Five more GREAT English expressions~~~

1. Full disclosure

Total disclosure, complete disclosure, transparency 

Telling EVERYTHING there is to know. NOT hiding any facts. Laying out all the cards (on the table). Telling all of the who, what, why, when, where and how of a particular incident.

Do you think that full disclosure is good? If there is NOT full disclosure, is that lying? Wikileaks is an internet site devoted to full disclosure.

Many citizens are demanding a full disclosure from the government regarding UFOs.

Do you give a full disclosure to your new partner about past relationships?

I want full disclosure on Osama Bin Laden’s death.

I want full disclosure on the effects GMO foods have had on lab animals.

I’ll vault it~

I’ll keep it in the vault, I’ll lock it in the vault, Your secret is safe with me, I won’t tell anyone, I’ll keep it a secret.

This is just an interesting expression that means “I’ll keep your secret!” Do you know the difference between a vault and a safe? Vaults are HUGE safes that are usually found at banks—I have never seen a vault in someone’s home^^ Safes are the smaller, usually portable, boxes found in homes and offices. Some safes are secretly hidden behind pictures^^

Everything is under control

There is nothing to worry about. Everything seems okay. Everything is good to go. There’s nothing to be concerned about.

What a “relaxing” expression! When things are running smoothly, when everything is operating perfectly; we use this expression.

Boss:   Shane, how’s the report?

Shane:  It’s finished, sir.

Boss:   Have all the reservations been made?

Shane:  Yes, everything is ready.

Boss:   No last minute changes?

Shane:  No, sir. Everything is under control. Tomorrow’s presentation will be a 

            complete success.

Boss:    If it’s not, you’re fired.

I keep racking my brain to try and figure out what I did.

I keep thinking and thinking and thinking about what I may have done wrong. I keep wondering what mistake I made. I keep torturing my brain to find the answer…

“to wrack” or “to rack”…that is the question. Actually, both spellings are used and both can be possible IF one stretches their definition. Both words actually began as nouns. A wrack is the original spelling/pronunciation of wreck. So “He wrecked his car” can also be “He wracked his car”. ^^ “wrack” also forms the root of “to wreak”. To wreak is used when destruction or damage occurs. So some people argue that they mean they are destroying their brain when they say “I’m wracking my brain.”

HOWEVER, the more correct and accepted version is “racking my brain”. Rack, as a noun, refers to a frame used to hold things—a clothing rack, a coat rack, a wall rack. It was also used to refer to a torture device in which the victim was tied to a frame, and then the frame was stretched apart…horrible.

And that is our KEY—torture. To “wrack one’s brain” means to “torture one’s brain”…UNTIL you get the answer.

What do you wrack your brain for? Dinner? The meaning of life? The origin of humans? How to quit your job? Give us your example^^

I made great small talk with the waitress.

“small talk” refers to “light conversation”. Other similar words would be banter and chatter. To talk about “nothing”. To talk about the weather, a recent sports game, a movie, your family, or even your country. Be careful, though, some subjects are TOO serious for small talk. Subjects like religion, politics, government and salary tend to become too DEEP^^ Light conversation is the key.

Improving your English by practicing your “small talk” is a good method. You can do it whenever you see a native English speaker—riding a bus, on the subway, at a park, etc. If you become too nervous, simply look at your watch and say, “Woops! It’s already 5 o’clock. I must be off! Bye-bye!^^