English from Brasil #57 | Sweet Talk: Idioms & Doughnuts
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Previously on English from Brasil: #56 | Weather Report: Hot or Hotter
Hello, hello!
Um causo
Bem no comecinho do namoro, em Moscou, eu e J saíamos para tomar café e comer bolo antes de ir para o trabalho (que geralmente começava no início da tarde e ia até tarde).
Uma dessas saídas foi no Krispy Kreme — uma rede de cafeteria famosinha pelos doughnuts! Era dezembro, e essas cafeterias fazem essa tal armadilha de fazer comida meio temática, sabe?
O plano era ir tomar um café e comer um doughnut.
E fomos tomar um café e comer um doughnut!
Mas, na hora que vimos todas as opções, UM não parecia suficiente. Então, acho que decidimos comprar dois para cada. Até aí tudo certo.
Sabe aquele momento, durante a interação no caixa, em que você pede o que deseja e paga? (Essas interações eram majoritariamente em russo — o inglês dependia da boa vontade (ou da bondade), ou simplesmente da habilidade linguística do funcionário. Ou seja, geralmente era em russo mesmo. No entanto, nessa época, eu mal sabia falar Olá! (em russo).
Foi aí que a mágica aconteceu! Juntamente com meu nervosismo de interações em línguas que eu não falo. De repente, o pedido de 4 doughnuts virou 6 doughnuts. (Olhos arregalados! Mas, até aí, ok!). Em uma questão de segundos, o pedido de 6 doughnuts virou 12 doughnuts!
Sim, minha gente! Duas pessoas, doze doughnuts. Nada como uma promoção de Natal e aquele “Sim” que devia ser “Não” (na língua que a gente não entende nem fala!)
Tenho provas:
J me fez usar o chapéuzinho (10 anos depois e ele segue me fazendo posar para fotos embaraçosas).
👉🏽 Esse causo vem ilustrar e comemorar uma data que merece atenção: amanhã — 7/06 — é Dia Nacional de Doughnuts (que também pode ser escrito donuts). Bora fingir que é o dia “internacional” e pronto! 🍩 😋
A quote
“You can’t buy happiness, but you can buy doughnuts. And that’s kind of the same thing.” — Unknown
A lesson
In the spirit of National Doughnut Day, let’s look at some tasty idioms! These expressions use food to talk about everyday situations, emotions, and people. They’re fun, colorful, and common in real life.
🧁 Idioms for Ease, Simplicity, or Enjoyment
A piece of cake – something very easy
That test was a piece of cake.
Easy as pie – very easy
Don’t worry, fixing this is easy as pie.
The cherry on top – something that makes a good thing even better
The weather was perfect, and the great food was the cherry on top.
🍬 Idioms About Taste, Emotion, or Personality
To have a sweet tooth – to really like sweets
I can’t resist dessert! I have such a sweet tooth!
To sugarcoat something – to say something in a nicer or softer way than it really is
Don’t sugarcoat it. I want the truth.
To go nuts – to get very excited or act a bit crazy
The kids went nuts when they saw the doughnuts.
Spill the beans – reveal a secret
Come on, spill the beans! What did he say?
Full of beans – very energetic
The kids were full of beans after the party.
In a pickle – in a difficult or tricky situation
I’m in a pickle — I lost my passport.
Hot potato – a difficult or controversial subject
The issue of pay cuts is a political hot potato right now.
🥚 Idioms About People and Behavior
Tough cookie – a strong, determined person
She’s a tough cookie. Don’t underestimate her.
Smart cookie – someone clever or quick-witted
He figured that out fast. He’s a smart cookie.
Couch potato – someone who watches a lot of TV and doesn't move much
Don’t be such a couch potato — come for a walk!
Bad apple – a person who negatively influences others
One bad apple can spoil the whole team.
🍞 Idioms About Work or Money
Bring home the bacon – to earn money for the family
She works hard to bring home the bacon.
Bread and butter – a person’s basic income or main job
Freelance writing is my bread and butter.
🧄 Idioms About Conflict or Caution
To stir the pot – to cause trouble or tension
He’s always stirring the pot at work.
Too many cooks spoil the broth – too many people involved can ruin things
Let one person take the lead — too many cooks spoil the broth.
Take something with a grain of salt – don’t fully believe something
He exaggerates. Take what he says with a grain of salt.
Cry over spilled milk – to be upset about something that’s already happened
It’s done. No use crying over spilled milk.
A question
What’s your favorite sweet treat?
FIVE Random Things
🔥 No words, indeed! [link]
🍩 50 donut jokes [link]
🍩 Facts about donuts that you probably do not know [link]
🍩 Do you also think of Homer Simpson when you think about donuts? [link]
🎧 Sugar [link]
Se você gostou dessa edição, encaminha para os amigos?
See you next week! 👋🏽
Karen Rito
English from Brasil 🌎✨
Amei o causo hahahahaha. E essa edição! It was really sweet 🍩
Can you believe I have never eaten Krispy Kreme? There’s one in Brazil now, it just opened a few months ago. But the lines are crazy!