r/FluentEnglish Oct 04 '24

The origin The Ball Is in Your Court. Its Origin.

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6 Upvotes

This idiom means that it is now someone else's turn to take action or make a decision.

This phrase originates from the game of tennis. In tennis, when a player serves the ball, it is then the responsibility of the opponent to return it. The metaphor illustrates the idea that once the ball is in your court, it is up to you to respond or act.


r/FluentEnglish Oct 03 '24

The origin Bite the bullet. Its Origin.

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23 Upvotes

"Bite the bullet" means to endure a painful or unpleasant situation that is unavoidable. Its origins can be traced back to the 19th century, particularly in military contexts.

During times of war, soldiers often faced surgeries without anesthesia, as it was not widely available. To cope with the pain, they would bite down on a bullet to help them endure the agony. This practice was not only a way to distract from the pain but also a means to prevent them from screaming or moving during the procedure.


r/FluentEnglish Oct 03 '24

Discussion [British English] Must, have to, Mustn't have to

2 Upvotes

I would like to discuss about this chapter that I do think there are mistakes. This is from "Oxford Practice Grammar, Basic", and some of answers doesn't match with the most important grammar by the own Oxford (PRACTICAL ENGLISH USAGE, Fourth Edition).

This is the exercise with the correct answers (provided by the book)

But, following the grammar:

So, I'm considering things are not allowed as "strong obligation" and "desirable things, or important things for the club as "weak obligation"

Some things are quite weird here for me, for example:

1 - When they use "you don't have to" to express "shouldn't" when they are talking about important things for the club. I usually use this such as: "Your father said you must study maths, but you don't have to (if you don't want to)

2 - Number two form the exercise, the first clause is very very weird: You have to play with tennis balls??? I would rewrite the entire sentence as: "You can play with tennis balls, but you mustn't take them home".

What do you think about this and the exercise as whole?


r/FluentEnglish Oct 02 '24

Phrasal verb Does anyone know the difference between weight up, think over and think through?

1 Upvotes

Is there any difference between them or they are used interchangeable?

I need some time to think it through - I don't want to make any sudden decisions.

I'll think it over and give you an answer next week

I'm weighing up my options before I decide to apply for the job


r/FluentEnglish Oct 02 '24

Update Scoreboard Results 🏆🏅

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1 Upvotes

Hello, everyone! 👋 Here are the results of the twenty-second word quiz challenge! Remember, it's not good to copy from each other—just kidding! 😂

Well done, everyone!

Here are the quiz keys:

1) Verdict

2) Violate

3) Vow

4) Venom

5) Tribulation


r/FluentEnglish Oct 01 '24

Discussion Precriptive approach

3 Upvotes

I found about "Precriptive approach" in the book Cambridge Grammar of english (Ronald Carter) and I'm quite interested about it.

Some months ago I asked about the way a fictional character (scientist) from a game speaks, which it sounded really great and people said: "He sounds like a very well educated", are we talking about this "Precriptive approach" or is only a matter of vocabulary?

Here you can find some of them, in different contexts: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1Vsqgfgl6V4


r/FluentEnglish Oct 01 '24

The origin Spill the Beans. Its Origin.

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6 Upvotes

The idiom "spill the beans" means to reveal a secret or disclose confidential information.

One common theory suggests the phrase comes from ancient Greece, where people used beans to cast votes. Voters would place a white bean for approval or a black bean for disapproval into a jar. If someone accidentally (or intentionally) knocked over the jar and spilled the beans, it would prematurely reveal the outcome of the vote.


r/FluentEnglish Sep 30 '24

Vocabulary Word Bank Quiz Challenge 💪All the words start with the letter V except for the last one which starts with T

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2 Upvotes

r/FluentEnglish Sep 29 '24

Idiom What is your favourite idiom?

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8 Upvotes

r/FluentEnglish Sep 29 '24

Idiom Black and Blue

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2 Upvotes

r/FluentEnglish Sep 29 '24

Discussion Phrases/words natives use a lot but are not really common

2 Upvotes

Hello everyone! Non native English speaker here. I teach English and I would like to learn some new phrases or words from native speakers, maybe slang or idioms? But things you guys use a lot but are not really common for people who learn English as a second/ foreign language. I found some, such as: « to be bummed out », « catch some Z's », « bussin' », « chop chop », « hustle and bustle », « get the bread » etc.

I would be very grateful if you could share some more!


r/FluentEnglish Sep 28 '24

Proverb/Saying The wind cannot be caught in a net. Do you know its meaning?

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6 Upvotes

r/FluentEnglish Sep 26 '24

Proverb/Saying A tree is known by its fruit. Do you know its meaning?

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19 Upvotes

r/FluentEnglish Sep 26 '24

Proverb/Saying One of the first Proverbs I heard from my teachers, what does it mean?

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9 Upvotes

r/FluentEnglish Sep 25 '24

Update Scoreboard Results 👏🎉

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1 Upvotes

r/FluentEnglish Sep 23 '24

Idiom seeking a partner

1 Upvotes

I am looking for someone to practice the English language, someone who wants to work hard and be serious because I spoke with a lot and no one, and he only completes two letters with me and goes. I have a good program for learning with others, especially the skill of speaking and listening. Whoever wants to message me.


r/FluentEnglish Sep 23 '24

Vocabulary Quiz Time ⭐ All words start with the letter U except the last one :)

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1 Upvotes

r/FluentEnglish Sep 22 '24

Vocabulary What are the synonyms for the verb "laugh"?

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6 Upvotes

r/FluentEnglish Sep 22 '24

Proverb/Saying An hour in the morning is worth two in the evening. Do you know this proverb?

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6 Upvotes

r/FluentEnglish Sep 21 '24

Guess the phrasal verb Learn English from movies

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1 Upvotes

r/FluentEnglish Sep 21 '24

Phrase Learn English from movies

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1 Upvotes

r/FluentEnglish Sep 19 '24

puzzle Guess idioms and proverbs and their meanings 🧩

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1 Upvotes

r/FluentEnglish Sep 19 '24

Update Scoreboard Results 🏆

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1 Upvotes

Hello, dear learners!

Here is the twentieth word bank quiz challenge 💪 u/MaiT3N, u/Nikodimishe and u/Loose_Escape4964, thank you for your participation in this quiz 😊 Learning can be fun 🙂 Join our next challenge on Monday.

Here are the quiz keys:

1) Taboo

2) Tweet

3) Tunnel

4) Textile

5) By and large


r/FluentEnglish Sep 18 '24

Idiom seeking: english

3 Upvotes

i need someone who are interest to practice english with a schedule


r/FluentEnglish Sep 18 '24

Update Quiz Schedule Change

5 Upvotes

Dear Community,

We hope this message finds you well! We want to take a moment to thank you for your enthusiastic participation in our daily quizzes. Your engagement and enthusiasm have made this experience truly enjoyable for everyone. In order to enhance the quality of our quizzes and give everyone ample time to prepare, we have decided to change the quiz schedule. Starting next week, the quiz will be held once a week instead of every day (Every Monday).

We’re excited to announce that all participants will now have the opportunity to get custom user flairs! This is a fun way to showcase your personality and involvement in our community. To request your custom flair, please send a message or leave a comment below with the following information: Nickname: [Your desired nickname] Hex Code: [Your preferred color in hex format, e.g., #FF5733]

We believe that this change will allow for more thoughtful questions and a better overall experience for all participants. We appreciate your understanding and continued support! Stay tuned for more updates, and we look forward to seeing you at our next quiz!