*"better late (than never)"* [image: "better late (than never)"] *Better
late than never* means that it is *better* to do something *late than* to *
never* do it at all. Example: "The movie has already started. Do you still
want to go in?" Reply: "Sure. *Better late than never*!"
*Better late than never* is often used as a polite way to respond when a
person says "sorry" for being late. Example: "Sorry I was late for the
meeting today. I got stuck in traffic." Reply: "That's okay. *Better late
than never*."
*Better late than never* means that even if you are going to be late, you
should still go ahead and do the thing, because it is *better* to do it *late
than* to *never* do it at all. Example: "I'm sorry it has taken me so long
to return this book." Reply: "*Better late than never*."
*"the early bird (catches the worm)"*
[image: "the early bird (catches the worm)"] *The early bird catches the
worm* means that *the* person who arrives *early* will be successful. Example:
"I always come early to work. *The early bird catches the worm*!"
When *bird*s are competing to *catch* one *worm*, *the bird* that arrives *
early* will *catch* the worm. Example: "From now on, I am waking up at six.
*The early bird catches the worm*."
At times there is only one "*worm*" and only one "*bird*" can catch it, so *the
bird* to arrive *early catches the worm*. Example: "My brother started
investing money when he was 16 years old." Reply: "*The early bird catches
the worm*."
*"the straw that broke the camel's back"*
[image: "the straw that broke the camel's back"] *The straw that broke the
camel's back* is the last thing you are willing to accept after which you
will not put up with any more. Example: "You broke a lot of rules and we
tried to ignore it. But stealing money from us was *the straw that broke the
camel's back*. We're sending you home to your parents."
You are *at the last straw* when you are just about to lose your patience. *The
straw that broke the camel's back* is the *last* thing that that happened
that finally made you upset. Example: "He came to work late every day that
week. Then on Friday, he didn't show up at all." Reply: "That was *the straw
that broke the camel's back*."
There is a limit to how much *straw* (long yellow grass) a *camel* can carry
on its *back*. If you keep putting more *straw* on top, it will finally
break *the camel's back*. When you are *at the last straw* you are finally
angry and will not take any more. Example: "You have been rude to me all
day. I've had it. That's *the last straw*!"
*"against the clock"*
[image: "against the clock"] You are working *against the clock* when you
are trying to finish your work within a limited amount of time. Example: "We
worked *against the clock* all day to get that report done by five."
You often compare the time on *the clock against* how much work you have
left to do when you are working *against the clock.* Example: "We have to
finish this report by 8 o'clock tonight, so we're really working *against
the clock*."
The passing of time ("*the clock*") works against you when you are
working *against
the clock*. Example: "Mom, will you have time to help me with my homework
today?" Reply: "Sorry, I won't. I'll be working *against the clock* to
finish my presentation."
*"going against the grain"* [image: "going against the grain"] You go *against
the grain* when you make life more difficult by acting *against the* wishes
of others. Example: "Why can't you just do it the way everyone else does?
Why do you always have to go *against the grain*?"
Wood grows in a way that makes it easy to cut in one direction (*with the
grain*) and hard to cut in the other direction (*against the grain*). Example:
"I jog at this track every day and there is always that one guy who has to
go *against the grai*n and run in the opposite direction."
To go *against the grain* is to do things in a way that is different from
what is normal and accepted. Example: "You can't always follow other people
in life. Sometimes you need to go *against the grain* to do the right
thing."
*"all in the same boat"*
[image: "all in the same boat"] People who are *all in the same boat* must
work as a team because they face the same challenges together. Example: "We
can't fight against each other. We need to work together. We're *all in the
same boat*!"
When people forget that they are part of a team, we can remind them by
saying, "We are *all in the same boat*". Example: "I'm so busy. I don't know
how will get this done." Reply: "You're not the only one with a lot to do.
We are *all in the same boat*."
We are *all in the same boat* means that we are *all* like people who are *in
the same boat* so we need to cooperate in order to succeed. Example: "These
may be difficult times, but we're *all in the same boat*. We can get through
it together."
*"rock the boat"*
[image: "rock the boat"] To *rock the boat* is to risk upsetting a group
situation. Example: "We have to work together on this project. I don't want
anyone *rocking the boat*."
People in a group on a small *boat* need to work together. If one person
moves suddenly, *the* whole *boat* could *rock* dangerously. Example:
"Everyone wants to go except for you. Why do you have to *rock the boat*?"
We cause trouble for other people when we *rock the boat*, because people
need to find new positions to make "*the boat*" steady again. Example: "I
hate to *rock the boat*, but I do think we need to rewrite this report."
*"in(s) and out(s)"*
*In(s) And Out(s) *( the knowledge gained from experience ... )
------------------------------
**
[image: "in(s) and out(s)"] *In and out* is the way you know something when
you know it very well. Example: "I've been in this business for 30 years. I
know it *in and out*." Example: "I know this city *in and out*."
When you add the *s* and say *the ins and outs*, you are talking about the
special ways that you know to do something, when you know it very
well. Example:
"I hope you can help me. I want to learn *the ins and outs*."
Grammar point: *In and out* acts like an adverb ("I know this *in and out*").
*The ins and outs* acts like a noun ("Teach me *the ins and outs*"). Example:
"My friend Jeff has worked in publishing for 15 years. He knows all *the ins
and outs*."
*cnu.pne*
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