Left by the Wayside Definition – Strange English Idiom

Usain Bolt was so fast he left the other runners at the wayside! Wow!

A ‘wayside’ is the part of the road which we do not use. It is the ‘edge’ of the road. If something is ‘left by the wayside’ it is forgotten about, or discarded.

If something or somebody is left by the wayside, they have been forgotten forever – it s not a good thing to happen. We also use this expression in English to express that somebody or something has failed.

To Fall by the Wayside – Examples

e.g. We were all running the marathon but Joan was not strong enough and fell by the wayside. He failed the race and is very upset.

e.g. My class is full of very clever people and I often feel like I am falling by the wayside. I think I need to talk to me teacher and change class.

To be Left by the Wayside – Examples

e.g. Joan needs to study harder in class, otherwise I am worried that he will fall by the wayside.

e.g. The song was unpopular and soon fell by the wayside. They didn’t even play it on the radio this week, it’s terrible!

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Up to Scratch – A Simple but Useful Enlglish Idiom

Up to Scratch

Messi was disappointed because his football skills were not up to scratch this season.

When something is ‘up to scratch’ it is as good as it should be. We use it to express that something is to the standard we think it should be.  You can also say that something is ‘not up to scratch’ which means that something is not as good as you think it should be. It’s basically another way of saying that something is ‘good’ or ‘bad’.

Usage of Idiom ‘Up to Scratch’

Although you could use this idiom to talk about anything, in English we normally use it to express how we feel about work which has been done.

The builder’s work was not up to scratch. I was very angry!

e.g. The builder said that he had finished the extension but when I looked I found that the work was not up to scratch. I have told him to come back next week to do a better job.

e.g. We don’t expect our new staff to be up to scratch on their first day, we have a training program to help new staff learn what they need to do.

e.g. I was worried that Messi wouldn’t be up to scratch this year but it looks like he has been training hard. I’m very impressed with his progress.

Origins of English Idiom ‘Up to Scratch’

Like all idioms it’s difficult to know for sure where this express came from. However, it is considered to come from the old world of fighting. Years ago, fighters would not start fighting at the ring of a bell, instead the referee would scratch a line into the dirt on the floor. The fight would start when both men stepped over the line. If a man was unable to step over the line, people would say that he was ‘not up to scratch’.

Las Letras de Barcelona, ​​de Freddie Mercury (en ingles)

Barcelona barcelona
Barcelona barcelona
Viva

I had this perfect dream
-un sueno me envolvio
This dream was me and you
-tal vez estas aqui
I want all the world to see
-un instinto me guiaba
A miracle sensation
My guide and inspiration
Now my dream is slowly coming true

The wind is a gentle breeze
-el me hablo de ti
The bells are ringing out

-el canto vuela
They’re calling us together
Guiding us forever
Wish my dream would never go away

Barcelona – it was the first time that we met
Barcelona – how can I forget
The moment that you stepped into the room you took my breath away
Barcelona – la musica vibros
Barcelona – y ella nos unio
And if God willing we will meet again someday

Let the songs begin
-dejalo nacer
Let the music play
-ahhhhhhhh…
Make the voices sing
-nace un gran amor
Start the celebration
-van a mi
And cry
-grita
Come alive
-vive

And shake the foundations from the skies
Ah,ah,shaking all our lives

Barcelona – such a beautiful horizon
Barcelona – like a jewel in the sun
Por ti sere gaviota de tu bella mar
Barcelona – suenan las campamas
Barcelona – abre tus puertas al mundo
If God is willing
-if God is willing
If God is willing
Friends until the end

Viva – barcelona

English Adjectives Quiz – for Intermediate, FCE and CAE English Students

Ask your questions at the bottom of the page

1. How many adjectives are there in this sentence?
The job looks interesting but Tom says it’s boring.
A) 1
B) 2√ (Interesting and boring are adjectives)
C) 3

2. How many adjectives are there in this sentence?
It’s a long form but some questions are not relevant.
A) 1
B) 2
C) 3√ (long, some and relevant are adjectives)

3. How many adjectives are there in this sentence?
I was really excited when the letter arrived.
A) 1√ (Excited)
B) 2
C) 3

4. How many adjectives are there in this sentence?
The weather has been terrible today – wet and windy!
A) 1
B) 2
C) 3√ (terrible, wet and windy)

5. ‘Miserable’ is an adjective.
A) True √
B) False

6. ‘Scarecrow’ is an adjective.
A) True
B) False √

7. ‘Happiness’ is an adjective.
A) True
B) False √

8. Which is a good adjective to finish the sentence?
I would really like to buy a(n) ……… dress.
A) ugly
B) silk √
C) wooden

9. Which is a good adjective to finish the sentence?
Have you got any …. peaches?
A) mature
B) old
C) ripe√

10. Which is a good adjective to finish the sentence?
Well done on tidying your room – it’s …… .
A) spotless√ (spotless means ‘perfect’)
B) filthy
C) untidy

Which of these sentences contains an adjective, a word you can use to describe people,
places and things?
A) The man is walking.
B) The man is cooking.
C) The tall man.√ (tall is an adjective)
D) The man is running.

2. Which of these phrases contains an adjective, a word you can use to describe people, places
and things?
A) The lovely cake.√ (a lovely town, a lovely person, a lovely chair)
B) They danced happily.
C) This is my holiday.
D) This is my house.

3. Which of these sentences contains an adjective, a word you can use to describe people,
places and things?
A) How do you feel?
B) That colour so pretty.√ (A pretty girl, a pretty car, a pretty city)
C) I love bananas.
D) I hate apples.

4. Which of these phrases contains an adjective, a word you can use to describe people, places and things?
A) Take me home.
B) Give it to him.
C) The weather is glorious.√ (A glorious country, a glorious cake, a glorious man)
D) George talks slowly.

5. Which of these sentences contains an adjective, a word you can use to describe people,
places and things?
A) The house is empty.√
B) They asked for the money hopefully.
C) I asked him to send the letter urgently.
D) She is dressed very smartly.

6. Which of these words is not an adjective, a word you can use to describe people, places and things?
A) house√
B) large
C) empty
D) tidy

7. Which of these words is not an adjective, a word you can use to describe people, places and things?
A) high
B) bright
C) nose√
D) local

8. Which of these words is not an adjective, a word you can use to describe people, places and things?
A) slim
B) thin
C) legs√
D) posh

9. Which of these words is not an adjective, a word you can use to describe people, places and things?

A) circle√
B) round
C) long
D) straight

10. Which of these words is not an adjective, a word you can use to describe people, places and things?
A) wild
B) cold
C) hold√
D) new

With thanks to the BBC

20 English Abbreviations to use when you are texting your friends in English!

At Wellington, we’re always trying to find ways to give you the most commonly used, authentic English. As I was texting (mandar un mensaje) my friend, I realised that I used abbreviations for lots of words. Here is a list of the most popular text message abbreviations people use in the English language. You can practice using an abbreviation by leaving us a comment at the bottom of this page, or talking to us on our Facebook wall

1. gtg 2. lol 3. rofl 4. bwt 5. sup 6. wtf 7. fyi 8. asap 9. w/ 10. BF

got to go Laugh out loud roll on floor laughing by the way what’s up what the f*** for your information as soon as possible With boy friend

11. b4 12. cos 13. GF 14. jk 15. l8r 16. omg 17. thx 18. oxox 19. zzzz 20. cya

before because Girl friend just kidding later oh my god thanks hugs and kisses sleeping or bored see ya