Idiom Lesson “Three sheets to the wind” From Happy English New York!


  

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After a few cocktails, or beers, you may be three sheets to the wind. Have you heard this idiom? Three sheets to the wind means drunk. This idiom comes from the olden days of sailing. The word “sheet” on a sailboat refers to the ropes that are used to hold and adjust the sails. If the “sheets” on the boat are loose and flapping in the wind, then the sails will flap about, much like a drunken sailor. Thus, the expression three sheets to the wind came to mean being drunk.
The structure is very clear. Use the expression “three sheets to the wind” the same way you use the word drunk:
- After two bottles of wine last night, Lori was three sheets to the wind. (Lori was drunk)
- You look like you are three sheets to the wind. You’d better not drive. (You look like you are drunk)
We do not use this expression as an adjective, so you can’t say, “Look at that three sheets to the wind guy.”
When was the last time you were three sheets to the wind?

Idiom Lesson “Chew The Fat” From Happy English New York!


  

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English Idiom: There are all kinds of conversations from very serious to very light. When you have a light, friendly chat with someone, you can say that you are chewing the fat with them. In terms of structure, “chew the fat” is used as a verb:

 - We used to meet at the coffee shop and chew the fat for hours
 - Ben and Jerry are always chewing the fat when they are drinking beer.

Do you like to chew the fat? Leave a comment and let us know!

Idiom Lesson “For the birds” From Happy English New York!

  

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English Idiom: For the birds. If something is “for the birds, then it is uninteresting, dull, or stupid. The structure is [something] is for the birds.

- That movie was for the birds, don’t bother seeing it.
- Yeah, I read that book. It was for the birds.
- The carnival had an attraction called “The Snake-man,” but it was for the birds.

Be careful! I sometimes hear students use this idiom incorrectly like this:
“That movie was for the birds for me” or “That movie was for the birds to me.”
We do not need to mention ourself like that. It sounds funny. If you say something is for the birds, we know how you feel!

Have you see a movie read a book, or gone to an attraction recently that was for the birds?

Idiom Lesson “Pooped” From Happy English New York!

  

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If you are really tired, as in exhausted, you can say that you are “pooped” or “pooped out.” “Pooped” or “pooped out” means you are very worn out and exhausted.
- I’m pooped! Can we rest for a while?
- Sam was so pooped out after the training session at the gym.
- Are you ok? You look pooped?
Be careful! You can say to someone, “you look pooped.” but not “you look like pooped.”

 What makes you pooped out?