Posted by Hey guys!
Everybody knows the importance of learning some idioms and colloquial expressions, especially when you live in a foreign country. We always learn a lot of them by communicating with native speakers or watching movies and series. In this section, you learn some idioms and expressions to communicate in a more natural way when speaking English in a foreign country.
Here are a few Idioms related to the topic Help and Encouragement.
* Bend over backwards – to try very hard to help or please someone (fazer o possível e o impossível)
We bent over backwards to make them feel welcome and they didn’t even thank us.
* Be there for someone – to be ready to listen to someone, help and support (estar presente, disponível para ajudar alguém)
Rachel is a good friend, she is always there for me when I need her.
* Give and take – when two people accept that they cannot have everything they want, sometimes they must give the other person what he/she wants too (dar e receber)
This requires a generous spirit of give and take.
* Hold someone’s hand – to help or support someone in a difficult situation (segurar a mão de alguém, apoiar)
I will hold your hand through these though moments, I promise.
* In the same boat – to be going through the same problem, difficult moment (estar no mesmo barco)
Don’t worry if you are going bald, most men over 50 are on the same boat.
* Keep your chin up – to stay cheerful in a difficult or unpleasant situation (manter o queixo erguido)
It’s hard to keep your chin up despite all these economic problems you have been going through.
* Lend a hand – to help someone (dar uma mãozinha)
Could you lend me a hand with these books, please?
* Look the other way – to ignore a problem you should be trying to deal with (olhar para o outro lado, ignorar)
The government is fully aware of the problem but they just look the other way.
* Meet someone halfway – to come to an agreement with someone (chegar a um meio-termo, acordo)
The opposition is willing to meet the president halfway on the latest plans for the economy.
* A pat on the back – to praise someone for something they have done (dar um tapinha nas costas, cumprimentar)
Today is a good day to pat yourself on the back for bravery and effort.
* Put your hands together – when people try to solve their problems together (dar as mãos, ajudar uns aos outros)
If there is a problem, let’s put our hands together and figure it out.
* Sing someone’s praises – to praise someone in an enthusiastic way (cantar louvores, elogiar com entusiasmo)
He continued to sing Tony’s praises for all that he has achieved.
* Take someone under your wing – to look after someone and make sure he/she is well (manter alguém embaixo da sua asa)
She took her young sister under her wing, gave her advice and helped her to prepare for all challenges of living abroad.
* A tower of strength or a pillar of strength – when someone gives you a lot of help and support in a difficult moment (uma fortaleza, um pilar)
I was my husband’s tower of strength when he went through these difficult times.
I hope you learned some new idioms today, see you next time!
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