Tài liệu English Expressions ppt

~~~~~~*A*~~~~~~
a beauty
The expression a beauty is slang for something that is highly
valued.
Our new car is a beauty.
This is how the expression is used in one of our stories:
Now the fridge is a beauty. It runs on gas, used to be kerosene.

a bit rough
Something that is a bit rough is unfair.
The penalty decision was a bit rough.

a blast
Something that is a blast is a lot of fun.
Flying in a plane is a blast.
This is how the expression is used in one of our stories:
So that was incredibly exciting, especially coming from Alice
Springs which is quite remote, to go there and be immersed in
this kind of incredibly kind of cutting edge and really exciting
field, yeah, that was really a blast.

a dip
a swim
I enjoy a dip on a hot day.
This is how the expression is used in one of our stories:
Just came out with the boys for a bit of a dip.

a far cry from
very different from something
This new car is a far cry from my old bicycle.
This is how the expression is used in one of our stories:

For pets and owners alike, sledding is a far cry from the
traditional run through the local park or walk around the block

a go
To give something a go means to give it a chance, or a try.
I'll give that new face cream a go.
This is how the expression is used in one of our stories:
At a public meeting he managed to convince about a dozen
people from the town of 300 to give his idea a go.

a hell of a lot
a large amount
I've got a hell of a lot of work to do.
This is how the expression is used in one of our stories:
They're just like the full-sized locomotives but in miniature.
You have to steam them up, you have to shovel coal while
you're driving along. You have to make sure the water level is
still the same so in many senses it's just the same as driving a
big one, and a hell of a lot lighter.

a helping hand / a hand
help; assistance
The charity offers a helping hand to the homeless.
This is how the expression is used in one of our stories:
And then - I remember the date - on the January 20, 1955, Dad
wanted a hand in the shop so he said, "Come down for a few
years and help me in our general store," but it's turned out 51
years later, I'm still here.

a must

something that must be experienced
This new film is a must.
This is how the expression is used in one of our stories:
Fishermen crave it and for tourists a taste is a must and that
taste is catching on.

a picture of health
If someone is a picture of health they look very healthy.
You're a picture of health today.
This is how the expression is used in one of our stories:
10 years on, Glenys is a picture of health but her world was
rocked three years ago with another call from Jo.

a steal
a bargain
These shoes are a steal at five dollars.
This is how the expression is used in one of our stories:
About 60 locals have put what they could into buying the
building - a steal at $33,000.

a storm brewing
big problems coming in the future
There is a storm brewing in the office.

about to
To be about to do something is to be going to do it very soon or
in the near future.
I'm about to go to bed.
This is how the expression is used in one of our stories:
Along with his partner, musician Wendy Rule, Llewellyn

Griffiths is now about to embark on a worldwide selling trip.

across the board
over the whole range of things
Prices have fallen across the board.
This is how the expression is used in one of our stories:
Trades areas, I think the whole raft of trades, you can start at
the construction trades, electrical trades, across the board.

act like a sheep
To act like a sheep is to follow without thinking.
She always acts like a sheep and buys the latest fashion.
add another string to your bow
To add another string to your bow is to have another thing you
can do if what you are already doing fails.
You can't go through life with just one skill. You need to add
another string to your bow.
This is how the expression is used in one of our stories:
The Walcha district has been renowned for its sheep, its cattle,
its timber, and having some of the lowest temperatures in New
South Wales. Today, it is adding another string to its bow with
its art.

ad-hoc
not planned; happening when necessary
We have meetings here on an ad hoc basis.
This is how the expression is used in one of our stories:
We do things often in a very ad hoc way. We need to do that
better.

against all the odds
in spite of huge difficulties; even though it looked impossible
Against all the odds, she became president.
This is how the expression is used in one of our stories:
Against all the odds, he survived.

akin to
similar to; having the same qualities
Cricket is akin to baseball because they are both summer games
that used a bat and ball.
This is how the expression is used in one of our stories:
The human technology equivalent is something akin to breast
cancer screenings, although this horse test is much broader, and
can be used as regularly as every fortnight.

all but
almost; just about; nearly
I’ve all but finished writing the report.
This is how the expression is used in one of our stories:
Paul Schembri, from the Canegrowers Association, says the
devastating mix of poor weather, low prices, competition from
Brazil and crop disease have pushed many farmers deep into
the red and all but out of business.
The expression all but can also be used to mean all except.
I answered all but the last two questions on the test.

all clear
The all clear is an indication that a situation is no longer
dangerous.
The doctor has given me the all clear and I'll be back to work

soon.
This is how the expression is used in one of our stories:
Until the all clear is given, Tennant Creek residents are being
asked to remain vigilant and keep a close eye on potential
mozzie breeding areas.

all done up
dressed elaborately for an occasion
She got all done up for the wedding.
This is how the expression is used in one of our stories:
Love the clothing. I'm not all done up tonight, but I love the
20s Charleston gear.

all in a day's work
not unusual; part of the ordinary rountine
Dealing with people who are drunk is just all in a day's work to
policemen in this area.
This is how the expression is used in one of our stories:
But for black tracker Jimmy James, solving famous murders
and hunting prison escapees was all in a day's work.

all manner of
all sorts of; all kinds of; many different types
There are all manner of solutions to this problem.
This is how the expression is used in one of our stories:
So you're saying accounts, client information, emails: all
manner of sensitive information can be gotten?
all of a sudden
suddenly
All of a sudden she decided to go out.

This is how the expression is used in one of our stories:
one computer, is certainly mind-boggling complexity, but
when you then strap together a million - a hundred million
them and allow them to connect to each other live, all of a
sudden you've created this monstrous system…

all the go
very popular (informal)
SMS text messages are all the go.
This is how the expression is used in one of our stories:
Adventure tourism is all the go.

all up
adding everything together
All up your bill comes to $150.
This is how the expression is used in one of our stories:
In true accountant style, Alan Shadgett has kept all the
paperwork, and he says all up it's cost him around $30,000.

all walks of life
all kinds of jobs and backgrounds
People from all walks of life enjoy watching football.
This is how the expression is used in one of our stories:
we get all walks of people that come through here.

along those lines
similar
I liked the style of their house - perhaps we could build one
along those lines.
This is how the expression is used in one of our stories:

Hopefully in a few years time the girls can start getting some
crowds and start getting some match payments and contracts -
something along those lines, but it is improving and we can
only hope for it to get better.

amounts to
adds up to; seems to be; is
Not feeding your pets amounts to cruel treatment.
This is how the expression is used in one of our stories:
Every time one of those children of the parents that I met in
some of these locations three decades ago is in difficulty at
school, is getting in trouble with the law, this amounts to a
breach of the Australian ethic and idea of a fair go.

and that
et cetera; and so on; other things like that
I like driving anything fast - motorbikes, speedboats and that.
This is how the expression is used in one of our stories:
Yeah, it's been really rewarding just, like, growing up with
them and just being able to experience other cultures and being,
yeah, tolerant of these other cultures and customs and that.

anybody's guess
When it's anybody's guess when no-one really knows what the
facts are.
It's anybody's guess how many kangaroos there are in
Australia.
This is how the expression is used in one of our stories:
There could be hand grenades, detonators - anything from
bazooka shells to artillery shells - and hopefully they're all kept

in a safe and secure state. But 60 years down the track it's
anybody's guess.

appear out of thin air
To appear out of thin air is to appear suddenly and
unexpectedly as if out of nowhere.
She expects money to just appear out of thin air.
This is how the expression is used in one of our stories:
By turning the camera on or off people could be made to vanish
or appear out of thin air, and superimposing two scenes made
transparent ghosts gradually appear and then fade away.

apple of my eye
The apple of somebody's eye is a person who is loved the most,
usually a child.
My daughter is the apple of my eye.

apple pie order
If we say that things are in apple pie order, we mean that they
are in excellent condition.
My health is in apple pie order.

appreciate in value
become more valuable; increase in price
Property is something that will always appreciate in value.
This is how the expression is used in one of our stories:
She says while they may appear a low cost option, relocatable
homes rarely appreciate in value and are more expensive than
conventional housing in the long term.

armed with
To be armed with something is to have something that can be
used to achieve something.
Armed with his improved English, he applied for a university
course in Australia.
This is how the expression is used in one of our stories:
Armed with camcorders, a stills camera and a microphone,
Michael and Drew are out to prove that ghosts exist and can be
found all over Tasmania.

as a rule
mostly; often enough for it to appear to be a rule
As a rule, cars have four wheels, but some British models have
only three.
This is how the expression is used in one of our stories:
As a rule, it's generally an older person's sport.

as if
as though; in a way that suggests
He looked as if he would cause trouble.
This is how the expression is used in one of our stories:
To get blokes to sing - it is very hard - and they think they can't
sing but I get them to go something like DAY-OH DAY-
AY-AY-OH DAYLIGHT COME AND ME WANNA GO
HOME and so you ask the blokes to sing that and it's as if it's
like not a song!

as safe as houses
very safe
Investing in bank shares is as safe as houses.

This is how the expression is used in one of our stories:
He grew up in the area and he says the precious Aldinga Scrub
will be as safe as houses.

as such
Here , as such means literally or in the usual sense of the word.
There is no hotel as such in the town, but you can find
accomodation at the caravan park.
because of what something is
I am the main contributor and, as such, I should be paid the
most.
in itself; as it is
I'm not interested in money as such, but I do like the things it
can buy.

as the crow flies
The expression as the crow flies refers to the shortest distance
between two points measured in the air above the ground.
The top of the next hill is only a kilometre away as the crow
flies, but it's twice that distance when you have to walk down
into the valley and up the other side.
This is how the expression is used in one of our stories:
It was, and is, our greatest river. Our centre of myth and
legend, our Mississippi or Amazon. But it drains the world’s
flattest and driest continent and weaves like a drunken sailor,
taking three miles to travel one mile, as the crow flies.

as well
in addition to; too
They sell tea as well as coffee.

This is how the expression is used in one of our stories:
Well, my father was a world champion and my great uncle was
a world champion as well so it's been in my family all my life.

at a crossroads
at a point in time when a decision must be made or when
something different is about to happen
She's at a crossroads in her life. She either starts a family or
takes the promotion.
This is how the expression is used in one of our stories:
In WA, as in all of Australia's southern states, the wild-caught
abalone industry is at a crossroads.

at all
in any way
I'm not at all confused.
This is how the expression is used in one of our stories:
In the last year or so, I've spent several thousand dollars on
these seven-inches. It has never gotten me down at all.

at bay
To hold something at bay is to stop it from doing damage.
I held the lion at bay with a chair.
This is how the expression is used in one of our stories:
No plant is fireproof, but there are plants which are less
flammable and better suited to holding the fire at bay.

at close quarters
close together; within a short distance
I want to move to a position at close quarters to the nest so I

can film the birds feeding their babies.
This is how the expression is used in one of our stories:
Living at close quarters in work camps along the rail route,
fitting into the team is a key part of handling the tough
conditions.

at home
To be at home means to feel comfortable and relaxed in a
place.
He's at home in the water.
This is how the expression is used in one of our stories:
He's usually more at home on a harvester, so for Cameron
Tubby, this isn't your average crop.

at its peak
at its best; at the highest point
Her career is at its peak.

at odds with
not in agreement with
I'm at odds with my boss about how much I should be paid.
This is how the expression is used in one of our stories:
While the ponies are now a managed herd, conservationists
argue that their presence is at odds with the founding principles
of national parks.

at once
At once can mean immediately.
I want you to do this at once.
Or it can mean at the same time.

I can't understand if you all talk at once.

at stake
at risk; in jeopardy
The soldiers put their lives at stake during the battle.
This is how the expression is used in one of our stories:
With all of science, there are large egos involved and scientists
have a lot at stake.

at the drop of a hat
immediately; without hesitation
He can recite the whole poem at the drop of a hat.
This is how the expression is used in one of our stories:
And so we devoted last year to building that relationship so that
now, at the drop of a hat, so to speak, we can actually relate to
her either here or where she lives and on the telephone and, as
she gets a little bit older, by computer - by email as well.

at the eleventh hour
at the last minute; very late
We came up with a solution at the eleventh hour.
This is how the expression is used in one of our stories:
Now the action at the moment is piecemeal and at the eleventh
hour for loggerhead turtles, it's not good enough.

at the end of the day
finally; when everything is taken into account
At the end of the day a decision has to be made.
This is how the expression is used in one of our stories:
The tracking and the following of paperwork and if the stock

are accurately branded and clearly branded at the end of the day
we can locate them and identify them by their registered brands
and earmarks

at the end of your tether
To be at the end of your tether is have no more patience left.
I was really at the end of my tether and lost my temper.
This is how the expression is used in one of our stories:
Even if I have a day off with rough weather, I'm sort of a bit
toey, but now it's just ridiculous, I'm right at the end of my
tether, really.

at the expense of
causing damage or loss to something or somebody
We could make more clothes for the market, but only at the
expense of quality.
This is how the expression is used in one of our stories:
But is this trend at the expense of the local traditional shopping
strip?

at the forefront
in a leading position
This new computer game will put us at the forefront of the
industry.
This is how the expression is used in one of our stories:
This institution has always been at the forefront of research,
and was one of the first biological centres in the world to make
all living plant material and herbarium records available via the
internet.

at the heart of
At the heart of means at the centre of, the most important part
of something.
At the heart of the matter is his lack of money.
This is how the expression is used in one of our stories:
At the heart of Steve Johnston's concern is the McArthur River
Mine.

at the moment
now; at this time; presently
At the moment I'm reading this example.
This is how the expression is used in one of our stories:
We are sort of, I guess, stuck in a bit of a rut at the moment that
we're only getting the same type of flower constantly, season
after season.

at their feet
needing them; prepared to be generous to them; admiring them
The brilliant young doctors had the medical world at their feet.
This is how the expression is used in one of our stories:
In fact, any young person wanting to be trained in traditional
trades has the manufacturing and construction worlds at their
feet, according to many employers.

at worst
taking the least hopeful view; the worst thing that can happen is
You might as well buy a lottery ticket - at best you win a
million dollars and at worst you've wasted only a few dollars.
~~~~~~*B*~~~~~~
back a winner

To back a winner means to bet on a winner, or to support
something that does well. To back means to bet money on a
horse.
We backed a winner by investing in a successful movie.
This is how the expression is used in one of our stories:
It might not be Las Vegas but combined with the mining
resurgence, locals who've kept their money on Broken Hill now
think they’ve backed a winner.
back flip
When someone changes what they said they they were going to
do, we call it a back flip and even use it as a verb.
He's back flipped on his promise to stop smoking.
This is how the expression is used in one of our stories:
The Optometrists' Association says the government's back flip
will do far more harm than good.

back of beyond
outback; bush; remote country
My first job was in a tiny community in the back of beyond.
This is how the expression is used in one of our stories:
They may have been living in the back of beyond, but two-way
radio and the postal service kept them in touch.

back on the menu
back on the list of things to eat or do
Now that it’s summer, ice-cream is back on the menu.
This is how the expression is used in one of our stories:
Here, beef is back on the menu.

back then

in the past
Back then things were much better.
This is how the expression is used in one of our stories:
Just to see how they did it back then and we're almost going
back the same way now looking for more natural products
instead of the synthetic products that they're putting into
creams and potions and lotions.

back to business
return to normal; go back doing ordinary things
It's back to business for school children next week when the
holidays finish.
This is how the expression is used in one of our stories:
So we're talking about that in the human sense and the natural
sense so we, so kids can see that it's part of the natural process
and we have to cope with it, and nature gets back to business
pretty quickly.

bad press
Something that gets bad press has bad things said about it
publicly or receives unfavourable media coverage.
Michael Jackson has had some bad press.
This is how the expression is used in one of our stories:
Like many introduced species - the cane toad, the rabbit, the
European carp the Indian or common mynah gets bad press.

bark is worse than his bite
We say that someone's bark is worse than their bite when
someone is not as dangerous or angry as they seem.
He threatens to do all sorts of things, but his bark is worse than

his bite.

battler
Battler is an Australian term for someone who is struggling to
make a living.
He's a battler from the bush.
This is how the expression is used in one of our stories:
The ‘Etona’ was built in 1898 for the Anglican Bishop of
Adelaide, as a mission boat, bringing religion to the battlers
along the Murray.

baulk at
To baulk at something is to refuse to do something.
She baulked at the offer of extra work.
This is how the expression is used in one of our stories:
The issue of cost is something many customers baulk at.

be sold
To be sold is to be convinced by something.
I am sold on this new idea of yours.
This is how the expression is used in one of our stories:
Linda Pickett came back and tried out a one-line pitch on
fellow saleswoman Jane Walker, something about convenience
and coffee. Both were sold.

be with somebody in spirit
To be with somebody in spirit is to be thinking about them
when you can't be with them.
I won't be able to make it to the wedding, but I'll be with you in
spirit.

bear in mind
don't forget about; keep in mind; think about
You should bear in mind that the traffic will be heavy at the
time you want to get to the airport.
This is how the expression is used in one of our stories:
Probably the first one we will do, bearing in mind the way the
traffic is moving, is probably a multi decking to the car park
outside.

bear/feel the brunt
To bear or feel the brunt of something is to suffer the most
from it or have to deal with its worst effects.
The south of the city will bear the brunt of the approaching
storm.
This is how the expression is used in one of our stories:
This study is concentrating on dugongs off the southern
Queensland coast, because they're closest to urban
developments and will feel the brunt of man-made impacts.

beat someone hollow
To beat someone hollow is to beat them in a contest easily.
The polls say that the government will be beaten hollow in the
coming election.
This is how the expression is used in one of our stories:
What's the best thing you like about spending time with your
friends here? Winning bridge?
Beating them hollow.

begs the question
Something that begs the question makes you want to ask a

particular question.
Alll this talk about build a new public transport system begs the
question of where the money for it is coming from.
This is how the expression is used in one of our stories:
The Government has now funded Relationships Australia to
support overseas adopted children. Indeed Relationships
Australia beat East Meet West for the tender to do the work.
But that begs a deeper question, partly political, partly
ideological, but simply put, who knows best what overseas kids
go through?

behind bars
in jail
He'll be behind bars for the rest of his life for committing
murder.
This is how the expression is used in one of our stories:
At seven years of age, Maddalin's big question is answered and
she's unfazed that her new-found dad is behind bars.

behind the wheel
When you are behind the wheel of a vehicle, you are driving it.
You shouldn't get behind the wheel if you've been drinking.
This is how the expression is used in one of our stories:
Most weekends you'll find her under the bonnet or behind the
wheel of her high performance Commodore getting ready for
her next race.

bells and whistles
attractive extra features
This new car has air conditioning and all the bells and whistles.

This is how the expression is used in one of our stories:
It won't have all the latest bells and whistles and you won't be
playing the latest computer games on these

bent on
determined to
She is bent on finishing her studies this year.
This is how the expression is used in one of our stories:
Back in the 1960s and 1970s, surfers bent on discovering new
breaks stumbled upon a small farming area perched on the
spectacular coastline of the Margaret River region.

bet your bottom dollar
be certain
You can bet your bottom dollar that it will rain today.
This is how the expression is used in one of our stories:
But, while there’s a simple, cheap and dirty solution available,
you can bet your bottom dollar we’ll just leave the toxic time-
bomb ticking away.

better part of
most of; the greater part of
I’ve been studying for the better part of five years.
This is how the expression is used in one of our stories:
Not only did he promote asthma drugs, he took them himself
for the better part of twenty years.

better still
even better; more than just better
I got a new job and, better still, double the money I used to be

paid.

beyond the scope
outside the range; beyond the area of control
Politics is really beyond the scope of sports teams.
This is how the expression is used in one of our stories:
But any long-term solution to water shortages could lie beyond
the scope of government.

beyond their means
too expensive for them
The cost of that house is beyond their means.
This is how the expression is used in one of our stories:
But running the organisation is beyond their means.

big guns
Big guns are people who are the most successful at what they
do in their field.
There are a lot of big guns at the writers' festival.
This is how the expression is used in one of our stories:
She knows she is competing against some big guns to get her
show on the road.

big slice
large part
A big slice of my time is spent with the children.
This is how the expression is used in one of our stories:
And it all adds up to a big slice of the economy.

big smoke

the city
I'm leaving the country to try my luck in the big smoke.
This is how the expression is used in one of our stories:
But it's just three years ago that its licence to sell fermented and
spiritous liquors was transferred by an investor to the big
smoke.

bigger than Ben Hur
We use the expression bigger than Ben Hur to say that
something is extravagant or extremely large. Ben Hur was a
famously expensive, large-scale movie.
If you invite all those people the party will be bigger than Ben
Hur.
This is how the expression is used in one of our stories:
In America, horse racing is literally bigger than Ben Hur,
contributing more to the US economy than the film industry.

bit of a drag
Something that is a bit of a drag is boring, tiresome or
unpleasant.
Learning English can be a bit of a drag.
This is how the expression is used in one of our stories:
Good during the winter but summer's a bit of a drag. Makes
you earn a beer.

bite the bullet
do something you don't want to do; do something unpleasant
you can't avoid
I'm going to have to bite the bullet and pay my debts.
This is how the expression is used in one of our stories:

I would definitely encourage them. Really the benefits'd far
outweigh any problems we've had out here. And just to bite the
bullet and go for it because it's very rewarding.

bitten by the bug
To be bitten by the bug is to have a sudden strong interest in
something.
Since going overseas last year he's been bitten by the travelling
bug.
This is how the expression is used in one of our stories:
Like hundreds of people over the past decade, Rob Alexandre
has been bitten by the wine bug.

black market
illegal market
Drugs are sold on the black market.
This is how the expression is used in one of our stories:
Collectors warn any harsher restrictions may just promote a
black market.

black sheep
A member of the family who is unusual or considered a failure
is called the black sheep.
He's the black sheep of the family - he left school early and
became an actor.

blanch at
To blanch at something is to find it shocking. To blanch is to
become white or go pale. People are supposed to go pale when
they are shocked by something.

I can watch the surgery. I don't blanch at the sight of blood.
This is how the expression is used in one of our stories:
He says the island has an international profile and something
like an eco-lodge or floating hotel would attract up-market,
international visitors prepared to pay premium prices ordinary
holiday-makers would blanch at.

blessing and a curse
Something that is a blessing and a curse has good aspects and
bad aspects.
Living in another country can be a blessing and a curse.
This is how the expression is used in one of our stories:
Working from home is a blessing and a curse and I've found the
only way to make it work is to a) have hobbies and b) give
yourself excuses to regularly get out of the house.

blot on the landscape
A blot on the landscape is something that spoils the look of a
place.
Some say that the new wind farm is a blot on the landscape.
This is how the expression is used in one of our stories:
It's totally inappropriate. It's going to be a blot on the
landscape.

blown away
To be blown away is to be amazed or impressed.
This new computer game will blow them away.
This is how the expression is used in one of our stories:
When I was fishing I used to take friends and people I knew
and it used to blow them away, this scenery and that.

blue
In Australian slang, a blue is a fight or argument. To have a
blue with someone means to argue with them.
We had a blue about who was doing most of the houswork.
This is how the expression is used in one of our stories:
Did you get into some really good blues with people?

bode well
If something bodes well it is a good sign.
This new project bodes well for the future of the town.
This is how the expression is used in one of our stories:
While all this bodes well for the State, Bernard Salt warns the
increased population growth is unlikely to last forever, but he
believes its slowing is at least a few years away.

body of evidence
A body of evidence is a collection of evidence. It's all the
things known about a certain subject.
The body of evidence about smoking makes it clear that it is
definitely not good for your health.
This is how the expression is used in one of our stories:
There's a growing body of evidence that it does have
cardiovascular benefits

bone of contention
A bone of contention is a matter which causes disagreement or
controversy.
Class sizes have been a bone of contention among teachers for
many years.

This is how the expression is used in one of our stories:
And then there's the hat issue. I think that's a real bone of
contention with younger women, because they're very aware
that in Queensland you must wear a hat, but not if there's a
gale-force wind.

booked out
completely reserved
There is no room in this hotel - we are booked out.
This is how the expression is used in one of our stories:
Because accommodation is so tight, entire hotels were booked
out years ago, several tent cities have been built to handle the
overflow.

born and bred
To be born and bred is to born and brought up in the one place.
He's Jakarta born and bred.
This is how the expression is used in one of our stories:
Author Jeff Duncombe is Campbell Town born and bred.

bottom line
The bottom line is the most important thing to be worried about
or the most important conclusion. This expression comes from
the last or bottom line of an account that tells you how much
money you have made.
The bottom line is that our team has to win this game to stay in
the competition.
This is how the expression is used in one of our stories:
Bottom line, can it be done?

brain drain
A brain drain refers to intelligent and well-qualified people
leaving a country to work overseas.
The country's brain drain will damage the economy in the long
term.
This is how the expression is used in one of our stories:
The key finding is that there is no brain drain in Australia…

brainchild
A person’s brainchild is their original idea.
English Bites is Barry Mitchell's brainchild.
This is how the expression is used in one of our stories:
The Certificate of Entrepreneurship and Enterprise Skills
program is the brainchild of psychologist Louise Earnshaw.

break down the barriers
To break down the barriers means getting rid of the things that
block your way and that make it difficult or impossible to do
something.
We need to break down the barriers of racial prejudice.
This is how the expression is used in one of our stories:
I think the fact that we've got three Indigenous women in the
parliament in the Northern Territory also breaks down the
barrier and educates our children in remote Aboriginal
communities that political life is not impossible.

break new ground
To break new ground is to do or discover new things.
Our lab is breaking new ground in AIDS research.
This is how the expression is used in one of our stories:

Single mum and full-time Child Safety Support Officer Carmel
Knox is one of six women breaking new ground.

break the ice
To break the ice is to make people feel relaxed. We often use
this expression to talk about formal meetings or parties.
People drink at parties to help break the ice.
break wind
The expression break wind is a polite way of saying fart.
It's best not to break wind during a job interview.
This is how the expression is used in one of our stories:
Ah Ma loved her brandy and she had this knack of breaking
wind while everyone was watching TV.

breaking with tradition
doing something new; changing the usual way of doing
something
We're breaking with tradition and getting married on the beach

breath of fresh air
A breath of fresh air is something or someone that is new,
different and exciting.
Our new staff members are a breath of fresh air.

breathe down someone's neck
pay too much attention to what someone is doing
I can't study with people breathing down my neck.

breathe easily/freely again
You breathe easiky again when a crisis is over and you don't

need to worry anymore.
I can breathe easily again now that I know exactly where the
children are.

breathe your last
die
Late in the afternoon the president breathed his last.

breather
A breather is a break or a rest.
I'll just take a breather before I finish the job.
This is how the expression is used in one of our stories:
On the Derwent at daybreak, this workhorse of the Southern
Ocean takes a breather.

breathing space
A breathing space is a time to rest.
I need a breathing space before I begin a new book.

breeze in
succeed easily
Everyone expects the American basketball team to breeze in.
This is how the expression is used in one of our stories:
And that's one extra race the NSW Pacific Dragons didn't need
to do after breezing into the final.

bridges the gap
allows two groups to come together; makes it eaiser to move
from one thing to another
This new proposal should help bridge the gap between the

warring parties.
This is how the expression is used in one of our stories:
I feel like my jewellery bridges the gap between art and
fashion.

bright idea
A bright idea is a clever idea. To be bright means to be clever
or smart. Sometimes we say something is a bright idea, but we
mean the opposite.
Whose bright idea was it to park their car in my way?
In this example, we’re really saying that it was a stupid
idea.This is how the expression is used in one of our stories:
Joanna Gair's bright idea means paper maker Darren Simpson
spends a fair bit of his working day sorting through kangaroo
poo in search of the best nuggets.

bring home the bacon
To bring home the bacon is to be successful or to earn the
money for a family.
I have to go to work to bring home the bacon.
This is how the expression is used in one of our stories:
It's like our Logies, our Oscars, our Golden Globes, our Tony
Awards. It's the big one, really, and we're here to bring home
the bacon, quite frankly.

bring out the best
Something that brings out the best in someone makes them
show their best qualities.
A disaster often brings out the best in people.
This is how the expression is used in one of our stories:

A venue like this helps bring out the best in its local music
community, but also provides a venue for overseas music.

bring someone down a peg or two
To bring someone down a peg or two is to make them realise
they are not as good or powerful as they think they are.
It's time she was brought down a peg or two and stopped
ordering people around.
This is how the expression is used in one of our stories:
It may not be possible to eradicate this pest, but at least he can
be brought down a peg or two.

bring us to our senses
make us behave sensibly
Sometimes we need a shock to bring us to our senses.
This is how the expression is used in one of our stories:
Will it take an Internet meltdown to bring us to our senses?

brush up on
improve or revise what you know
People use English Bites to brush up on their English.
This is how the expression is used in one of our stories:
It's not just for the blokes locals like Astrid Skene can also be
found brushing up on their power tool know-how.

buck stops here/ with you
the final responsibility is yours
He's the coach of the team, so the buck stops with him.
This is how the expression is used in one of our stories:
I think it's good when things go well being captain. There's a

lot of pressure on you and you have to make the final moves
and I guess if things don't work out the buck stops with you, so,
there's a fair bit of pressure on

buck the system
To buck the system is to obstinately resist authority or object
strongly to it.
How does she manage to buck the system and take so much
time off?
This is how the expression is used in one of our stories:
Well, if I am bucking the system, we are bucking the system
because the system isn't working for us.

buggered
Buggered is slang for damaged or broken.
This computer is buggered.
This is how the expression is used in one of our stories:
But you must have had some injuries over the years.
Oh, yeah. Buggered knees and shoulders and that.

burn the candle at both ends
To burn the candle at both ends is to work too much doing too
many things or always be getting up early and going to bed
late.
I'm exhausted. I've been burning the candle at both ends lately.

business as usual
When we say that it’s business as usual, we mean that things
continue as normal, often despite some trouble.
It's business as usual at the markets, despite the fire there last

night.
This is how the expression is used in one of our stories:
It was business as usual at Simon Hurwood's Brisbane practice.

business end
The business end of something is the most important part.
The finals are the business end of the football season.

buy into
If you buy into something you believe it.
I don't buy into any of that new age nonsense.
This is how the expression is used in one of our stories:
When I was at school I was told that I wasn't gonna be anything
other than a mother at an early age of 16 or something, um, so I
should learn how to do food and nutrition and sewing. I didn't
buy into it at all.

by and large
mostly; generally
By and large the crowd is well behaved.
This is how the expression is used in one of our stories:
By and large in the Sydney area, life was peaceful, but what
happened to cause trouble were (sic) convicts stealing artefacts.

by any means
definitely not; in no way at all
We might be in front , but we haven't won by any means.
This is how the expression is used in one of our stories:
We're not perfect, by any means.

by far
to a large degree; by a long way
This is by far the best example.
This is how the expression is used in one of our stories:
It's my favourite shark by far.

by foot
by walking
He's going to cross Africa by foot.
This is how the expression is used in one of our stories:
Port Davey and Bathurst Harbour in the south-west is
accessible only by foot, plane or boat.

by the look of it
judging from what seems to be; apparently
We're going to be late by the look of it.
This is how the expression is used in one of our stories:
Some large pieces came down there, by the looks of it.

by the same token
for the same reason or reasons
A desalination plant will be good in that it will provide
drinking water, but by the same token it could ruin the fishing
industry by making the sea too salty.
This is how the expression is used in one of our stories:
We're too big to eat and they don't really want to waste their
venom on us but, by the same token, if they're provoked they
will defend themselves.

by the way

This expression is used to introduce something you have just
thought of.
I saw him yesterday, oh, by the way did you know that he's quit
his job?
This is how the expression is used in one of our stories:
I think that any form of singing in Australia is elitist in a lot of
ways. Mainly because of this audition process and the fact that
you have to be really good and by the way I'm very
supportive of that kind of singing.
~~~~~~*C*~~~~~~
call it a day
If you call it a day, you decide to stop doing something.
I know we haven't finished, but I'm getting too tired to
concentrate properly. Let's call it a day.
This is how the expression is used in one of our stories:
But now one long-standing partnership is coming to an end.
Caller James Reid has decided to call it a day: rounding up
dancers and a young family is all a bit much.

call the shots
To call the shots is to be in control.
I'm not the one who calls the shots around here.
This is how the expression is used in one of our stories:
Coordinating part of a 40-man track-laying team, the West
Australian calls the shots on what to do when things go wrong.

cannot hold a candle to
Someone or something that cannot hold a candle to someone
or something else is not nearly as good as the person or thing
they are being compared to.

Women play great tennis, but they can't hold a candle to the
top male players.

cap off
complete; provide the final piece that pleases
Some people say a glass of wine caps off the perfect meal.
This is how the expression is used in one of our stories:
And to cap off the living canvas, one hundred and fifty artless
critics.

capture the imagination
Something that captures the imagination is something that
makes you very interested or fascinated by something.
Digital technology has captured the imagination of a
generation.
This is how the expression is used in one of our stories:
Tales of terror like those from the Port Arthur convict
settlement, captured the imagination of Michael Phillips from
an early age.

cark it
Cark it is slang. It means to die.
My goldfish carked it.
This is how the expression is used in one of our stories:
If I were to cark it, they'd have somebody come to the house
and say well Mrs Pharo hasn't answered the phone or we don't
know where she is, could you check?

carry the can
To carry the can is to acept the blame or responsibility for

something.
It's not fair that only teachers are expected to carry the can for
the poor performance of the students.
This is how the expression is used in one of our stories:
Broomrape is not a problem for us as farmers, it is everyone
else's problem but we are the ones carrying the can.

cash cow
A cash cow is an excellent source of income. It’s something
that can be relied on to always makes lots of money.
The gambling industry has become a cash cow for
governments in Australia.
This is how the expression is used in one of our stories:
The Tasmanian Government is looking to these areas as a cash
cow and not really taking their responsibilities for management
of the areas very seriously.

cash in
make money from; turn to advantage
Let’s cash in on the property boom and sell our house now.
This is how the expression is used in one of our stories:
Having had this event thrust on them by the gods, Ceduna is
cashing in on its moment in the shade.

cat got your tongue
To ask someone has the cat got your tongue? is the same as
asking 'why don't you say something?'.
What's up - has the cat got your tongue?

catch on

become popular
Using mobile phones has really caught on in the last decade.
This is how the expression is used in one of our stories:
Michael Noad has discovered that while the males sing a
common tune, any variation that proves a hit with the females
will quickly catch on.

catch on
realise something; notice something
It took me a while to catch on.
This is how the expression is used in one of our stories:
According to an Adelaide University study, parents are often
slow to catch on when their child is depressed.

catch up with
meet with people you know and talk to them
I must catch up with my old school friends.
This is how the expression is used in one of our stories:
While Rob Gilfillan guides the young kids across the Burleigh
Heads sand and then along the scenic route his daughters use
the squad to catch up with friends…

cat's whiskers
The cat's whiskers refers to the best thing, person or idea.
He thinks he's the cat's whiskers

caught red-handed
To be caught red-handed is to be caught in the act of doing
something wrong.
He was caught red-handed taking money from the till.

This is how the expression is used in one of our stories:
We haven't actually caught anybody red-handed, as it were.
We've had reports of vandalism and disturbance to the site, and
in each case we followed those up.

caught the eye
attracted the attention
Her performance caught the eye of the producer.
This is how the expression is used in one of our stories:
The research and development of Paul's violins caught the eye
of the Shanghai Violin Company, China's biggest producer of
violins.

caught up in
To be caught up in something is to be involved against your
will.
How did we get caught up in this mess?
This is how the expression is used in one of our stories:
Clive Linnett's concerns are shared by many other farmers, who
fear they're caught up in something more than drought.

championed by
supported and promoted by
The fight to save the environment is championed by many
famous people.
This is how the expression is used in one of our stories:
many Greek and Italian families continued to grow and
process fruit for pickling and for oil mainly for their own use
and since the '80s, the oil and pickled olives market has been
growing, championed by hobby farmers and food lovers.

chances are
it's likely
Chances are that the government will win the election.
This is how the expression is used in one of our stories:
But chances are Dave's no ordinary plesiosaur.

change the face
change dramatically; make it look very different
The writings of Karl Marx changed the face of politics.
This is how the expression is used in one of our stories:
If it could be done, then it would be a tremendous breakthrough
that would change the face of science.

chequered history
A chequered history is a varied history - the combination of
the good, bad, interesting and unusual things that have
happened to something or somebody.
This old house has had a chequered history.
This is how the expression is used in one of our stories:
But for all its chequered history, it's the stories told by the
pictures in the collection that are the most fascinating.

child's play
very easy
Driving an automatic car is child's play.

chip in
To chip in is to contribute or help.
Are you going to chip in to help buy a present for Sue who's

retiring next week?
This is how the expression is used in one of our stories:
The Lions Bay Rotary Club in Adelaide, which specialises in
reconditioning electric wheelchairs for charity, chipped in
when they heard of Danielle's need.

chip off the old block
Saying that someone is a chip off the old block is to say that
they are very like one of their parents.
He's gone into politics like his father. He's a chip off the old
block.
This is how the expression is used in one of our stories:
Martin is literally a chip off the old block and carries on the
family tradition not just by chopping, but by manufacturing top
quality racing axes.

churn out
make in rapid succession
This production line churns out a thousand bottles a day.
This is how the expression is used in one of our stories:
The horses are in tip-top condition and, back in town, the
milliners are working day and night to churn out as many hats
as they can in what they call their 2-month money making
season.

clean up your act
The phrase clean up your act means to change and start
behaving in a way that other people find acceptable.
You need to clean up your act and get a job.
This is how the expression is used in one of our stories:

I thought if we get three of four kids that come along and since
they come along clean their act up it would be great but the
amount of kids and quality of kids that come along, it just
blows me away.

clocked up
To clock up means to reach a particular total.
I just clocked up ten thousand kilometres in my car.
This is how the expression is used in one of our stories:
In one case there was a young person who had clocked up 600
SMS text messages in a day.

close on
nearly; almost
The oldest hen is close on ten years old.
This is how the expression is used in one of our stories:
I've been in the Mushroom Shop for about six years and the
family's been in the Market for close on 31 years.

close up
Something that is close up is in a position that is very near to
you.
You need to see the picture close up to appreciate all of the
detail.
This is how the expression is used in one of our stories:
It's a very long way to come but through having a facility like
this you get to see someone like Roger McGuinn from The
Byrds play solo shows, like Jimmy Webb play solo shows,
some of the great music writers and it's fantastic to see legends
like that really close up.

close-knit
bound together by close social ties; friendly and intimate;
tending to keep together
Our family is very close-knit.
This is how the expression is used in one of our stories:
Stargazers the world over might be saddened by the damage to
this historic observatory but the close-knit local community of
astronomers is already talking about once again looking
towards the heavens from Mount Stromlo.

cocked his snoot
To cock your snoot is to show your lack of respect for
something. Literally, cocking your snoot is making the rude
gesture of putting your thumb to your nose and waggling your
fingers.
He cocked his snoot at authority by not wearing school
uniform.
This is how the expression is used in one of our stories:
We liked the way he cocked his snoot at convention.

cold fish
A cold fish is someone who is unfriendly or shows little
emotion.
I tried to get to know him better, but he's a cold fish.

come about
Something that comes about happens.
I don't know when my promotion will come about.
This is how the expression is used in one of our stories:

I’m a designer and it all came about - I didn’t know what I
wanted to do and left working for a big company to, much to
my parents’ disgust, to go back and study the arts as a furniture
designer/maker, which then ended up leading into doing
restaurants, bars, clubs, hotels, cafes, retail shops, everything.

come across
encounter; find
We were in the park when we came across a huge spider.
This is how the expression is used in one of our stories:
I came across a dump, a kampong dump, just 10 minutes from
where I was staying and it was literally all glass, and the glass
had come from buildings that had been demolished previously.

come across as
appear to be; give the impression of being
We want our presenter for the new show to come across as
warm and friendly.
This is how the expression is used in one of our stories:
They want you to come across as a real person.

come full circle
To come full circle is to return to the position from which you
started.
Fashion has come full circle and my old shoes are trendy
again.
This is how the expression is used in one of our stories:
They were one of the first acts I saw down here, and they
actually recorded for the record company, so the chap who'd
signed them, a guy called Adam, dragged me down to see them

at The Basement, brought me in the back and sat and saw them
and they were fantastic, and amazingly in some ways the
wheel's come full circle because they re-formed just this year
and did a couple of amazing shows here

come home to roost
Something that comes home to roost is the usually unpleasant
consequence of a decision made a long time ago.
The decision to save money by not treating the house for
termites came home to roost when they discovered the damage
the insects had caused only a few years later.
This is how the expression is used in one of our stories:
For professional abalone diver John Lashmar, simply
harvesting the strictly regulated sea snail has been his own road
to good fortune for almost 30 years, but now an abundance of
farmed abalone is changing the world market as never before.
It's really come home to roost now. Like, a few years ago,
when the product started coming in to the market, people were
concerned about it, but I think it's really hit home now.

come on side
To come on side means to support someone.
It took a while, but the bank eventually came on side.
This is how the expression is used in one of our stories:
The town's development board also came on side.

come out of the closet
To come out of the closet means to publicly admit something
that has been kept secret.
He came out of the closet and admitted he was gay.

This is how the expression is used in one of our stories:
Now that he's come out of the closet his passion for classical
music has been renewed with a vengeance.

come out of the woodwork
To come out of the woodwork is to appear suddenly in
unexpected numbers.
When I won a lot of money, all sorts of old friends came out of
the woodwork.
This is how the expression is used in one of our stories:
And when we had the World Cup and Italy won, it was really
awesome. A lot of Italians come out of the woodwork.

come to grips
begin to understand and deal with a problem
We have to come to grips with the problem of unemployment.
Another form of this expression is get to grips.
I'm going to try to get to grips with English tenses.
This is how the expression is used in one of our stories:
It's hard for the whole community to come to grips with it,
there's quite a long healing process after anything like this and
the best thing of the lot is for people to talk about it.

come to light
Something that comes to light becomes know or is revealed.
He'll be in trouble when his criminal past comes to light.
This is how the expression is used in one of our stories:
There were rumours such that the bridge was moving when
workmen were working on it, that concrete were moving, that
rivets were popping, that bolts were coming undone. These are

the sort of things that have been coming to light, you know,
amongst the press particularly as they have been talking to
workmen.

come to pass
happen
I'm starting to think that the new bridge will never come to
pass.
This is how the expression is used in one of our stories:
That threat hasn't come to pass.

come to the crunch
To come to the crunch is to reach the critical moment or test
that determines an issue.
When it came to the crunch in the big game, he wasn't as good
a player as we thought.

come to the party
To come to the party is to do what is expected or wanted,
often by making a contribution of money.
What we need is a new sponsor to come to the party.
This is how the expression is used in one of our stories:
We want a nice grandchild off him and he'll not come to the
party.

comes down to
is mainly about; can be reduced to
His argument really comes down to one point.
This is how the expression is used in one of our stories:
I think there is no limit to what we may be able to do. It really

comes down to a surveillance issue within sport; it comes to an
ethic issue in sport.

comes in handy
is useful and needed
The money I got for my tax return will come in handy.
This is how the expression is used in one of our stories:
We’ve just picked up your standard stubby holder, which
always comes in handy. You cannot have enough stubby
holders.

comes into its own
Something that comes into its own shows how good or useful
it is in a particular situation.
A motorbike really comes into its own in a traffic jam.
This is how the expression is used in one of our stories:
But research comes into its own when it’s applied, and at the
University of Adelaide, they’re putting the finishing touches to
a motorbike that runs on biofuel.

comfort zone
If you are in a comfort zone then you are relaxed and content.
You find things are too easy.
We should get out of our comfort zone and go camping.
This is how the expression is used in one of our stories:
We include it because we like to get kids out of their comfort
zone and for the socialisation process as well.

conked out
Something that has conked out has broken down or stopped

working.
The car has conked out again.
This is how the expression is used in one of our stories:
I think he just got lucky and probably a kangaroo had conked
out down amongst the willows and he grabbed its bone, a shin
bone, and used it on the bats.

consigned to history
Something that is consigned to history is something you can
only know about by reading history books or visiting museums.
It's something that is not used anymore or something that has
been destroyed.
Eventually landline telephones will be consigned to history.
This is how the expression is used in one of our stories:
These three historic homes on MacKinnon Parade are about to
be consigned to history themselves.

cooling-off period
A cooling-off period is a period after a sale. During this time, a
customer can change their mind, and get out of the contract.
There is a cooling-off period when you buy a house.
This is how the expression is used in one of our stories:
There'll be a 3-day cooling-off period.

cop this
Cop this is a slang term meaning to put up with or suffer.
I'm not going to cop this anymore.
This is how the expression is used in one of our stories:
Well, I got told I had to get off the green if I didn't put that
bowls cloth in a pocket and I thought this is ridiculous, and this

is when I first started, and I thought 'Oh god, do I have to cop
this?'

cotton on
begin to understand; realise
He just won't cotton on to the idea that I don't like him.
This is how the expression is used in one of our stories:
But then once I explain the symbology of the image, people
start to get it, and children really get it quickly, you know, they
cotton on, they go 'Yeah, oh, OK'…
A similar expression is catch on

cough up
(informal) give, usually reluctantly
He finally coughed up the money he owed me.
This is how the expression is used in one of our stories:
The Housing Department coughed up $20,000 for tools and,
three years on, it's an undeniable success.

count for little
are not regarded as important; not worth much
Human lives count for little in times of war.
This is how the expression is used in one of our stories:
But this 57-year-old grandmother has learnt that enthusiasm
and life experience count for little if you're over 45 and
looking for a job

count on
depend on; expect
I count on my car starting everyone morning.

This is how the expression is used in one of our stories:
At least Ted Davies and those along the Darling River can
count on a water supply again.

count the cost
feel or regret the effects of a bad mistake or disaster
I'm still counting the cost of quitting my old job.
This is how the expression is used in one of our stories:
Perhaps we don't need to have this invasive species, and doing
everything that we can to keep it out now is a far better thing
than counting the cost at some later time.

crack down
To crack down means to act forcefully to stop something.
The police are going to crack down on vandalism in the area.
This is how the expression is used in one of our stories:
The Government's already announced it's cracking down on
so-called fighting dogs.

crack of dawn
The crack of dawn is sunrise, or very early in the morning.
I had to be up at the crack of dawn to catch my plane.
This is how the expression is used in one of our stories:
They're here at the crack of dawn, tilling the soil, growing a
lot of herbs and vegetables which you can't buy commercially,
and there's a lot of really weird and interesting plants growing
here in this garden.

crack the code
solve the code; find the answer

It took me ages to crack the code.
This is how the expression is used in one of our stories:
If they can crack the code we may end up with more than just
everlasting colour.

crash hot
good; excellent
His work is not really crash hot.
This is how the expression is used in one of our stories:
What do you think of these new bikinis?
I think they're really crash hot.

cream of the crop
the very best
Only the cream of the crop play in a symphony orchestra.
This expression is often shortened to the cream as in this story.
We were addressing the larger flow of those persons, not just
the cream.

creature comforts
Creature comforts are the things that make life easier and
more comfortable - like having a comfortable place to live, or
expensive food or a nice car.
I hate camping because I miss my creature comforts.
This is how the expression is used in one of our stories:
I would say I wasn't very prepared to start living in a different
country away from home, away from all the creature
comforts

cropping up

appearing
New houses are cropping up everywhere in my suburb.
This is how the expression is used in one of our stories:
It was a time when probation stations were cropping up
around the State and being hailed as a revolutionary solution to
the old system of assignment where convicts were allocated to
free settlers.

cross your fingers
To cross your fingers is to try to stop bad luck and hope that
things will go well.
We've done all we can, so now we just cross our fingers and
hope it will work.
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.

cross your mind
If something crosses your mind, you think about it for a short
time.
It crossed my mind that he was lying.

crying out for
If someone is crying out for something they really want it or
need it.
The outer suburbs are crying out for more public transport.
This is how the expression is used in one of our stories:
With an accredited abattoir up and running, Phil Gee predicts
that Australia could export more than 25,000 processed camels
a year to markets crying out for the meat.

culture shock
Culture shock is the unhappiness and unease caused by not
understanding a different society with different expectations.
I felt some culture shock when I went overseas to study.
This is how the expression is used in one of our stories:
I think initially they find the culture shock. Because, well, in
English classes back at home, they can only learn so much
about the actual culture.

cup of tea
thing that you like
Working on the weekends is not my cup of tea.
This is how the expression is used in one of our stories:
Being a pilot for the Royal Flying Doctor Service is different to
a lot of aviation's jobs. It's not everyone's cup of tea.

cut any ice
To cut any ice is to impress or influence someone
Street marches don't cut any ice with this government.
This is how the expression is used in one of our stories:
But that doesn't cut any ice with people who have come from
country cities here who are not used to walking.

cut corners
To cut corners is to not do things properly but in the quickest
and easiest way.
If you cut corners the quality of your work suffers.
This is how the expression is used in one of our stories:
Right through the ages, there have been police that have cut

corners when they're under pressure.

cut price
cheap
They're offering cut price fares to Singapore.
This is how the expression is used in one of our stories:
But it's not <>cut price in the sense of any corners cut and so
there's a lot of emphasis put on making sure that the academic
standards are absolutely equivalent.

cut short
Something that is cut short is ended before it should be.
My favourite TV show was cut short by the power blackout.
This is how the expression is used in one of our stories:
Because the average age of women joining is 27, there's a fear
their careers will be cut short as they have a family.

cutting edge
new; leading the way
He's working on some cutting edge research.
This is how the expression is used in one of our stories:
Our cutting edge photonics technology is old hat for Mother
Nature.