whatever you say, boos!
This means that you should obey your bosss orders but it is
also ironical.
The situation on the ground
This refers to what is happening at a particular place of special
interest. For television reporters, it is the place where they are
filming the news, because something interesting has
happened there
Please! Call me Dan!
This means you dont need to use the persons formal name
(e.g. Mr Lavish). He or she is inviting you to use a more
friendly form of address- his/her first name (Dan)
Nice and wet
Nice and..followed by another adjective (wet) is a common
colloquial way of emphasizing the second adjective. Nice is
positive, so, if we say a cup of coffee is nice and hot, for
example, it means that hot is very positive in this context
We appear to be having technical problems
We appear to be having.is a polite or formal way of
excusing yourself when you are creating problems for
someone else. In fact, the speaker is having problems, but
he doesnt want to admit it, so he says we appear to be
having problems

Unit 585 And now well hear from.

Well be right back To hear from (with the preposition from) means to
This is the typical phrase used on television before a receive news, information or an opinion from someone
commercial break. It means that the program pauses for
commercials and will then be back after them. When forming

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Unit 7101
We might as well go cover it
We use might as well to make a weak suggestion, or when
there seems to be only one course of action
How do I get there from here?
The verb get to refers to travelling from one place to another.
Its meaning is similar to arrive at, but get to also cover the
journey, not only the end of the journey, when we finally
arrive. We ask the question How do I get to? When we
need directions to some place.
Im on my way!
We use this expression to tell somebody that we have started
moving from one place to another, or that we have started a
journey, even a short one- for instance, from one room in a
house to another. A similar expression is Im coming!
Im going to tell him a thing or two!
To tell (somebody) a thing or two means to tell them that
youre angry about something-that you are not happy with
them because, in your opinion, they have done something
wrong
Watch it, Zoe!
To watch it means to be careful. In this case, it is a warning.
Another similar expression is Watch your step!
Unit 8109
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Uh-oh!
Typical expression to indicate that youve spotted a problem
Hey!
We say this to attract somebodys attention
That did it!
This means that somebody has applied a successful solution
to a problem
And that is why we do research
And that is why..introduces the reason for something or the
cause of something. Its the same as saying, Thats the reason
(for)..
Lets get plenty of shots of the politicians
Shots are photos (photographs). Colloquially, we also say
pictures. The typical expressions are to take photos, pictures
or shots of. , or to get photos/pictures/shots of..
Got it!
This means you have successfully completed an intended
action, or you have understood something.
Unit 9139
Now if youll excuse me
This is what you say when you are in a hurry to leave, but
somebody is holding you back. It is formal and ironic at the
OCEANO IDIOmas
same time. In a normal, formal situation you can say.
excuse me but I have to..
It wont happen again!
We say this when weve made a mistake or done something
wrong and we want somebody to understand that we wont
repeat that mistake
This is great stuff, you two!
Great stuff! This expression is a way of congratulating
somebody for doing something well. Its the same as saying
We done You two means you are talking to two people
Alls well that ends well!
This is a proverb. It means that, although there have been
problems, you were able to solve those problems in the end.
Unit 10157
Ill go easy on him
To go easy on ..(Someone) is to not put pressure on them
What is that supposed to mean?
We ask this question when we are surprised or angry by what
someone has said, and we want them to explain their
statement more fully
Is that all I am to you?
This means we feel someone considers us to be less than what
we expected. Maybe we think they dont love us, that they are
with us for some other reason
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Are you kidding me?
When we are very surprised by what someone has said, we
think that perhaps they are not being serious. To kid.means
to joke, i.e. to be making fun
Fire way!
Similar to expression, Go ahead! We use it to encourage
someone to start doing something, or we give them
permission to do it
Thats a pity!
When were sorry about something happening, and we think
its a waste (of time, effort, suffering, etc), we say Its/Thats
a pity!
Elementary 2 (Vol 4)
Unit 113
See you later
See you.is the common colloquial way of saying goodbye
to someone who you are going to meet again in the near future
(the same day, the next day, the next week..) It can be used
with many adverbs of time: see you later! See you tomorrow!
See you in a weeks time.We do not use until in this
situation
Whats new?
We use this expression to ask (1) someone if they have any
new information or (2) simply as a colloquial way of saying
How are you In some cases it is similar to Whats up?
OCEANO IDIOmas
Go ahead!
We use this to tell someone (1) to start walking or moving in
front of us, (2) to leave before us or (3) to do something which
they would like to do. In this case it is like giving them
permission to do something
Heres my card.
Here is.is what we say when we want to show or give
somebody something. The plural is Here are.
Doing who knows what?
Who knows what! means we do not know what somebody is
thinking, talking about or doing. Although we (possibly) have
some idea of what it is, we do not approve of it
You have a good point
When we say somebody has a point, or a good point, we mean
that we think they are right, that they are speaking the truth,
or that we like or agree with the idea they are expressing
Unit 1219
Crime doesnt pay
This is a proverb. It means that, if you commit a crime, youll
have to face the consequences
Dan isnt going to like this!
Joe tells Zoe that somebody is doing (or has done) something
which Dan doesnt like or doesnt approve of. The expression
con be completed by adding. When he finds out
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Police have charged a San Francisco accountant with
stealing.
When a crime is committed, the police change the suspect
with the crime. This means that he will appear before a judge.
But he didnt get away with it
To get away with.. (Something) means to commit a crime,
or to do something bad, without facing any consequences. If
the police do not catch a criminal, for instance, then the
criminal gets away with it (the crime)
Unit 1335
Im afraid (that).
When we need to give somebody some bad news, or to refuse
them permission to do something, we begin the sentence with
this expression
Theres always a first time
This is a proverb. It means that, even if you think youll never
do a certain thing, you can never be sure it wont happened.
A similar expression is: Never say never
Thats nothing!
When somebody says theyve done or seen something great
or wonderful, sometimes there is somebody else in the
conversation who thinks they start off saying Thats
something
Too bad
OCEANO IDIOmas
Similar expression to Its a pity We say this when we think
something is a waste (of time, effort, suffering, etc)
Unit 1449
Cheers!
This is the common expression we use in English to make a
toast. Everyone lifts their glasses and says, Cheers!
To hell with the French!
Hell is where bad people go when they die. We say To hell
with.! When we are angry with (or tired of) something or
somebody
To your health!
This is another expression for making a toast, but it is not as
common as Cheers A similar expression is, Heres to.
(a person or thing)
Mmmmm.It tastes good
Mmm.is what we say when we taste food or drink and find
it delicious
Unit 1565
Compound adjetives
Compound adjetives (=adjective+noun) are very common in
English. In this Unit we have seen top-quality and hight-
speed. Others include grown-up, phone-call, easy-going and
post-graduate. As you can see, the adjective and noum are
usually separated by a hyphen - but, over time, the two
words join to form one word (e.g. you can now see post-
graduate written posgraduate)
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Nouns acting as adjetives
It is also very common in English to see nouns used a
adjetives. In this Unit we have seen airport congestion and
travel times airport and travel are nouns, but here they act
as adjetives. Other include art gallery, food chain and
swimming pool
Imagine passenger trains travelling at 120 m.p.h!
In this case, imagine is used as an imperative. The activity or
process we have to imagine takes the form of a gerund not
an infinitive!
Link
A chain contains many links. In this case, a link is a physical
thing. But links can also be figurative, including Internet
links, which you can click on, to take you to different
websites. So, in general, a link is a connection. It is also a
verb, with a meaning similar to connect
Unit 1679
Among other things
When we mention only one item from a list of many items,
we cover the remaining items bay saying among other things
or amongst other things
That sounds fishy!
Fishy means suspect; i.e. something which sounds strange,
unclear or untrue. A similar (but not identical) adjective is
shady, which means illegal or unfair. We use shady in
expressions such as shady business, shady practices, etc
OCEANO IDIOmas
Chem X has a reputation for playing rough
To play rough means to compete by being hard, and even
unfair. We often say his about people who play contact sports
or companies who do not do business in a clear, open way
Thats what I want to hear!
People say this when they receive good news or, in general,
when they like what they hear
They have agents that do their dirty work
To do the dirty work means to do something unpleasant,
unethical or illegal. This often means committing a crime.
Unit 1795
Best regards is the expression we use to end a letter to
someone we know-from work or business, for example, even
if we haven`t met them personally. It is similar to best wishes!
You look nice!
This is a typical compliment we use for both men and women
when we like the way they are dressed
You didnt hire me for my looks!
This is an ironical statement. It means that (a) Zoes boss
hired her for her professional skills, and that (b) he should
therefore not talk about her appearance (looks)
Times up
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An expression meaning that the time period for some
assignment is finished. We can use this for any kind of test,
exam, sports competition, etc
We cant pay our bills?
Bills refers to the light (electricity), water and gas we use in
an apartment, house, office, or many other building. When
people say, We cant pay our bills, it means they are poor or
have no work and cannot pay for the services they use
Gotcha!.
This expression has two basic meanings. You say it (1) when
you give someone a surprise, or when you catch them doing
something, and (2) to indicate that youve understood
something that somebody is telling you. Gotcha is the short
form of got you
Poof! Theyre gone!
We say Poof! to mean that something has suddenly
disappeared, as when a magician makes an object or person
disappear. This word is onomatopeic for suggesting a cloud
of smoke
This is great stuff!
We say this when we enjoy reading, watching or eating
something we find very nice or very good
Youll get the idea
This is used in the future tense (you will). It means that, if you
dont understand something now, very soon you will
OCEANO IDIOmas
understand it by having to deal witch it (a problem, for
example) in practice
Unit 19127
Stand up and fight!
We use this expression to encourage someone who has a
problem to face it- to do something about it-instead of
avoiding or running away from it
This is very hard-hitting stuff!
A newspaper article or a television documentary that is very
critical of a person or an organization can be hard-hitting,
meaning that it makes a strong impact or has a powerful effect
on people who read the newspaper or watch TV
Thats a strong claim!
When you make a claim, you are saying that something (or
something that happened) is true. A strong claim is one which
is hard to believe, or has serious consequences.
Ill be right up..
This is similar to expression Im coming Someone is calling
you, or expecting you to come, and you answer using this
phrase. In this context, right means very soon, at once or
immediately
Yours faithfully
When you write a letter, if you dont know the name of the
person youre writing to, you start the letter Dear Sir or
Dear Madam, and you end the letter with Yours faithfully.
But, if you do know the persons name, you use it at the
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beginning e.g. Dear Ms Simpson and you end the letter with
the expression Yours sincerely
Unit 20143
Havent you had a few too many?
The basic expression is to have one too many. we say this
when someone gets drunk, i.e. theyve had one drink more
than a reasonable amount and have gone over the limit. A few
too many means not one but several extra drinks (above the
limit)
Im not bad in person, either!
When you talk about seeing or meeting or talking to someone
in person, this means you have the person physically in your
presence. Its similar to saying in the flesh or, in some cases,
personally, as in the sentence, I spoke to him personally
It all started with an email
It all started. Is a typical way of beginning a story you want
to tell about how something long or complicated happened.
Im knackered!
Knackered is a colloquial way of saying very tired or
exhausted
The night is young..
People say this when they are looking forward to going out at
night to enjoy themselves. This can mean going to the cinema,
a party, a disco in general, to have fun at night
OCEANO IDIOmas
We should do this more often!
This is an ironical way of saying that you enjoy doing
something and that you would like to do it more often. It also
suggests that the person you are talking to should agree to this
idea and help put it into practice
Lower intermediate 1 (Vol 5)
Unit 13
A chain is only as strong as its weakest link
This is a proverb. A chain consists of several links. So, if one
link is weak, the whole chain will be weak. Its the same with
any system. In a production company, for example, if one
department does not function as well as the others, the whole
production process will be slowed down by that department.
As you all know.
This is typical way of introducing a speech, or a new idea in
that speech. It means that the speaker assumes his or her
audience already knows about a subject and that s/he wants to
add more information about it
I was getting to that
To get/come to something means to arrive at something (an
idea, a statement, a fact....) For instance, when someone is
speaking about one thing, and another person asks about
something else, the speaker can reply that s/he is going to deal
with that subject soon by using this expression
let's get down to business!
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The idiom, to get down to business, means to start working
seriously and immediately. We often use this expression
when people are talking about some action, but have not
started that action. One person then suggests beginning it
immediately
The early bird catches the worm
This proverb means that the person who arrives first has a
better opportunity of achieving something successfully. It can
also men that, if you get up early, you can do more work
during the day.
Unit 219
Come on!
Come on! has three basic meanings it can mean (1) let's go,
when you want someone to go somewhere with you, or (2)
hurry up , when you think someone is being too slow. We
can also use it to indicate that (3) the person we're speaking
to should stop talking nonsense or stop joking.
Grab your helmet!
Grab is colloquial way of saying get or take. It also
suggest something is urgent. For instance, when Joe says,
Grab your helmet! He's telling Zoe to take her helmet and put
it on quickly because they're leaving on his motorbike.
I would, but Im not in the mood for.
I would, but..is a typical way of making an excuse for not
doing something. To be in the mood for something means to
feel like (doing) something
No. Guess again
OCEANO IDIOmas
When we dont know the answer to something, we can guess
the answer, which means to offer an answer when were not
sure of it. We say guess again when somebody has got the
answer wrong and we want them to try again to get it right.
Its similar to saying, Have another go!
Unit 335
Dont drink and drive!
To drink and drive means to drive a car under the influence of
alcohol. In many countries drinking and driving is illegal and
it is very dangerous
They never knew what hit them!
This means someone got an unpleasant surprise; i.e.
something awful, negative or very powerful happened to
them. It can be something physical, or it can refer to emotions.
Were taking care of business
This means you are doing what you have to do- doing your
work or any activity that you are supposed to be doing. It can
have a negative meaning when talking about crime.
What are you talking about?
We ask this question when we dont understand or believe
what someone is saying because it is very surprising.
Were following a story
This is what reporters or journalists do-look for information
about something that has happened so they can write and
publish a story about it.
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Unit 453
Please go away!
This is a polite way of asking somebody to leave, either
because were tired of them or because we need to be alone
What have you got to lose?
This is a way of encouraging someone to go ahead and do
something they would like to try.
Who is it?
If someone knocks on your door, and you dont know who
they are, you can ask, Who is it?
We can make you famous!
When a big or powerful organization wants to hire somebody,
or make them an offer, they can use this expression to impress
that person.
Unit 569
Mr Anthony Perkins confessed to impersonating..
Confessed to. Is followed by a gerund (-ing) and is similar
in meaning to admitted toas in the sentence, The man
admitted to stealing a hammer from the store
in order to collect her benefit checks
In order to is followed by an infinitive. It is similar in
meaning to for the puerpose of although the latter is
followed by a gerund, e.g. he cut the fence in order to get
into the field, or He cut the fence for the purpose of getting
into the field
OCEANO IDIOmas
.to collect her benefit checks
In past Units we have mentioned collocations, i.e. two
words which often go together. Here, the verb to collect
goes with the noun check, because to collect is usually
used for money, e.g. to collect money, to collect payment
or to collect tax. It means to receive, get or pick up (money)
His mother had left clear instructions
This is also a verb-noun collocation to leave (sb)
instructions. When you give somebody instructions, or write
instructions down on paper, this means to leave them.
I bet youd like to visit Lake Tahoe, wouldnt you?
I bet is common way of saying youre sure (or almost sure)
of something. It can also be used to encourage or to show you
agree with the person youre speaking to.
Some are over 300 feet all
When we talk about measurements, we can say that
something is over or more than some limit. For instance, a
town can be more than 50 miles away, or over 50 miles away.
The opposites are less than and under, e.g The cars doing
less than/under 30 an hour
Theres no turning back, is there?
To turn back means to stop, to decide not to continue and
return or go back. The expression, Theres no turning back,
means some process cannot be stopped. This often applies to
progress
You never know, do you?
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You never know means that, although something does not
seem true or possible, we cannot be sure it isnt true, or that it
wont happen some day in the future.
Unit 7105
If I were you, Id
This common expression is a second conditional (if+past
simple>>conditional). We use it to give advice, by saying
what we would do if we were in the other persons place
I wouldnt want to be in our shoes
This means that someone is in a difficult situation and we say
we would not like to be in their place or position
Im so excited!
When youre looking forward to something that is going to
happen soon, you feel excited about it. Feeling can be
expressed using Im so (happy, sad, excited, bored)
Im afraid so
When you need to confirm some unpleasant information, you
say, Im, afraid so, meaning Im afraid its true. If you need
to break some bad news to someone, you start by saying, Im
afraid. (without so)
Its your turn
We can say this to someone who is standing in line waiting to
be served in a shop, or who you`re playing a game with. If we
use it when playing a game, it means that person should play
next
OCEANO IDIOmas
Unit 8121
Its worth it!
Its worth it is the same as saying Its worthwhile or Its worth
the trouble. It means that a certain action (e.g. doing, buying,
or saying something) will give you a positive result or be of
benefit to you or to someone else.
Surfs up!
This is an expression used by surfers to mean that the sea
conditions are good for surfing, i.e. the waves are good.
Do yourself a favor
This expression is typically used in advertising. It suggests
that, if you buy a certain product, you are doing yourself a
favour
Youd better take a sleeping bag with you
Youd better..means its preferable to.. Its worth.. the past; for instance, to look at an album of old photos and
It refers to a recommended course of action. It can be used
with all persons: Id better..Hed betterWed better lane is a short and/ or narrow street
Unit 9137
You know that I mean
This expression has two basic meanings: (1) when wet think
the person were speaking to already knows more or less what
were talking about, instead of describing all the details of the
subject, we say You know what I mean. (2) We also use this
when were being critical of somebody-often a child-who is
being naughty, or acts as if they dont understand.
To give your heart away
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This mean to fall very much in love with somebody and
become emotionally dependent on them
Things are starting to get interesting
This means that a situation is beginning to get interesting,
exciting or complicated. There is a chance it will end in an
argument, a fight, or something emotional. We also say,
Things are hotting up
Dont give up now Zoe
To give up means to surrender, i.e. to stop making an effort
because we think we are too weak or too tired to continue
fighting or competing. It is similar to the phrasal verb, to give
in.
So, you took a trip down memory lane
To take a trip down memory lane means to recall things about
remember the people we met, the places we visited, etc. A
Unit 10157
Get packed!
To packed means to put in your suitcase or travel bag which
youre taking on holiday, or on a business trip. Get packed! Is
imperative, meaning you are telling someone to hurry up and
pack
ASAP
OCEANO IDIOmas
ASAP stands for as soon as possible. This is a typical
abbreviation used in text messages on the Internet or a
cellphone.
What do you have in mind?
To have in mind means to have an idea you want to put into
practice, or just something you are thinking about or
considering. By using the question form, you are asking what
the other person is thinking, or what their intentions are.
This is right up your alley!
To be right up ones alley refers to something (a task, a
process, etc) which is well suited to somebody because it is
relates to their profession, specialty or hobby. You can also
say, Its right up your street
I cant wait to.
You say this when you are really eager to do something, i.e.
you are very much looking forward to it. For instance, if you
say, I can`t wait to see Maggie, it could mean that Maggie is
a good friend of yours and you havent seen her for ages, so
youre looking forward to seeing her
Lower intermediate 2 (Vol 6)
Unit 113
But, it didnt end there
The subject of this expression can vary, e.g. But, things didnt
end there Typically, you say this when youre telling a
surprising story which gets even more surprising as it goes on.
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You would use this between one surprise and the other to give
the story more effect.
If you must know
When someone asks you an irritating or embarrassing
question, you could start by saying this before answering the
question.
Dont say Dan the Man doesnt look after you!
Dont say.dont/doesntis a two-pert expression. The first
part is always the same. The second part includes dont or
doesnt, depending on who the subject of the sentence is.
(That second auxiliary verb can also be conjugated in another
these.) We use this expression to emphasize that we can be
trusted or relied on, because were proud of something weve
done. It can also mean were being critical of the person were
talking to.
Somethings wrong with my cellphone
Somethings wrong withmeans that a person or thing is
not functioning properly. Applied to a machine, it means the
machine could be broken, or is not working properly. When
applied to a person, it can mean that person doesnt seem to
be well or happy. You can also say, Somethings up with
Unit 1221
I recorded it for posterity
To do something for posterity means to do it with the intention
of leaving it behind for future generations to see, admire and
make use of.
OCEANO IDIOmas
Passengers will please make their way to gate 27
This is the announcement your hear when you are about to get
on an airplane. To make ones way to..means to head for,
i.e. to move or walk along in a particular direction.
Sometimes its good to remember things
We use Its good to.to start describing something we like or
we consider healthy or advisable. This phrase is useful for
recommending something. In fact, in this case good means
useful
Yeah, for a start, its now Universal Network!
For a start.is a more colloquial way of saying to begin
with. We often use it to start listing items we consider
important.
You have to admit that things have changed
You have to admit (that) is a way of getting someone to
agree with us (to agree with what were saying)
Unit 1339
Not at all!
This expressions is generally used to mean two things- (1) as
a synonym for Its a pleasure or Youre welcome, which requires more detailed investigation.
you can use when someone thanks you for something, or (2)
when you want to insist that something is not true.
I dont mean to instrude, but.
The general expression is, I dont means to .butThis is a
polite way of excusing ourselves when we want to interrupt
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(a conversation, for instance), or to express a different point
of view.
I wonder how many people live in London
I wonder.. is the phrase we use when wed like to know
some information, or the answer to a question. As we dont
really know the answer, we try to guess it or speculate about
it. I wonder if Sue will come to the party, means you are
interested in knowing this information because it could affect
you in some way.
Its quite a relief, really
Relief is what you feel when something hard or unpleasant is
over, or when a bad experience has finally come to an end..
Its hard to believe
This means you find it difficult to believe something (some
news, fact or information, or a statement someone makes).
Unit 1457
I think this needs further study
Further is the comparative form of the adjective or adverb
far. But, in many cases-like here- it is used to means more
or in greater detail. In this sense, it means that the document
Lets take a closer look
To take a look is a collocation between the verb take and
the noun look. A synonym id to have a look. There are
many examples of collocations where both have and take
are correct, e.g. to have/take a coffee, to take/have a shower,
OCEANO IDIOmas
to have/take a rest. Here, take is more the American form,
while have is more British. However, in practice, they are
interchangeable.
Its OK- hes been asleep for ages
It`s OK means it alright, everythings fine, dont worry, This is the question someone asks when they want to know
etc. for ages is a common expression which means for a long
time
Joe, dont be nosey!
Nosey means inquisitive, i.e. it refers to someone who asks
too many questions, or uncomfortable questions.
Unit 1575
The eyes are the windows to the soul
This is a proverb. It means that you can tell what a person is
like by looking at their eyes and reading their expression.
May I see your passport, please?
This is the standard question you will hear when passing
through passport control in an English-speaking country. May
is a more polite form of can, and is similar to could. In
stores, store clerks also use the word may to ask, May I help
you?
So, are we done?
Done means finished to be done means to be finished, but
it refers to a process or a piece of work which someone is
doing. A similar adjective is over, but over is used for an
event, such as a concert, a movie, a meeting, etc. the
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statement, So, are we done? Is a bit ironical and suggests that
the speaker is getting irritated or impatient.
What does it do?
the purpose or function of a device or machine.
Are we free to enter the country now?
Used in the affirmative or question form, the expression
Youre free to..or Am I free to.? Can be used in many
situation. For instance, when a meeting seems to be over,
someone could ask the most senior person in the room, Are
we free to go now?
Unit 1693
Cheerio!
This is a colloquial and traditional way of saying Goodbye
In some cases, it can also be used instead of Cheers to make
a toast.
I beg your pardon, sir?
People once used I beg your pardon to say sorry or Im
sorry, although it is not often used in this sense now.
Nowadays we use it when havent heard something properly,
or as an exclamation when somebody says something
surprising.
Look, its no skin off my nose
Its no skin off my nose means something doesnt affect you,
it doesnt matter to you or you dont care, even if the person
youre talking to thinks it might.
OCEANO IDIOmas
Smile! Youre on candid camera!
Candid Camera was and still is a television programme
which shows people caught in funny situation, at the end, the
cameraman or presenter goes up to the person being filmed
and says Smile! Youre on candid camera!
Thank you for time!
We say this to thank somebody who has been helping us in
some way. A similar expression is Thank you for your
trouble. Its a formal expression which you will probably see
more in writing
Unit 17111
Great stuff, Zoe! Keep it coming..
Both expression in this sentences are used to encourage
someone- we saw Great stuff! In Unit 18 (Elementary), while
Keep it coming! encourages someone to continue doing work
or carrying out actions with a similar, positive result.
Thats the Zoe I know
We say Thats the. I know to encourage or show support for
someone. We use it when they have said or done something
we consider to be typical of them, or typical of their quality
of work or action.
You never know when or where you will be filmed
You never know. Means you should expect anything to
happen, i.e. nothing is impossible, even if it looks that way.
Sounds like a clear of love thy neighbour!
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A clear case of something means a good example or
demonstration of that thing. Love thy neighbor is short for
Love they neighbor as thyself which is taken from the Bible
and means you should treat other people with the same love
and care as yourself. In the video, this phrase is used
ironically.
Unit 18127
This way, please
This way. is used, typically to show somebody where to
go (which way to go) - there are also public signs way in
(entrance) and way out (exit)
Time is money as they say
Time is money is saying which means that you should be
productive with your time- if youre lazy and let time go by,
you lose money. But, if youre hard-working and use your
time productively, you make money
What can you tell us about the charlatan Project?
What can you tell us about.? Is a common way of asking
for information about something?
Youre not going anywhere
This is a threat, and you would use it to threaten somebody or
to remind them that you will not allow them to leave. The
question form (Are you going anywhere?) is quite different
its just a normal way of asking if somebody is going out, and
where they are going.
OCEANO IDIOmas
Unit 19147
Well take a rain check
To take a rain check (or raincheck) means to come back later
or to leave something for later; to postpone an event, an
invitation, a sports events, etc, Its also a way of saying No,
thank youmaybe another time, when somebody invites
you to do something.
Tell me once more.
This is what somebody would say if theyre questioning or
interrogating somebody else. It means, Youve give me once
explanation; now give me another one, but, this time-tell me
what really happened i.e. tell me the truth instead of once
more, we can also say once again or one more tine
You are both in very serious trouble!
You have already seen the expressions To get into trouble and
To be in trouble. These are both very common in English and
they refer to someone having a problem or being in a
difficult situation. For instance, when youve been arrested
for something, youre in serious trouble. You can also say,
big trouble. The opposite would be some trouble or slight
trouble (or just trouble, without an adjective), as, for example,
when youre having difficulty opening a bottle.
I bumped into an old friend this morning
To bump into can mean either (1) you accidentally make
sudden physical contact with someone, which can be
annoying, or (2) you meet someone you know by chance. In
this case, there are synonyms such as come across and run
into.
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Unit 20165
I could hardly believe my eyes!
Hardly means something only happens-or something is only
true-by a small margin, i.e. it almost doesn`t happen, or its
almost not true. Similar adverbs are barely and scarcely. I
could hardly believe my eyes! Means something is so
amazing that its difficult to believe.
Give me five!
This is what you say when youre happy about something and
want to celebrate it- you lift up the palm of your hand and hit
it against somebody elses palm. Five refers to five fingers.
Its also called High five!
I dont quite understand
This means you dont understand something fully or
completely you need more details, or a different
explanation, to understand it completely. The adverb quite
transmits the sense of not being complete
Thats too good to be true!
To be too good to be true means you dont completely believe
something. The idea is that really good things only happen in
our imagination, but not in real life.
Intermediate 1 (Vol 7)
Unit 13
Its good to see you!
OCEANO IDIOmas
This is very common expression meaning, Im glad to see
you. It also implies that you havent seen the other person
for quite a long time. You can also add again at the end: Its
good to see you again!
Let me give you some advice!
This use of let a polite and indirect way of giving someone
advice, or telling them what you think they should do. Instead
of let, you can use allow or permit. Allow is more formal, and
permit more formal still, so let is the most common form.
You really ought to try the hot sauce!
You ought to..is a more direct way of giving advice than the
previous expression (above). It is similar to You should..If
we add really, it means youre very eager to recommend
something.
You should try it
Like the previous expression (above), You shouldis a
direct way of suggesting something.
Unit 219
I called them. Im still waiting..
Im still waiting is an ironic way of saying that something or
someone have taken longer than expected and that were
getting impatient.
Is there anything we can do?
This expression can be used when offering somebody help. It
is also said when somebody is in a difficult situation and
doesnt know what to do.
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Shh!
This is an onomatopoeic interjection for telling someone to be
quiet, to remain silent, to not make a noise. English is a very
onomatopoeic language For instance, the sound Psst! is used
to attract someones attention, to speak to them without other
people noticing.
You wont breathe a word of this to American or Balboan
authorities!
The expression to not breathe a word of (something) means
to not reveal a secret. It is normally used in the negative future
tense (wont), as in the example (above). Two similar idioms
are to spill the beans and to let the cat out of the bag, but
these can be used either in the affirmative or negative
Unit 335
A man by the name of Gustaf Marback
By the name of ..is a way of saying that somebodys name
is We can also say named or called, as in, A man named
Marback, or A man called Marback
Please put your seats in the upright position
This is the expression passengers will hear when flying, just
before the plane takes off. Upright means vertical and we
can use it for the position of an object or a persons posture;
e.g. When you sit straight, your back is upright
We are about to touch down in Balboa City
When talking about an aeroplane, to touch down is the same
as to land, and the opposite of to take off. The phrase to be
OCEANO IDIOmas
about to (+infinitive) means something is going to happen
very soon.
Ive never been there. What about you?
In this context, What about you? is a way of asking if the
other person has the same experience as you, or a different
one. For instance, you can say, I love chocolate-what about
you? to see if someone also likes chocolate (as you do), i.e.
to see if they have the same tastes or preferences as you. A
similar expression is, How about you?
Unit 451
Funnily enough
The expression funnily enough refers to a coincidence. If
somebody is talking about a person or a thing you happen to
be thinking about too, you respond by saying, Funnily
enough or Oddly enough
Hes done very well for himself
This expression means that a person has been very successful,
usually in business. In other words, some job or business
venture has worked out well for them and they have earned a
lot of money
I havent seen him since
We say this when we havent seen somebody after some event
or incident. We are usually talking about a person who
disappeared; i.e. we dont know why we havent seen them distinguishing features that make it stand out
since a particular time or event.
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Not a clue
We commonly say, I havent got a clue, I dont have a clue
or I have no idea. It means we have no information or
knowledge about the subject of the conversation
Unit 567
Everythings nice and tidy!
This expression means that if something (a room, cupboards,
etc.) is tidy, we find it pleasant or positive. The basic idiom
is, to be nice and tidy
Freeze! Face-down on the ground, now!
Freeze! Is what somebody says when they point a gun or some
other weapon at you. it means, dont move or else Ill attack
you When you lie face-down, you are looking at the ground.
The opposite is face-up
Sleep tight!
We often say this to somebody who is going to bed. Its
similar to the expression, Sleep well! In this case tight refers
to having your bedclothes (sheets and blankets) wrapped
tightly around you. Some people find this comfortable,
especially children
Just another office building
Just another. Means the object mentioned is ordinary or
regular. It is similar to may objects of its kind and has no
Unit 685
Thanks for seeing me on such short notice
OCEANO IDIOmas
When you tell somebody that something is going to happen,
you give them notice. Also, notice is the time between the
moment you warn somebody and the moment the ecent
happens. Short notice means there is little time between the
warning and the event. We usually say to give notice or to
serve notice
Get down here now!
When you say this, you are ordering or telling somebody to
come where you are. In this case now means immediately.
Other synonyms are- right away, straight away and at once
Please, have a seat!
We can say sit down, but this is considered too direct, so
we say, have a seat or take a seat. The seat refers to the chair
we sit on.
Joe, this is Zoe
In English, when we start speaking on the telephone, we don`t
say I am John or Im John. We say, this is John
(speaking). This is also the case when we knock on someones
door and tell them who we are. When you want to ask
someone their name on the phone, you say, Whos speaking?
Through a door, you would ask, Who is it?
Unit 7103
Theres so much at stake!
When you say something is at stake this means something is
being risked, or at risk. the idea is that you have to be careful,
to prevent something/someone from being lost or harmed.
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What for?
What for? Comes from the phrases For what reason or For
what purpose Its similar to Why?
Whats the matter?
This is the same as saying Whats the problem or Whats
up, Whats troubling you or Whats on your mind We
say this when we see someone looking worried or sad.
You dont know Joe
You dont know (someone) means that person is capable of
(doing) bigger things than you think
Unit 8121
Damn!
Damn! Is an expletive or swearword, although some people
only consider it to be slang? We use it when we feel frustrated
by something which is not turning out the way wished. A
variation on Damn! Is Damn it!
I wish I had gone with you
As a verb, wish is followed by the construction SUBJECT+
VERB (in the past simple or the conditional tense). In many
other languages it is equivalent to a subjunctive, in this case,
it means the speaker is sorry they didnt go somewhere with
someone.
Its better that you keep working on the outside
This construction /Its better that.. (+SUBJECT+VERB)/
would also be equivalent to a subjunctive in other languages.
OCEANO IDIOmas
On the outside, in this case, means out of jail, referring to
the world and life outside prison walls.
Maybe hes not just another tourist
Not just another means someone or something out of the
ordinary; i.e. different from the average elements in a
particular category
Unit 9139
Thats more like it!
This is what we say when someone finally gets something
right, or when they finally do something we approve of.
Were two blocks away!
In English, a block is an area of building surrounded by
streets. It is separate, isolated unit of building, which can be
made up (hecho de/ conformado de) of houses, apartment
blocks, warehouses, factories, shops, etc. when giving
directions, we say, Three blocks down/up/along/away (the
street)
What a day!
What a.! is a phrase we use to exclaim something. It is used
with count nouns. With mass nouns we say, what.! (without
the article, a). we use this exclamation for things we feel
strongly about, e.g. What a freezing day! (but, What freezing
weather!)
Follow that car!
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This is the phrase typically spoken in action movies, when
someone jumps into a taxi and tells the driver to follow a
certain car. This is often the start of a car chase.
Unit 10155
And so on and so forth
This is variation on etc We can also say, and so on
Mines a little rusty
Rusty (adjetive) is what happens to metal when becomes
oxidized. The noun is rust. In the figurative sense, rusty
means old and out-of-date. For instance, you can say your
know ledge of a language is rusty if you havent spoken that
language for a long time.
Teltec legend has it that.
In phrases of this kind (Legend has it Tradition has
it.), has it means according to(legend, tradition, etc)
This expression is used to describe a local custom or belief.
This is your pilot speaking
You will hear this phrase when you travel by plane. Possible
variations on pilot include captain or commander. The pilot
uses it before making an announcement to passengers.
Intermediate 2 (Vol 8)
Unit 113
Id like to offer you a fresh start
When you make a fresh start, you are taking a second
opportunity to make a success of your business, career or
social or personal relationship
OCEANO IDIOmas
Call me Dan
After you meet somebody in a formal situation-when you
would use their surname- they may then want you to call them
by their first name. This is be more friendly and to create a
more relaxed atmosphere.
I know you feel sad at seeing some co-workers go
This sentence contains two interesting structures: (1) to feel
sad at (+gerund), and (2) to see somebody/something (+
infinitive) the first expression is often used with the adverbial
particle about; i.e. to feel sad about The word sad can be
replaced by other adjectives (glad, happy, angry, etc.). In the
second expression, somebody sees or observes something
happening. The process being observed may or may not
involve a person.
The last jewel of an and empire
The empire refers to the British Empire, which once spread
across the whole world. In those times, countries such as India
were referred to as as jewel in the crown, meaning an
important part of the British king or queens empire. In this
case, the last jewel is Hong Kong
Unit 1221
Im off.
We say this when we are about to leave some place (a house,
the office) it means that, at that moment, we are leaving. To
be off is a phrasal verb which also has often meanings.
Another similar expression is Im on my way.
Keep up the good work!
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This expression is used to encourage someone who is working
well to continue performing in the same way. it can also be
used after congratulating someone for having achieved
something.
Nature calls
This is a polite expression meaning that we need to go to the
toilet or bathroom
Were back on the job!
To be on the job means to be busy doing something, either our
normal work or some hobby. By adding the word back, we
are suggesting that the person in question has stopped
performing their usual tasks and has returner to continue with
them.
Unit 1337
I want to see them in action
I want to see means the speaker wants to make sure-or have
proof of- something happening. In action means actually
taking place, before ones very eyes
So far, no luck
This is an idiom. The first part-so far-means until now, or
up until now. No luck means that the desired thing has not
happened yet, but it can still happen.
Take your place
This is a formal way of saying sit down or take a seat, but
its used more at a formal gathering such as a conference or
OCEANO IDIOmas
board meeting in a company, where everyone has a specific
place or seat assigned to them
But, be careful not to overuse them
The word over is often used as the first part (or prefix) of an
adjective or verb to indicate that a quality has exceeded
normal limits. In previous Units we have already seen such
adjectives as over-aggressive and overdramatic, and verbs
like overwhelm and overcome.
Unit 1455
I thought so, too
When somebody says something, and we want to express our
agreement, we usually use the adverb too (more often than
also). For instance, if somebody says they like movies, we
answer, me, too, or I like movies, too. Another formula is so
do I
Lets carry on, shall we?
Lets..is used to make a suggestion. Turning it into a tag
question gives it more emphasis. However, note that us (let
us) becomes we, and the use of shall indicates that it is
treated as a future tense
Engineers carried out rigorous testing
Carry out. Is a phrasal verb meaning to perform some
action. It is often used with processes such as experiments,
tests, a mission, instructions, etc
Its survived more than its share
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More than its share means more than what is expected of it
This can be applied to a person or a thing and refers to their
expected capacity or duration
Unit 1571
Lets pick up the pace
Pace is similar to sped, while to pick up, in this context, means
to increase so, the speaker is actually suggesting they get
started on something, or started on something, or start
working more quickly.
Coming up we have our courageous cameraman.
Coming up.means the next item in the programme
is In this case, the next item is probably an interview with
somebody described as a brave cameraman.
Are you set up to live connection?
Set up means ready [listo, preparado] (including having the
necessary material or equipment). As an adjective or adverb,
it means roughly [escabrosamente] the same thing as set (on
its own)
Loud and clear
Loud and clear is a standard affirmative reply to the question,
Can you hear me This expression is normally used with
walkie-talkies or when speaking over a radio connection
Unit 1691
It looks like the danger has passed
OCEANO IDIOmas
When something has passed, it is finished. A similar
expression is to be over. In this case the speaker is not certain,
because it look like means it seems or it appears to have
passed
Its over, folks!
As mentioned in the previous note (above, its over means it
has finished. Folks is a colloquial way of saying people or
friend
We had amazing rapport!
Rapport is what we feel when we communicate well with
somebody. It doesnt necessarily mean we share the same
interests, but that we get on well together
You were brilliant!
You would say this to somebody who has performed very
well, particularly in a task which involves an audience, such
as on TV, in the theatre, etc
Unit 17107
If only we could have foreseen what was coming!
If only(which is usually followed by either the past simple
or perfect tense, or the modal verb could), is a way of
expression regret; i.e. when you wish things could have
turned out differently (in the past), or would turn out
differently (in the future)
Its too bad!
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You say this when you (our someone else) has had bad luck;
i.e. when things havent worked out well. Its the same as
saying tough luck! or hard luck!
We regret to inform you (that)
This is the way to start a formal letter which is about some
bad news. You can also say we sorry to inform you.
Were sorry to report (that)
This is the other way (see note, above) of starting a letter
breaking some bad news. Its less formal than We regret to
report.
Unit 18123
If feels so good to get it right
To get something rightmeans to do domrthing well- to do it
the way it should be done. This gives you a good feeling, a
feeling of achievement (if feels good). Note that the two parts
of the sentence are joined by an infinitive (to get). It could
also be linked by a gerund, in which case the second part
would be getting it right.
I think Im getting better
To get better means to improve The above phrase, spoken
by Dan, means Dan thinks his skills are improving. However,
in a different context, it can have otrher meaning, as when
youve been sick and then start improving (getting better)
Now, Zoes got talent! Areal leader. Pure poise
OCEANO IDIOmas
A talented person can have several skills. In this case, Zoe has
poise, which refers to a calm, balanced body posture and
confidence in her movements and actions
Its time to say goodnight
In English, the word time is used in many different contests.
Here, it means moment. It is more common to say the right
time than the right moment (although the latter is also
correct). Note that, when you say its time, it must be followed
by an infinitive (Its time to..)
Unit 19139
Ill be back in a minute
To be back means to return, but it shouldnt be confused with
to go back or to get back (they are similar, but not identical).
They follow a sequence-first, you go back , which involves
commuting or travelling; then you get back, which is the
moment you reach your destination (e.g. your home or office).
After that moment has passed, you are back (to be back)
I think youve had one too many
To have one too many refers to someone who is drunk because
theyve had too many alcoholic drinks. In this case, it
actually means, I think youre drunk
Do you know what I mean now by Good is the enemy of
excellent?
To mean by involves two things- (1) a statement, and, (2) its
meaning; in other words, what we are saying and wat we are
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really referring to. For instance, we can say Im cold when
we really mean Im freezing (i.e. very cold)
Ill drink to that!
To drink to (something) means to propose a toast in honour of
something. You can drink to a person, an idea, an
organization, etc
Unit 20155
It was intense, alright!
By ending a statement with alright, you stress the adjective or
adverb. In this case, it make intense seem more intense.
We had a lot of broken glass, fish tanks and the like
And the like means and other, similar things. It is like saying
etc or and so on
Where were you when the earthquake hit?
The expression, Where were you when..? is commonly used
to reminisce; i.e. to recall past events and tell true stories.
The question is usually related to a big event and people ask
it to see what others were doing at the time.
You should have seen her in action!
We use You should have to emphasize that something was
spectacular or someone was impressive. Very often it is
followed by the verb seen, but other verbs can also be used.
OCEANO IDIOmas
Upper Intermediate 1 (Vol 9)
Unit 13
Ha wasted investment
A wasted investment is one that is nor put to good use, i.e.
does it not make a profit or provide and benefit
Speaking!
When somebody telephones and say they want to speak to
you, you reply, Speaking! The fact is that, at first, they havent
realized it was you that answered the telephone.
Then, suddenly, we made a breakthrough!
To make a breakthrough means to suddenly make huge
progress, to take a big step forward or to make a discovery.
You said it!
We use this expression to confirm what the person were
speaking to has just said. It is slightly ironical.
Unit 221
Hows he making out in prison?
When Joe asks Jason how hes making out in prison, hes
actually asking if hes getting along well, surviving or doing
alright there.
Hes in really bad shape!
When somebody isnt at all fit, hes in really bad shape!
I dont know if I can take this in right now
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This means that Zoe isnt in the right mood to absorb the
information shes just been given because it has come as a
shock to her. To take st in means to absorb something
Lets take up where we left off
This means to go back to a task that you had stopped, and
continue from that point.
Unit 341
Im pleased to..
This is a polite way to begin a formal invitation as well as to
give official information (e.g. in letters)
Id be delighted to.
This expression is used to begin informal invitations or to
reply to one, it shows readiness or eagerness to attend or host
the event.
Factories had long been using robots
This means that robots had been used at factories for a very
long time
Robots are here to stay
This means that a new trend is so popular its going to last for
a long time
Unit 459
Every man for himself!
This expression describes a life and death situation where
people try to survive or save themselves without helping
anyone else
OCEANO IDIOmas TEAM Total English Active Method
Im just not getting it
I couldnt take the pressure To get something means to understand it. The use of just and
This means that Jason was under a lot of pressure and couldnt the continuous tense show us that Zoe has tried several times
stand it. In the video, he admits it ended up affecting his to understand it, but has been unable to.
behavior
Im sure you will
When the going gets tough This expression is used to give sb hope in their success. The
This means when things get extremely difficult for modal verb will is equivalent to repeating the whole sentence
someone. The complete expression ends, .the tough get Im sure you will master this
going
Some things come quickly, others slowly
Behind bars! When the Tao Master says this, things that come quickly
This is an informal way of saying in prison are things which are learnt quickly

Unit 579
He couldnt take it anymore
When somebody is being negatively influenced by something
for a long time (e.g. a bad relationship or work situation) and
is very tired of it-and close to a nervous breakdown- they may
admit they cant take it anymore
Unit 7115
Is America going to lag behind?
To lag behind means to not be on the same level as somebody
else in a certain field. In this case, they suggest that Germany
has made greater progress than American developing clean
energy. The question is rhetorical and implies that the United
States is taking measures to solve the problem

A high-speed chase
A chase means one person or vehicle following another.
When one car is following another very fast, the situation can
be described as a high-speed chase
What do you expect to find?
This means, What do you think youre going find?
Unit 697
Maybe its time to get on the bandwagon and embrace the
renewable energy economy
To get on the bandwagon means to take part in an activity that
has recently become fashionable or successful, such as the
renewable energy economy. Its time to means that perhaps
now is a good moment to carry this out
Now, the transition to a green-energy economy is rapidly
gaining momentum

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OCEANO IDIOmas
This means that the green-energy economy is growing
quickly. To gain momentum means to quickly gain
importance or speed.
Unit 8135
He was standing here
To stand is a general statement about being upright. It is static.
The dynamic version is to stand up, which means to move
from a sitting position to a standing position. In he was
standing here, the verb is to be standing, which refers to
someones upright position. Here, the position (standing) is
static and continuous
Its the wrong angle
This is a reference to the angle the bullet was fired at. Wrong
is used a lot in English; not only to mean incorrect but, in
general, to indicate that something does not make sense or
does not match, fit or correspond
Suddenly, it comes to me
To come to, in this context, refers to a thought or idea which
a person suddenly becomes aware of. For instance, you may
be thinking about a problem when, suddenly, the solution
comes to you
Time to get out the wetsuit
Time tomeans, Now is the right time to. (Do
something). We can also say its time to., or the time has
come to The verb get out means to take something out
from the place where it stays; e.g. from a cupboard, a drawer,
a box, etc
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TEAM Total English Active Method
Unit 9155
Go for it!
Go for it! Is an informal expression encouraging somebody to
go ahead do something; to seize an opportunity they are eager
to take
I dont know if I can pull it off
To pull off means to completes something successfully. It is
similar to achieve or accomplish, but refers to something
specific like a deal. You attempt something to see if you
can pull it off
Things arent always what they seem
You would say this after being surprised by something which
turns out to be different from what you expressed
Seeing is believing
This is said to express surprise when something unusual or
spectacular happens
Unit 10173
By the way, dinners on me
This means that Jason is paying for the meal, hes inviting the
others. Its the same as saying, its my treat
It trust youll put it to good use?
In this case, I trust means I suppose. When Zoe tells Joe she
hopes he puts the money to good use, she means she hopes he
doesnt waste it, and does something useful with it
If we could only accept lifes unpredictability!
OCEANO IDIOmas
If only is used to express a wish- Zoe wishes they could accept
lifes unpredictability
Lo and behold!
Lo and behold! Us used when you are about to say something
surprising: Lo and behold, a few days later, the mare came
back followed by a wild stallion! i.e. they werent expecting
the mare to come back
Upper Intermediate 2 (Vol 10)
Unit 113
Hes been dreaming of visiting Barcelona
You can dream about or dream of, but they are not exactly the
same. To dream about means to have a dream while you are
sleeping at night. To dream of means to desire something you
would like to do or have in the future
I mean, if I can, I will
In English it is common to use modal verbs to avoid repeating
a main verb, a phrase or a whole sentence. For instance, if
somebody asks you, Can you swim?, you would answer
using the modal verb can (Yes, I can) , to avoid repeating
swim- in the above dialogue, the idea is that , if something
is possible (if I can), the person will certainly do it (I will)
Oh, yeah, come on in!
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TEAM Total English Active Method
The colloquial expression Come on in is a combination of two
phrasal verbs- come in, which encourages someone to go
ahead or hurry up, and come in, which means enter
Thats the spirit!
An expression used to encourage someone and to show we
support and approve of their action
Unit 1221
I guess well get settled into our apartment
In this case, to get settled means to take your luggage into the
apartment, unpack and perhaps have a rest
I must have missed it
The modal verb must is used here to mean probably, i.e.
Zoe probably didnt see the news about the artist painting
Columbuss statue red
I think Ill go get some lunch first
Go get equivalent to go and get, i.e. to go for the purpose of
getting something
It was all over the media
This means that one piece of news appeared on all the
different television channels, on radio and in the newspaper.
To be all over is to be everywhere
Unit 1339
By the way, what time did you get in?
OCEANO IDIOmas
By the way is something you say which is of subject; i.e.
something you werent talking about but which youve just
remembered and want to ask before you forget.
To get in means to arrive, but usually in one of these two
contexts: either when referring to the arrival of a flight, or to
when someone arrives at work
Cool!
This is a colloquial interjection meaning (1) nice, alright
or OK or (2) amazing, great (colloquial sense) or
wonderful
Never has an architect so masterfully combined
This is an inversion of the word order to create emphasis. The
normal word order for this sentence would be: An
architect has never.. By placing the adverb never at the
beginning, we emphasize the fact that the action is very rare
or uncommon.
Rarely does one visit a city as rich in art as Barcelona
This inversion is similar to the previous one and is also used
for effect; i.e. to stress the fact that it hardly ever occurs. Note
that, in both inversions, the subject and frequency adverb
switch places, while the modal verb (has, and does) stays
in second place.
Unit 1459
Gala said there were two of you
There were two of you refers to two journalists. Pablo had
been expecting two journalists to interview him; not just Zoe.
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TEAM Total English Active Method
They should have left it as it was when he died
To leave st as it is /was means to not change it or to leave
it in the same state as it was at a certain moment in time
This calls for a toast!
This calls for is an expression used to propose some kind of
celebration due to a recent event. In this case, Pablo propose
a toast to celebrate Zoes visit
Wow! Joe really should have come!
By using the word really, Zoe emphasizes the fact that she
thinks Joe should have gone with her to meet Pablo (the artist)
Unit 1577
Easy there, Fred Astaire!
Easy there is a variation on go easy or take it easy, which is
used to tell someone to slow down or calm down. The second
part of the interjection is used to create an effect through
rhyming (there rhymes with Astaire)
Looks like he didnt do too badly after all
This sentence includes three idiomatic expressions: (1) look
like is used colloquially, as the subject (it) is missing (2) To
not do too badly is a slightly ironical way of saying to do
well, i.e. to be successful with something, while (3) after all
means against expectations (i.e the opposite of what was
expected)
So, the project never made it off the ground
To make it off the ground is a combination of two idioms-to
make it and to get (something) off the ground. To make it
OCEANO IDIOmas
means to be successful, while to get off the ground means
to manage to begin something successfully.
Sounds like Gaudi even got hit by a real estate bubble
To get hit by is used in a figurative sense, while the real estate
bubble here refers to building work which stopped suddenly
before it was completely finished.
Unit 1695
Dont tell me you think its a fake!
The expression, Dont tell me indicates disappointment or
disbelief. Here, it suggests both.
Oh yeah, I meant to tell you
I meant to means the person intended to do something,
but didnt actually do it. In this case Zoe was going to tell Joe
that she would have her portrait painted, but she didnt get
around to telling him.
Sounds like you two are really hitting it off!
To hit it off (with someone) means to get on well with them.
We can also say, to get along with
These documents prove that the piece is real
A piece is here used to mean an artwork. In general, it can
refer to a work of art, or a song or musical composition.
Unit 17113
Anywhere in particular?
Anywhere means any place . In particular means
specifically, as opposed to in general
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TEAM Total English Active Method
I had no idea what to wear
I have no idea.means I dont know, but is more emphatic.
(I dont have any idea, sounds weaker and less emphatic, so
we wouldnt use it in this context)
Looks good to me!
This is a colloquial way of saying it looks correct or right
I just wanted to ask about.
This is a polite way of saying, Can you tell me., Id like
to know, I want to ask., etc
Unit 18129
I cant get over it. Theres so much history here!
To get over st means to overcome it. When Joe says he
cant get over the fact that theres so much history in
Barcelona, he means that he can hardly believe it.
Speaking of authentic, have you ever come across any
forged artwork?
We use speaking of.when what were talking about
reminds us of something else we want to say.
They sure got around!
This is colloquial for They certainly got around Joe is
astonished by the amount of places the Romans got to.
OCEANO IDIOmas
Be stuck for something to say, to
This means to not know what to say in a certain situation.
To be stuck comes from to stick (like glue). When traffic
is stuck, there is a traffic jam, and cars cant move. When
the lift gets stuck, it stops and wont continue going up;
i.e. it is out of order.
Unit 19147
End of story
We use the expression end of story to mean (1) we have
nothing more to say, or (2) that there is definitely no more
information available about something.
TEAM Total English Active Method
Unit 20167
OK. Deal!
Deal! Is short for Its a deal This is what we say when we
come to an agreement with another person or company. It
could be a business deal or an informal agreement between
friends.
Let me see if I understand this
You would say this when somebody proposes something and
you first need to think about it before replying, or before
agreeing with the proposal. The expression Let me see
ifgives you some time to think before committing
yourself.

When it comes to art, youve got to be careful

Ill be right there.
When it comes tois a typical way of drawing attention to a
In this context, right means soon, or at the right time.
subject in order to make a statement about it.
Joe is saying hell be back with Zoe really soon.

Yes, by all means, buy them!

Too much. Way to much!
By all meansis an expression used to encourage someone
To much means more than the limit. If we add way, it
to go ahead and do something (i.e take an action) they intend
means we have exceeded the limit by a very big margin. Zoe
to do, or would like to do.
is saying the painting costs much more than some reasonable
price.

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OCEANO IDIOmas
Advanced 1 (Vol 11)
Unit 13
Thats why I want to give him a major project
Thats why.is a common way of saying, It is for this
reason that; i.e. you want to give the reason for some
action.
Hes a pro
Pro is the short form of professional. When you say
someone is a pro, you mean that person does good-quality
work and is reliable.
Halleluiah Holdings, was described as fictitious When
it comes to art, youve got to be careful
When something is fictiotious, it does not exist in the real
world, but is the fruit of someones imagination. The
corresponding noun is fiction. When you say a book is
fiction (used here as an adjetive), you mean it is a novel, not
a book describind a real-like event. The opposite kind of
book is called non-fiction (i.e. a true story)
But no churches were ever built
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TEAM Total English Active Method
Ever is used to mean at any/no point in time or at nay/no
time. In the above sentence, the meaning is negative,
because it includes no (.no churches..ever)
Unit 221
Youre a leading light!
A leading light is a celebrity, although here Nigel uses it
figuratively to mean that Zoe is kind and helpful.
Funny you should say that
The expression Funny you should.is also used with
mention and ask. You would say this to suggest a
coincidence. For instance, a driend starts talking about
washing machines and it so happens you have just bought a
washing machine that very morning. You might draw
attention to this coincidence by saying, Funny you should
mention washing machines..
Can you deliver?
Deliver normally means to take goods from a store or
warehouse to a retail store or a customers office or home, in
this context, however, it means to fulfill what you have
undertaken; i.e. to accomplish what is expected of you.
OCEANO IDIOmas TEAM Total English Active Method
not given or sent you any news or information, or have not
replied to your proposal.
You wont regret it
To regret something means to be sorry for having done
something. You wont regret it is what you would say to What can I tell a weatherman that he doesnt already
someone who agrees to help you in some way, e.g. by know?
lending you money or giving you something
The idea (in this case) is that Nigel is already an expert on
weather, so he probably knows a lot about water, and Susan
doesnt think she can teach him anything new about the
Unit 341
subject.
But it isnt really relevant to my report
Relevant does not mean outstanding or important; it means
Unit 461
appropriate to the subject at hand. For instance, if youre
talking to someone about transport, this is relevant to the Lets get this show on the road!
original subject (travel). When one topic is related to
To get the show on the road means to get started on
another, it is relevant.
something, referring to a project, a show or any event.

The thing is, Im preparing a major report

I haven`t the foggiest idea where to begin
We say the thing isto focus on the essence of a subject; i.e.
To not have the foggiest idea means to have no idea at all.
to draw attention to the important part of what we want to
Foggiest comes from foggy, a weather condition where
say.
you can hardly see anything. We can also say, to not have
the slightest idea
There wasnt a word from management
When you say there isnt a word from.(somebody), this Ill have to drop out of the project
means you have not heard anything from them. They have

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OCEANO IDIOmas
You can drop out of any kind of project or event. The
expression is typically used when someone stops going to
school or university because they cannot keep up with the
pace of studies or lack interest in what theyre doing.
Unit 579
But water comes in many forms-liquid, solid an gas
When referring to any item, but especially a product, to
come in means that the product is available in different
forms, sizes, colours, prices or any other variation.
Just think about..
This is the same as saying, Just imagine.. or Stop to
consider..
No more swimming without water..
The expression No more..is followed by an noun or verbal
noun (i.e. s gerund). For instance, in some contexts, No
more food means practically the same thing as No more
eating. No more.suggests that something has stopped or
come to an end. If you say this using a verb, then the
expression changes to No longer. (e.g. I no longer meet
John for lunch)
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TEAM Total English Active Method
Unit 699
Speak later
Speak later is a short form of Ill speak to you later,
Well speak again later or any other similar phrase
meaning you will probably talk to that person again the same
day, if you are due to meet him or her person, you would
say, See you later.
Just the man I wanted to see
Just the(person) I wanted to (verb) is typically said
when a person you have in mind appears, possibly
unexpectedly, you can also say this about an object you
discover just when you need it.
But, what would Coleridge make of todays world?
What would(person) make of (noum)? Means you
wonder what that person would think about something that
is happening. What impression would they get about some
recent change in either the local environment or the world in
general?
Where will it all end?
When things are getting complicated, or some general social
economic or political trend in the world is developing into
unknown territory, you could use this expression to
speculate about the end result of that trend.
OCEANO IDIOmas TEAM Total English Active Method
This is what you might reply when someone says something
trivial or strange, or talks nonsense.
Unit 7117
Chem X is innocent until proven guilty
He told me to stop poking my nose into their affairs
Innocent until proven guilty.is, according to the spirit of
the law, how a suspect should be treated until her or she is To poke your nose into (something) is to interfere or intrude
proved guilty of a crime. on (an affair, someones privacy, etc)

Stop making waves! I dont want to be a burden

This means stop causing trouble; i.e. Susan is being told to This is the expression ou would use when someone offers to
stop making accusations against Chem X because her help you out in some way and you think that thay might be
actions will create ever bigger problems. offering to do too much for you. You can also say, I dont
want to impose on you

Well, in a nutshell, its about your work

It was by no means an accident
In a nutshell is a phrase used to mean you are summatising
something in a concise form? By no means in no way or absolutely not; i.e. (in this
case) it is clearly not an accident

Yes, Ill go along with that

Unit 9157
To go along with (something) means to agree with it; i.e. to
share the same view as somebody on a certain subject. How come youre calling me, anyway?
In colloquial English, How come.? Is often used instead of
Why? Its like saying, Where does the reason for this
Unit 8139
come from
Dont be silly!
Whatever grievance you have, Im sure we can sort it out
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OCEANO IDIOmas
To sort something out means to find a solutions for it. In this
case, a solution is required for a grievance; i.e. a complaint
To be honest, Id rather be out walking my dog
To be honest.is typically used to mean in truth , to tell
you the truth.. or I admit (that) You would use Give me a break! Means Stop pestering me! you would
this expression when you want somebody to know what you
really think or want.
But you just wont do as youre told
To do what one is told is commonly applied to children, who
are expected to do what their parents or teachers tell them to
do. In general, it is applied to obeying orders, in any
context.
Unit 10177
Cant we just let bygones be bygones?
The original expression is, Let bygones be bygones, which
means to forget about past grievances and just concentrate
on the present and future; i.e. to not feel resentment for
negative experiences in the past.
I dont get the point
The point refers to the essence of an issue (the heart of a
matter). When somebody is trying to tell you something,
01/06/2016
TEAM Total English Active Method
but keeps beating about the bush, you can say, Get to the
point! In the above example, Dan means that he doesnt
fully understand what Nigel is trying to tell him.
Give me a break!
say this when somebody is pressing or nagging you about
come issue and youre getting tired of their moaning
All the worlds a stage
This means that the world is like a theatre and that things
happen in life are like stage plays; i.e. they are lacking in
substance and just performed for effect. Thos is part of a
quote from Shakespeare.
Advanced 2 (Vol 12)
Unit 113
Hold on a sec
Hold on, as we have already seen, means wait, while sec
is short for second. This is a colloquial form of Wait a
second/minute/ a bit
How can you resist my charms?
OCEANO IDIOmas
This is an ironical way of saying How come you dont like
me?, or How come you dont find me attractive
I dont think I follow you
To follow (someone), in this context, means to understand
what they are saying. Typically, you might say you cant
follow a speech when the points are not put across clearly,
or the speech is in language you dont know. You can also
follow a film or a book, meaning to understand the plot or
story.
You won`t be able to hold out for long
To hold out is to resist or withstand some outside pressure,
whether physical or psychological. For long means for a
long time. It is like saying, You wont last long under this
pressure
Unit 1223
Can you hold the line?
When youre talking on the telephone and you say, Can you
hold the line? You mean Can you wait for a while?
because you need to check something or to delay the
conversation for a few moments while you attend to
something else.
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TEAM Total English Active Method
I think Dan might be getting the axe
To get the axe means to be fired or to be sacked; i.e. to
be dismissed from ones job.
Mexicos three centrebacks have been solid throughout
The adjective solid means reliable and efficient; it is used
when referring to somebody or something which you can
depend on.
Theres never adult moment!
This is an ironical expression applied, for instance, to a
young boy who cant keep still, who stops moving about and
gets into trouble, preventing everyone around them from
continuing with their normal life.
Unit 1343
Youve left behind a great legacy for local TV
A legacy is what someone inherits from their parents (or
someone else) when they die. But, it is also what people
inherit from a professional who quits his or her job after
many years. That legacy is a combination of experience,
learning, Knowledge and other positive behavior for others
OCEANO IDIOmas
to follow. To leave behind, in this context, means to
bequeathe or pass on (to somebody else)
Ill let you in on something
To let (sb) in on (st) means to tell them a secret
I havent slept a wink
This is a common idiom for saying you havent slept at all
Ive been up all right
This is similar to the above expression (not to sleep a wink).
To be up, in this context, means to be standing or walking
around in your home; i.e. not sleeping.
Unit 1463
Sounds like you did everything but make deliveries
Sounds like..is the colloquial form of It sounds
likeMoreover, in this sentence, but means except, i.e.
make deliveries is the only exception. Also, the combination
of everything. Butin the same sentence is a way of saying
a lot
01/06/2016
TEAM Total English Active Method
Whats it going to be, real news or Universal Notwork?
Whats it going to be or Whats it to be is a way of pressing
someone to make a choice or a decision.
How do you manage without keeping goods in stock?
To manage is an important verb in English. It does not have
an exact equivalent in some other languages. The basic form
means to administer, to be in change of or to run (a
business), etc. but here it means to be able to achieve
(something) or to be able to handle or deal with
(something); i.e to cope
As it turns out, sometimes real news comes from ordinay
people
As it turn out is often used in the past tense, i.e. As it turned
out. It means that, despite expectations, something had an
unusual outcome or result
Unit 1585
And, speaking of great anchormen.
Speaking of.means that discussion of one suggests
discussing another related subject. The two subjects, items
or people are somehow linked
OCEANO IDIOmas TEAM Total English Active Method
Bon voyage! Shake on it means lets shake hands to seal a deal; i.e.
when two people have reached an agreement. Partner can
Taken from the French, this is a way of wishing come body
mean a partner in the agreement or a friend
a happy journey

I wont take no for an answer

This means you insist on somebody agreeing to a
proposition you have put to them; i.e. you wont accept them Lets face it- TV is basically on idiot box!
rejecting your proposal or offer.
Lets face it is a common expression meaning to tell the
As history was being written, Walter was there to cover truth or to be honest; i.e. what the speaker says next is an
it accepted or obvious fact.
As is often used to talk about two different things happening Are you proposing?
at the same time. In this case, the first action is something
In this case Joe is being ironical because to propose means
historic taking place, while the second action is Walter
to ask someone to marry you
Cronkite reporting on that event.

Unit 17125
Unit 16105
That really throws a spanner in the works!
I wish youd make up your mind
A spanner in the works refers to some action which disrupts
To make up ones mind means to come to a decision. I wish
another action or process, or the plans somebody has made
youdsuggests the speaker is losing his or her patience, or
feeling irritated, because the other person is hesitating and
finds it difficult to make a decision. Would you be kind enough to help with the details?
Would you be kind enough tois a very formal way of
Shake on it, partner! asking someone to do something for you. Its the same as

01/06/2016
OCEANO IDIOmas TEAM Total English Active Method
saying Could you.?, Can you .. or Would you Looks like it passed the acid test
mind.?
When you say something has passed the acid test, you mean
it is top-quality, as if it had actually gone through a number
of stringent industrial quality-control tests.
Lets get cracking!
This means to get down to business; i.e. to start doing
something without further delay. A similar expression is
Lets get moving!
And it runs like clockwork
To run like clockwork (also, to work like clockwork)
Ill need some help adapting the copy to American means to work very well. It comes from the regular
English functioning of a watch or clock.
Copy has several different meanings, but here it refers to the
text written for an advertisement or a newspaper article.

Unit 18145
All this stuff will come in handy.
Stuff, which means things, is used a lot in colloquial
English. It is a collective noun; i.e. it can refer to one or
many things, countable or uncountable, but grammatically it
is treated as single.
Unit 19165
Hes shifting from passive to active in the same sentence
Shift (both the noun and verb) is a typically English word
which in other languages is usually translated as jump or
leap. It means to move from one position to another, or
to move back and forth. It actually implies a change of
either position or state.

Get a load of this! I like the way weve emphasized a character on a mission
This is a colloquial way of saying, Take a look at this!

01/06/2016
OCEANO IDIOmas TEAM Total English Active Method
When youre saying how much you like (d) or enjoy (d) May their new partnership flourish!
something, it is common to use the expression, I like the
In this case, may is used as an exclamation to express a wish
way(followed by the action or process you admire)
or desire. In some other languages, this would be achieved
with a subjunctive dorm of the main verb (flourish)
Real news by, about and for real people!
Note how different these three prepositions are: by refers to They lived happily ever after
the agent, i.e. the people who create the news; i.e. the
This phrase is the formula which often marks the end of a
actors or players in the events covered, while for means that
story, especially a traditional or popular folk tale or classic.
the news is created and broadcast for the benefit of people;
It stands opposite the traditional opening sentence of the
i.e. for their consumption
story, Once upon a time.

Youre helping to spread the word

To spread the word refers to people causing piece of news or
information to reach other people by telling them some news
item. In other words, information is propagated by people
revealing it to one another

Unit 20185
Im just doing what I gotta do
Gotta is a colloquial short form of go to. The full modal
verb of obligation would be have got to, a synonym of
have to. Gotta is used mainly in the United States,
although its use can be detected in other English-speaking
countries, too

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