Learn English with Shrek (2001)

Words and phrases (15)

1. once upon a time

   B1phrase

   Words used to start a story about long ago.

   Once upon a time there was a lovely princess.

   0:47

   • Example: Once upon a time, a little girl lived in a big forest.

2. you and what army

   B1phrase

   A joking reply: you are too weak to do that.

   spoken, informal

   You and what army?

   7:20

   • Example: "I'll throw you out!" "You and what army?"

3. babe in the woods

   B2phrase

   A person with no experience, easy to trick.

   informal

   They was trippin' over themselves like babes in the woods.

   7:53

   • Example: In the big city he was a babe in the woods.

4. a far cry from something

   B2phrase

   Very different from something else.

   Well, gents, it's a far cry from the farm, but what choice do we have?

   12:57

   • Example: This small flat is a far cry from our old house.

5. last but not least

   B2phrase

   Said about the final person, who is just as important.

   And last, but certainly not least, bachelorette number three is a fiery redhead from a dragon-guarded castle surrounded by hot, boiling

   19:00

   • Example: And last but not least, I want to thank my mother.

6. wear something on one's sleeve

   B2phrase

   To show a feeling so that everyone can see it.

   We wear our fear right out there on our sleeves.

   29:59

   • Example: She wears her love on her sleeve, so we all know.

7. pain in the neck

   B2phrase

   A person or thing that annoys you.

   informal

   So where is this fire-breathing pain-in-the-neck anyway?

   31:29

   • Example: My little brother can be a real pain in the neck.

8. sweep me off my feet

   B2phrase

   To make someone fall in love with you very fast.

   You should sweep me off my feet, out yonder window and down a rope onto your valiant steed.

   36:09

   • Example: He swept her off her feet with flowers and songs.

9. get off to a bad start

   B2phrase

   To begin something badly.

   You know, we kind of got off to a bad start yesterday.

   50:34

   • Example: We got off to a bad start, but now we are friends.

10. better out than in

    B2phrase

    Said as a joke after letting air out of the body.

    informal, spoken

    Better out than in, I always say.

    51:00

    • Example: He drank his cold drink too fast, then laughed and said, "Better out than in!"

11. the last thing on one's mind

    B2phrase

    Something you are not thinking about or wanting at all.

    That's the last thing on my mind.

    55:09

    • Example: After that long trip, food was the last thing on my mind.

12. happily ever after

    B1phrase

    In a happy way for all the rest of your life.

    My only chance to live happily ever after is to marry my true love.

    1:04:31

    • Example: At the end of the story, they got married and lived happily ever after.

13. stab someone in the back

    B2phrase

    To hurt someone who trusts you.

    I forgive you for stabbin' me in the back!

    1:12:41

    • Example: She told my secret to everyone and stabbed me in the back.

14. where there is a will there is a way

    B1phrase

    If you really want something, you can find how to do it.

    Never fear, for where there's a will, there's a way, and I have a way.

    1:14:03

    • Example: He learned to walk again: where there's a will, there's a way.

15. speak now or forever hold one's peace

    B2phrase

    Say it now, or stay quiet about it for always.

    said at weddings

    The priest is gonna say, "Speak now or forever hold your peace."

    1:15:35

    • Example: Before we sign, speak now or forever hold your peace.