Down in the Dumps

Down in the dumps idiom

Meaning: out of spirits; in a gloomy state of mind; despondent. 

Synonyms:

Be Sent to Coventry

To be sent to Coventry 

Meaning: to be banned, greeted with a chilly silence. 

Origin

The popular story is that the people of Coventry were at one time so hostile to soldiers that any woman seen talking to one was ostracized. Thus, any soldier unfortunate enough to be sent to Coventry was cut off from all friendly or social intercourse. 

Kick the Bucket

Kick the bucket 

Idiom meaning: to die (very informal, humorous, euphemistic). 

Origin

We do not like the explanation usually given that the phrase evolved from the action of a suicide, who had stood on a bucket to fit the noose of a rope round his neck, and then kicked the bucket away, so that he hanged.

Complex Subject Exercises

Before doing grammar exercises it’s useful to repeat the basics. 

Short Review of the Complex Subject

Complex Subject is a combination of a noun/pronoun and an infinitive. The predicate is placed between the noun and the infinitive.

Noun /Pronoun + Predicate + Infinitive

Sequence of Verb Tenses Examples

The rules of the sequence of tenses are mainly observed in subordinate object clauses. 

When NOT to Use Sequence of Tenses

The rules of the sequence of tenses are not observed in the following two cases: 

1) when the verb of the object clause expresses a universal truth or facts that hold true always (see dialogues 1, 2, 3);

Cases When the Rules of the Sequence of Tenses Are Optional

The rules of the sequence of tenses are not compulsory (may be observed or not) when reference is made to: