English in Madrid

UNDER-PRESSURE STARMER'S NEW U-TURN Compulsory digital IDs are on the cards U-turn Literal meaning: On the road, a U-turn is when a vehicle turns 180 degrees and goes back in the opposite direction . Figurative meaning: In everyday English, it describes a complete change of opinion, policy, or plan , often in politics, business, or personal decisions. 🌞 The government made a U-turn on tax policy after public protests. → They completely reversed their decision. To be on the cards (UK English; in US English: to be in the cards) Meaning: Something that is likely to happen, possible, or expected . Origin: Comes from the idea of fortune-telling with cards (like tarot or playing cards). If something is on the cards, it’s foretold or destined. 🌞 A promotion could be on the cards for her this year. → A promotion is likely or expected. Have you ever made a U-turn in your life — changed your mind completely about something? What happened? Can you think of a famous U-turn? What h...

Image created with Chat GPT 1️⃣ BEARABLE (adj) Something that can be endured, tolerated, or handled without too much discomfort, pain, or difficulty .  ( soportable ) 🌞 Having a friend by my side made the long wait much more bearable . ( llevadera ) 🌞 The pain after the surgery was bearable with the help of medication. 🌞 The loud construction noise became unbearable after a few hours. ( insoportable ) 🌞 The tension in the room was unbearable as everyone waited for the results. 🌞 It's been unbearably hot this summer. Some 🐻 expressions:   What's the one word that fits every sentence? bear sth/sb in mind - take sth into account (tener en cuenta) like a bear with a sore head - in a very bad mood (estar de un humor de perros) bear with sb - be patient with sb (tener paciencia con algn, esperar) https://t.co/Bo1jESkIq9 — English in Madrid (@madteacher72) May 1, 2020 A 🐻‍❄️ binomial: #WOTD GRIN (n,v) - a wide smile (sonrisa de oreja a oreja) e.g. He had A BIG GRIN ...

Source: Wikipedia   French history myths: Marie-Antoinette said ‘Let them eat cake’ It's one of history's most famous quotes , synonymous with the French revolution, but there's little evidence that any real-life royal actually said it. The Myth: French queen Marie-Antoinette, on be ing told that an ongoing famine meant that many people did not even have bread to eat, said “Let them eat cake”. It’s the perfect symbol of the out-of-touch French royalty who would shortly be deposed and executed in the French Revolution, but there are two problems with this ‘fact’.  In response to be ing told about the famine, the Austrian queen supposedly answered “Qu’ils mangent de la brioche” dismissing the widespread hunger and making it obvious she did not understand the gravity of the situation.  However , even the English translation of ‘Let them eat cake’ on its own might merit a fact check, as brioche is in fact a sweet bread made with butter and egg, so it is not ex...

Source: Hatice Yardım on Unsplas h Front page headlines can be a useful test of your knowledge of vocabulary. Here are some old tweets which look at the front pages of English newspapers: EXPRESS FRONT PAGE: 75% of claiments on sickness benefits are faking it. #skypapers http://twitpic.com/5wb633 — Sky News (@SkyNews) July 26, 2011 http://t.co/DPFOwcm #headlines to fake stg = to pretend to have a feeling or an illness, to skive =to be absent from work without permission — Graham Mad Teacher (@madteacher72) July 26, 2011 DAILY EXPRESS FRONT PAGE: 4M scrounging families in Britain #skypapers http://t.co/pdWOZP5 — Sky News (@SkyNews) September 1, 2011 http://t.co/vJgcKPb #headlines #headlines1 to SCROUNGE: to get things (money/food) by asking for them instead of buying or working for them. — Graham Mad Teacher (@madteacher72) September 1, 2011 http://t.co/X71IHPm http://t.co/25D8teN #headlines1 to SUE: to take someone to court for financial compensation...

Read some of these news stories. In your comments, tell me the new expressions that you have discovered. Which of these stories interested you most? Spain grants bullfighting protected status "Women drive worse than men": Spanish judge Spanish wealth gap is biggest in Europe, says charity Madrid's buskers to face X-factor-style audition Madrid is just fine Spain summons US ambassador over claim NSA tracked 60m calls a month Spain pulls out of two-year recession Spanish government drops plans to cut European funding scheme Rubbish piles up as Madrid cleaners go on strike http://t.co/gs6ZHCTAFu vía @rtenews — Graham Mad Teacher (@madteacher72) November 7, 2013 Spanish royals feel the heat as e-mails compound fall from grace Spanish taxpayers pay price as king goes from have yacht to have not Noisy neighbour faces the music Catalonia sets date for independence referenudm but Madrid vows to block it Spain's Eurovegas plan: US casino operat...

Read some of these news stories. In your comments, tell me the new expressions that you have discovered. Which of these stories interested you most? Spain's Mariano Rajoy "implicated after publication of slush fund documents" Spain's Mariano Rajoy refuses to step down Madrid declares war on plague of raccoon and parrot invaders Spanish train crash: 78 killed and 130 injured in derailment Spain considers Gibraltar border fee Royal Navy warships to visit Gibraltar amid diplomatic row "Monkey Christ" painter stages exhibition Has anyone been to the Tomatina? Would you (pay to) go? : Budget-hit Spanish town charges for tomato-throwing fest http://t.co/7ou02b5QOc — Graham Mad Teacher (@madteacher72) August 28, 2013 Gareth Bale joins Real Madrid for a world record fee of £86m Catalans form human chain for independence from Spain Lost Spanish ticket handed in to clear conscience Analysis of Botella's speech Adiós, siesta? Spain...

Read some of these news stories. In your comments, tell me the new expressions that you have discovered. Which of these stories interested you most? Spain's Princess Christina named as suspect in corruption case http://t.co/BZI5a9pBWj vía @guardian — Graham Mad Teacher (@madteacher72) April 3, 2013 "Nobody elected the King": Thousands protest monarchy in Spain King of Spain is now 'less popular than tax inspectors' - http://t.co/2E1fIynEcA vía @Independent Never liked the man... — Graham Mad Teacher (@madteacher72) April 7, 2013 Queen Sofia wins apology from online adultery agency Margaret Thatcher to have a Madrid street in her name http://t.co/MrwRuD4eOs — Graham Mad Teacher (@madteacher72) April 12, 2013 "Escraches" have been in the news a lot recently. = doorstep demonstration. http://t.co/0y6rtbuhhD Do you think they should be allowed? — Graham Mad Teacher (@madteacher72) April 15, 2013 Expat goodbyes bring down Sp...

Source: Wikipedia ( Oren Rozen ) Which of the following stories interested you most? Read at least one article and in your comment tell me any new words or expressions that you discover. Spain: The pain of austerity deepens Spain healthcare bosses quit over Madrid privatisation Here Comes The Sun flashmob cheers Spanish unemployment office Spain's El País apologises for false Hugo Chavez photo Government faces corruption allegations Operation Puerto doctor admits footballers came to his clinic BBC News - Spanish apathy turns to anger at corruption 'epidemic' http://t.co/2UMdRJQn — Graham Mad Teacher (@madteacher72) February 12, 2013 Rajoy as a Romanian BEGGAR. http://t.co/r12WoI59PS Just heard this sketch described as xenophobe. Where's your sense of humour???? — Graham Mad Teacher (@madteacher72) February 23, 2013 Spain police arrest 45 in Madrid after protest Spanish have highest healthy life expectancy in Europe Spanish spy chief denies sending Germ...