Toe the line

All schools have a set of rules on school attendance, students’ behaviour and homework. Are school rules necessary? Since they can discipline students and maintain the quality of the learning environment, students are advised to “toe the line”（循規蹈矩）. 

The idiom “toe the line” means “conform to expected standards and attitudes”. Literally, the word “toe” functions as a verb which means “touch with one’s toe”. 

MIDAS TOUCH

Imagine one day God told you, “As you have done some good deeds, I will grant you a wish.” What would your wish be? 

In Greek（希臘）mythology, Midas was a rich king who lived in a castle with his daughter. One day, the old, drunken teacher of the god Dionysus got lost near the castle. Midas found him and treated him with hospitality. When Midas took the teacher back to the god, the god was so pleased that he rewarded the king with a wish. 

Propose a toast

The Academy Awards (or “Oscars”「奧斯卡金像獎」) ceremony for the film industry took place last Sunday. The post-awards party was held to celebrate the fantastic winners. In the star-studded party, the host said, 

“I’d like to propose a toast to our winners. Cheers !” 

In the English language, to “propose a toast” (or “make a toast”) is to request those present in the occasion to wish someone good health, happiness and success by raising their glasses of alcoholic drink. 

A Rough Diamond

In 2017, the Lesedi la Rona, the largest rough diamond found in more than a century, was sold for US$53 million to a London jewellery company. After a year of analysis, the company has turned the rough gemstone into at least sixty smaller valuable diamonds. 

When a newly-discovered diamond is in its natural state, it is called “a rough diamond”. This expression can be used metaphorically to describe a person. 

Polly is a rough diamond（有潛質而未經琢磨的人）. If you give her good training, she will become a capable actress.