Phrase Mix 16

We simply do not tolerate people who are disrespectful to others. You're the organizer of a meetup group for people who are interested in public speaking. You want to have strict rules for your group (someone) does not tolerate (something) When you "do not tolerate" something, it means that you will not allow it. For example: I do not tolerate excuses! They do not tolerate mistakes. This expression sounds strict and formal. (someone) is disrespectful to/towards (some people) Being "disrespectful to" people includes calling them names, being rude to them, not listening to what they're saying, and so on. You can't expect to be disrespectful to your teachers and still be rewarded with good grades and recommendations. Another preposition that you can use after "disrespectful" is "toward": She was disrespectful toward me and my entire family. You can also use the word "disrespectful" by itself: There's no need to be disrespectful! simply not Put the word "simply" in a negative sentence to make the negative more clear and complete. For example: I'm simply not ready. This means that you're completely not ready. It's more clear than just saying "I'm not ready." You can use "simply" in front of a negative verb as well: We simply can't accept cheating in any form. You should've been there! Obie showed off his dance moves! You went to a party this weekend. You're talking to a friend who was invited, but didn't go. You describe something fun that happened at the party. You should have been there 你真应该去! Say this when something fun or entertaining happened, but the listener wasn't around to experience it. It means something lilke "If you were there, you would have enjoyed what happened." When you use this phrase, you sound excited and happy. dance moves When people dance, they usually repeat certain "dance moves". Each dance move is a sequence of movements that look cool together. Some famous dance moves have names, like: The Worm The Moonwalk The Robot The Can Can The Twist. I didn't realize that you were on a first-name basis. You're talking with a friend who's in the same class as you. She's talking about your teacher, but uses his first name instead of calling him by his last name. You're surprised. (some people) are on a first-name basis 直呼其名 When people in English-speaking countries get to know each other well, they often start to call each other by each other's first names. People who use each other's first names are "on a first name basis". knowing someone well enough that you call each other by your first names: I've met her, but I'm not on a first-name basis with her. If someone calls a person like a teacher, a political figure, a celebrity, etc. by their first name, you can tease this person: Oh, are you on a first name basis now? We've been toying with the idea of raising our own chickens. You live in the country. Recently you and your partner thought that it would be nice to have fresh eggs, so you thought about getting chickens. You describe this thought with a friend who already has chickens. We've been toying with the idea of raising our own chickens. raise (animals) You can "grow" vegetables 种植蔬菜, but you can't "grow" animals 养鸡养狗, 养动物. You have to "raise" them: We're growing tomatoes, carrots, herbs, all kinds of stuff. When I was a kid, my uncle used to raise sheep. To "raise" something means to help it grow. Things that you can "raise" include: raising crops, raising animals, raising children. (someone) is toying with the idea of (doing something) "Toying with" an idea means to consider whether or not you should do something. You're thinking that you might do it, but you're not sure yet. For example: I've been toying with the idea of studying abroad for a semester. I'm toying with the idea of cutting it really short. I saw a whole herd of deer leap across 跳过去 the road. You went for a drive in the country. While you were driving, you saw some animals. You describe what you saw to your sister, who didn't go. The word "herd" describes a group of animals that live together. Specifically, you can use "herd" to talk about: cows, deer, elephants, goats, whales. There are other groups of animals that we don't use "herd" for: a pack of wolves, a school of fish, a flock of birds. (something) leaps (somewhere) "Leap" means "jump", but it sounds a little more graceful and athletic. Ballet dancers, deer, and athletes might "leap", for example. You can also "leap over" something, "leap into" something, "leap toward" something, "leap into the air", etc. a road You may sometimes wonder what the difference between a "street" and a "road" is. "Streets" are usually in cities or towns. They're meant for cars, but people sometimes walk beside or across them as well. "Roads" go between towns or through the countryside. deer The plural of "deer" is "deer", so you can say: I saw a deer! Or I saw a bunch of deer! It's truly an honor to meet someone of your stature and influence. You went to a book signing event for one of your favorite business book authors. You got to speak with him for a few minutes. Now you're ending the conversation. It's an honor to (do something) When you get special recognition or a special opportunity from people that you respect highly, it's "an honor". You can use this phrase in sentences like these: It's an honor to meet you. It's such an honor to be invited to speak to you all here today. I don't even care if I win. It's an honor just to be nominated! This phrase is rather formal. When you use it, you sound very thankful and humble. truly The adverb "truly' means "very much" or "honestly". You can use it before an adjective like this: I'm truly sorry for what happened. The most common adjectives that follow "truly" are: truly great, truly remarkable, truly amazing, truly sorry, truly happy. You can also use "truly" with a verb: I truly forgot all about it. I truly believe that you will achieve your dream some day. "Truly" is pretty formal. someone of (your/his/etc.) stature 你这种地位, 你这个量级的人 "Stature" means "importance" or "status". We use it in the phrase "someone of (his/her/your/their) stature" to talk about people who are very highly respected. I wouldn't dare ask such a favor from someone of her stature. The original meaning of "stature" was actually "height", so you can imagine that a very important person seems metaphorically taller than others. (someone) has influence A person who "has influence" is able to affect or even control a lot of people or events. Someone might "have influence" because they're famous, because they're wealthy and well-connected, or because they're well-known in a certain field. When you're describing someone who "has influence", you can also say that they're "influential". That stuff'll clog your arteries. You're staying at your uncle's house for a few days. He offers to make bacon for breakfast. You don't want it because it's unhealthy, and you want to warn your uncle not to eat it either. "Stuff" can mean almost any physical items or material. It's similar to the word "things", but "things" are countable and "stuff" is not. So "stuff" is better to use when you're talking about a group of things that are different from each other - different sizes, shapes, etc. "Stuff" is especially used to refer to things that you buy or own: There's a good chance that you'll end up buying a lot of stuff while you're there. I'll go pick up all the stuff we need. Excuse me. Would you mind watching over my stuff 照看一下, 帮看一下  for me for just a minute? But "stuff" can also mean "topics" or "ideas", like in this example: We have a lot of stuff to talk about. (something)'ll (do something / be something) The word "will" can be contracted to "'ll" after a noun like this: My wife'll give you a call later. The sun'll be setting soon. No one'll find out! This happens in casual spoken English. Avoid it when speaking or writing formally. (some food) clogs your arteries (静脉) 堵塞血管 Your "arteries" are blood vessels which carry blood away from your heart within your body. In addition to arteries, you also have "veins" (动脉) which carry blood back toward your heart. When an artery gets "clogged", it means that something is blocking up the artery and there's a high risk that you could have a heart attack. English speakers generally believe that eating fatty foods "clogs your arteries" and causes heart attacks. Even though veins can get clogged as well, we always use "arteries" in this expression.