Do you rub shoulders with celebrities?

Today’s English
June 25th, 2017

No man is an island. Each one is a spider in the www of relations. You often talk about your relationship with somebody or at least very much interested to know someone’s relationship with somebody else. There are a thousand and one interesting expressions in English related to this and let’s see a few today.

1. A fair-weather friend

A friend who is with you in good times but leaves you in times of trouble is a fair-weather friend. It’s just opposite to “a friend in need is a friend indeed.”

A. Shit! He has switched off his mobile. I never thought he would turn a fair-weather friend.
B. Why don’t you ask Suresh, your close friend? It’s of no use. He too is a fair-weather friend now.

2. To play gooseberry

When two people have romantic relationship and want to be alone, it’s not good to join them. If you still join them, you play gooseberry.

A. Why don’t you join with us? Sorry I can’t play any gooseberry.
B. Jothi and Vimal went on a date and didn’t want anyone to play gooseberry.

3. Know somebody inside out

If you know someone inside out, you know them very well because of your long contact or relationship with them.
A. I know him inside out, he would never do this kind of thing.
B. I know her inside out because we have been friends since school days.

4. Speak the same language

People who have same ideas, opinions, likes and dislikes and understand each other are said to speak the same language.

A. I have no trouble in working with him since we speak the same language.
B. I requested my boss not to assign me duties with him because we don’t speak the same language. (= we don’t have same ideas… and problem will arise)

5. Rub shoulders
You generally have no chance to talk to  wealthy, famous or distinguished people of high position. If you have one such chance to meet and talk to them, it means that you rub shoulders with them.

A. Thousands of fans met Mr.Rajinikanth and rubbed shoulders with him in Ragavendra mandabam.
B. Why can’t we seek his help because he is the one who often rubs shoulders with VIPs.

(Wife: I know you inside out. Tell me the truth.
Husband: What?
Wife : Did you rub shoulders with that actress?
Husband: yes. I had three chances. just three times only. So what?
Wife: (chasing him to beat..) How dare you to say this…?!)