语言小点心轻松学:At A Loose End
1. If you are at a loose end, are you:
a) busy, with lots to do?
b) free, and looking for something to do?
c) lost?
2. This expression was originally used on:
a) ships
b) trains
c) aeroplanes
原文出处:
You're listening to British Council's English Online podcast and I'm Nina. Today on Language Snacks we take a look at the expression at a loose end. Let's listen to the dialogue.
A: Hi! Do you want to have lunch?
B: Sure, but I thought you had a meeting with John.
A: Oh, he had to cancel, so I'm at a loose end.
B: Great, I'll just get my coat.
Most of us lead very busy lives these days, but do you ever finish everything you have to do and find that you have a bit of spare time to fill? In these situations, when we have free time, but we don't know what to do with it, we say we are at a loose end.
This expression was originally about sailors' ropes which had become untied, or 'loose', and therefore were not being used properly.
And that's it for now – join us again for some more Language Snacks.
You've been listening to English Online – the podcast for English learners in China.
Answers: B A
