A man is covered in coloured corn flour powder at the Holi One festival in Cape Town. Photo: Mark Wessels/Reuters
Today's Phrase
If you have a big mouth it means that you are loud, like to gossip and can't keep secrets.
Examples:
Jimmy has a big mouth. Yesterday I told him that I am leaving the company and today everybody knows about it.
I could never be a spy. I have a big mouth!
Take note
The expression be all mouth, often found as 'be all mouth and no trousers', is used to describe someone who talks a lot about doing something but never actually does it.
Examples:
I bet you haven't asked your boss about that pay rise you talk so much about; you are all mouth and no trousers!
Interesting fact
Inspired by the original Holi Festival in India, Holi One Festivals have travelled around the world to South Africa, Germany, the US and Singapore. Thousands of people, dressed in white, come together to share in music, dance and celebrate a new season.
A big deal
A dealer shuffles a deck of cards during the World Series of poker in Las Vegas. Photo: AP/ Julie Jacobson
Today's Phrase
The phrase a big deal is often used to describe a situation of great importance.
Examples:
It's obviously a big deal to her to get a promotion first because she can move up in the company faster than anybody else in the team.
I just couldn't understand why they quarrelled so much over the colour of a picture frame - it's not a big deal!
Take note
A big no-no describes something that should never be done or should never have been done.
Examples:
Wearing jeans is a big no-no in a posh restaurant.
Arriving late and leaving early is a big no-no at our workplace.
Interesting fact
The earliest known playing cards are from 9th Century China. The widely-used French design of today has 52 cards and four 'suits': clubs, diamonds, hearts and spades.
A big fish in a small pond
A whale shark - the world's largest fish. Photo: Reuters/ David Loh
Today's Phrase
If someone is described as a big fish in a small pond, they are very important or have a lot of influence but only in a small area or group.
Examples:
Paul is a manager of a small company; he likes to be a big fish in a small pond.
Jane might think she has power but she's just a big fish in a small pond.
Take note
If someone is described as a cold fish, it means that are unfriendly and don't show their emotions.
Example:
Julie's a cold fish; she never speaks to anyone in the office.
Interesting fact
Whale sharks are the world's largest fish; the longest ever recorded was over 13 metres. They are harmless filter feeders that suck in plankton and small fish. These distinctively yellow-spotted sharks are found throughout the world's oceans, preferring the warm and tropical waters around the equator.
Duck!
Thousands of plastic ducks float down the River Thames in the Great British Duck Race. Photo: Anthony Devlin/ PA Wire
Today's Phrase
If you tell someone to duck it means that they should lower their head because something is about to hit them.
Examples:
As I walked in the door someone shouted "Duck!" But it was too late and I hit my head.
The batsman shouted "Duck!" as he hit the ball right at where the spectators were standing.
Take note
To duck out means to try and escape or get out of doing something.
Example:
Sorry, I've got to duck out of this meeting, I've got too many other things to do.
Interesting fact
The yellow duck in the photograph was among around 250,000 other blue plastic ducks floating along a one kilometre stretch of the River Thames near Hampton Court Palace in London. This Great British Duck Race raises money for charity.
A yellow streak
A dancer has his body painted to look like a yellow tiger as part of an awareness campaign in Kolkata, India. Photo: AP/ Bikas Das
Today's Phrase
If someone has a yellow streak, they are often scared or not very brave.
Examples:
We went rock climbing at the weekend. I loved it, but my friend refused to try it. He's got a real yellow streak.
The public accused the government minister of having a yellow streak after he refused to answer some difficult questions.
Take note
If someone has a mean streak, it means they often do things that are unkind.
Example:
My boss won't give me a pay rise - he's got a real mean streak.
Interesting fact
Tigers are the largest species of cat in the world. Although there were around 100,000 tigers in the wild at the beginning of the 20th Century, there are now only around 3,000 to 4,000. Destruction of their habitats and poaching are blamed for their falling numbers.