Usage of these idioms

[anupumh]

Hi,

Please let me the correct usage of...

Water under the bridge

Asleep at the wheel

Bob is your uncle

Thanks

[pyoung]

Dear anupumh:

Originally Posted by anupumh

Hi,

Please let me the correct usage of...

Water under the bridge

'water under the bridge' is used to express the notion that whatever is being discussed is in the past and cannot be retrieved/is useless to worry about.
'When I was a child, my sister used to play mean tricks on me and I really hated her, but that's water under the bridge. Now we are really close friends.'
'She made millions of dollars and lived a luxurious lifestyle, but since she invested her money with Bernie Madoff, that's water under the bridge now.

Asleep at the wheel

Not paying attention to one's responsibilities/actions; 'spaced out'; 'sleepwalking' through one's daily life.
'Oh, my gosh! I forgot to bring my lunch to school again! I must have really been asleep at the wheel this morning.'
The reference is to a person who falls asleep while driving a car. The car continues to move forward, but not for long!

Bob is your uncle

This one I should really leave to a BrE speaker, but since it's one of my favorites, I'll give it a try.
It could be roughly translated as '...and there you are!' or even 'Voila!

"How do you get this container open?"
"Well, it's easy once you know how. First you press down on this little lever, and while pressing it, you flip this little thing here, wait two seconds and... (said quickly and cheerfully) Bob's your uncle! (meaning: 'there you are! It's open!')"

Thanks

I hope this is helpful,

Petra

[anupumh]

Originally Posted by pyoung

Dear anupumh:



I hope this is helpful,

Petra

Thanks a lot mate..

[Raymott]

Originally Posted by pyoung

Dear anupumh:
I hope this is helpful,

Petra

Nice to see you back, Petra.

[pyoung]

Originally Posted by Raymott

Nice to see you back, Petra.

Thanks, Ray! It's lovely to be back. I spent June and July in Mexico working on Spanish and didn't allow myself the pleasure of 'Using English.'



Petra