Continue apace
Keep happening or developing quickly and steadily
Examples
The vaccine rollout continues apace.
While, obviously, you need to organise things, ensure arrangements are flexible, since events continue apace, often reshaping even recent plans.
The religion’s takeover of the country continues apace. This must stop now.
Waste of space
Someone or something that is blatantly unhelpful, worthless, or useless
Examples
Boy, what a waste of space— he’s just standing around while the rest of us all move furniture.
He is a complete waste of space.
Rubber dinghy
A small rubber boat that is filled with air
Examples
Tell me where were these rubber dinghies being towed by rescue boats to Dover?
The beach is littered with discarded life vests and scuppered rubber dinghies.
Black cloud
A depressed mood
Example
His role in the Administration created brand damage and a black cloud over the story.
Bubble view
A series of blurred images
Example
Perfect words, “angry little man”. He is indeed a man angry with anyone with a different view, and he has a very small North London bubble view of the world.
Brass neck
Rude or disrespectful behavior; cheek
Example
The utter brass neck of this utter Fabian.
Put one’s hand out to
Beg for money from
Example
It doesn’t need the money. They have billions sitting on the sidelines. It’s time they used their own money, instead of putting their hand out to the tax payer.
Doofus
A stupid person
Examples
A doofus who paid an inflated price for a tatty house.
Harwood believes the propaganda. Doofus.
Do as I say, not as I do
The phrase “do as I say, not as I do” means to pay more attention to someone’s words and do what they are telling you to do rather than mimicking their actions. It means the speaker is aware of their mistakes and admits their imperfections. The phrase implies that the speaker is imperfect and makes mistakes, so one should follow their advice but not imitate them.
Example
He is a prime example of “do as I say, not as I do”.
High-five
To slap one’s raised hand against someone’s else’s, as in a show of congratulation or celebration
Examples
I hear you aced your final exams! High five, man!
They were just high-fiving. Chill out.
English Journalistic Gems 