DISCOURSE MARKERS AND IDIOMS

Common Types of Discourse Markers and linking phrases:

1. Addition (to add more information)
   • Examples: furthermore, besides, in addition, Another thing that comes to mind, also, besides, additionally, another good example of this is, another reason for this, and one more thing, another worth mentioning is, moreover
   • Example sentence: I enjoy reading books. Furthermore, I love discussing them with friends.
2. Contrast (to show a difference or contradiction)
   • Examples: however, on the other hand, but, nevertheless, although
   • Example sentence: I wanted to go to the beach; however, it started raining.
3. Cause and Effect (to show a reason or result)
   • Examples: therefore, as a result, thus, because, so
   • Example sentence: I missed the train, so I was late for the meeting.
4. Clarification (to explain something more clearly)
   • Examples: in other words, that is to say, namely
   • Example sentence: He’s really busy, in other words, he doesn’t have time to chat.
5. Emphasis (to emphasize a point)
   • Examples: in fact, actually, certainly, indeed
   • Example sentence: This is, in fact, the best movie I have ever seen.
6. Summarization or Conclusion (to summarize or conclude a point)
   • Examples: in conclusion, to sum up, overall, all in all
   • Example sentence: To sum up, we should focus on improving our communication skills.
7. Examples or Illustration (to provide examples or clarification)
   • Examples: for example, such as, like, namely
   • Example sentence: There are many ways to improve your English, such as reading books or watching movies.
8. Time or Sequence (to indicate order or time)
   • Examples: First, the first thing, first of all, firstly, the next one, to begin with, moving on to the next reason, secondly, thirdly, subsequently, on top of that(그것에 추가로/게다가), later, after this, finally, meanwhile
   • Example sentence: First, we need to gather the materials. Then, we can begin the project.
   • Meanwhile *그동안, 한편* *그 사이에* 주로 두 가지 사건이나 상황이 동시에 일어나거나 진행될 때, 그 사이에 일어나는 다른 일을 언급할 때 쓰입니다. 또한, **시간적** 또는 **상황적** 변화나 전환을 나타낼 때 사용됩니다.
     1. 그동안, 한편 (두 사건이 동시에 일어날 때)
        - 예문: John was cooking dinner. Meanwhile, his wife was setting the table.  
          (존은 저녁을 요리하고 있었다. 한편, 그의 아내는 식탁을 차리고 있었다.)
     
     2. 그 사이에, 그동안에 (어떤 일이 진행되는 동안 다른 일이 발생할 때)
        - 예문: I was reading a book. Meanwhile, the kids were playing outside.
          (나는 책을 읽고 있었다. 그 사이에 아이들은 밖에서 놀고 있었다.)
     
     3. 대조적인 상황 (두 가지 상황이나 행동이 대조될 때)
        - 예문: He was working hard on his project. Meanwhile, his colleagues were enjoying a vacation.
          (그는 프로젝트를 열심히 하고 있었다. 그 사이에 그의 동료들은 휴가를 즐기고 있었다.)
     
     

Function	Discourse markers, linking phrases
Indicating opinion & attitude	Unfortunately, however, actually, to be honest, definitely, essentially, frankly, basically, clearly, I'm afraid, if you ask me, sadly, thankfully, in fact, seriously, as a matter of fact
Comparing	Similarly, in the same way, equally, likewise, in a similar fashion, if I compare it to my country
Contrasting	However, although, instead of, despite, on one hand, on the other hand, in the opposite way, in contrast, whereas
Giving examples	A great example of this is, for example, for instance, a personal example is, in other words, a striking example of this, a classic example is, a clear example of this can be seen, such as, illustrated by
Result	As a result, because of this, therefore, consequently, so, then
Generalising	Generally, broadly speaking, as a rule, on the whole, it is often said that..., in most cases, the vast majority of, a small minority of

 

Stalling/ speech fillers 음성 필러를 사용하면 말할 때 자연스럽게 들리게 됩니다. 왜냐하면 그들은 실제 대화에 참여하기 때문입니다.

Let me think about that..., that's a difficult/interesting question, I haven't thought of that before, well..., actually, basically I’d say You can use them to buy time

       

 

 Idiomatic Vocabulary

Sitting pretty

To be in a good financial situation.

Once we get the insurance money, we'll be sitting pretty.

**유리한 위치에 있다**, **편안하고 좋은 상태에 있다**

누군가가 재정적으로 안정되거나, 성공적인 상황에 있거나, 걱정 없이 편안한 위치에 있을 때 

1. 유리한 상황에 있다, 여유롭다
   - 무언가 잘 풀리거나, 어려움 없이 편안한 상태에 있는 상황을 말합니다.  
   - 예문: *After getting the promotion, she's sitting pretty with her new salary.*  
     (승진을 받은 후 그녀는 새 월급 덕분에 여유로운 상태다.)

2. 재정적으로 안정적이다
   - 돈이나 자원 면에서 넉넉한 상태를 의미합니다.  
   - 예문: *With their investments paying off, they're sitting pretty financially.*  
     (투자가 성공하면서 그들은 재정적으로 여유로운 상태에 있다.)

3. 걱정 없는 편안한 상태에 있다
   - 문제나 어려움이 없는 상태를 나타냅니다.  
   - 예문: *With a supportive team and good funding, our project is sitting pretty.*  
     (지원해주는 팀과 충분한 자금 덕분에 우리의 프로젝트는 순조롭게 진행되고 있다.)

뉘앙스:
이 표현은 다소 캐주얼하며, 긍정적이고 행복한 상황을 묘사할 때 주로 사용됩니다. 😊

 

Be in stitches
Meaning: To laugh a lot
Example: The  movie was so funny that I was in stitches

너무 웃겨서 배를 잡고 웃다

무언가가 정말 재미있거나 웃긴 상황에서 사용

여기서 stitches는 웃다가 복부 근육이 아픈 느낌을 묘사한 거예요.  

1. 엄청 웃다
   - 사람이 배를 잡고 웃을 정도로 크게 웃는 상황을 표현합니다.  
   - 예문: The comedian's performance was so funny that the audience was in stitches.
     (그 코미디언의 공연이 너무 웃겨서 관객들이 배를 잡고 웃었다.)

2. 웃겨서 정신을 못 차리다
   - 너무 웃겨서 통제할 수 없을 정도로 웃는 상태를 나타냅니다.  
   - 예문: My friend Yeajin is so hilarious, and her jokes sometimes have me in stitches for minutes!
     (그녀의 농담에 몇 분 동안 계속 웃었다!)
뉘앙스:
이 표현은 매우 캐주얼하며, 친근한 대화에서 자주 사용됩니다. 웃음이 너무 커서 즐거운 고통(?)을 겪는 뉘앙스가 담겨 있죠. 😄

 

Stand one's ground

To firmly maintain one's opinion or position.

Everyone in the room disagreed with Mary, but she stood her ground.

자신의 입장이나 위치를 굳게 지키다

어려운 상황이나 압박을 받는 상황에서도 물러서지 않고 자신의 입장을 고수하거나 용기 있게 버틴다

1. 입장을 고수하다
   - 자신의 의견이나 결정을 바꾸지 않고 지키는 경우.  
   - 예문: *Even under pressure from the board, she stood her ground on the proposal.*  
     (이사회로부터 압박을 받았음에도 그녀는 제안에 대한 입장을 고수했다.)

2. 물러서지 않다, 버티다
   - 어려운 상황에서도 도망가지 않고 당당히 맞서 싸우는 경우.  
   - 예문: *The soldier stood his ground against the enemy despite being outnumbered.*  
     (그 군인은 적이 수적으로 우세함에도 물러서지 않고 맞섰다.)

3. 물리적 또는 심리적 저항
   - 누군가의 공격이나 비판을 받더라도 굴복하지 않는 태도를 말함.  
   - 예문: *When the bully confronted him, he stood his ground and didn’t back down.*  
     (그가 괴롭힘을 당했을 때 물러서지 않고 굳건히 버텼다.)

이 표현은 **단호함**과 **용기**를 강조하는 긍정적인 느낌을 갖고 있습니다. 😊

 

 

All fired up

Excited; highly enthusiastic

I'm really fired up about the party next week.

열정적이고 흥분된 상태

누군가가 매우 흥분하거나, 에너지가 넘치거나, 강한 감정을 느끼는 상태를 설명할 때

주로 좋은 방향으로 흥분했을 때 사용됩니다.

1. 흥분하거나 열정적이다
   - 무언가에 대한 강한 열정이나 흥분을 느낄 때.  
   - 예문: *She was all fired up before her big presentation.*  
     (그녀는 중요한 발표 전 정말 흥분하고 열정적이었다.)

2.강한 감정에 휩싸이다   
   - 감정적으로 격앙된 상태일 때 사용됩니다.  
   - 예문: *The team was all fired up after the victory.*  
     (팀은 승리 후 매우 흥분했다.)

3. 어떤 일에 대해 강하게 반응하다  
   - 무언가가 마음에 들지 않거나 분노를 일으킬 때도 사용할 수 있습니다.  
   - 예문: *He got all fired up when he heard the news.*  
     (그는 그 뉴스를 듣고 매우 흥분했다.)

 

뉘앙스:
- 긍정: 에너지 넘치고 열정적일 때.
- 부정: 분노나 격앙된 감정을 표현할 때도 사용될 수 있습니다.

 

Spill the beans

To reveal a secret.

We were going to surprise Max with a party, but somebody spilled the beans.

**"Spill the tea"**와 **"spill the beans"**는 비슷해 보이지만 뉘앙스와 사용하는 상황이 다릅니다! 😊  

---
Spill the tea
가십(gossip)을 공유, 주로 흥미롭거나 충격적인 소문이나 이야기를 털어놓는다
상황: 가벼운 대화, 친구들끼리 재미있는 이야기나 소문을 나눌 때 사용
  - Come on, spill the tea about what happened at the party!  
    (자, 파티에서 무슨 일이 있었는지 얘기 좀 해봐!)  
  - She always spills the tea about her coworkers.
    (그녀는 항상 동료들 이야기를 들려줘.)

Spill the beans*
비밀을 누설하다, 의도적이든 실수든 숨겨진 정보를 드러낸다
상황: 중요한 정보나 계획이 드러났을 때.  
  - He spilled the beans about the surprise wedding.  
    (그가 깜짝 결혼식 계획을 누설했어.)  
  - Don’t spill the beans, or you’ll ruin the surprise!
    (비밀을 말하지 마, 그러면 서프라이즈가 망가질 거야!)

즉, "spill the tea"는 가십에 초점, "spill the beans"는 비밀에 초점! 😄

 

 

Kill time
Meaning: To do something that will make time to pass quickly
Example: I usually go for a walk in the park just to kill time.

 

Went down well with

Meaning:  Something that people like or appreciate
Example: His new song went down well with music lovers.

~에서, ~에게 / 잘 받아들여지다, 좋은 반응을 얻다

주로 어떤 일이 잘 진행되었거나, 어떤 아이디어나 제안, 행동이 긍정적으로 평가되었을 때 사용됩니다.

1. 잘 받아들여지다, 좋은 반응을 얻다
   - 누군가가 한 말이나 행동이 다른 사람들에게 긍정적인 반응을 얻었을 때 사용됩니다.  
   - Her presentation really went down well with the audience.*
     (그녀의 발표는 청중들에게 정말 잘 받아들여졌다.)

2. 잘 진행되다, 성공하다
   - 계획이나 행사 등이 순조롭게 진행된 경우.  
   - The party went down well with everyone; they all had a great time.
     (파티는 모두가 즐거운 시간을 보냈기 때문에 잘 진행되었다.)

3. 호평을 받다*
   - 어떤 의견이나 제안이 긍정적으로 받아들여졌을 때.  
   - His idea went down well with the team, and they decided to implement it.
     (그의 아이디어는 팀에서 좋은 반응을 얻어 채택되었다.)


이 표현은 주로 긍정적인 상황에 사용되며, 어떤 일이 잘 이루어졌을 때나 성공적인 결과를 나타낼 때 쓰입니다. 😊

 

 

See red

To become very angry; to be furious.

Max saw red when he found out that Mary went to Paris with John.

화가 나다, 격분하다

누군가가 매우 화가 나거나 분노를 느낄 때

특히 자제력을 잃고 격렬하게 화를 낼 때

1. 화가 나다, 분노하다
   - 어떤 일이나 상황이 너무 화나게 해서 사람이 분노하는 상태를 나타냅니다.  
   - She saw red when she found out that her colleague took credit for her work.
     (그녀는 동료가 자신의 일을 가로챘다는 사실을 알고 매우 화가 났다.)

2. 격렬하게 화를 내다
   - 분노가 심하고 감정을 제어할 수 없을 때 사용됩니다.  
   - He saw red when his car was damaged in the parking lot.
     (그는 주차장에서 차가 망가졌을 때 격렬하게 화를 냈다.)

3.화가 난 상태
   - 감정적으로 매우 격한 상태에 있을 때.  
   - 예문: When she saw red, there was no stopping her argument.   
     (그녀가 화를 내자, 그녀의 논쟁은 멈출 수 없었다.)

이 표현은 심한 분노나 격렬한 감정을 강조하는 표현으로, 보통 사람이나 상황이 너무 화가 나서 감정을 제어하지 못할 때 사용됩니다. 😡

 

Off the top of my head:
Meaning: to recall something without too much thinking
Example: I can say that people who work in mass media have the duty of diffusing information to the general public

At the top of one's lungs

In an extremely loud voice.

Max called out to Mary at the top of his lungs, but she didn't hear him.

 

Back to the drawing board
Meaning: Something you failed to do or achieve so you have to try again

Example: I only had band 5 in ielts speaking, so I have to go back to the drawing board.

smell a rat

To suspect trickery or deception

Something is not right. I smell a rat.

Add up

To make sense; to be consistent (usually negative)

John's excuse for not completing his homework just doesn't add up.

Put all your eggs in one basket

Meaning: to put all your effort or time on one person, thing or plan
Example: I’m applying for several jobs in different companies because I don’t want to put all my eggs in one basket.

See eye to eye 

To agree; to have similar views; to get along.

Max and Mary rarely see eye to eye on anything.

My dad and I see eye to eye on food. ( when it comes to foo)

My daughter and I don’t see eye to eye on everything because she is in puberty.

Over the moon //on cloud nine
Meaning:  to be extremely happy about something.
Example: I was over the moon on my birthday because my dad offered me a new phone.

=> When I got an award as the most outstanding graduate, I was over the moon. 

Bear in mind

Remember; consider; note.

Bear in mind that money is not the most important thing in life.

Shrug off

To ignore; To disregard; to minimize the importance of something.

Max shrugged off Mary's accusations and went on with his normal routine.

I just shrug off all my problems 

I just shrug all my problems off.

 

Once in a blue moon (rarely)
Meaning: something that happens very rarely or happens once after a long time.
Example: My friend visits me once in a blue moon
I hit the gym once in a blue moon. (I rarely exercise)

 

A piece of cake
Meaning: Something that is easy to do
Example: Having band 5 is a piece of cake, but getting band 8 is tough.

=> Waking up at 6AM is a piece of cake. 

Slip one's mind

To forget; to overlook.

I was supposed to do some homework last night, but it totally slipped my mind.

Beat around the bush

To talk about a topic too indirectly or cautiously; to take a long time getting to the main point or idea.

Please stop beating around the bush and get to the point!

Go the extra mile.
Meaning: To make more effort than is expected of you
Example: I have to go the extra mile to pass ielts.

 

Set straight

To correct with accurate information.

The presidential candidates seem to have their facts wrong. Someone needs to set them straight.

Fixed in their ways
Meaning: not wanting to change
Example: Everyone in my family has a smartphone except my parents who are fixed in their ways.

 

Shoot the breeze

To talk or converse idly.

Do you want to have a cup of coffee and shoot the breeze for a while?

Bend over backwards

To make a great effort; to go to great lengths.

Max bent over backwards to make sure that his boss was happy.

A hot potato
Meaning: A controversial topic or difficult situation.
Example: The conflict between North and South Korea is a hot potato

 

Bite one's tongue

To stop oneself from speaking out.

Max quit his job because he was tired of biting his tongue every time his boss announced one of his stupid ideas.

Keep an eye on him
Meaning: Pay attention to something
Example: I have to keep an eye on my grammar if you have get band 7 in IELTS

Miss the boat
Meaning: Miss an opportunity

Example: He was offered admission but he failed ielts and so missed the boat
.

Cost an arm and a leg
Meaning: Really expensive.

Example: Buying a brand new laptop costs an arm and a leg

=> Houses in the capital cost an arm and a leg.

Sell like hot cakes

To sell fast

Astronaut diapers are selling like hot cakes.

 

Practice makes perfect.
Meaning: The more you learn something, the more you will become perfect in it
Example: I have to study every day so I can have a high score since practice makes perfect.

 

Under the weather

Meaning: You are sick or in low spirit
Example: I won't go to the cinema because I'm under the weather.

Takes two to tango
Meaning: Two people involved in the same difficult situation must  bear the blame.
Example: Divorce is never the fault of one partner; it takes two to tango.

See eye to eye

Meaning: To agree on something
Example: We’ve been friends for decades because we see eye to eye

 

In high spirit
Meaning: Happy and excited
Example: Kim is in high spirit after passing ielts

 

Full of beans
Meaning: to have a lot of energy and enthusiasm
Example: I am full of beans when I study ielts

Against the clock
Meaning: Do something as fast as possible and try to finish it before a certain time.

Example: I have been offered admission to study in London, so I’m racing against the clock to pass IELTS.

 

On cloud nine

Meaning: Very happy and excited about something

Example: I bought  a new phone and I'm on cloud nine.

>>I slept well last night and now, I'm on cloud nine. 

>>My daughter is on cloud nine because she has a new bag.

 

If (present tense)- will

If my favorite football team wins, I will be on cloud nine./over the moon.

Feeling under the weather

 

Fall under the umbrella (to be included in a group)

>> Yellow, blue, and red fall under the umbrella of primary colors.

____, ___, _____ fall under the umbrella of EUROPEAN FOOTBALL CLUB.

 

He has been managing LIVERPOOL for over 5 years.

He has been the coach of Liverpool for 5 years.

Sit on the fence
Meaning: To be undecided.
Example: I’m still sitting on the fence because I dont know whether to study in Australia or England.

 

Bushed
Meaning: Very tired.
I was bushed after playing football for the first time  

Be sick to death of something/doing something
Meaning: To be angry and bored because something unpleasant has been happening for too long

Example: I’m sick to death of doing nothing but study; let’s go have fun outside:

Come rain or shine
Meaning:  Something will happen regardless of weather or other difficulties.  

Example: I will be on time for the class, rain or shine.

Not my cup of tea;
Meaning: Something you dont like.
Example: Sports is not my cup of tea.

 

Give it my best shot
Meaning: Do the best that one can

Example: IELTS is a tough (hard/difficult) test, but I’ll give it my best shot, and I’ll get band 6.0

>>Cooking is not my cup of tea but I’ll give it my best shot because I want my mom to be happy.

>>Cooking is not my cup of tea but I’ll do my best because I want my mom to be happy.

 

In deep water
Meaning:  in difficulty; in trouble or in a dangerous situation

Kim has not submitted his dissertation so he’s in deep water.

 

Next to nothing:
Meaning:  to cost very little 

Example: Food prices in the countryside is next to nothing

 

At all costs
Meaning: Do everything you can to achieve/succeed in something

Example:  My dream is to pass IELTS. I will work hard for it at all costs

An arm and a leg
Meaning: Very expensive
It cost an arm and a leg to buy a new car

Dog's breakfast

Meaning: something that is a complete mess.

Example: I made a dog's breakfast out exams.

Few and far between

Meaning: Things that are difficult to get

Example: Sport facilities in my hometown are few and far between.

Idiot box

Meaning: Watching TV lack educational value and people call it  the idiot box.

Example: He spends all his free time in front of the idiot box.

Up-to-the-minute

Meaning: Something that is up-to-the-minute is the very latest or most recent version available.

Example: The internet is the best place to find up-to-the-minute news.

Ticks all the right boxes

Meaning: If something ticks all the right boxes, it is perfect for you.

Example: We're in luck!  We visited a house that ticks all the right boxes. We shall rent it.

 

Top notch

Meaning: Something is of the highest possible quality or standard.

Example: I bought a new Iphone; it's top notch.

At odds

Meaning: To disagree with another person.

Example: Kim is at odds with his father over the purchase of a new laptop.

 

Vanish into thin air 

Meaning: To disappear completely in a mysterious way.

Example: The diamonds vanished into thin air - nobody knows what happened to them.

Variety is the spice of life 

Meaning: Life  is more interesting when you try to do different things.

Example: I try different kinds of leisure activities because variety is the spice of life.

 

Nothing ventured, nothing gained 

Meaning: You cannot expect to achieve anything if you never take any risks.

Example: I'm going to ask my boss for a promotion even though I have little chance of obtaining satisfaction - nothing ventured, nothing gained. 

Vim and vigour 

Meaning: To have lots of vitality, energy and enthusiasm.

Example: After  relaxing over the weekend I'm usually full of vim and vigour.

 

By virtue of 

Meaning: This means 'due to' OR  'because of..

Example: Senior citizens usually get comfortable seats on the bus because of their age.

 

IDIOMATIC EXPRESSIONS:

IDIOM	MEANING	USAGE
A blessing in disguise	a good thing that seemed bad at first	as part of a sentence >
A dime a dozen	Something common	as part of a sentence >
Beat around the bush	Avoid saying what you mean, usually because it is uncomfortable	as part of a sentence
Better late than never	Better to arrive late than not to come at all	by itself
Bite the bullet	To get something over with because it is inevitable	as part of a sentence
Call it a day	Stop working on something	as part of a sentence
Cut somebody some slack	Don't be so critical	as part of a sentence
Cutting corners	Doing something poorly in order to save time or money	as part of a sentence
Easy does it	Slow down	by itself
Get out of hand	Get out of control	as part of a sentence
Get something out of your system	Do the thing you've been wanting to do so you can move on	as part of a sentence
Get your act together	Work better or leave	by itself
Give someone the benefit of the doubt	Trust what someone says	as part of a sentence
Go back to the drawing board	Start over	as part of a sentence
Hang in there	Don't give up	by itself
Hit the sack	Go to sleep	as part of a sentence
It's not rocket science	It's not complicated	by itself
Let someone off the hook	To not hold someone responsible for something	as part of a sentence
Make a long story short	Tell something briefly	as part of a sentence
Miss the boat	It's too late	as part of a sentence
No pain, no gain	You have to work for what you want	by itself
On the ball	Doing a good job	as part of a sentence
Pull someone's leg	To joke with someone	as part of a sentence
Pull yourself together	Calm down	by itself
So far so good	Things are going well so far	by itself
Speak of the devil	The person we were just talking about showed up!	by itself
That's the last straw	My patience has run out	by itself
The best of both worlds	An ideal situation	as part of a sentence
Time flies when you're having fun	You don't notice how long something lasts when it's fun	by itself
To get bent out of shape	To get upset	as part of a sentence
To make matters worse	Make a problem worse	as part of a sentence
Under the weather	Sick	as part of a sentence
We'll cross that bridge when we come to it	Let's not talk about that problem right now	by itself
Wrap your head around something	Understand something complicated	as part of a sentence
You can say that again	That's true, I agree	by itself
Your guess is as good as mine	I have no idea	by itself