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Idioms of the day: "Don't rub it in!" & "Get my head around!"

Average: 3.5 (4 votes)
Thu, 04/15/2010 - 06:37 — Chris McCarthy

Here's part of a conversation I overheard in the office this morning.

Person A: "This is the last day of the week for me. I'm going on holiday, but you'll all be working."
Person B: "OK, don't rub it in!"
Person A: "I'll leave this report with you while I'm away. I can't get my head around it!"

This brief conversation includes two great idioms that I'm pretty sure we haven't looked at before. It also shows how often idioms are used in informal English and how important they are for you to learn.

Don't rub it in

When we say something to rub it in, we say something to make someone feel even worse about something.
"OK, I know I made a big mistake, - you don't have to rub it in. Please don't keep mentioning it."
"Don't say anything to Jack about Sarah getting the promotion instead of him. He feels bad about it, so don't rub it in."

Get my head around something

This idiom is usually used for negative things. It means that you are able to understand something difficult or confusing.
"I've read this document three times and I still don't understand it. I can't get my head around it at all!"
"I can't get my head around why he bought such a big car. He lives in London a small car would be better in all the traffic."

Task 1: Tell us about a time you had to say to someone "don't rub it in!".
Task 2: Tell us about something that you can't get your head around.

Link: Idiom of the day" 'You've Been Had'

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Comments

Thu, 04/15/2010 - 07:48 — JanCux

Why is Paris Hilton such a

Why is Paris Hilton such a famous person despite being entirely untalented? I just can't get my head around it.
You know I'm appaled by Paris's success. So don't rub it in, please.

Thu, 04/15/2010 - 08:21 — Viacheslav

I know I should have been

I know I should have been more careful on driving test but there's no need to keep rubbing it in.
Was she trying to rub in the fact that we missed the plane because I came too late?

I can't get my head around why they resigned the company.

Thu, 04/15/2010 - 12:23 — white angel

conversation

A: Did you hear what sara says about sally's speech?
B: No, What??
A: she says it's so silly.
B: Don't rub it in.
A: No, i didn't mean that, i just can't get my head around why she said that about her best friend.

Thu, 04/15/2010 - 12:28 — white angel

Thanks

I can get my head around what you say, chris.
Thank you Smile

Thu, 04/15/2010 - 13:01 — candida

Last week I asked others "do

Last week I asked others "do you see my glasses.they said that your classes are above your head. after that they always mention it so .I'would say that don't rub it in. i want to remember this idiom dozens of time. but i just can't get my head around it.

Thu, 04/15/2010 - 13:27 — ynastia

Idioms

In Ukrainian and Russian we use similar expressions that sound much like "to rub a salt in wound" and "to deepen the wound".

Not so long ago I faced a regular situation when I was in need for a new pair of jeans. And I tackled that requirement. Smile I went to the market and bought myself a pair of jeans, that was trendy, but a bit uncomfortable. Since then I have been wearing them but I feel uncomfortable everytime. My mother has known the situation and often banters on me. That was a case I begged her not to rub it in. Smile

I can't get my head around, why dogs and cats are always making an impression that they are starving and dying with hunger, when you open a fridge and get yourself something to eat, even if you have just fed them. Smile

Thank you for a new piece of vocabulary. Smile

Thu, 04/15/2010 - 16:09 — Nicedebbie

How difficult to find ...?

I was late. You don't have to rub it in. Please don't spread it as everyone know I was late.
I can't get my head around why our boss still can not find an suitable employee. He has found for almost half year.

Thu, 04/15/2010 - 18:11 — ta_sha

I feel uncomfortable when I

I feel uncomfortable when I can't do any of my tasks on time. If somebody dun of it I talk "Don't rub it in".

I can't get my head around why he works for this company. His salary is very small for his position.

Fri, 04/16/2010 - 08:33 — Raily777

I know that I have

I know that I have stomachache because I have eaten yesterday a lot of oranges, but don't rub in it!
He was a good dancer and I can't get my head around why he finished his dancer's career.

Have I got mistakes?

Fri, 04/16/2010 - 23:46 — Meytha

Although Tom is not a good man

Although Tom is not a good man but she still keeps her marrying. Nobody can’t rub it in.

Why are they still fighting each other I can't get my head around it?

Thu, 05/20/2010 - 11:26 — Yura

Two Great Idioms

"Oh I know, I've made a lot of mistakes, so don't rub it in"
" I can't get my head around Grammar."
Thank you for the Lesson! Smile

Thu, 06/03/2010 - 13:08 — katrinasbor

I won't take a vacation this

I won't take a vacation this summer, please don't rub it in...
This annual report is too complicate, I can't get my head around it..

Wed, 06/09/2010 - 10:48 — skyboy666

Slang is my language...!

Hey john i know i drew a blank on my test last week so stop talking about it and don`t rub it in!
Nick is gonna host a big bash in his old man`s house tonight despite his girlfriend`s death i really can`t get my head around it...!

Tue, 12/14/2010 - 23:45 — bond00

Great Idioms

 

Mother: Why are you grades this month getting lower and lower?

Child:Mom, please . Do not rub it in . I had it enough with Daday's hot water.

Mother: I cannot get my head around it. You always been an A's student, so whats the problem?

 

Thank you for the great two idioms.