Some idiomatic phrases in English, often used in both spoken and written language, are very confusing! They don't even make sense when you first see them. However, using one of these phrases correctly when speaking or writing to an English speaker is very impressive and shows that you are comfortable with the language. Here are some wonderful and interesting British idioms. Use them wisely.

    When pigs fly!

This expression is one of my favorites and I use it all the time. It is used primarily when speaking, meaning that something is extremely unlikely or impossible. For example, "I will forgive him when pigs fly!" "When do you think you will get a gym membership, Lucy?" "When pigs fly!"

    A penny for your thoughts?

This question is used in a situation where someone appears thoughtful or is very quiet seeming lost in thought. But remember that you don't actually have to pay them a penny if they do tell you what is going on! For example, "You've been a bit quiet this evening, Pete. A penny for your thoughts?"

    It's the bee's knees

The phrase dates back to the 1920s, and refers to an extraordinary person, thing, idea, and so on. For example, "Try this chocolate. It's the bee's knees."

    To feel a bit under the weather

    I use this expression in many different situations but most use it to refer to feeling ill, or unwell. You would not use this phrase if you were feeling extremely unwell. It is only for those times when you are feeling a little ill or suffering from something slightly like a cold or a cough. However, this can also be used to refer to feeling emotionally low.

    Apple Seeds

    Circulation（发行量）: 1 Year, 9 Issues（—期）

    Cover Price: $44.55

    Price for You: $33.95

    Product Description: Apple Seeds is an award winning magazine filled with stories for kids aged from 7 to 9. The cover is very soft, providing durability（耐用性）that allows each issue to be enjoyed for many years to come. Besides, there is a big surprise for you－it's being sold at a more favorable discount than usual.

    Better Life

    Circulation: 1 Year, 12 Issues

    Cover Price: $44.55

    Price for You: $15.00

    Product Description: Designed for those who have a strong interest in personal lifestyle. Better life is an America's complete home and family service magazine. It offers help with food, recipes, decorating（装潢）, building, gardening, family health, money management and education.

    Humor Times

    Circulation: 1 Year, 12 Issues

    Cover Price: $36.00

    Price for You: $11.95

    Product Description: Humor Times is for those who love to laugh! Full of cartoons and humor columns, it shows up in your mailbox once a month and keeps you smiling all year round! In today's world, you need a reason to laugh. So let's find it in Humor Times.

    News China

    Circulation: I Year, 12 Issues

    Cover Price: $47.88

    Price for You: $19.99

    Product Description: News China is the English edition of China Newsweek. The magazine covers the latest Chinese domestic news in politics, society, environment, culture, sports and travels, etc. It is the first comprehensive news magazine for readers interested in China.

    If you get into the forest with your friends, stay with them always. If you don't, you may get lost. If you really get lost, this is what you should do. Sit down and stay where you are. Don't try to find your friends—let them find you by staying in one place.

    There is another way to help your friends or other nearby people to find you. Give them a signal (信号) by shouting or whistling (吹口哨) three times. Any signal given three times is a call for help.

    Keep up shouting or whistling always three times together. When people hear you, they will know that you are not just making noise for fun. They will let you know that they have heard your signal. They give you two shouts, two whistles, or two gun-shots (枪声). When someone gives you a signal, it is an answer to a call for help.

If you don't think that you will get help before night comes, try to make a little house—cover up to the holes with branches (树枝) with lots of leaves. Make yourself a soft bed with leaves and grass.

    What should you do if you get hungry or need drinking water? You would have to leave your little house to look for a river. Don't just walk away. Pick off small branches and drop them as you walk so that you can find your way back. The most important thing to do when you are lost is—stay in one place.

Sales Executive

    Pindan Labor Solutions is expanding and we require a Sales Executive. Working hours from Monday to Friday, 12 months a year. However, some weekend work may be required. You will be assisting our team of consultants with business development. You can get a monthly income of $5,200. Essential requirements include previous sales experience, strong communication skills, high level of computer competency (能力）,WA driver's license.

    For more information, please e-mail to Stefan @ tigerhospitality.com or phone 0452 236 541.

Martial Arts Trainer

    Go-Kan-Ryu Karate has a number of positions available for people who have an interest in the martial arts. The position will involve training new students on working days. An expected first year income of $45,000. Excellent people skills and previous experience are essential. Own car and license required.

    Please contact Tim Hort on 0285 371 464 or kvle@hospitalio.com for further information.

Workshop Manager

    Located in Wongan Hills WA, Beckman Machinery want a Service/Workshop Manager to join our successful team. Your role will be to provide the best possible service to customers, Monday to Friday. You must have trade certificate, excellent communication and computer skills. Knowledge of agricultural products is essential. You can get at least $50,000 in your first year.

    Please call Stuart 0427 111 105 or email to stuart@boekemans.com.au if any further information is needed.

Farmhand

    A general farmhand is required to work on a farm located 40kms from Condobolin. A driver's license is essential. Duties include: Sheep, Cattle work; Cropping & irrigation. Weekends off, except during sowing and harvest periods. $39,000 a year.

    If you are interested in farm work, please e-mail to diane.moisis@cwcc.nsw.edu.au or call 0167 327 047 for detailed information.

    Do you ever wonder why trees begin to bud (发芽) earlier in some cities? Scientists finally found the answer but it's not very pleasant. New science suggests a relationship between light pollution and the timing when trees produce buds, which signals the arrival of the spring season.

    Light pollution is defined by the Lighting Research Center as the unwanted consequence of outdoor lighting such as street lights. Excessive (过多的) man-made light at night results in disturbed natural cycles, and also prevents the observation of stars and planets at night. But its effect on the environment goes beyond that.

    By studying some trees, researchers found out that trees that are more exposed to artificial lighting at night bud up to 7.5 days earlier than those at the natural nighttime setting. And they found out that light had a more significant effect than temperature when the buds came out. The early budding may cause problems for insects, which feed on leaves, and the birds which then feed on them in turn. Professor Richard French Constant, who helped lead the research, explained that more than the budding of trees, the study implies the danger to the balance of the ecosystem. “At the moment, caterpillars (毛毛虫) are timed to hatch to make the most of the opportunities to feed on freshly budded leaves, and birds hatch in time to feed on the young caterpillar,” he said.

    Migratory (迁徙的) birds are also negatively affected by light pollution. The glare might confuse them and make them lose their flying sense. The phenomenon might explain why some birds accidentally knock into buildings.

    Such results stress the need to pursue studies that aim to measure the effect of light pollution. If the issue were left to continue, it is estimated that by 2100, spring would begin almost a full month earlier than it does today.

    I was driving my newly acquired motorcycle across the vastness of North Dakota when all of the sudden it froze up on the road. I would later be told the belt had slipped and this caused one of the pistons(活塞)to break a cylinder(气缸)head, or something like that.

    Anyway, I sat on the side of the road for what seemed like hours. I even pretended to have been in an accident, which didn't help. Finally, a young man pulled over and offered me a ride, but given that he already had two motorcycles in the back of his truck, he could only take me.

    He drove me to the next town, where I asked to be dropped off Rather than drop me off, he waited while I asked around if anyone could help me to pick up my motorcycle. One elderly gentleman was working and said that I could use his pickup! Can you imagine that a stranger gave me the keys to his pick up. It was quite an experience, I must say. So, as I drove back 20 miles to get my motorcycle, the gentleman who first stopped to help me followed me. We both put the motorcycle in the back of the truck and then I followed him another 50 miles or so and we both unloaded the motorcycle at his place. Then, he followed me back to the small town so I could return the man's truck. I didn't have much cash on me, maybe $40, but I gave it to the man for the use of his truck.

    Two strangers helped rescue me from spending the night on the side of the road in ND. I don't recall their names, but when I close my eyes I can see their faces as if it were yesterday. Thank you, strangers. You may be reading this right now.