English Idioms – Episode 15

1. kick the bucket = to die (умереть, сыграть в ящик, откинуть коньки)
2. alive and kicking = still alive and active (жив и здоров, полон жизни, жив курилка!, в добром здравии)
3. touch and go = uncertain (смертельно опасная ситуация, неопределенный, рискованное положение, критический)
4. the writing is on the wall = a sign/warning of danger/unhappiness/failure, etc (предвестие грядущего несчастья, зловещее предзнаменование, знак свыше)
5. hold one’s own = to manage despite difficulties/obstacles (не поддаваться (болезни и т.п.), стоять на своем, не сдаваться, не слабеть)
6. grin from ear to ear = to smile broadly (улыбаться во весь рот, рот до ушей)
7. there’s life in the old dog yet = one is still physically/mentally energetic despite old age (есть еще порох в пороховницах)

Here is the script for this movie:

-Hey Jack, you will never guess what I heard yesterday!
-What?
-Old Trevor’s kicked the bucket.
-No! But I saw him out with the dog just last week and he was alive and kicking then!
-Well, you know appearances can be deceptive. Apparently it had been touch and go as to whether his heart would keep going since last year when he had all those problems.
-Oh blast! I had no idea. Poor Trevor. What about your brother? How is he?
-Yes, Donald. Well, the doctors reckon the writing is on the wall for him too, but he seems to be holding his own. I saw him just last night at Reg’s and he can still beat me at poker. The old rascal was grinning from ear to ear when I left! No, I am pretty certain there’s life in the old dog yet!
-That’s good!