WHAT’S THE MATTER: what’s wrong? what are you upset about? You’re looking very sad. What’s the matter?

💙Phrasal Verb 💙”To get around to do/doing something” – to finally find time to do something 💙”Hopefully, I will get around to starting the project today.” 💙”I have not got around to writing the email.” 💙”The building manager finally got around to repairing the window.”

FOR THE BIRDS (U.S.): unimportant, worthless, insignificant. This mall is for the birds. Let’s try shopping downtown.

ASK (n.): request. This is new but quite common in colloquial English. <> A pipe dream is something you want but that is unlikely to happen.

SHAGGY DOG STORY: a long, pointless joke with a lot of meaningless detail. My uncle always liked to tell shaggy dog stories.

GRAVEYARD SHIFT (U.S.): an overnight work schedule. I think I should take the job. I know it’s a graveyard shift four times a week, but the pay is really good.

❤️Idiom ❤️”To have a clear conscience” – to have no guilt or responsibility ❤️”I have a clear conscience and I am not worried that I did something wrong.” ❤️”The businessman is honest and always has a clear conscience.” ❤️”The man apologized and now has a clear conscience.”

BLOW PAST: exceed something quickly. LiveScience: <>

每日一词|中国政府友谊奖 Chinese Government Friendship Award

ON THE BOOKS: part of established law. Although they’re rarely enforced, many American states still have laws against spitting on the books.