今週のワンポイント英会話 第659回 〜C'est la vie.〜

C'est la vie.=A French expression that means that's life or it can't be helped.

それが人生。仕方ない。

I wanted to go back to the States for Christmas, but I couldn't get a ticket. C'est la vie.

https://youtu.be/l3kfQIFDD_8

〜ニューヨーク英語学院〜

今週のワンポイント英会話 第658回 〜To put your foot into your mouth. 〜

To put your foot into your mouth.=To say something embarrassing or foolish.

失言する。気まずいことを言う。

If you are shopping with your wife and she asks if she looks fat in this dress, you say "Yes".  That's putting your foot into your mouth.

https://youtu.be/5qdIR0ASYo8

〜ニューヨーク英語学院〜

今週のワンポイント英会話 第657回 〜When the going gets tough, 〜

When the going gets tough,the tough get going. = This is an old Marine Corps term.
When things go wrong, strong people prevail.

事態が面倒になると頑強な者が動く。

When things are bad, toughen up and get going. 

https://youtu.be/RCq9VSzjA3A

〜ニューヨーク英語学院〜

Catch him!

Yesterday a tall athletic man ran by me at full speed. Followed by a very short women  about thirty in a convenience store uniform. She was screaming "Stop thief". I yelled to her if she caught him what she was going to do with him. She stopped running.

今週のワンポイント英会話 第656回 〜Skeleton staff.〜

Skeleton staff. = Only enough staff to function.

必要最小限の人員。

On a holiday, most companies have only a skeleton staff on hand. 

https://youtu.be/yR4XC-UmujM

〜ニューヨーク英語学院〜

今週のワンポイント英会話 第655回 〜On hand. 〜

On hand. = To be present or to have.

手元に。

Since I speak a lot, I always have water on hand.

https://youtu.be/9GJZ-HpD3mI

〜ニューヨーク英語学院〜

Blowout.

I was riding my tricycle yesterday past a discount steak house which was having a special half-price sale day. The sale attracted a great deal of attention. There were about thirty people standing in line in front of the shop when I passed by. While passing, one of my rear tires blew out with a large BOOM! 
It was sounding like a bomb or gunfire. People in the crowd started to dash for cover or plain run away. If I were hungry I would have jumped in front of the line.

~Tim~

Abstention

Abstention: I read recently that a guy gave up women and drinking. He said it was the worst twenty minutes of his life..

What we never forget.

Never forget. 
My office is in an area where from time to time you must watch yourself and your belongings. Things have changed a lot recently for the better. So I tend to let my guard down. 
Today I was on a customer visit to an upscale office building. As it looked like rain I took my very cheap umbrella. Since over training cost me the use of my legs, I am forced to ride a tricycle which is used by seniors. I parked my tricycle in the building's bicycle space. Left my umbrella in the back basket. When I returned a short time later it was gone. 
Who would steal an umbrella from a senior's tricycle? 
I guess I forgot where I was.

~Tim~

今週のワンポイント英会話 第654回 〜The big picture. 〜

The big picture. = The whole story.

全体像。

No one knows the big picture about the Japanese economy.

https://youtu.be/-bk21FuCsJQ

〜ニューヨーク英語学院〜

今週のワンポイント英会話 第653回 〜To stay clear.〜

To stay clear. = To keep away.

近づかない。避ける。

I always stay clear of strange people and snakes.

https://youtu.be/wV1JVNT5yaM

〜ニューヨーク英語学院〜

今週のワンポイント英会話 第652回 〜To pack heat.〜

To pack heat. = To carry a gun.

（俗）銃を携行する。

You should stay clear of someone who packs heat.

https://youtu.be/5nbTPumekfA

〜ニューヨーク英語学院〜

今週のワンポイント英会話 第651回 〜To drop a dime.〜

To drop a dime. = To accuse someone of something.

（俗）密告する。

The gangster dropped a dime on his partner to get out of jail.

https://youtu.be/5w7k2kWD3ZM

〜ニューヨーク英語学院〜

Job

While stuffing mail boxes with my flier this morning, I notice a lady about sixty riding her bicycle into the same complex I was just going into. Suddenly a cat dashed across her path and she fell down trying to avoid it. 
I helped her up and collected her belongings for her. As I started to fill the post boxes suddenly the same lady appeared. 
She told me she was this apartment's manager and no posting was allowed.

~Tim~

今週のワンポイント英会話 第650回 〜You betcha.〜

You betcha. = You can bet on it or for sure.

（俗）うけあう。その通り。

Can you swim a 100 meters? You betcha.

https://youtu.be/S7JFozmLDGg

〜ニューヨーク英語学院〜

今週のワンポイント英会話 第649回 〜Morning Joe.〜

Morning Joe. = Coffee in the morning.

朝のコーヒー。

I can't function without my morning Joe.

動画はこちら↓
https://youtu.be/JUFDZhzpvy4

〜ニューヨーク英語学院〜

今週のワンポイント英会話 第648回 〜One-track mind.〜

One-track mind. = Single mindedness. To pursue only one goal.

一本気。

As far as success is concerned, I have a one-track mind.

動画はこちら↓
https://youtu.be/PrKZKp0WUbI

〜ニューヨーク英語学院〜

Smile

Don't bring everybody down. Turn your frown around.

~Tim~

Don't be

Don't be a cloud on a sunny day.

~Tim~

Get down-time.

Do you know?

What's the longest sentence in the world?       A life sentence.
What animal never plays fair in Africa?            A cheetah.
What kind of clothes does your house always wear?     Address.

~Tim~

Surprise reunion.

About thirty years ago I had a dental problem. I went to my friends clinic but he was out so his young assistant (a dark long haired beauty), put three stitches in my mouth. Last week I went to the same clinic and a heavy slow moving middle-aged women put on a pair of thick glasses. A smile came to her face and asked me if I remembered her. 
You probably know the rest of the story.

~Tim~

今週のワンポイント英会話 第647回 〜To show your chops.〜

To show your chops.= To show your guts.

根性を出す。

If you want to succeed, you must show your chops every day.

動画はこちら↓
https://youtu.be/Y0ScPsP8k68

〜ニューヨーク英語学院〜

Students and I

In the summer I usually wear flips instead of shoes. I always take them off when I teach (why? I don't know.). Some of my students began taking off their shoes and socks in the class. I don't know if it is a joke or a show of support.

~Tim~

今週のワンポイント英会話 第646回 〜To throw shade on.〜

To throw shade on.= To have something bad to say about something or someone.

悪くいう。貶める。

China always throws shade on Japan.

動画はこちら↓
https://youtu.be/1jAOCaidMQM

〜ニューヨーク英語学院〜

今週のワンポイント英会話 第645回 〜To throw a wrench into something.〜

To throw a wrench into something.= To stop the progress or to break it.

邪魔をする。

Construction noise throws a wrench into my class.

動画はこちら↓
https://youtu.be/P3KfMcLu8-Q

〜ニューヨーク英語学院〜

今週のワンポイント英会話 第644回 〜Swag.〜

Swag.(Slang)= To swagger to walk and talk with confidence. 

自信にあふれた所作。

I wish I had swag.


動画はこちら↓
https://youtu.be/ntiZnSwwDMU

〜ニューヨーク英語学院〜

今週のワンポイント英会話 第643回 〜A snag.〜

A snag.= A tanglement, difficulty. 

予期せぬ障害。

I tried to make an investment but I ran into a snag because of my nationality.

動画はこちら↓
https://youtu.be/vUBogBQQlsI

〜ニューヨーク英語学院〜

今週のワンポイント英会話 第642回 〜A text walker.〜

A text walker.= Someone who walks and texts at the same time. 

歩きスマホをする人。

Text walkers are annoying and should be shot.

動画はこちら↓
https://youtu.be/0UUOLDJH_LQ

〜ニューヨーク英語学院〜

今週のワンポイント英会話 第641回 〜A game changer.〜

A game changer.= Something that changes the atmosphere or the direction of an event. 

流れを変える物、出来事。

The rejection of the national stadium design was a game changer in the preparation for the Olympics.

動画はこちら↓
https://youtu.be/en1HQ0Ejduk

〜ニューヨーク英語学院〜

今週のワンポイント英会話 第640回 〜Some days you eat the bear and some days the bear eats you.〜

Some days you eat the bear and some days the bear eats you.= You win sometimes and you lose sometimes.

勝つときもあれば、負けることも。

Some days you eat the bear and some days the bear eats you, ...and today isn't your day for bear meal.

動画はこちら↓
https://youtu.be/EDVoNtLUzRQ

〜ニューヨーク英語学院〜

Old man's broken heart.

Recently I was walking near an old man and a young girl. The girl was probably his granddaughter. He asked her if she would like to stay at his house a longer period of time. The young girl said no. Heartbroken the gentleman requested the reason why. The little girl replied that she didn't want to stay longer because her grandfather's farts were loud and smelly.

~Tim~

今週のワンポイント英会話 第639回 〜A dad bod.〜

A dad bod.= The body of a man with kids in his mid-thirties.
Usually no muscle and heavy around the middle.

お父さん体形。

I do not have a dad bod.

動画はこちら↓
https://youtu.be/d8nnbZ02i6I

〜ニューヨーク英語学院〜

今週のワンポイント英会話 第638回 〜Good to go.〜

Good to go.= Well prepared and ready to go.

準備万端。

After I change into my sports clothes, I'm good to go for training. 


動画はこちら↓
https://youtu.be/nNLyD7rNKXk

〜ニューヨーク英語学院〜

今週のワンポイント英会話 第637回 〜To bro-up.〜

To bro-up.= For men only.  To meet and do something with your friends.

男性が使う言葉。友人と会って楽しむ。

On Saturday night, I like to bro-up and have a few drinks.

動画はこちら↓

https://youtu.be/b-cQu6KToYw

〜ニューヨーク英語学院〜

今週のワンポイント英会話 第636回 〜Stubborn.〜

Stubborn.= Fixed opinion.

頑固な。

When it comes to politics, I am very stubborn in my views.

動画はこちら↓

https://youtu.be/kdhp5oO90-o

〜ニューヨーク英語学院〜

Married

My only daughter will marry in a couple of weeks. Two down and two to go.

~Tim~

A Chinese tourist's kindness.

 I was standing in front of the bank waiting for a friend when a young man with an expensive camera and a map of Osaka in his hands (obviously a Chinese tourist), asked me in broken English if I were in trouble and needed assistance.
( Due to bum knees, I need a cain just to stand.) I told him I was fine. 
I shall never forget that kind boy from China.

~Tim~

今週のワンポイント英会話 第635回 〜Not so swift.〜

Not so swift.= Not very smart.

優れていない。賢明ではない。

He's a nice guy but he's not so swift.

動画はこちら↓
https://youtu.be/oV7mqd0eBEo

〜ニューヨーク英語学院〜

今週のワンポイント英会話 第634回 〜To hobble. 〜

To hobble.= To walk awkwardly or to limp.

よたよた歩く。足を引きずって歩く。

Since I have two bad knees, I hobble like a duck.

動画はこちら↓

https://youtu.be/mx6CF5csvXM

〜ニューヨーク英語学院〜

今週のワンポイント英会話 第633回 〜To buy into. 〜

To buy into.= To believe someone's story.

信じる。

I don't buy into Mr. Obama.

動画はこちら↓
https://youtu.be/_-zr2VDNj4o

〜ニューヨーク英語学院〜

今週のワンポイント英会話 第632回 〜To let it ride. 〜

To let it ride.=To forgive something or someone.

許す。

If I told you I lied, would you let it ride?

動画はこちら↓
https://youtu.be/8lJS0iCFMPU

〜ニューヨーク英語学院〜

今週のワンポイント英会話 第631回 〜Apple polishing. 〜

Apple polishing.=To give undo praise to enhance someone.

ごますり。

Watching someone apple polishing usually turns other people off.

動画はこちら↓
https://youtu.be/u-_jRSgvKMk

〜ニューヨーク英語学院〜

今週のワンポイント英会話 第630回 〜A class act. 〜

A class act.=Someone who acts very dignified and is well respected.

傑出した人、物。

My secretary is a class act.

https://youtu.be/5F78X9q21Do

〜ニューヨーク英語学院〜

At the supermarket.

 While shopping at the local supermarket, I heard some very loud voices shouting and arguing. I thought that a big fight was about to begin so I rushed to the frozen food section to check it out. When I got there, I was surprised to see eight Korean tourist trying to decide which flavor ice- cream to buy. I guess that when Koreans discuss something they discuss it with all of their heart.

~Tim~

今週のワンポイント英会話 第629回 〜Rodeo clown. 〜

Rodeo clown.=American slang. Someone who is foolish.

愚か。思慮不足。

There is a well liked politician in Osaka whom I consider to be a rodeo clown.

動画はこちら↓
https://youtu.be/JGuhDk_Jwl8

〜ニューヨーク英語学院〜

今週のワンポイント英会話 第628回 〜Fire in the belly. 〜

Fire in the belly.=To have desire, drive or guts.

熱意。野心。

To start your own company, you must have a fire in your belly to succeed.

動画はこちら↓
https://youtu.be/0lRy-EKb7Kc

〜ニューヨーク英語学院〜

今週のワンポイント英会話 第627回 〜In one ear and out the other. 〜

In one ear and out the other.=To listen to someone or something but not to hear what is actually being said.

馬耳東風。

When my boss speaks, it's in one ear and out the other.

動画はこちら↓
https://youtu.be/9milOLTd_Co

〜ニューヨーク英語学院〜

今週のワンポイント英会話 第626回 〜See ya'. 〜

See ya'.=To see you later or we'll meet again.

じゃ、また。

I have to go now. See ya'.

動画はこちら↓
https://youtu.be/rXlOZObUBqI

〜ニューヨーク英語学院〜

今週のワンポイント英会話 第625回 〜The only rodeo in town. 〜

The only rodeo in town. =The only thing happening in town.

町の唯一の出来事(スポーツなどの楽しみ）。

In Osaka the Hanshin Tigers baseball team is the only rodeo in town.


動画はこちら↓
https://youtu.be/jXaPpMwKJ5c

今週のワンポイント英会話 第624回 〜To keep a lid on it. 〜

To keep a lid on it. = To keep it quiet or to keep a secret.

静かにする。公にしない。

My house is very noisy.  The neighbors always call and tell us to keep a lid on it.

動画はこちら↓
https://youtu.be/7xffCNLn5sk

〜ニューヨーク英語学院〜

今週のワンポイント英会話 第623回 〜To sweep under the carpet. 〜

To sweep under the carpet. = To hide some kind of problem.

（不都合なことを）隠す。

He tried to sweep under the carpet the fact that he failed the exam.


動画はこちら↓
https://youtu.be/3d3zFFMyqGg　

〜ニューヨーク英語学院〜

Just another day in Nishinakajima.

Just another day. 
This morning I was greeted by a man about fifty-five. He was dressed as a female animation character. Complete with a long blonde, curly hair wig and pink and white dress with a petty coat also pink tights, pink shoes and a pink shoulder bag. I returned his greeting. 
Just another day in Nishinakajima.

~Tim~

今週のワンポイント英会話 第622回 〜Water under the bridge.〜

Water under the bridge. = An event that has already happened.

過ぎ去ったこと。

One should forget about yesterday's problems.  They are like water under the bridge.

動画はこちら↓

https://youtu.be/xGNUWgnIWo0

今週のワンポイント英会話 第621回 〜A wimp.〜

A wimp. = Someone who is not strong. A weak person.

弱虫。意気地無し。

In the negotiations with Iran, America was a wimp.

動画はこちら↓
https://youtu.be/bzi6x_H88Ik

〜ニューヨーク英語学院〜

Ken, who the ...... ?

Ken, Ken, who the #% is Ken.
Recently someone has been putting stickers on my signboard with some comments. The person signs his name with 'Ken'.  We always wondered who it was. I imagined a guy about thirty-five, short hair and well dressed. Today I met a fellow who introduced himself as Ken. He said that he was the one that put the stickers on my sign. He was in his fifties, grey hair, dressed in an unmatched jacket, pants and sweater vest. He looked like a junior high school math teacher. Well what do you know?

~Tim~

今週のワンポイント英会話 第620回 〜To come out of the blue and into the black.〜

To come out of the blue and into the black.= To come from nowhere and be a success.

前ぶれなく現れ成功を収める。

Apple corp. came out of the blue and into the black.

動画はこちら↓
https://youtu.be/GgMg1hddkj4

〜ニューヨーク英語学院〜

今週のワンポイント英会話 第619回 〜To catch some ZZs.〜

To catch some ZZs.= To get some sleep. 
＊When we sleep, sometimes we make a zz sound.  Thus called some ZZs.
仮眠を取る。眠る。

If I have free time after lunch, I sometimes catch some ZZs.

動画はこちら↓
https://youtu.be/cU_ivjh6ZmQ

〜ニューヨーク英語学院〜

Dear Ken,

You are welcome.
     ~Tim~

To Ken

 This is a note to a guy named Ken.  

 On my signboard in front of the building we hang a sign which says "One Point English Lesson". On the sign, we print a useful idiom or an interesting vocabulary word and their meanings in English and Japanese. This week we forgot. 
We were surprised to find a little note stuck to our sign which said: 
"Please change." It was signed 'Ken'.
  Ok Ken, we have changed

~Tim~

今週のワンポイント英会話 第618回 〜To fumble.〜

To fumble.= To move awkwardly. To drop something.

探し回る。つかみ損なう。

When I am at the check out counter in the supermarket, I often fumble for my money.

動画はこちら↓

https://youtu.be/U57PXEn9gj8

今週のワンポイント英会話 第617回 〜To be snakebitten.〜

To be snakebitten.= To have a lot of bad luck.

不運。

Recently, Texas Rangers pitcher Darvish has been snakebitten due to numerous injuries.

動画はこちら↓
http://youtu.be/eb0EW1da91E

〜ニューヨーク英語学院〜

今週のワンポイント英会話 第616回 〜Remarkable.〜

Remarkable.= Very impressive.

際立つ。

Ichiro has had a remarkable baseball career.

動画はこちら↓
http://youtu.be/i4QXaL-Hbr4

〜ニューヨーク英語学院〜

今週のワンポイント英会話 第615回 〜Under the weather.〜

Under the weather.= To feel slightly ill.

気分がすぐれない。

If I feel under the weather, I take a nap.

動画はこちら↓
http://youtu.be/agWSnnQpGOo

〜ニューヨーク英語学院〜

今週のワンポイント英会話 第614回 〜A setback.〜

A setback.= A small defeat.

妨げ。

Last week I had a case of the flu. It was a set back for my work schedule.


http://youtu.be/L7S7gJsDXMk

〜ニューヨーク英語学院〜

今週のワンポイント英会話 第613回 〜To forgive.〜

To forgive.= To pardon someone, overlook something or stop blame.
許す。

Someone stepped on my foot in the train but I forgave him.

動画はこちら→
http://youtu.be/t_PTNLxkuzQ

〜ニューヨーク英語学院〜

A woman struggling with packages.

Recently I noticed a young woman walking from the station carrying four huge white packages. As she came closer I noticed that she was a Chinese tourist and she was struggling to haul packages of 'Pampers' disposable paper diapers.

~Tim~

Good indication?!

A good indication of knowing when you are going to die

 is 

when you can see the face of the bus driver looking straight at you.

~Tim~

今週のワンポイント英会話 第612回 〜To cool off.〜

To cool off.= To settle down.

頭を冷やす。冷静になる。

When my kids start fighting, I tell them to cool off.

動画はこちら→
http://youtu.be/86gM-qX2tB8

〜ニューヨーク英語学院〜

今週のワンポイント英会話 第611回 〜To pony up.〜

To pony up.= To toughen up or to pay up.

強化する。支払う。

When things get tough, we must pony up and carry on.

動画はこちら→
http://youtu.be/U12yY57qVXs

〜ニューヨーク英語学院〜

Fire!!!!!

On Sunday I heard the screaming sirens of fire engines, ambulances and police cars. A few minutes later firefighters burst into my office looking for the fire. I told them that there wasn't a fire here. They said that they had received a call from this building and from this floor. When I asked them the name of the building that called they found out that came to the wrong building and then rushed out of my office.

~Tim~

今週のワンポイント英会話 第610回 〜To think twice.〜

To think twice.= To think again.

よく考える。ためらう。

You should think twice before you punch a boxer.


動画はこちら→
http://youtu.be/_-qGk-DRx08

〜ニューヨーク英語学院〜

今週のワンポイント英会話 第609回 〜To tolerate.〜

To tolerate.= To bear.

容認する。我慢する。

I find it difficult to tolerate someone who is driving and texting at the same time.


動画はこちら→
http://youtu.be/pGCZul9Qnp8

〜ニューヨーク英語学院〜

今週のワンポイント英会話 第608回 〜A can of worms.〜

A can of worms.= Lots of trouble.

厄介なこと。

If you mess with him, you might be opening a can of worms.



http://youtu.be/gi_A9yahSYg

〜ニューヨーク英語学院〜

Shop staff.

I went to the shop where the salesman sold me some slacks and a jacket from Italy. I happened to run into the same old guy. He asked about the clothes which I had bought. I told him that I was really happy with the color and the style. He said, in that case if you really liked those slacks, you love these. I bought the pants plus a matching shirt. The next I go to this shop I'm going to wear sunglasses so as not to meet this guy again.              ~Tim~