Learn advanced English idioms to sound better. Discuss idiomatic expressions for difficult situations. Delve into the metaphorical meaning of 'having one's back to the wall'. Explore idioms like 'catch 22' and 'vicious circle'. Learn problem-solving idioms and practice using them.
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Quick takeaways
When you are at your wits end, it means you have exhausted all options and can't find a solution to a problem or difficulty.
Grasping at straws refers to hoping for something, anything, that will help you resolve a problem or difficulty.
Deep dives
Being at Your Wits End
When you are at your wits end, you have tried everything and don't know what to do. It's a point of extreme frustration and confusion. Being at your wits end means you have exhausted all options and can't find a solution to a problem or difficulty. It's like feeling stuck, running in circles with no clear way out. This can happen, for example, when you have financial problems and have approached various sources for help, but none have been able to assist you.
Grasping at Straws
Grasping at straws refers to hoping for something, anything, that will help you resolve a problem or difficulty. It often occurs when you have exhausted all other options and are left with a desperate attempt to find a solution. It's like grabbing onto a straw in quicksand, where it's unlikely to support you and provides a false sense of hope. For instance, if you are facing a financial problem and have already asked friends, family, and the bank for help, you might consider asking your boss for an advance on your salary, even though deep down you know it's unlikely to be feasible.
Things Going South
When things go south, they go from bad to worse. It signifies a deteriorating situation or a series of troubles piling up. This can relate to various aspects of life, such as relationships, work, or personal finances. For example, if you feel unhappy and dissatisfied in multiple areas of your life, like having problems in your relationship, disliking your job, and facing financial difficulties, you might say that everything in your life has gone south.
Learn some special English phrases to make you sound better! In this lesson, you'll learn advanced English idioms that can help improve your speaking and make you better at English. Learn to talk about problems and difficulties in informal English. By the end of this lesson, you'll know more English phrases, and you'll be able to use them in your daily conversations and speak more like a native speaker.
I'll teach you the meaning, and tell you how the idioms are used in context. If you're trying to get better at English, maybe for tests like IELTS, CAE, or TOEFL, or just to speak more like a native speaker with confidence, this lesson will help you improve your English skills.