rather can be used before negative adjectives to mean 'moderately'; it can also be used before positive adjectives to mean 'more than expected'
quite has a variety of meanings, ranging from 'moderately' to 'totally', depending on the tone of voice that is used.
Note that quite means 'fairly' before a gradable adjective. These are adjectives which can be modified, such as good, clever, helpful. Quite means 'completely' before an ungradable adjective. Ungradable adjectives are those which can't be modified, such as fantastic, brilliant, dreadful, etc.
to get a compensation, generally in money, from an idea
The fact that you have registered your idea in an i-DEPOT does not mean that you hold a monopoly on that idea. Even so, another person should not be able to cash in on an idea that you discussed with him in good faith without paying you for its use.
"He indulges in similes and expressions as rich and varied as the vegetation of his own tropical lands."
In my opinion, similes are expressions you build to emphasize a particular idea.
e.g. topic: a girl's eyes and hair.
Her eyes were blue like the deepest ocean and her hair was as soft as the finest silk.
In this case I want to emphasize that I liked both, her hair and her eyes, so I compare them to things most people would recognize and, since my intention is to be positive in meaning, admire.
Similes referring to animals
as quiet as a mouse, as slippery as an eel, as strong as an ox, as brave as a lion
A double Dutch is something you just don't get.. It's like if a NASA scientist's telling you, a regular fella, how to launch a rocket somewhere.. Eventually, you might say: this is double Dutch! I just can't get wathever you're trying to say!!
Comments by dario
dario commented on the word embittered
in spanish = con un sabor amargo
June 8, 2010
dario commented on the word spick and span
Entirely new - fresh or unused.
May 13, 2010
dario commented on the word out of a bind
to get over sth
May 13, 2010
dario commented on the word dubbed
to be said to be, named after.
in spanish: denominado
May 13, 2010
dario commented on the word tie up loose ends
To deal with the minor consequences of a previous action; to tidy up, finish, or complete.
May 13, 2010
dario commented on the word in the wake of
after something, as a result of some event
May 13, 2010
dario commented on the word the apple of your eye
a person or thing you care the most
May 6, 2010
dario commented on the word the icing on the cake
the most remarkable thing
May 6, 2010
dario commented on the word more holes than Swiss cheese
If something has more holes than a Swiss cheese, it is incomplete,and lacks many parts.
May 6, 2010
dario commented on the word a dog's breakfast
something that has been done very badly
May 6, 2010
dario commented on the word eat humble pie
To be forced to apologize abjectly or admit one's faults in humiliating circumstances.
May 6, 2010
dario commented on the word take with a pinch of salt
to listen to someone but not completely believe the story
May 6, 2010
dario commented on the word have a bigger fish to fry
to have more important things to do
May 6, 2010
dario commented on the word noun collocates
Collocations are words that follows others. Here they're verbs followed by nouns.
- savour: moment, success, freedom, memories, past, wine
May 5, 2010
dario commented on the word relish
It could be used in an abstract way like here:
It means that she didn't liked the fact of being the one to tell the news to the class.
May 5, 2010
dario commented on the word as which
In spanish: como tal
May 5, 2010
dario commented on the word adverbs of degree
fairly means 'moderately'
rather can be used before negative adjectives to mean 'moderately'; it can also be used before positive adjectives to mean 'more than expected'
quite has a variety of meanings, ranging from 'moderately' to 'totally', depending on the tone of voice that is used.
Note that quite means 'fairly' before a gradable adjective. These are adjectives which can be modified, such as good, clever, helpful. Quite means 'completely' before an ungradable adjective. Ungradable adjectives are those which can't be modified, such as fantastic, brilliant, dreadful, etc.
May 5, 2010
dario commented on the word thick and thin
no matter what
May 5, 2010
dario commented on the word sixes and sevens
a state of confusion or disarray
May 5, 2010
dario commented on the word first and foremost
first and most important of all
May 4, 2010
dario commented on the word time and again
always; many times; in a repeatedly manner
May 4, 2010
dario commented on the word to gild the lily
to add something that's unnecesary; an attempt to improve something that's already complete, satisfactory or ideal.
May 4, 2010
dario commented on the word shepherd
wordnet's defintion's: a herder of sheep (on an open range); someone who keeps the sheep together in a flock
May 4, 2010
dario commented on the word overcharged
with too much energy
May 4, 2010
dario commented on the list gci
Hi Tom!
GCI's where I'm learning English here in Galway, Ireland...
It's short for Galway Cultural Institute GCI.ie
BTW it's a great place to be!!
:)
Byee
May 2, 2010
dario commented on the word idiom
* to toe the line = to do as you're told
* to shoulder responsibility = to assume the responsibility on sth.
* to foot the bill = to pay it no matter what
* to thumb a lift = to ask for a lift
* to elbow your way in = to make your way in no matter what
* to table a question = to just say what you want to say
* to corner a thief = to leave the thief without a way out
* to tiptoe into a room = to enter without making any noise
* to man a ship = to furnish with a labor force for work, defense
* to coat with paint = apply paint to
* to cash in on an idea = to get a compensation, generally in money, from an idea
* to ship goods
* to house asylum seekers
* doom and gloom = pessimism
* time and again = always; many times; in a repeatedly manner
* to gild the lily = to add something that's not needed.
* high and dry = deserted (forsaken by owner or inhabitants)
* high and low = everywhere
* flesh and blood = human nature or physical existence, together with its weaknesses
* fame and fortune
* first and foremost = first and most important of all
* life and soul = lively, generally referring to a person
* black and white = communication by means of written symbols (either printed or handwritten)
* sixes and sevens = a state of confusion or disarray
* thick and thin = no matter what
* safe and sound = free from danger or injury
* give and take = make mutual concessions
* touch and go = precarious
Idioms that have to do with food
* put all your eggs in one basket = not to do everything the same way
* have a bigger fish to fry = to have more important things to do
* take with a pinch of salt = to listen to someone but not completely believe the story
April 30, 2010
dario commented on the word to cash in on an idea
to get a compensation, generally in money, from an idea
April 30, 2010
dario commented on the word to coat with paint
apply paint to; coat with paint; "We painted the rooms yellow"
src
April 30, 2010
dario commented on the word to man a ship
to furnish with a labor force for work, defense, etc.
src
April 30, 2010
dario commented on the word to tiptoe into a room
"If the "boogeyman" were to tiptoe into your room in the middle of the night, would he be able to find you?"
To tiptoe into a room is to enter without making any noise
April 30, 2010
dario commented on the word to corner a thief
to leave the thief without a way out
April 30, 2010
dario commented on the word to table a question
to just say what you want to say
April 30, 2010
dario commented on the word to elbow your way in
to make your way in no matter what
April 30, 2010
dario commented on the word to thumb a lift
to ask for a lift
April 30, 2010
dario commented on the word to toe to the line
to do as you're told
April 30, 2010
dario commented on the word to foot the bill
to pay it no matter what
April 30, 2010
dario commented on the word idiom
A lot of idioms here
April 30, 2010
dario commented on the word aisle
homophone with isle
April 30, 2010
dario commented on the word heir
homophone with air
April 30, 2010
dario commented on the word speaking techniques
5.1
To give information about myself and express personal opinions:
- Personally; it's my belief; for my part; I think that; speaking personally.
- On the whole; generally; by and large; for the most part.
- I'm undecided/unsure; I'm ambivalent about; I'm in two minds about.
April 30, 2010
dario commented on the word allure
e.g. When I was a teenager, spending the day with my parents held all the allure of a wet Sunday afternoon doing homework.
Explanation: He hated doing homework as much as being with his parents all day long. Obviously because both things were dull.
April 30, 2010
dario commented on the word coin
to coin something = to make it up
April 30, 2010
dario commented on the word in keeping with
appropriate for
April 30, 2010
dario commented on the word in vain
without success
April 30, 2010
dario commented on the word on edge
= nervous
April 30, 2010
dario commented on the word lieu
"in lieu of" = instead of
April 30, 2010
dario commented on the word fringe
"on the fringe of" = on the outside/edge of
April 30, 2010
dario commented on the word on the grounds
= based on
"on the grounds (that)" = because
April 30, 2010
dario commented on the word bewildering
In Spanish: desconcertante.
April 30, 2010
dario commented on the word like water off a duck's back
It's about something that isn't worth doing.. In other words: pointless
April 30, 2010
dario commented on the word like a sieve
Because it just can't hold anything.
April 30, 2010
dario commented on the word like a bat out of hell
really but REALLY quickly/fast.
April 30, 2010
dario commented on the word similes
From one of wordnik's examples:
"He indulges in similes and expressions as rich and varied as the vegetation of his own tropical lands."
In my opinion, similes are expressions you build to emphasize a particular idea.
e.g. topic: a girl's eyes and hair.
Her eyes were blue like the deepest ocean and her hair was as soft as the finest silk.
In this case I want to emphasize that I liked both, her hair and her eyes, so I compare them to things most people would recognize and, since my intention is to be positive in meaning, admire.
Similes referring to animals
as quiet as a mouse, as slippery as an eel, as strong as an ox, as brave as a lion
April 30, 2010
dario commented on the word copper green
it's like they change to that color when reflected somewhere..
April 30, 2010
dario commented on the word some sight
= It's amazing!
e.g. The Empire State is some sight.
April 30, 2010
dario commented on the word jammed
... and far below the streets jammed with little winking toy yellow cabs ...
April 30, 2010
dario commented on the word onlookers
people who're staring at sth
April 28, 2010
dario commented on the word take off
could also be to withdraw and to call.
April 28, 2010
dario commented on the word draw up
create ( a contract) Let's draw an agreement up before we go any further with this project.
April 28, 2010
dario commented on the word particle
a function word that can be used in English to form phrasal verbs
April 28, 2010
dario commented on the word entanglements
kind of problems
April 28, 2010
dario commented on the word good deal of
a great amount
April 28, 2010
dario commented on the word come too cheap
(fixed expression) = it cost you almost nothing.
e.g.: "... and because you're effectivly supporting the local economy, it shouldn't come too cheap, either."
April 28, 2010
dario commented on the word tackle
= to deal with
April 27, 2010
dario commented on the word harnessed
The best definition is that of Wordnet:
April 27, 2010
dario commented on the word sustainable
able to continue without causing damage to the environment
April 27, 2010
dario commented on the word double Dutch
A double Dutch is something you just don't get.. It's like if a NASA scientist's telling you, a regular fella, how to launch a rocket somewhere.. Eventually, you might say: this is double Dutch! I just can't get wathever you're trying to say!!
April 27, 2010
dario commented on the word but for
e.g. I'm sure the woman would have died but for the help of a man who was passing and knew what to do.
Explanation: If it weren't for the man, she would be dead.
April 26, 2010
dario commented on the word speaking in earnest
= speaking seriously.
e.g. I'm not joking. I'm speaking in earnest.
April 23, 2010
dario commented on the word come undone
My shoelaces have come undone.
April 23, 2010
dario commented on the word pen-names
it's kind of a writer's alias
April 23, 2010
dario commented on the word be that as it may
= let it be the way it has to be
April 21, 2010