Top Drawer

Dear Children,

I have been most remiss. Apologies, profound apologies for the lack of recent blog posts. I jotted down ideas for them, made wonderful lists of words, but I was also juggling numerous other things in my life. So….

Sorry.

Anyways, let’s get started.

We are always learning. If we are not, we are moving backwards. I am learning too, and if you make learning a lifelong habit, you will continue learning and improving all the days of your life.

Here is an expression I came across recently. I believe it is more commonly used in England than in North America. At any rate, it was new to me: top drawer. Any guesses on what it could mean?

a) Top drawer of your dresser

b) Best artist in the class

c) No idea

So, none of those was actually the correct answer. I’m just pulling you along, like a carrot on a string. What? Never mind. Ask a parent if you didn’t get that reference.

“Top drawer” refers to something high class or fancy.

Here are some sentence examples:

This restaurant is absolute top drawer; it has a dress code, it’s Michelin-starred, and you have to book a table at least three months in advance.

This box of chocolates is decadent and top drawer. I’ll bet they cost a mint.

Can you think of your own sentence?

Here’s another vivid expression I came across recently: the gloves come off.

This means:

a) You took your gloves off

b) Your hands are cold

c) You lost a boxing match

d) Is there a carrot on a string somewhere?

Um, yes. I am stringing you along again. String beans, anyone?

But, the expression is slightly related to boxing. There are also variants of it because nothing is simple in English:

-The gloves are off

-Take the gloves off

-The gloves came off

In a nutshell, it means two sides are ready to fight. Not necessarily a physical fight. It could be a competition between two rival companies, teams at school, two shops selling the same products, etc.

Here are some examples of usage:

A brick was thrown through the shop window last night, and everyone knows the shop across the street has been suffering for months from bad business. I guess the gloves are off now.

Team A stole Team B’s mascot. I guess it’s time to take the gloves off.

Can you think of another situation for this very interesting expression?

That’s it for today. I’ll have more for you next week.

See if you can use these expressions in your speaking or writing this week. You might find yourself explaining them to your friends. Or you might be surprised to hear or read these expressions yourself this week.

Ta ta for now.