Euphemisms - Intermediate

Because the UK is a small crowded country, it's imporatnt that we are all polite to each other. For this reason there are many polite ways to talk about impolite topics.

10 expressions to Use In Speaking And Writing: 
  1. He's light-fingered
  2. She's been doing time
  3. She passed away / kicked the bucket
  4. No longer with us / pushing up daisies
  5. Public conveniences
  6. I'm just going to powder my nose
  7. Down and out / A down-and-out
  8. She's in the family way
  9. She had a baby
  10. He made an honest woman of her
How To Use These Phrases In Your English: 
  1. Phrase 1 means that the person is a thief / steals things.
  2. Phrase 2 means that she has been in prison.
  3. Phrases in 3 mean that the person has died. 'Pass away' is more polite than 'kick the bucket'.
  4. Phrases in 4 mean that the person is dead. 'No longer with us' is more polite/formal than 'pushing up daisies'.
  5. Phrase 5 is a general way of referring to public toilets.
  6. Phrase 6 is a polite phrase that some people use to say that they are going to the toilet.
  7. Phrases in 7 are talking about the homeless. 'Down and out' is an adjective but 'a down-and-out' is a noun that describes a person who is homeless.
  8. Phrase 8 means pregnant. Other euphemisms include 'she's expecting a baby' and 'she has a bun in the oven'.
  9. Phrase 9 means that she gave birth to a new child.
  10. Phrase 10 means that a man has married a woman.
Intermediate

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