Objective Proficiency p 23. Composition. Students' Contributions

Emilio's contribution:

·         Put your back into something: to use a lot of effort and energy on a particular task

·         The apple does not fall far from the tree: a child grows up to be very similar to its parents, both in behavior and in physical characteristics.

·         rub off (on/onto somebody) (of personal qualities, behaviour, opinions, etc.) to become part of a person's character as a result of that person spending time with somebody who has those qualities, etc. Contagiar. E.g. Her sense of fun has rubbed off on her children. Let's hope some of his good luck rubs off on me!

·         Live and breathe something: to be very enthusiastic about something. E.g. He just lives and breathes football.

·         Idle: to spend time doing nothing important. E.g. They idled the days away, talking and watching television.

·         You reap what you sow (saying) you have to deal with the bad effects or results of something that you originally started. Reap: to cut and collect a crop. Harvest. Cosechar, recoger.

·         Bend your mind/efforts to something: (formal) to think very hard about or put a lot of effort into one particular thing.

·         Spare a thought: think about. E.g. You should spare a thought for the person who cleans up after you.

·         Turn a blind eye (to something): to pretend not to notice something bad that is happening, so you do not have to do anything about it. E.g. The authorities were either unaware of the problem or turned a blind eye to it.

·         On the front burner: (informal, especially North American English) (of an issue, a plan, etc.) being given a lot of attention because it is considered important. E.g. Anything that keeps education on the front burner is good. On the back burner: (informal) (of an idea, a plan, etc.) left for the present time, to be done or considered later. E.g. Put sth on the back burner.

Junie's contribution

Wait on somebody hand and foot: (disapproving) to take care of somebody's needs so well that they do not have to do anything for themselves. E.g. He seems to expect me to wait on him hand and foot.

Only have yourself to blame: used to say that you think something is somebody's own fault. E.g. If you lose your job, you'll only have yourself to blame. 

Give in (to somebody/something): 1 to admit that you have been defeated by somebody/something. E.g. The rebels were forced to give in. 2 to agree to do something that you do not want to do. E.g. The authorities have shown no signs of giving in to the kidnappers' demands. 

Take somebody/something for granted: to be so used to somebody/something that you do not recognize their true value any more and do not show that you are grateful. Subestimar. E.g. Her husband was always there and she just took him for granted. We take having an endless supply of clean water for granted. 

Chore: /tʃɔː(r)/ 1 a task that you do regularly. E.g. doing the household/domestic chores. Help your mother with the daily chores.  2 An unpleasant or boring task. E.g. Shopping's a real chore for me.