(as) English as apple pie
Exemplary or indicative of English or British life, interests, or ideals (often stereotypically so). Tea is as English as apple pie. You're from the UK. What do you consider to be English as apple pie? Are fish and chips really as English as apple pie?
BBC English
Formal, proper English, as would be spoken on the BBC (the British Broadcasting Corporation). Just so you know, the professor talks in that BBC English, so you might have a hard time understanding him. And he might not get your slang either. Can you please put on the subtitles? I can't understand this BBC English. It's an adaptation of a Jane Austen novel—of course it's in BBC English.
be (as) English as apple pie
To be exemplary or indicative of English or British life, interests, or ideals (often stereotypically so). Tea is as English as apple pie. You're from the UK. What do you consider to be English as apple pie? Are fish and chips really as English as apple pie?
be in plain English
To be in clear, straightforward, and uncomplicated English. A: "Chronic atherosclerosis in the coronary arteries has stopped oxygen-rich blood from reaching the heart, leading to a myocardial infarction." B: "Doctor, come on, I need that to be in plain English." I wish these software agreements would be in plain English, rather than this legalese gobbledygook. None of these support sites are in plain English, and I can't understand all the technical jargon!
body English
An often involuntary or unconscious movement of the body to try and manipulate or influence the course of an object that is already in motion. I always find bowlers' body English humorous, as they contort their bodies to try to will the ball toward the pins. Yeah, even that body English is not gonna make the ball go in the corner pocket! I don't think Joe even realizes what happens with his body English after he hits the ball toward the hole.
broken English
English that is slow, halting, and filled with errors, as of someone learning to speak it. When I first arrived in New York, I had to stop every five minutes to ask someone for directions in broken English. I finally gathered from the man's broken English that he was looking for the train station. Because I couldn't understand the Russian woman's broken English, I put her through to one of our interpreters.
English fever
The intense desire to learn and become proficient in the English language, either for oneself or for one's children. It seems that English fever has especially affected South Koreans, who are eager to have their children learn the language. After emigrating to the US, my grandmother didn't catch English fever, and she still doesn't speak much English. Yeah, I had English fever, but it didn't stop there—now I can speak five different languages!
full English
Short for "full English breakfast," a traditional breakfast meal in England typically consisting of fried eggs, tomato, mushrooms, bacon, sausage, and fried bread or hash browns. Primarily heard in UK. After a long night out at the pubs, there's nothing like a full English the next morning to get you back into shape. If you want to make the train, then we can't sit down and have a full English—we're already behind schedule as it is! That was awfully nice of your mum to make us a full English before work today.
in plain English
In clear, straightforward, and uncomplicated English. Chronic atherosclerosis in the coronary arteries has stopped oxygen-rich blood from reaching the heart, leading to a myocardial infarction. In plain English, you've suffered a heart attack. I wish these software agreements would be written in plain English, rather than this legalese gobbledygook. None of these support sites are in plain English, and I can't understand all the technical jargon!
in plain language
In clear, straightforward, and uncomplicated English. Chronic atherosclerosis in the coronary arteries has stopped oxygen-rich blood from reaching the heart, leading to a myocardial infarction. In plain language, you've suffered a heart attack. I wish these software agreements would be written in plain language, rather than this legalese gobbledygook. None of these support sites are in plain language, and I can't understand all the technical jargon!
in simple English
In clear, straightforward, and uncomplicated English terminology. Chronic atherosclerosis in the coronary arteries has stopped oxygen-rich blood from reaching the heart, leading to a myocardial infarction. In simple English, you've suffered a heart attack. I wish these software agreements would be written in simple English, rather than this legalese gobbledygook. None of these support sites are in simple English, and I can't understand all the technical jargon!
put (something) in plain English
To express something in words that are clear, straightforward, and uncomplicated. A: "Chronic atherosclerosis in the coronary arteries has stopped oxygen-rich blood from reaching the heart, leading to a myocardial infarction." B: "Put it in plain English, Doc." I wish these software developers would put their agreements in plain English, rather than this legalese gobbledygook.
put (something) into plain English
To express something in clear, straightforward, and uncomplicated English. A: "Chronic atherosclerosis in the coronary arteries has stopped oxygen-rich blood from reaching the heart, leading to a myocardial infarction." B: "Doctor, I need you to put all that into plain English." I wish these software developers would put their agreements into plain English, rather than this legalese gobbledygook.
put some English on it
To strike or throw a ball in a manner that causes it to spin. You'll never get the ball into the pocket that way! Put some English on it!
put some reverse English on it
1. To strike or throw a ball with a spin that will keep it from moving in particular direction. You'll never get the ball into the pocket that way! Put some reverse English on it!
2. To speak in a manner, often related to syntax, that confuses the listener. No wonder he got so confused, with you putting some reverse English on it like that.
say (something) in plain English
To say something in clear, straightforward, and uncomplicated English. A: "Chronic atherosclerosis in the coronary arteries has stopped oxygen-rich blood from reaching the heart, leading to a myocardial infarction." B: "Doctor, I need you to say all that in plain English."
simple English
Clear, straightforward, and uncomplicated English terminology. Chronic atherosclerosis in the coronary arteries has stopped oxygen-rich blood from reaching the heart, leading to a myocardial infarction. In simple English, you've suffered a heart attack. I wish these software agreements would be written in simple English, rather than this legalese gobbledygook.
speak the King's English
The standard form of English, as spoken by educated people in England. (When the ruling monarch in the United Kingdom is a queen, it is typically called "the Queen's English.") We're friends now, so quit speaking the King's English. No need to be so formal! As a professor, you really should speak the King's English.
speak the Queen's English
To speak the standard, "correct" form of English, as spoken by educated people in Britain. (When the ruling monarch in the United Kingdom is a king, it is typically called "the King's English.") We're friends now, so quit speaking the Queen's English. No need to be so formal! As a professor, you really should speak the Queen's English.
the King's English
The standard form of English, as spoken by educated people in England. (When the ruling monarch in the United Kingdom is a queen, it is typically called "the Queen's English.") We're friends now, so quit being so formal and speaking the King's English. As a professor, you really should speak the King's English.
the Queen's English
The standard, "correct" form of English, as spoken by educated people in Britain. (When the ruling monarch in the United Kingdom is a king, it is typically called "the King's English.") We're friends now, so quit being so formal and speaking the Queen's English. As a professor, you really should speak the Queen's English.
write (something) in plain English
To write something in clear, straightforward, and uncomplicated English. I wish these software developers would write their agreements in plain English, rather than this legalese gobbledygook.
Farlex Dictionary of Idioms. © 2024 Farlex, Inc, all rights reserved.