Winter Expressions

Here are some expressions which can be confusing. Using some of them will make you sound more natural, so try them out with English speakers.

•   To have a snowball’s chance in hell (informal) - to have no chance of doing or having something

     Ex. You have a snowball’s chance in hell of winning the lottery.

•    Snowed under - with too much work to deal with                                   

         Ex. We’re snowed under with applications for the job.  

                           

• Put something on ice (informal) – to delay something

      Ex. The negotiations were put on ice when the market fell sharply.

• To break the ice - to make people feel less nervous in a social situation

     Ex. He told a few jokes to break the ice.

• On thin ice - at risk of annoying someone

      Ex. I’m warning you, you’re on thin ice.

•   To get cold feet - to get too frightened to do something which was planned        

Ex. She cancelled the wedding because she got cold feet.

• Pure as the driven snow - to be completely innocent (often used to suggest the opposite)

     Ex. I don’t think she is as pure as the driven snow.

• In the cold light of day - to think about something clearly, without emotions, and often feel ashamed afterwards

     Ex. The next morning, in the cold light of day, Susan realized what an idiot she had            been.

• To break into a cold sweat - to become scared about something

     Ex. Tim broke into a cold sweat when he realized the losses he had made.

         

         From LanguageandtheCity