Speaking English Like A Native


ace in the hole
May 5, 2008, 4:29 pm
Filed under: english | Tags: ,

An advantage in a game or business that is kept in reserve, or secret until it is needed to ensure victory. the saying comes from the card game of poker.

  1. that guy always has an ace in the hole.
  2. he always comes up with an ace in the hole.
  3. what i need now is an ace in the hole.


A little bird told me
May 2, 2008, 4:07 pm
Filed under: english | Tags:

this is phrase used to conceal the identity of someone who has told you something that was previously confidential or secret.

example:

  1. a little bird told me, and you might as well stop asking because i’m not going to tell you who my little bird was.
  2. i heard it from a little bird.
  3. your little bird is nothing but a tattle tale.


A bird in the hand
May 2, 2008, 4:07 pm
Filed under: english | Tags:

this is and old saying that comes from the sport of bird hunting. when one bird is shot, the others fly away. it is another way saying that it is better to achieve one goal than try to do much and gain nothing,

example:

  1. a bird in the hand is worth two in the bush.
  2. let’s go for a bird in the hand and forget the rest.
  3. he was never satisfied with a bird in the hand, and went on to become successful.