Make yourself a spectacle? – The New Indian Express

Over the last week I have received many inquiries from readers of the column. Due to space constraints, only two queries are answered:

1) What does the expression “make yourself a spectacle” mean?

The idiomatic expression is similar to the expression ‘to drive oneself a fool’. Both expressions convey the same meaning. When you behave in a way that looks funny or silly and attracts other people’s attention, you make yourself a spectacle. Take a look at these examples:

– Shyla said to her son: “Behave properly. Stop making a spectacle of yourself. “

– I avoid meeting him. I don’t want to make myself a spectacle.

– Do not ask her to represent the group. She has to make herself a spectacle.

What does the expression “joke joke” mean? When a person becomes the target of comedians or jokers, he is said to be a “refuge of jokes.” Take a look at these examples:

– Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump has become the subject of jokes.

– During the election campaign, the party manifesto of the actor, who became a politician, was the subject of all jokes.

2) What is the difference between “taking a test” and “taking a test”?

Many English learners do not distinguish between “taking a test” and “taking a test”. Saying “sell test” instead of “pass test” was a very common mistake among English learners. Here is an example:

– As an Indian student, do I need to take the TOEFL exam to enter a US university? What if I don’t give up?

In this query, the word “give” needs to be replaced with “take” to make the sentences semantically correct.

When someone says they will take a test, the person means they will write the test. When someone says they will take a test, the person means they will take the test. In other words, students take exams and teachers take exams. Take a look at these examples:

– International students will take the new SAT starting in May 2016. SAT until March 2016 is no longer available.

– If you need an IELTS score, you need to know three things before taking the exam.

Dr. Albert P’Ryan is an ELT resource and a professor of English. He can be contacted at rayanal@yahoo.co.uk