28 Novembre 2017

BABY IT'S COLD OUTSIDE!

Winter is here!

Anche se lentamente, il freddo finalmente è arrivato! È quindi il momento giusto per prepararci una bella tazza di tè caldo e imparare un po’ di espressioni legate al freddo e alla neve. 

Leggete il testo qui sotto e cercare di capire il significato delle parole in grassetto.

Alla fine troverete il glossario e la spiegazione di tutte le espressioni.

If you were in Milan yesterday, as well as a feeling for the cold snap, you would have seen a special event. Around 5pm it started snowing, but not just a little - a lot!

Usually, snowfall happens during the night, so when you wake up you see this wonderful sight of snow-covered houses and buildings. This time was different as you could see snowflakes in front of your very eyes, and it was very cool to see.

When it snows heavily in some areas, everything just stops the next day, like transports, work and shools. Some people break into a cold sweat at the thought of not being able to go our or being trapped inside some place. Fortunately (or unfortunately, depending how you look at it) snow doesn't settle for long anymore as the weather is so changeable nowadays. However, if you're snowed in again, here are some idea what you can do being stuck indoors: 

Email people

Usually when you haven’t emailed friends for a while, they start to think that you are giving them the cold shoulder. Email them back to reassure them you’re not. When people had to write letters before the internet, it was understandable that it could be a tiring thing to do regularly. However, in the cold light of day, there are no excuses not to catch up with your emails and reply to a friend, particularly when you can’t go outside!

Watch a scary movie

I know not everyone likes horror films but spine-chilling movies that make your blood run cold always warm up the spirit!

Take a bath

If you’re stressed at being snowed in or you’re snowed under at work, a bath is a good way to take away your troubles.

Talk to family

Don’t leave your family out in the cold on what is happening in your life. People usually forget how quick time goes, so give them a call and update them. Parents in particular would be very happy to hear from you.

Book a holiday

When you can’t go outside because of the bad weather, it always cheers you up to start looking at holidays online. If there is one you have always wanted, don’t get cold feet and just book it.

Give up a bad habit and start cooking

Cooking is the fashionable thing to do nowadays. Don’t pour cold water on the idea if you can’t cook because you can find recipes on our blog, too. It’s also a good time to stop a bad habit. People do say the best way to give up with something bad is to go cold turkey.

COLD/SNOW VOCABULARY

A COLD SNAP

A sudden period of extreme cold weather.

SNOWFALL

Amount of snow that falls during a specific period of time.

COOL

Something awesome.

SNOWFLAKE

A particle of snow.

TO SETTLE (snow)

Verb that snow does when it falls on the ground and stays.

TO SNOW HEAVILY

Snow a lot.

SPINE-CHILLING

Adjective to say very scary.

 

COLD IDIOMS

BREAK INTO A COLD SWEAT

To suddenly become very scared about something.

TO BE SNOWED IN

Being trapped somewhere because of too much snow.

GIVE SOMEONE THE COLD SHOULDER

To behave in an unfriendly way to someone / ignore.

IN THE COLD LIGHT OF THE DAY

To think about something clearly and often feel shame afterwards.

MAKE YOUR BLOOD RUN COLD

To make you very scared about something.

SNOWED UNDER

Overworked, especially busy.

LEAVE SOMEONE OUT IN THE COLD

To not involve someone in something, like a group.

TO GET COLD FEET

To suddenly become too scared to do something planned.

TO POUR COLD WATER ON SOMETHING 

To try and stop and idea to do something.

TO GO COLD TURKEY

To stop a habit all in at once, not slowly bit-by-bit.

 

Speriamo di non avervi fatto venire troppi brividi con le English Tips legate al freddo e alla neve. Il nostro consiglio è, come sempre, provare a memorizzare queste espressioni e usarle alla prima occasione per poterne acquisire prima possibile la padronanza assoluta.

Se poi volete ampliare il vostro vocabolario, rafforzare la conoscenza delle regole grammaticali o semplicemente rinfrescare il vostro inglese, English Corner è sempre a disposizione con i moduli da 5, 10, 15 o 20 ore, che sono anche un regalo di Natale utile e memorabile!