More bling for the buck! The #1 guide to American slang is now bigger, more up-to-date, and easier to use This new edition of McGraw-Hill’s Dictionary of American Slang and Colloquial Expressions offers complete definitions of more than 12,000 slang and informal expressions from various sources, ranging from golden oldies such as . . . golden oldie, to recent coinages like shizzle (gangsta), jonx (Wall Street), and ping (the Internet). Each entry is followed by examples illustrating how an expression is used in everyday conversation and, where necessary, International Phonetic Alphabet pronunciations are given, as well as cautionary notes for crude, inflammatory, or taboo expressions. This edition also features a fascinating introduction on “What is Slang?,” a Thematic Index that cross-references expressions by standard terms--such as Angry, Drunk, Food, Good-bye, Mess-up, Money, and Stupidity--and a Hidden Word Index that lets you identify and locate even partially remembered expressions and phrases.

With more than 7,000 up-to-date phrases, this dictionary covers situations from talking to a doctor to ordering a meal, and helps learners communicate personal feelings, and make small talk.

Do you feel that it's "like pulling teeth" when you want to learn new sayings? Would you like to be able to discover new American idioms and phrases that will make communication "a piece of cake"? Sure, you can learn English with a language course or a textbook just fine, and climb up the ranks in terms of your grasp of the language... but are you sure you can talk like a native? For starters, many expressions used by fluent speakers of English can't exactly be learned in a book, and it can be frustrating to realize that your formal learning hasn't been enough to teach you the way people talk in real life. Sometimes, it's all about having the right tools at your disposal... and this is where The Great Book of American Idioms comes in! Written to act as a powerful addition to your other English-learning resources, this book will allow you to: Discover over 1300 different idioms and sayings, covering hundreds of different subjects Learn the correct definition and usage of each expression, ensuring that you know exactly when you can say them out loud during a conversation Visualize examples of the sayings in common conversations, helping you understand their context Take advantage of important tips we provide you in the introduction and conclusion of the book, so that you can boost your learning and get a much better understanding of the English language. What are you waiting for? Over 1300 idioms and expressions are awaiting you! Don't miss out on learning why this "dark horse" will help you "see the big picture"!

A useful guide to everyday American English to help you understand meanings and avoid difficulty in translation In this new edition of Common American Phrases in Everyday Contexts, noted lexicographer Richard A. Spears shares with you 1,900 of the most common phrases and colloquial expressions used in contemporary American English. Here you will discover the greetings, good-byes, and everyday small talk that Americans use daily. All entries have been selected with the special needs of you, the nonnative speaker of English, in mind! Inside you'll find: Examples or short dialogues with each entry that illustrate how the phrase is used in everyday speaking Usage restrictions or warnings for those situations when a phrase may be inappropriate Shortened or abbreviated expressions cross-referenced to their complete forms A Phrase-Finder Index to help quick and easy reference

Mastering the American Accent is an easy-to-follow approach for reducing the accent of non-native speakers of English. Well-sequenced lessons in the book correspond over eight hours of audio files covering the entire text. The audio program provides clear models (both male and female) to help coach a standard American accent. The program is designed to help users speak Standard American English with clarity, confidence, and accuracy. The many exercises in the book concentrate on topics such as vowel sounds, problematic consonants such as V, W, TH, the American R and T and others. Correct lip and tongue positions for all sounds are discussed in detail. Beyond the production of sounds, the program provides detailed instruction in prosodic elements such as syllable stress, emphasis, intonation, linking words for smoother speech flow, common word contractions, and much more. Additional topics that often confuse ESL students are also discussed and explained. They include distinguishing between casual and formal speech, homophones (e.g., they're and there), recognizing words with silent letters (e.g., comb, receipt), and avoiding embarrassing pronunciation mistakes, such as mixing up "pull" and "pool." Students are familiarized with many irregular English spelling rules and exceptions, and are shown how such irregularities can contribute to pronunciation errors. A native language guide references problematic accent issues for 13 different language backgrounds. Publisher's Note: Products purchased from Third Party sellers are not guaranteed by the publisher for quality, authenticity, or access to any online entitlements included with the product.

This collection of 42 short English lessons focuses on specific American idioms and common phrases. The thematic chapters are organized into seven categories: Let's Get Started, Fun with Food, Body Language, Animal Wisdom, Colorful Language, How's the Weather, and Where Are You. Each concise self-contained chapter explores a single American idiom with clear definitions, sample sentences, short readings, comprehension checks, vocabulary lists, writing activities, and conversation questions. The comfortable pace, unit quizzes (with answer keys) and an index of American idioms and expressions also makes this book comfortable for both English classroom use and self-study. Written for high school ESL students and adult English language learners, this book can also improve the vocabulary and cultural literacy of intermediate English students. Understanding and using these American idioms will help immigrants sound more like their American neighbors. Idiom by idiom, readers and students will find speaking English less difficult and more fun - even "a breeze."