Gerund Word Explorer

Figurative Language

Phrases that don't translate

Some Indian English phrases are word-for-word translations. Listeners in India get them at once; international listeners may not.

1 Observe

Read each phrase and its international version. How might someone in London picture the first one?

  • Eating my head Common in India: pestering me or annoying me again and again.
  • Pestering me The same idea in international English.
  • Do one thing Common in India: here is a suggestion.
  • Here's an idea The same idea in international English.

2 Discover

Indian languages are full of colourful sayings. When we put them into English word for word, people in India understand at once. But someone from another country may picture the words literally. So it helps to know both: your phrase, and one that works everywhere.

3 Apply

Writing to a friend in Canada, Ananya wants to say her little brother keeps bothering her. Clearest choice:

On a call with a team in London, Joseph wants to suggest a plan. Clearest start:

Which statement about phrases like 'eating my head' is true?

4 Create

Think of a saying from your home language. Write what it means in plain English.

This box is just for you. Nothing you write here is saved or sent.

Example: Friend in Pune: 'Stop eating my head!' Pen pal in another country: 'Stop pestering me!'

5 Explore

Open the calque cards. Find a phrase you use and its international version.

Cousin brother / cousin sisterA male cousin ('cousin sister' = a female cousin).Word-for-word phraseDo one thingHere is a suggestion; this is what you can do.Word-for-word phraseEating my headPestering me again and again; annoying me.Word-for-word phraseGive an examTake or write an exam as a student.Word-for-word phraseMy head is painingI have a headache.Word-for-word phraseOpen the light / close the lightSwitch on the light (and 'close the light' = switch it off).Word-for-word phraseTell me (on the phone)Answering a call: 'Yes, go ahead, what is it?'Word-for-word phraseToday morningThis morning (also 'yesterday night' for last night).Word-for-word phraseWhat to do?Nothing can be done; we must accept it.Word-for-word phraseWhere do you stay?Where do you live?Word-for-word phraseWho all are coming?Which people are coming? (asks for the full list)Word-for-word phrase