Expressions for Getting Things Done
2021-08-08
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1And now, Words and Their Stories, from VOA Learning English.
2On this program, we explore words and expressions in the English language.
3Our goal is to teach you American English by any means possible - in other words, by hook or by crook.
4"By hook or by crook" is a very old expression that is still used today.
5It means to try to reach a goal by any method or any means possible.
6For example, a friend of mine really wanted to get a job at this marketing company.
7He said he would do anything to get it.
8His exact words were: "I am going to get that job by hook or by crook."
9He is the most hardworking and determined person I know.
10So, one way or another he will definitely get that job.
11Today, "one way or another" is a more common way to say the same thing as "by hook or by crook."
12Here is a language secret.
13Some people like to use double negatives to express the idea of determination.
14A double negative happens when there are two negative words in the same sentence.
15Negative words include no, not, and nothing.
16Strictly speaking, double negatives are not correct grammar.
17But we still use them to intensify a statement.
18For example, you might hear, "There is no way he is NOT getting that job."
19Which means...he is definitely getting that job.
20Now, let's get back to "By hook or by crook."
21It is believed to have appeared in Britain in the late 1300s.
22No one is sure where exactly it comes from.
23But some word experts say the expression is about a problem faced by common people who would take wood from the forests of the king.
24The law said they could only take as much as their tools would allow.
25And those tools were called a shepherd's crook, a long, rounded stick, and a billhook, a cutting tool.
26So, if you could collect the wood with your hook and crook, it was yours.
27Here is another similar expression: come hell or high water.
28This means that you will get something done no matter how difficult or no matter what happens.
29No difficulties or obstacles will stop you.
30For example, let's say my best friend just moved to Washington, D.C.
31She has a great job but is having trouble finding a new apartment.
32I know the city well. So, I make it my mission to help her.
33Come hell or high water I will find her an apartment.
34No matter the difficulties, I will do everything in my power to try to make this happen.
35Experts say this expression comes from overcoming destructive forces of fires or floods.
36Some say its first recorded use in the United States was in 1915. But others say it is older.
37If you do something "come hell or high water," you are determined to do it.
38You will do it despite the difficulties involved.
39"By hook or by crook" means you will find any method to succeed.
40"Come hell or high water" means you will find a method to overcome a barrier.
41We here at VOA Learning know that our listeners want to learn English very badly.
42By hook or by crook and come hell or high water...you will!
43And that's all the time we have for this Words and Their Stories.
44Until next time...I'm Anna Matteo.
1And now, Words and Their Stories, from VOA Learning English. 2On this program, we explore words and expressions in the English language. 3Our goal is to teach you American English by any means possible - in other words, by hook or by crook. 4"By hook or by crook" is a very old expression that is still used today. It means to try to reach a goal by any method or any means possible. 5For example, a friend of mine really wanted to get a job at this marketing company. He said he would do anything to get it. His exact words were: "I am going to get that job by hook or by crook." He is the most hardworking and determined person I know. So, one way or another he will definitely get that job. 6Today, "one way or another" is a more common way to say the same thing as "by hook or by crook." 7Here is a language secret. Some people like to use double negatives to express the idea of determination. A double negative happens when there are two negative words in the same sentence. Negative words include no, not, and nothing. 8Strictly speaking, double negatives are not correct grammar. But we still use them to intensify a statement. For example, you might hear, "There is no way he is NOT getting that job." Which means...he is definitely getting that job. 9Now, let's get back to "By hook or by crook." It is believed to have appeared in Britain in the late 1300s. No one is sure where exactly it comes from. But some word experts say the expression is about a problem faced by common people who would take wood from the forests of the king. 10The law said they could only take as much as their tools would allow. And those tools were called a shepherd's crook, a long, rounded stick, and a billhook, a cutting tool. So, if you could collect the wood with your hook and crook, it was yours. 11Here is another similar expression: come hell or high water. 12This means that you will get something done no matter how difficult or no matter what happens. No difficulties or obstacles will stop you. 13For example, let's say my best friend just moved to Washington, D.C. She has a great job but is having trouble finding a new apartment. I know the city well. So, I make it my mission to help her. Come hell or high water I will find her an apartment. No matter the difficulties, I will do everything in my power to try to make this happen. 14Experts say this expression comes from overcoming destructive forces of fires or floods. Some say its first recorded use in the United States was in 1915. But others say it is older. 15If you do something "come hell or high water," you are determined to do it. You will do it despite the difficulties involved. 16"By hook or by crook" means you will find any method to succeed. "Come hell or high water" means you will find a method to overcome a barrier. 17We here at VOA Learning know that our listeners want to learn English very badly. By hook or by crook and come hell or high water...you will! 18And that's all the time we have for this Words and Their Stories. Until next time...I'm Anna Matteo. 19Anna Matteo wrote this story for VOA Learning English. Mario Ritter, Jr. was the editor. 20_________________________________________________________ 21Words in This Story 22determined -adj. having a strong feeling that you are going to do something 23definitely -adv. without doubt; in a way that is clear 24obstacle -n. a barrier; something that makes it difficult to do something 25mission -n. a task or job that someone has given you 26despite -preposition without being prevented 27overcome -v. to successfully deal with; to defeat; to be strongly or severely affected by something