In a moment/at the moment---> Let's cure the confusion with some useful phrases...

Good day dear students and teachers alike. I thought I would share with you some useful phrases and their definitions- it has been a while since I last posted a blog entry! Shame on me! 

This entry will be of relevance to a majority of you-I have most often noticed a certain amount of confusion with  formidable phrases , such as- ''in the moment'' and ''at the moment''- so to clear things up- I decided in the very moment-to post some information, at the moment I have some time to do so...

Of course,with great thanks to the Macmillan dictionary, I present to you-phrases with ''moment''.

Moment: [COUNTABLE] a particular point in time when something happens

PHRASES with ''moment''...

any moment (now)

very soon

They should be here any moment now.

at the moment

now

They're very upset and don't want to talk at the moment.

at this moment in time or at the present moment

used for emphasizing that you are talking about the present time or situation

At this particular moment in time it is difficult for us to raise money.

for the moment

at the present time, until a situation changes

That's all I can tell you for the moment.

from the moment (that) or from this/that moment (on)

used for emphasizing the exact point in time when something started to happen

He didn't stop chatting from the moment he arrived.

From that moment on, I loved swimming.

have its/your moments or someone has their moments

1.to have some good periods or parts

Although the film has its moments, it's not really worth seeing.

2.to sometimes have problems or cause trouble

in a moment

used for telling someone that you will do something very soon

'Come and see this.' reply: 'In a moment.'

just/wait a moment

1.used for telling someone that you will do something very soon

'Can you give me a hand?' 'Just a moment.'

2.used for asking someone to give you their attention for a short time

Just a moment, I want to ask you something.

the last (possible) moment

the latest time that it is possible to do something

She waited until the last possible moment to cancel her flight.

the moment of truth

the time when you will find out if something has succeeded or happened

And now for the moment of truth: who is this year's winner?

not a moment too soon INFORMAL

so late that it is almost too late

We're off on holiday tomorrow, and not a moment too soon.

not for a/one moment

used for emphasizing that something is definitely not true, or that you would definitely not do or say something

I have not for a moment suggested that you should leave.

most typical or most popular at a particular time

the film of the moment

someone/something will take/be a moment

someone or something will be very quick

I'll only be a moment.

You can wait if you like. It won't take a moment.

Tribute to Nelson Mandela- Quotes

Metaphors, Similies and idioms meet Greek Mythology- Atalanta and Hippomenes+ metaphors touched on ;-)

                           

 Dearest Students and Teachers - How do you do on this most auspicious day? 

I have been thinking about the word-magic of metaphor and how it has sneaked into my lessons of late-------> a most daunting  task, the understanding and using of these mystical creatures. 

                                     What on earth are metaphors?

 Well, they conjure up two ideas - the thing you’re literally describing, and something else as well.

A simile is where two things are directly compared because they share a common feature. 

The word AS or LIKE is used to compare the two words. Eg. She is As cold AS ice. (she has no feelings at all!)

A metaphor also compares two things, but it does so more directly WITHOUT using as or like. 

e.g. The shop was a freezer. (An image of extreme cold.)

e.g. ‘My brother eats like a bird.’ or ‘My brother is as free as a bird.’

Now try this: remove the word ‘like’ or 'as' and you have a metaphor. 

'My brother is a bird.’

-the quality of being small and perhaps quite free

There are some metaphors that we hear so often we don't even know they are metaphors- they are somewhat cliched. We refer to them as ''dead metaphors.''

For example:

‘skyscrapers’ > very, very tall buildings

‘give me a hand’ > help me, please

‘I’ve got a lot on my mind’ > I have a lot of worries

'She wears her heart on her sleeve.'> To display one's emotions openly

You are probably wondering- Why should I learn metaphors? Well, they help us express feelings and concepts with fewer words- adopting a crisp, clear image.

More Examples:

I feel lost (confused.) vs I feel at home here, a warm feeling

I’m going to burst ( I have eaten too much.)  vs I feel so empty ( sad/ haven't eaten enough)

let’s explore this idea( to discuss it further- in depth...) , reach for the sky.

feeling claustrophobic, feeling trapped

                           

      The story, graciously given me by a student- you know who you are-thank you so much!             

Long ago, there lived in Greece a beautiful princess by the name of Atalanta. She was  a swift runner … as fast as lightning, they say. In fact, she was the fastest person in the kingdom. 

Whenever she ran down a mountain path, she was the wind that moved the trees.

When Atalanta reached the age when most girls were married, her father decided that she, too, should marry. To Atalanta, that idea was about as welcome as a skunk at an outdoor party! 

She didn't want to marry anyone yet. So at first, she was mad as a wet hen. "But Daughter," said her father, "you are the sun in my sky. I just want you to find someone who will make you happy."

Now Atalanta was as cunning as a fox, so she said, in a voice as sweet as honey. "I know you want the best for me, Father, so I will marry the man who can beat me in a foot race!"

Of course, Atalanta was sure she could beat any man, so she wouldn't have to marry … until she was ready. The king sent out the word: Any man who could beat the princess in a running race would win her hand in marriage.

Many young men came to try their luck. Atalanta took them on, one at a time. Each competitor was given a head start, but since she was faster than a speeding bullet, Atalanta won each race! 

Then one day a handsome prince named Hippomenes came to the castle. He took one look at Atalanta and fell in love. Although she was as cold as ice to him, he was determined to win the race and marry her.

Aphrodite, the goddess of love, helped Hippomenes. 

"Take these three lovely golden apples that shine like the stars," she said. "Find some way to use them wisely during the race to win your true love."

The next morning, Hippomenes and Atalanta waited at the starting line. She offered him a head start, and he took off like a rocket. Before Atalanta could overtake him, Hippomenes threw a golden apple on the path in front of her. 

When she spotted the apple, Atalanta couldn't resist stopping to pick it up. Then on she ran, almost catching up, but then he threw the second apple. 

Again, she stopped to pick it up, then ran on. Hippomenes threw the last apple so far off the path that by the time Atalanta picked it up, it was impossible for her to catch up. He crossed the finish line a split second before her.

Atalanta congratulated her opponent. He smiled and winked, and suddenly she realized that she'd been tricked. But she was not angry for she also realized that he was a very clever man and could run very fast … two things she admired. "You are very fast," she admitted. "Had I not stopped we might have had a tie!" Then she turned to her father. 

              "Father," she announced, "let us set the date for our wedding."

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