Хит-парад продвинутых выражений для C2 и стремящихся. Как только вы их выучите, ваш аппер-элементари тут же заиграет новыми красками, а соседи с коллегами окончательно перестанут понимать ваш английский - ведь вы будете почти как нейтив: ALL BUT = ALMOST • I all but managed to get up for my morning class. • He all but fainted when she turned out to be a man. AS IT WERE = SO TO SPEAK • He is alternatively gifted, as it were. • I am not exactly her biggest fan, as it were. AS LONG AS = ONLY IF • You can borrow 5 bucks from me as long as I never see you again. • I will marry you as long as you attend to my every whim. FUCK ALL = NOTHING (TABOO) • What do you mean, you gave me your all? You gave me fuck all! • Those bitching off experts know fuck all about our Lord the Savior. IN THAT = BECAUSE (FORMAL) • I cannot entirely agree in that you’re talking shit, sir. • He was not economically viable in that he spent his loan on booze and whores. I, FOR ONE = I PERSONALLY / saying what you think, even if others do not think so: • The rest of you may disagree, but I, for one, think we should go ahead with the Circle jerk. • ...And I, for one, welcome our new insect overlords! NOW (THAT) = BECAUSE NOW • Now that I live away from Harlem, I walk to work and enjoy it. • Now the kids have left home we've got a lot of extra space (and food). EASILY = SIMPLY / BY FAR • He is easily the best candidate, given his experience and willingness to work for free. • Of all the ladies on the website, she was easily the cheapest. IT’S A GOOD JOB = THANK GOODNESS (INFORMAL) • It’s a good job you called. Now I can tell my husband there’s an emergency at work. • Good job you admitted to that. Now I won’t have to blame you. MAKE BELIEVE = PRETEND • Let’s make believe we’re pirates and rob that boat. • I love taking those make-believe experts down a peg or two. ONLY TOO = VERY • She knew only too well it was her last chance to get married. • I’m only too happy to help you pack your stuff. QUITE A FEW = MANY • I’ve had quite a few. Can you call me a taxi? • Quite a few relatives showed up for the 95-year-old’s birthday. He was rich. SO FAR = UNTIL NOW • I’ve written 53 words so far. Can I have a break now? • So far he’s been good to you but they’re all deceiving bastards. P.S. Иногда эти выражения могут быть и простыми сочетаниями слов (‘She lives SO FAR that I can’t afford to visit her’). Ну, это вы и так поняли. Забирайте себе на стену, чтобы ваши друзья не отстали от вас в развитии.