EZ English

Friday, March 1

Real English Nine-Dress the part

Last Saturday, this was the dialogue of MC's class.

MC: I have a big complaint, Glenn

Glenn: Really...(my palms were clammy) What's wrong?

MC: The link to the dictionary on your blog disappeared! So, I couldn't look up the words which I didn't understand.

Glenn: I am very sorry. I apologize for the inconvenience. And please let me explain. I wanted to try to make the blog more "reader friendly" so I made a few minor changes. One of them was deleting the links. Another one was changing the background color to white, so it doesn't stand out so much. And I also cleaned up the archives a little. Anyway, this is the link to that dictionary: http://www.alc.co.jp/.

It's great. Please continue to use it.

MC: I will. Thanks.

Glenn: May I change the subject?

MC: Sure. What is it?

Glenn: Why are you so dressed up today? (MC is a business man. He always wears a nice suit on the weekdays. But on the weekends, he wears casual clothes (like me). We have the same sense of fashion. After class, MC often goes to his office for a few hours to work.)

MC: Ah, the other day one of my subordinates, he is younger, around 25 years old, said to me, 'MC, you are too underdressed for the office. I know it is Saturday, but still, you have to dress the part and lead by example! After all, you are the manager.' I don't know what he was talking about, but I decided to dress up once a month to make him happy.

Glenn: That was very nice of you I think. A lot of younger guys are into fashion these days, I don't understand it...But, to each their own!

As you all can see and know, I am not Mr. Fashion. But I do know a lot of idioms using "clothes" in them. Do you understand all of the below?

1. He's moody. His mood changes at the drop of a hat.

2. Don't open the door! I am in my birthday suit!!!

3. She passed the test by the seat of her pants.

4. You'll never catch me with my pants down.

5. That baby is cute as a button!

6. He's got deep pockets. He always treats everybody!

7. She is a tough negotiator. She really dug her heels in and refused to budge.

8. Stop dragging your heels. Just do it already!

You are dressed to kill! (situation: before a big presentation)

You are dressed to the nines! (situation: before an Awards Ceremony)