Daily Advanced English

SCAPEGOAT /ˈskeɪpɡəʊt/ - a person who is blamed for the wrongdoings, mistakes, or faults of others, especially for reasons of expediency.

For example: The community chose to ignore its own failings and to scapegoat her instead.

Another options for this word:

PATSY /ˈpætsi/ - (informal, especially North American English) - a weak person who is easily cheated or tricked, or who is forced to take the blame for something that somebody else has done wrong:

E.g.: I thought you respected me—now I find out that I’m just another one of your patsies.

FALL GUY (especially North American English) - a person who is blamed or punished for something wrong that another person has done:

E.g.: He realized he’d been set up as the fall guy.

SACRIFICIAL LAMB - Someone or something allowed to suffer a harmful or negative outcome so as to protect or benefit others. A reference to a person or animal killed in a ritual of religious propitiation, expiation, or worship:

E.g.: Lobbyists claim that federal regulations have made their industry a sacrificial lamb that gives politicians an easy target when asked how they are coping with the economic crisis.

TO LIE LOW - ​(informal) to try not to attract attention to yourself

For example: Just that he was going to lie low until things calmed down, then she'd join him.

ENGLISH IDIOMS: A FUNNY STORY
A woman was having dinner with an elderly friend and the friend’s husband. She noticed that her friend always called her husband pet-names like ‘Honey’, ‘Darling’, and ‘Sweetheart’.

While the husband was out of the room, the woman said, ‘It’s 70 years since you two tied the knot, but you still call him those loving names. That’s wonderful! It must take some doing to keep romance alive for so long.’

Her elderly friend answered: ‘The truth is that his name slipped my mind about ten years ago.’

Meanings:
tie the knot – get married
take some doing – require a lot of effort
slip one’s mind – disappear from one’s memory

Practice: choose the right idiom

Carrying that piano upstairs will ________
Do it tomorrow. Don't let it _______
After living together for a year, they decided to________



English idioms, proverbs, and expressions are an important part of everyday English. They come up all the time in both written and spoken English. Because idioms don't always make sense literally, you'll need to familiarize yourself with the meaning and usage of each idiom. That may seem like a lot of work, but learning idioms is fun, especially when you compare English idioms to the idioms in your own language.

Learning to use common idioms and expressions will make your English sound more native, so it's a good idea to master some of these expressions. On our Patreon page you can start learning very common (and not only) English idioms, since these are the ones you'll encounter regularly watching American movies or TV, or visiting the United States. You can become confident using them with native English speakers from all English-speaking countries. Check the link below and join us!
https://www.patreon.com/jazzjohnston

AGAINST THE CLOCK - you are trying very hard to finish something before a deadline.

For example: Police are working against the clock to find the evidence they need.



English idioms, proverbs, and expressions are an important part of everyday English. They come up all the time in both written and spoken English. Because idioms don't always make sense literally, you'll need to familiarize yourself with the meaning and usage of each idiom. That may seem like a lot of work, but learning idioms is fun, especially when you compare English idioms to the idioms in your own language.

Learning to use common idioms and expressions will make your English sound more native, so it's a good idea to master some of these expressions. On our Patreon page you can start learning very common (and not only) English idioms, since these are the ones you'll encounter regularly watching American movies or TV, or visiting the United States. You can become confident using them with native English speakers from all English-speaking countries. Check the link below and join us!
https://www.patreon.com/jazzjohnston

Woops Sorry About That

Marvin, was in the hospital on his death bed. The family called Marvin’s Preacher to be with him in his final moments. As the Preacher stood by the bed, Marvin’s condition seemed to deteriorate, and Marvin motioned for someone to quickly pass him a pen and paper. The Preacher quickly got a pen and paper and lovingly handed it to Marvin. But before he had a chance to read the note, Marvin died. The Preacher feeling that now wasn’t the right time to read it put the note in his jacket pocket. It was at the funeral while speaking that the Preacher suddenly remembered the note. Reaching deep into his pocket the Preacher said “and you know what, I suddenly remembered that right before Marvin died he handed me a note, and knowing Marvin I’m sure it was something inspiring that we can all gain from. With that introduction the Preacher ripped out the note and opened it. The note said “HEY, YOU ARE STANDING ON MY OXYGEN TUBE!”

Source: Internet

BEAM IN ONE'S EYE - A flaw, fault, or indiscretion within oneself, especially compared to a lesser fault one is criticizing in someone else (often worded as a "mote" in their eye). A reference to two passages in the Bible (Luke 6:42 and Matthew 7:5), both of which state that one should not criticize the faults of someone else before correcting the faults within oneself.

For example: It is far easier to see a mote in another's eye than to see a beam in one's own.

I will always be here for those who are willing to look for the beam in their own eyes.

I HAD A HISTORY /ˈhɪstri/ - to have a prior usually somewhat negative relationship with a person. It doesn't necessarily mean a romantic relationship. It often does, but the usage implies that there was something negative between you.

For example: I had a history with the Marketing Department.

PERSEVERANCE /ˌpɜːrsəˈvɪrəns/ - the quality of continuing to try to achieve a particular aim despite difficulties.

For example: They showed great perseverance in the face of difficulty.

The only way to improve is through hard work and dogged perseverance.

DEMUR /dɪˈmɜːr/ to say that you do not agree with something or that you refuse to do something.

For example: Without demur, he handed me two five-pound notes.

Many women accept the abuse they suffer at the workplace or at home without demur.

RUDE or ARROGANT? when to use?

ARROGANT - having or revealing an exaggerated sense of one's own importance or abilities.

RUDE - having or showing a lack of respect for other people and their feelings, offensively impolite or ill-mannered

For example: She was beautiful but proud and arrogant.

I dislike Chris because he is very rude and insensitive.