English PLUS Sayings

English sayings that help you learn English

By Paul Rattray

2020
English PLUS Sayings Course

Introductionto English PLUS Sayings

Using English sayings to teach English to non-English speakers is the main aim of English PLUS.
Note that this course was originally a radio program and consists of 366 sayings in total. Here
are some of of the main points about English PLUS.

 English PLUS is a bilingual program developed to teach English sayings, especially sayings
from the Bible, with the scripts available for further study.
 Due to our Christian heritage, many English sayings come from the Bible. This is a non-
threatening way of broadcasting God’s Word on-air and off-air by integrating the
program based on the spoken and written word.
 The challenge for CV’s Indonesian broadcast has been how to reach a predominantly
Indonesian Muslim audience with the gospel. Muslims are difficult to reach because they
believe in God and the Prophets, including Jesus the Messiah, but do not acknowledge
him as the Son of God.
 Because I believed that God called me to this work, I prayed that He would show me the
way. God answered by speaking to me through His Word, specifically, through Jesus’
parables. Thus, I give Him the credit for giving me this broadcast strategy and response
development methodology.
 Jesus’ Jewish audience were not dissimilar to the vast majority of Muslims today: they
believe in God and the Prophets, including Jesus the Messiah, but do not acknowledge
him as the Son of God.

Scriptural basis for English PLUS

 The scriptural basis for English PLUS Sayings is Jesus’ parables and the methods he used
to reach the crowds [as opposed to the Teachers of the Law].
 Jesus’ teaching method has validity today given it is a testament to fulfilled prophecy.
Mathew (13:34-35) confirms that Jesus’ speaking through parables verifies Asaph’s
prophecy about the Messiah teaching through parables (Psalm 49:4, 78:2). Jesus’ mention
of the Kingdom of God in relation to parables lends weight to this spiritual truth.
 Interestingly, the use of the Greek word “parabole” in Scripture extends its meaning
beyond teaching using illustrations, to include proverbs, riddles and even songs to get
the message across. This understanding gives weight to the strong emphasis on music,
parables and proverbs in CV’s Indonesian language broadcasts.
 In Mark 4:33-34, a parallel passage to Mathew 13:34-35, Mark focuses on the practical
rather than prophetic focus of Matthew by explaining how Jesus taught. “With many
similar parables Jesus spoke the word to them, as much as they could understand. He
did not say anything to them without using a parable, but when he was alone with his
own disciples, he explained everything.” This is the key verse for teaching through
parables.

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Rationale for integrated programs

Matthew 13:34-35

34 Jesus spoke all these things to the crowd in parables; he did not say anything to them without using
a parable. 35 So was fulfilled what was spoken through the prophet: “I will open my mouth in
parables, I will utter things hidden since the creation of the world.” (Psalm 78:2)

Mark 4:33-34

33With many such parables Jesus spoke the word to them, to the extent that they could understand.
34He did not say anything to them without a parable. But privately He explained all things to His own
disciples.

The above verses are my spiritual rationale for using an integrated program, which I define as an
on-air program [heard] that can be read off-air, is based on three key phrases in Mark 4:33-34:

1) With many similar parables Jesus spoke the word to them…

2) as much as they could understand…

3) but when he was alone with his own disciples he explained [expounded] everything…

Here I have tried to use a similar methodology. Our on-air broadcasts tend to be pre-
evangelistic, designed to touch lives and start a friendship. The aim is to use parables that the
audience understand and can relate to. The challenge is to know our audience well enough to
use this method.

Off-air we continue the relationship with the aim of encouraging them to become true followers
of Christ. By having scripts of on-air programs designed for listeners to read off-air, there is a
strong integration between broadcasting and response development. This synergy unites us as a
team, enables us to communicate interactivley and helps us build relationships with our
listeners.

A full study of Mark 4 reveals great spiritual currency in the sense that the crowd spoken of are
similar to our audience. The term ‘disciples’ actually refer to followers, not just the 12. In the
Indonesian Bible translation (2002), the phrase “explained everything” adds ‘little by little’ to
denote discipleship as the final phase of the methodology. This is the challenge of a truly
integrated program.

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Communications Strategy
The communications strategy for English PLUS is bilingual and fun, where the spelling and
pronunciation of the English saying is explained. Examples are given of its origins and current
use. The on-air program is separated into two ‘shows’ once a week.

First is the presentation and discussion of five English sayings (three secular and two spiritual
per week). Second, is a review of the previous weeks’ sayings and answering of listener questions
about particular sayings. To integrate the on-air and off-air aspects of English PLUS, scripts are
advertised in each program and segments of the sayings are produced to rotate through other
broadcasts to promote English PLUS, remind listeners of the sayings discussed that week and
prompt listeners to contact CV to obtain the written scripts so they can read them.

Response development method

The Response Development strategy for English PLUS is to cross promote the on-air program
off-air via mail and email, including this English PLUS booklet, which is posted on the CV
webpage, via email and printed as handouts. The aim of this integrated approach is to reinforce
the synergy between the broadcasters and the response development team, which helps make
listeners more open and accepting of written material, such as excerpts from the Word [Bible],
because they are directly associated with a program.

For speakers of English as a second language (CV’s Audience, especially International English),
being able to read what is heard on-air helps reinforce the message and the audience’s
understanding of that message. This is a key teaching principle of second language learning.

Listener comments: a case study

Whether English PLUS, as the flagship for the parabolic segments is effective in terms of CV’s
mission is a key question. Thus, I let the listeners speak for themselves:

 Hairul Anwar, a Muslim Head Master of Junior High School in Muara Padang, South Sumatra.
“I always listen to and follow the English lessons in English Plus from CV together with 300 of
my students. Please send me the scripts and lesson plans so we can study them together in
class”.
 Ensi, a female student living in a dormitory with mainly young Muslim women testifies to how
effective English PLUS has been in getting an audience. “Every time English PLUS comes on, we
gather around the radio and listen to Paul and Joe. Having the English PLUS book allows us to
read the sayings and explanations while we listen to the program—then study the sayings
again afterwards.
 Anak Rantau, an Indonesian maid working in Saudi Arabia writes that English PLUS helps
explain English to her, making it fun to learn. She adds that English PLUS has given her more
confidence to learn English and other new things. She likes the fact that she can read what she
hears on air.

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Concluding Remarks
We can have confidence in using Parables, such as sayings, as a means of reaching Non-
Christians, particularly Muslims, because Jesus used this method more often than any other to
reach his audience. This method is scriptural because it represents fulfilled prophecy and is
referred to in two of the gospels (Matthew and Mark 4:33-34) as Jesus’ teaching method. (Note
how often the term “Kingdom of God” is used with parables in the Bible.)

Parables are relevant, given the similarities between Jesus’ audience and CV’s [Indonesian
Msulim] audience i.e. belief in God and the Prophets, including Jesus the Messiah, but not
acknowledging him as the Son of God. We can also have confidence in God’s Word: “It is the same
with my word. I send it out, and it always produces fruit. It will accomplish all I want it to, and it will
prosper everywhere I send it. (Isaiah 55:11)

For English as a second language speakers, being able to read what is heard on-air helps
reinforce the message and the audience’s understanding of that message. This can apply to all
programs based on a simple readable outline posted on the web and sent via mail and email. A
program integrating on and off-air media gives continuity to the relationship a listener first has
with an on-air broadcast, followed by their off-air relationship with the response development
team.

The English PLUS Sayings Course Outline

As a language course, keep in mind the following points as a teacher.

Objective: To present gospel truths through English sayings, particularly those which are
Christian or Biblical in origin, to introduce our audience to CV’s mission.

Rationale: Learning English is a universal interest of most non-English speakers and is a medium
where Christian and Biblical principles can be presented in a non-threatening way as part of the
program.

Focus: Teach listeners how to use English sayings by studying their origin and current usage.
Then, encourage listeners to compare how these sayings are expressed in their own language.

Method: Bilingual or Special English delivery based on English sayings with the interactive
component being questions from listeners about English sayings and comparisons by listeners
of an English saying which is similar to sayings in their national or first language.

Participants: Presenters are CV staff, with visitors if necessary. Strong audience participation is
encouraged by promoting interactive segments.

Promotion: Promote program by offering scripts of weekly English sayings to listeners who
participate in the program with prizes and give-aways.

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Extension: Provide further information about English sayings (particularly those from the Bible)
for participants to better understand context and usage. This program is being extended further
by using an English PLUS Listener Club in the field.

Examples of the segment

A segment has an introduction, its content and outro or conclusion.

Intro: a) You say what? What are you saying? What do you mean? I don’t get it! (Foreign accent
hook) b) A saying is a word or phrase that people use to explain a specific concept (Segment i.d.).
c) Here is an English saying to help you learn English…

Content: d) Secular: “Beat around the bush (Heading)” e) This saying comes from hunting. The
beaters beat or hit the bushes so that the prey run or fly out for the hunters to catch. The
beaters never catch the prey, always the hunters (Origin). f) [To “beat around the bush” means
that someone says something indirectly (Definition of saying). g) In every day language, you can
say, “Don’t beat around the bush, just tell me the truth! (Practical example)” h) In other words,
“Don’t be indirect, just tell me what you really mean (Explanation or translation)!”

Outro: i) How would you say this saying in your language? Sayings help us to understand each
others’ culture. j) To get a copy of this saying--and many, many more sayings you can learn,
contact us: web / social media. Or, write to us: (address, email, SMS, fax). k) Oh, now I get it. So
that is what you mean! OK. Now I get it! (Foreign accent conclusion)!

Scriptural Example

“Rise and shine.” This saying comes from the Bible and is found in the book of Isaiah (60:1):
"Arise, shine, for your light has come, and the glory of the LORD rises upon you”. Originally this
verse tells of God’s promised blessing upon people who will turn from darkness to God’s light.
Now “rise and shine” is used as a saying used to get people up in the morning. In every day
language, you can say, “Come on, rise and shine!” In other words, “Come on, it is time to get up!”

Content template:

1) “… (Heading)”

2) This saying comes from…(Origin).

3) To “…” means that (Definition of saying).

4) In every day language, you can say, “(Practical example)”

5) In other words, “(Explanation or translation)”

“…” This saying comes from… To “…” means that… In every day language, you can

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say, “…” In other words, “…”

For more information about or help with English PLUS, comments and critiques of this case
study, and your experiences of using similar programs, please contact me via email
paulrattray@cvglobal.co.

English PLUS Sayings

1. “Beat around the bush.” This saying comes from hunting. The beaters beat or hit the bushes
so that the prey run or fly out for the hunters to catch. The beaters never catch the prey, always
the hunters. To “beat around the bush,” means that someone says something indirectly. In
everyday language, you can say, “Don’t beat around the bush, just tell the truth!” In other words,
“Don’t be indirect, just say what you really mean!”

2. “Take aback.” This saying comes from sailing. A sudden change of wind can catch a ship's
sails on the wrong side, pushing them back against the mast and bringing the ship to a standstill,
or driving it backwards. To “take aback” means to be taken by surprise or to be shocked. In every
day language, you can say: “I was taken aback by what was said!” In other words, “I was shocked
by what was said!”

3. “Pass the acid test”. This saying comes from mining. Unlike most metals, gold resists
digestion from almost all types of acid. If it is pure gold, then it will not be eaten by acid. To
“pass the acid test” means that something’s quality or someone’s character is genuine and
reliable. In every day language, you can say, “Now that he has passed the acid test, he can be
trusted.” In other words, “Now that he has proved his character, he can be trusted.”

4. “On the ball.” This saying comes from the sport of baseball. The 'on' is the spin that the
pitcher puts on the ball to make it curve in flight. When there is lots of spin and curve that
confuses the batter, the pitcher is said to be 'on the ball'. To be “on the ball” means that
someone is in control a situation. In every day language, you can say, “Today she is on the ball!”
In other words, “Today she is prepared and in control of the situation.”

5. “Barge in.” This saying comes from operating river barges. Barges are large square boats
which are hard to steer. Barges often bump into other boats and objects. To “barge in” means
that someone rudely interrupts a meeting or conversation. In every day language, you can say,
“Please knock before barging in like that!” In other words, “Please knock before rudely
interrupting like that!”

6. “Black sheep.” This saying comes from the dye trade. The wool of black sheep cannot be
dyed to different colours, making it less valuable than white wool. To be the “black sheep of the
family” means that someone does not conform to their family's ideals, a bit of a rebel who is out
of step with the rest of the family. In every day language, you can say, “Tony is the black sheep of
the family.” In other words, “Tony is a bit of a rebel who is out of step with the rest of the family.”

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7. “Stage a boycott.” This saying comes from a person’s name, Captain Boycott in Ireland. He
was a landlord who threatened to evict tenants who could not pay their rent due to bad
harvests. His servants refused follow his orders and stopped working for him. To “stage a
boycott” means that a group of people actively stop supporting a person and encourage others
to join them. In every day language, you can say, “They staged a boycott against foreign goods.”
In other words, “They will not want to accept goods from foreign countries.”

8. “Give someone a break!” This saying comes from a "break" or interruption a street
performer used to collect money from the crowd. This saying can also relate to a ‘lucky break’,
when someone gets an unexpected benefit, chance or opportunity. To “give someone a break”
means that a person is given a chance or an unexpected benefit or opportunity. In every day
language, you can say, “Come on, give me a break!” In other words, “Come on! Give me a chance
or opportunity!”

9. “By and large.” This saying comes from sailing. A ship sailing “by and large” means that it can
sail well in almost any direction. That is because the wind comes from behind the ship “by” and
“large”—slightly off to one side of the ship--so that all the sales catch the wind. “By and large”
means that in general, or generally speaking, something will be a certain way. In every day
language, you can say, “By and large where there is smoke there is a fire.” In other words, “In
general where there is smoke there is fire.”

10. “Takes the cake.” This saying comes from the days of slavery in the USA. Slaves held
competitions to see who could best copy the elegant walk of their masters. The winners usually
won a cake. To “take the cake” means that something someone says or does attracts attention in
an often trivial or unimportant way. In every day language, you can say, “That really takes the
cake!” In other words, “What just happened is worth noting in a humerous way.”

11. “Feather in your cap.” This saying comes from the American Indians. To “put a feather in
your cap,” means that someone does something worthy of honour or praise. The original
honour was to kill an enemy, which was celebrated by adding a feather to the brave man’s
headdress. In every day language, you can say, “That is a feather in your cap.” In other words,
“What you did is worthy of praise.”

12. “Red carpet.” This saying comes from red carpets and screens used in the portable tent
compounds of the Muslim Mughal emperors of India. The red colour served to show visitors the
power and wealth of these rulers. To “give someone the red carpet” means that they are
regarded as important. In every day language, you can say, “I am giving them the red carpet
treatment.” In other words, “I am going to make sure that they are made to feel really
important.”

13. “Let the cat out of the bag.” This saying comes from medieval times when chickens were
often taken to market in a sack to be sold. If a buyer was particularly gullible, he was sometimes
sold a cat instead of a chicken. Cats are clever at escaping, so they often got out of the bag. To

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“let the cat out of the bag,” means that a secret has been revealed. In every day language, you
can say, “Don’t let the cat out of the bag.” In other words, “Don’t tell anyone what you heard.”

14. “Catch-22.” This saying comes from a novel by Joseph Heller written in 1955 about American
pilots in the Second World War. Air crews who were close to burnout from too many flying hours
knew they had to fly anyway if they were to win the war. A “catch-22 situation,” means that you
are in a no-win situation. In every day language, you can say, “We are in a catch 22 situation.” In
other words, “We are in a no-win situation.”

15. “Speak off the cuff.” This saying comes from the habit of some public speakers who make
notes on the cuff of their business shirts to remind them of key points in their speech. To “speak
off the cuff,” means that a person speaks spontaneously without much preparation. In every day
language, you can say, “He was speaking off the cuff.” In other words, “He was speaking
spontaneously with minimal preparation.”

16. “Cut through the red tape.” This saying comes from the legal field. Lawyers kept their
clients’ papers in folders tied with red ribbon or tape to keep the papers from falling out. To get
to their papers, they had to ‘cut through the red tape’. To “cut through the red tape,” means to
speed up the processing of official paperwork. In every day language, you can say, “To get this
done, we will need to cut through the red tape.” In other words, “To get this done, we will need
to speed up the official paperwork.”

17. “Eat humble pie.” This saying comes from medieval times when servants ate ‘humble pie’,
made from the waste meat of deer, while their masters and their guests had the better cuts of
meat. To “Eat humble pie” means that you apologise humbly for a position taken stance when it
is proven wrong. In every day language, you can say, “You will have to eat humble pie for that
remark.” In other words, “You will have to humbly apologise for that remark.”

18. “Cut to the quick.” This saying comes from old English and originates from the Bible (2
Timothy 4:1), where the word ‘quick’ refers to people who are alive rather than dead. To “cut to
the quick,” means that someone is deeply hurt or wounded emotionally. Of course, to be hurt
emotionally one must be alive to feel the pain. In every day language, you can say, “I was cut to
the quick by what she said.” In other words, “I was deeply hurt emotionally by what she said.”

19. “Drum up support.” This saying comes from the military and describes how recruiting
parties announced their arrival in town with flutes playing and and drums pounding. Their job
was to drum up military recruits. To “drum up support,” means doing something that is
designed to obtain support. In every day language, you can say, “I want to drum up support for
my re-election.” In other words, “I want to obtain support so that I can get re-elected.”

20. “Dyed in the wool.” This saying comes from Medieval times when dye was added to raw
wool rather than to spun or finished wool. Because, the original colour was so long lasting, it
was virtually impossible to wash out. To be “dyed in the wool” means that a person is a real

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original and unlikely to change. In every day language, you can say, “He is a dyed in the wool
Australian bushman.” In other words, “He is an original and genuine Australian bushman.”

21. “White Elephant.” This saying comes from Thailand or what was then called Siam. The King
of Siam had a habit of giving a white elephant, which are very rare and expensive, as a gift to a
noble whom he wanted to embarrass and ruin financially. A “white elephant” refers to
something grand and expensive that has no practical value. In every day language, you can say,
“This building is a white elephant.” In other words, “This building, though grand and expensive,
has no real practical value.”

22. “To make ends meet.” This saying comes from accountancy. When balancing profit and
loss accounts, the books or amounts must balance or meet to be accurate. To “make ends meet”
means that someone is living within their means or that they are not going over budget and
spending more than they earn. In every day language, you can say, “They are barely able to
make ends meet with one wage.” In other words, “They are only just able to live on one wage.”

23. “Fed up.” This saying comes from the ancient sport of falconry, where falcons were used for
hunting small animals and birds. Falcons that are fully fed or ‘fed up’ want to sit and digest their
meal rather than fly for their masters. To be “fed up” means that one has lost patience with an
ongoing request. In every day language, you can say, “I am fed up with him for asking me to do
that every time.” In other words, “I have lost patience with him for that ongoing request.”

24. “Fired.” This saying comes from firearms. When a gun is fired it discharges a bullet or bullets
as well as any other material in the barrel of the gun. To be “fired” means that you have been
discharged from your job. In every day language, you can say, “I am sorry to have to say this but
you are fired.” In other words, “I regret to say that you are being discharged from your job.”

25. “First rate.” This saying comes from British navy warships in the 19th century. Warships
were rated by the number of their guns. A first-rate ship was the most heavily armed. To be
“first” rate means that it is the very best and second to none. In every day language, you can say,
“That business delivers a first-rate service.” In other words, “That business delivers the very best
service.”

26. “Gift of the gab.” This saying comes from the old Celtic word for mouth ‘Gab’ and is also
based on the Middle English word ‘Gabbe’, meaning idle talk. To have the “gift of the gab,”
means that a person is clever with words or likes to talk. In every day language, you can say,
“She really has the gift of the gab.” In other words, “She is really clever with words or good at
talking.”

27. “Babble.” This saying comes from the Bible. This word comes from the ancient area of
Babel, where God confused the language of the people to become many languages because the
people rejected God’s command scatter across the earth (Genesis 11). “Babble” means that what
someone says is difficult to understand or its meaning is unclear. In every day language, you
can say, “He is just babbling.” In other words, “He is just talking nonsense.”

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28. “Grapevine.” This saying comes from the early age of telecommunications in the United
States. Often the quality of power poles was so poor—even live trees were used—along with
tangled cabling that they resembled grape vines. The message carried was unclear too. To “hear
it on the grapevine,” means that some rumour is heard informally. In every day language, you
can say, “I heard on the grapevine that she is leaving.” In other words, “I heard a rumour that
she is leaving.”

29. “Up a gum tree.” This saying comes from hunters in Australia. When a possumis hunted, it
will run for the nearest tree, often a gum tree, climb it, then sit still and refuse to move. To “be
up a gum tree,” means that someone is stuck in one place, making it difficult for them to move
forward or back. In every day language, you can say, “I think we are up a gum tree on this one.”
In other words, “I think this problemwill be difficult to overcome.”

30. “Win hands down.” This saying comes from horse racing. When a jockey wins a race easily,
he lets go of the reigns and allows the horse to run freely. To “win hands down,” means that a
victory came easily. In every day language, you can say, “He won that game hands down.” In
other words, “He won that game easily without much effort.”

31. “Hang out.” This saying comes from the early days of advertising. Back then—and now—
businesses advertise their presence and specials with signs hanging outside. To “hang out,”
means that you are talking about where someone spends their time. Usually this relates to
leisure time. In every day language, you can say, “Where do you hang out on Friday nights?” In
other words, “Where can you be found on Friday nights?”

32. “Irons in the fire.” This saying comes from blacksmiths. Their craft was important because
almost everything made of metal was forged and tempered by hand. “Many irons in the fire,”
means that you have so many pieces of metal in the forge that it is hard to strike them all at the
ideal time. As a result, the quality of each iron suffers. In every day language, you can say, “She
has too many irons in the fire.” In other words, “She is doing too many things to do any one of
then well.”

33. “Read into.” This saying comes from spying and cryptography, or the study of secret words
and numbers. In cryptography combinations of words and numbers are used to reveal a hidden
meaning. To “read into” means that someone is able to discern a hidden or secret meaning in
what they read or hear. In every day language, you can say, “Don’t read too much into what he
said.” In other words, “Don’t think there are any hidden meanings in what was said.”

34. “Miss the mark.” This saying comes from the sport of archery, which uses bows and arrows.
When an arrow is shot at a mark on a target from a bow, a direct hit is ‘on the mark.’ To “miss
the mark,” means that you fail to hit the target or achieve a goal. In every day language, you can
say, “When I go my own way, I miss the mark with God.” In other words, “When I do not go God’s
way, I fail to obey God and sin.”

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35. “Face the music.” This saying comes from actors in the theatre. Nervous actors must
literally ‘face the music’ when they go on stage. If they fail to perform, they will face the music, or
anger, of the crowd, their peers and leaders. To “face the music,” means that must respond to a
mistake or misdeamenor you have made. In every day language, you can say, “He will face the
music for that comment.” In other words, “He will have to account for that comment.”

36. “Nest egg.” This saying comes from old fashioned poultry farming. A ‘nest egg’ refers to the
“trick” of putting in a fake egg into a chicken’s nest to encourage her to lay more. “A nest egg”
now means that money is saved or invested in the hope that it will grow. In every day language,
you can say, “I have a little nest egg set aside for the future.” In other words, “I have a little
money set aside for the future.”

37. “On the right track.” This saying comes from trains and train tracks. Trains that travel on
the wrong track are likely to collide with a train on the right track. Being on the wrong track can
be dangerous. “On the right track,” means that you are doing something right or going the right
way. In every day language, you can say, “Am I on the right track? Give me a hint!” In other
words, “Am I right? Tell me please!”

38. “Nick of time.” This saying comes from games and competitions. For hundreds of years,
scores were added up from nicks or cuts made in a piece of wood. Victory could be achieved in a
‘nick of time.’ “Nick of time” means that something is achieved or done just before time runs
out. In every day language, you can say, “I filled-in my test in a nick of time.” In other words, “I
filling-in my test just before the time ran out.”

39. “In a nutshell.” This saying comes from people who wrote scripts in writing so small that it
could fit in a walnut shell. For example, Peter Bales in 1590 produced a Bible that fit inside a
walnut shell. “In a nutshell,” means a very brief summing up of what is known. In every day
language, you can say, “In a nutshell, he is saying that he has no time help.” In other words, “In
brief, he is saying that he has no time to help.”

40. “OK.” This saying most likely comes from words used by sailors. Some say ‘ok’ originates
from a Hatian port, “Aux Cayes”, praised for its rum, which made sailors feel good. Others think
it comes from the French word, “au quai,” meaning safely docked. “Ok” means that things are
alright or acceptable. In every day language, you can say, “I am ok.” In other words, “I am safe or
alright.”

41. “Rise and shine.” This saying comes from the Bible and is found in the book of Isaiah:
"Arise, shine, for your light has come, and the glory of the LORD rises upon you”. Originally this
verse tells of God’s promised blessing upon people who will turn from darkness to God’s light.
Now “rise and shine” is used as a saying used to get people up in the morning. In every day
language, you can say, “Come on, rise and shine!” In other words, “Come on, it is time to get up!”

42. “Painstaking.” This saying comes from scientific reseach. Originally, scientific research was
painfully detailed both physically and mentally. It also requires one to lay claim to a certain idea

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or field of research. “Painstaking” means that whatever was done took a tremendous amount of
time and effort. In every day language, you can say, “That was painstaking work!” In other
words, “That work took a tremendous amount of time and effort!”

43. “Pan out.” This saying comes from old time gold diggers. Back then, gold miners used pans
filled with water to wash their diggings. Gold, which is heavier than other metals, falls to the
bottom of the pan where it can be picked out. To “pan out,” means that the ultimate outcome of
something is good. In every day language, you can say, “I am just glad that it all panned out in
the end.” In other words, “I am happy that it all worked out in the end.”

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English PLUS Course

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