English Time
Sept. 27- Oct. 14, 2010
Topic: Fashion
Sept. 27fashionable (adjective) – following a style that is popular at a particular time
A: Do you like the i-Phone? It’s very popular.
B: It’s fashionable, true, but very expensive.
A: Besides, it may not be so fashionable in a year or so.
Sept. 27come into fashion (idiom) – to become fashionable
A: Those shoes look really uncomfortable.
B: I know, but they have come into fashion.
A: You should wear shoes for comfort, not style.
Sept. 28to endorse (verb) – to say publicly that you support a person, statement or course of action
A: I think models should promote things other than products.
B: What do you think they should endorse?
A: Models should say that exercise is the best way to a healthy body.
Sept. 28in fashion (idiom) – in style, current and socially acceptable
A: You have cut your hair! All the girls at our school have long hair.
B: I know I may not be in fashion, but I like short hair.
A: You are brave to not care about the current style at our school.
Sept. 29offensive (adjective) – impolite in a way that causes you to feel upset, insulted or annoyed
A: Why did we leave the cinema? Weren’t you enjoying the film?
B: I thought the language the actors were using was offensive.
A: They were very impolite. I’m sorry the film made you feel upset.
Sept. 29a fashion victim (idiom) an impolite way of referring to someone who buys too many fashionable clothes
A: Let’s go shopping this weekend.
B: Are you becoming a fashion victim?
A: I rarely buy fashionable clothes. I just like looking at them.
Sept. 30controversial (adjective) – causing a lot of angry public discussion and disagreement
A: Do you think students need to wear a school uniform?
B: That’s a controversial subject. Many people get upset about it.
A: It may cause a lot of discussion, but I don’t think people get very angry.
Sept. 30like it’s going out of style (idiom) – if you use something like it’s going out of style, you use large amounts of it very quickly
A: You have made a lot of mistakes on your paper.
B: I know, I’m using correction fluid like it’s going out of style.
A: Well, if you took more care with your work, you wouldn’t use it so fast.
Oct. 1 – National Day – No English Time
Oct. 4glossy (adjective) – giving the appearance of being important and expensive
A: Why do you watch “America’s Next Top Model”?
B: It shows the glossy world of fashion.
A: The fashion world is not as important as the show says it is.
Oct. 4radical (adjective) – new, different and likely to have a great effect
A: I want to do something radical with my hairstyle over the weekend.
B: Don’t cut it! That would be too different.
A: You’re right, I don’t want it too radical. Maybe I’ll just leave it.
Oct. 5to consume (verb) – to use something, especially fuel, energy or time
A: Why are you always late?
B: My time is consumed with helping my sister do her homework.
A: You should use less time and hire a tutor to help her.
Oct. 5throw your hat into the ring (idiom) – if someone wants to throw their hat into the ring, they are saying that they want to join a competition or contest.
A: I heard you want to be this year’s House captain.
B: Yes, I’ve decide to throw my hat into the ring.
A: I think it’s great that you want to try for this position, good luck!
Oct. 6upscale (adjective) – very expensive
A: Let’s go into this shop.
B: It’s LV! It’s too upscale for us.
A: I just saw the price for a t-shirt – you’re right, it is very expensive.
Oct. 6vintage (adjective) – typical of a period in the past and of high quality
A: My father collects vintage wine from 1986.
B: Why does he like old wine so much?
A: The vintage wine from that year is of the highest quality.
Oct. 7 & 8 – School Sports Day – No English Time
Oct. 11 – School Holiday – No English Time
Oct. 12 risk-taker (noun) – a person who does things that may be dangerous in order to achieve something
A: I can’t wait to try scuba diving!
B: You are such a risk-taker. It is too dangerous for me.
A: I like doing exciting things, and it is a skill I’ll learn for life!
Oct. 12work your socks off (idiom) - if you work your socks off, you work very hard.
A: We have been studying for hours. Let’s take a break.
B: I need to work my socks off for the next exam.
A: You are really working hard – the exam is in two months!
Oct. 13on a shoestring (idiom) – if you do something on a shoestring, you try to spend the minimum amount of money
A: Why are we going on this tour?
B: It’s the cheapest one. I’m on a shoestring.
A: I think you can afford at least a three star hotel, can’t you?
Oct. 13understated (adjective) – a style that is pleasing and elegant
A: Why does your grandmother always wear blue clothes?
B: She says it’s an understated colour, and she always looks nice.
A: She does look rather elegant. Blue is a good colour for her.
Oct. 14shoe is on the other foot (idiom) – if the shoe is on the other foot, someone is experiencing what they used to make others experience, normally negative things.
A: I am so angry! My friend made me late for school.
B: You did that to me a lot last year. I guess the shoe is on the other foot.
A: Now I know how you used to feel. I’m sorry for doing that to you.
Oct. 14widespread (adjective) – existing or happening over a large area or among many people
A: The widespread popularity of Lady Gaga is amazing.
B: I know. A large number of people are buying her CDs.
A: I wonder how long she will be so popular.