What did they say again?
English is rich in idiomatic expressions. It’s important to understand exactly what they mean. Learn some key idioms here.
First, the idiomatic way
Ann: How do you keep abreast of
all the changes?
Liz: I’ve been racking my brain
for some useful tips. There are a few tricks of the trade I can show you. Shall we meet tomorrow? Ann: That would be good, thanks.
Now, more simply
Ann: How do you make sure you have the most recent information about all the changes?
Liz: I’ve been trying very hard to think of some useful tips. There are a few quick and effective methods that I’ve learned from experience that I can show you. Shall we meet tomorrow?
Ann: That would be good, thanks.
First, the idiomatic way
Liz: If there’s one lesson I learned very early on, it’s that it’s so important to ask questions. I learned that the hard way!
Ann: Anything else?
Liz: Learn from your mistakes.
Now, more simply
Liz: If there’s something I learned very early on, it’s that it’s so important to ask questions. I learned that from my own painful experience, by trying to do things and making lots of terrible mistakes along the way!
Ann: Anything else?
Liz: Try to understand what you did wrong and make sure you don’t do it again.