Talk of the town

English as a Second Language What do you want to talk about?
1

Hi,

In a response today Amy referred to President Bush as being the talk of the town. That set me thinking how many other expressions there are meaning roughly the same. For example: in the limelight - in the news - in the spotlight … Any other suggestions?

Alan

2

on everybody’s lips

3

In the focus of attention. :smiley:

4

to become the order of the day :slight_smile:

5

.
grist for the gossip mill
.

6

Hi Amy,

I know the saying is grist for my mill but sometimes you also can find the expression grist through the mill. What is the difference?

Thanks in advance,
Torsten[YSaerTTEW443543]

TOEFL listening lectures: Why does the lecturer mention Charles Darwin?[YSaerTTEW443543]

7

… he is in the public eye…

8

Hi Torsten

I’d understand “That’s grist for my mill” to mean “That’s something I can use to help me succeed.”

I’d probably use “grist through the mill” with a verb like “move” or “send” to mean “to get a lot of work (or data) processed/done”.

He is very effective when it comes to moving the grist through the bureaucratic mill.

Amy

9

So if you are the talk of the town you are not necessarily the toast of the town, are you? I mean to be the toast of the town means people are admiring you and that’s not exactly what Amy had in mind, is it?[YSaerTTEW443543]

TOEFL listening lectures: Why does the professor mention the large jars?[YSaerTTEW443543]

10

Hi Torsten

You’re right. The toast of the town is quite positive.

If you’re the talk of the town, that just means there’s a lot of tongue-wagging going on about someone. The topic would probably be negative. 8)

Amy