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A nail in the coffin is one of a series of things that leads to the failure of destruction of something. The flood is yet another nail in the coffin for this year's crop. This is how the expression is used in one of our stories:In the 1990s former Soviet whaling captains who worked in the Antarctic in the 60s admitted that at the time they'd massively under reported their catch. Between 1960 and 62, they said they'd taken 400 humpbacks but in truth they'd taken 14,000. born with a special talent or skillThat was not the last nail in the coffin that was just a massive nail right through the middle of the whole thing. He's a naturally gifted athlete. This is how the expression is used in one of our stories:It's not just that he has a beautiful and he's very naturally gifted from a vocal point of view, but he's outstanding in the way in which he is so disciplined. very closeAs the horses approach the finish line, it's neck and neck. This is how the expression is used in one of our stories:First race it was neck and neck all the way, but the Queenslanders scraped through to the finals, meaning the Territorians had to race again. particular area; localityWhat are you doing in this neck of the woods. This is how the expression is used in one of our stories:Now, this festival and this event we think is very important, because those links are growing and it is important for our country to engage with our near neighbours - far more important than it is, say, for America or Europe, because it's our neck of the woods. money saved for the futureI'm going to use our nest egg to travel around the world. This is how the expression is used in one of our stories:Well, Mark Latham talks of a youth savings scheme, a kind of superannuation for the young, so that all first home buyers would have a nest egg to buy into property. Something that is never in or beyond your wildest dreams is something totally unexpected but very pleasant.Never in my wildest dreams did I think I would become famous. This is how the expression is used in one of our stories:All my friends in Australia had joked to me before I left, saying, "Oh, you're going to marry a Samoan and stay there." And it was never in my wildest dreams. never had any regretsSince I changed jobs I've never looked back. new typeHe's one of the new breed of scientists. This is how the expression is used in one of our stories:In 1841, this East Coast view was chosen as the backdrop for a new breed of prison. If a person is given a new lease on life they have an increase of interest and energy for life.The promotion has given him a new lease on life. This is how the expression is used in one of our stories:He was contemplating leaving the profession, but says essential learnings has given him a new lease on his teaching life. specialised marketThere is a niche market for live insects to feed pet frogs. This is how the expression is used in one of our stories:Kellyville Pets in Sydney says tarantulas are sold to a small niche market, in numbers far less than 10,000 a year. stop something in its early stagesThis computer program nips in the bud any problems with viruses. This is how the expression is used in one of our stories:He says the program works because it nips typical behavioural problems in the bud, encouraging students to take control of their relationships with their peers and teachers, tackle their fears, and help others to do the same. even if it's difficult; in any circumstancesI'm going to finish this job no matter what. This is how the expression is used in one of our stories:No grandparent resents bringing up their own grandkids. I mean any grandparent that's worth her salt will say "these are my flesh and blood and I'll take them no matter what". not easyLearning English is no mean feat. This is how the expression is used in one of our stories:By anyone's standards packing a school hall full of this many kids is no mean feat, making them laugh is something most wouldn't attempt and keeping them captivated, some would say, is impossible. If you have no say in something, you are not consulted or listened to.I had no say in the redesign of the website. This is how the expression is used in one of our stories:Here is a government that is giving millions of dollars but still has no say whatsoever in the running of Radio Australia. The expression no worries is very common in Australia and is often used to say that you will do something without complaint.Can you drive me home? This is how the expression is used in one of our stories:No worries. Okay Grace, just fire it up, make sure that these plugs are okay. Something that is an obvious choice or doesn't need much intelligence to work out is called a no-brainer.No worries. The choice between accepting the offer or not is a no-brainer. If we don't accept, we'll have to close down. This is how the expression is used in one of our stories:Given a choice between hiring someone with 30 years' experience and someone with no experience, I think that's a no-brainer. Something that is not a patch on something else is not nearly as good as that something else.Australian soccer is not a patch on English soccer. This is how the expression is used in one of our stories:The fishing's not a patch on what it used to be. not all pleasure; not just funLife's not all beer and skittles. This is how the expression is used in one of our stories:But it is not all beer and skittles yet, the entrance to the terminal and parking seems to be confusing some. not say anything or reveal a secretDon't breathe a word about what I've told you. Something that's not on is not acceptableLoud music after midnight is not on. This is how the expression is used in one of our stories:I think the "Pathway to Peace" program is very beneficial for little kids to help them understand that doing the wrong thing isn't on and that it helps older people as well in the community to understand that peace is the best way in harmony. not out of danger yetThings have improved, but we're not out of the woods yet. This is how the expression is used in one of our stories:It's a very important thing for people to realise to be very careful about consumption of water. We are not out of the woods yet. Not to mention is used to add another part to a sentence, and emphasises that this addition is also important, although only added on at the end.I would like to congratulate all of the competitors who have made such an effort at these games, not to mention their coaches. completelyThe team's win was nothing short of incredible. This is how the expression is used in one of our stories:He did a job that's nothing short ofmiraculous Nothing to write home about means something's not very interesting or remarkable. It’s pretty ordinary.The book is nothing to write home about, but at least it's short. This means that if you don’t' try new things or take risks, you won't ever get the benefits of taking a risk."Nothing ventured, nothing gained", he said as he bet a thousand dollars at the casino. This is how the expression is used in one of our stories:These scientists say it's a case of nothing ventured, nothing gained and all they can do now is cross their fingers. A nuclear family is the immediate family of mother, father and children living together by themselves.The conventional model of the family in modern industrialised societies is the nuclear family. This is how the expression is used in one of our stories:For much of the last century the nuclear family proved itself a resilient centrepiece of Australian culture. To nut out a problem is to think about it or solve it.It took me a while to nut out how to use the EB website. This is how the expression is used in one of our stories:That's basically getting the scientists and the experts together nutting out what are the things we can do.
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Common Expressions