The Daily minute

A Starter Kit for Aspiring Wine Lovers

Many great books can help to broaden your knowledge, yet with wine, the best way to begin the journey is by drinking. Whether you prefer to do that systematically or randomly is up to you. But whichever you decide, you’ll want just a few tools to enhance the experience. You don’t need much. This guide will show you which equipment to invest in, what to avoid and how to learn more about the wine styles you most enjoy.

Why the Queen is not Likely to Abdicate

The Queen, newly widowed, will find it “difficult” without the support she has leant on over 73 years of marriage to the Duke of Edinburgh, but royal observers have dismissed any speculation that she might consider stepping down.

Today's idiom of the day is: to move the needle

Transcription:  [muːv ðə ˈniːdl]

Russian Translation: сдвинуть с мертвой точки, производить значительные изменения

Definition: to shift the situation in some area, activity, sphere etc. to a noticeable degree.

Examples: 1. We need to move the needle on global poverty. — Ситуация с бедностью в различных странах мира должна претерпеть значительные изменения.

2. We hope that the new product line will move the needle on our sales. — Мы надеемся, что новая линейка продуктов сдвинет с мертвой точки наши продажи.

Synonyms: get off the ground, get (something) moving, shift, change

Origin: From the indicator needle of a measuring instrument such as the speedometer.

С названиями праздников, времен года, дней недели, месяцев артикль обычно не ставится: Thanksgiving, Easter, New Year, Christmas; Monday, Saturday, June; spring, autumn, winter.

Но бывают случаи, когда артикль нужен в определенном контексте. Сравните:

Examples: 1: I’ll see you on Saturday. — Увидимся в субботу.

2: They came on a Saturday as far as I can remember. — Они пришли в какую-то из суббот, насколько я помню.

3: They came on the Saturday after our party. — Они пришли в субботу после вечеринки. 

Introducing news

Have you heard the news? — Вы слышали новости?

I've got some (good/bad/interesting, etc.) news — У меня есть плохие/хорошие/интересные новости.

Responding to good news

How/That's + adjective (e.g. amazing, wonderful)! — Это замечательно/чудесно!

Oh, wow! (informal) — Ух ты! Надо же! Вот это да!

Responding to bad news

How/That's + adjective (e.g. awful, terrible)! — Как ужасно!

Never mind. — Не обращайте внимания (не берите в голову).