PREFACE

Hi,there.Welcome to the fascinating world of slang/idioms.Come on in,sit down and make yourself comfortable.Let's chat a bit before you start expanding your vocabulary.After all,there are hundreds of slang and idioms in this book,so you'll be here for a while.

Allow me to introduce myself a little.I'm Brian(I guess you already knew that from the front cover).I've been an ESL teacher in Taiwan for more than a decade and a professional writer for much longer than that.

If I may,I'd like to make a few assumptions about you:

● You're not a complete beginner

You're right;it doesn't take a genius to figure that out.Wait,there's more.

● You've got a keen curiosity about the English language

Otherwise,you'd be at home watching TV,playing video games or doing some other fun activities that don't require so much mental energy.

● You realize that slang/idioms are a key part of a language

You know that by taking the time to learn this colorful and somewhat mysterious vocabulary,you'll be opening up a new universe of understanding and communication for yourself.

There's no doubt about it—learning how to use slang/idioms is a challenge,especially if one is no longer a teenager.Our ability to pick up another language diminishes as we age,making each new word and phrase more and more difficult to remember as the years go by.As with any difficult feat,it's important to equip yourself with the right tools.That's where this book comes in.This book is like your hiking boots,your map,flashlight and guidebook,and I'm your personal tour guide through the world of slang/idioms.

I want to briefly tell you about the format of the book,and how I believe it will help you learn and remember the expressions.

First,there is a clear explanation of the precise meanings of the slang/idioms in Chinese.That means you'll be absolutely certain of the definitions of the phrases(the problem with slang/idioms is you usually can't figure them out just by analyzing each individual word,so someone has to specifically tell you the exact definitions).

Second,the origins of the slang/idioms are presented.Not only is this information quite interesting and,often,fun to know,it helps you remember the slang/idioms.

Third,the slang/idioms are used in sample sentences and conversational formats,providing contexts and examples of how to use them.

Finally,synonyms for the expressions are provided,which further helps to enlarge your vocabulary.

OK,I think that's enough for now.You're ready to embark with me along an enjoyable journey of language learning.Don't forget to review the phrases that you learn from time to time(new vocabulary has a nasty habit of slipping out of your brain unless you practice it several times).

Trust me:if you stick with it and continue traveling along this road,you'll find the trip most enlightening and rewarding!