settle your bill

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As a non-native English speaker, what does “How would you like to settle your bill?” mean? Or “How are you paying for this?”

These are questions meaning, How will you pay for something you purchased/bought?

Popularity: 33%

Jun

16

ironing it out

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In business, you might here the phrase “ironing out” which refers to solving some problems either in a business plan or a negotiation. Here is an example of how to use it:

Tom: So, how is the negotiation going?
John: It is proceeding as planned, although we do have a few issues to iron out.

Popularity: 42%

Jun

11

seat

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If you are sitting in a seat while riding a bus or a train, and you hear someone say “Would you give up your seat?”, it means your being asked to stand up so someone, generally much older than you, can sit down (in your seat.)

Popularity: 13%

Jun

10

brownie points

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The phrase “brownie points” refers to doing something for someone else for the only purpose of getting something in return later. Usually a person does something so the other person will think good of them. Here is example:

Lisa sure is earning some brownie points for doing the bosses work every Friday night.

Take a look at the origin of the phrase brownie points.

Popularity: 19%

Jun

1

correct translation in English

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Non-native English speakers, especially Japanese, often make a mistake in translating the Japanese phrase hisashiburi ni atta 久しぶりに会った（ひさしぶりにあった）. They translate it as “It had been a long time to see him.” or in other words “I saw him for a long time.”, which is correct English but really means you actually met for a long period, which is not what is meant by the Japanese phrase. The correct translation is “It had been a long time since I last saw him.”

Popularity: 17%

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