✅ 1. Key Expressions with Examples
Here are the refined daily expressions from the conversation, especially helpful for long-term U.S. residents who want to sound tactful, supportive, and nuanced in everyday speech:
🔹 Nothing to sneeze at
Meaning: Something that is important, valuable, or worth recognizing – not trivial.
Usage: Often used to highlight someone’s achievement or positive outcome that they may be downplaying.
Examples:
- “Getting a 3.7 GPA is nothing to sneeze at. That’s impressive!”
- “$100 might not be a fortune, but for your first sale, it’s nothing to sneeze at.”
🔹 Not to be taken lightly
Meaning: Something serious or significant that should be acknowledged and not ignored.
Usage: Can be used to show respect for effort or to warn about potential consequences.
Examples:
- “Starting your own business is not to be taken lightly.”
- “Running a marathon is not to be taken lightly—you’ve got to train properly.”
🔹 Nothing to scoff at
Meaning: Similar to “nothing to sneeze at,” it means something respectable or worth taking seriously.
Tone: Slightly more casual and expressive.
Examples:
- “50 followers on your first week? That’s nothing to scoff at!”
- “Second place in a national contest is nothing to scoff at.”
🔹 You’re your own worst critic
Meaning: You tend to judge yourself more harshly than others do.
Usage: Often said to reassure someone who’s being hard on themselves.
Examples:
- “Don’t beat yourself up—you’re your own worst critic.”
- “You did great. I think you’re just being your own worst critic.”
🔹 Putting yourself out there
Meaning: Taking a risk by exposing your work, ideas, or personality to others.
Connotation: Positive—it shows bravery or effort.
Examples:
- “You should be proud—you’re putting yourself out there.”
- “It’s hard to put yourself out there, but you did it!”
🎭 2. Role Play Script from the Episode
Context: Two friends talking after one of them tried selling at a craft fair and felt disappointed with the results.
Michelle: It was my first one, but I thought it would go better than it did.
Lindsay: Michelle, give yourself credit. Putting yourself out there at your first show is not to be taken lightly.
Michelle: I know, but I only made $100.
Lindsay: $100 is nothing to sneeze at! Again, it’s your first time.
Michelle: I know, but I’ll need to up my social media. I have 50 followers, which is nothing to scoff at, but I should get more.
Lindsay: I can help you think of ways to grow it.
Michelle: Oh, thanks!
📝 3. Paragraph Incorporating All the Expressions
Last weekend, I launched my first handmade candle booth at a local craft fair. I was nervous because I had never put myself out there like that before. In the end, I only made $100, and I couldn’t help feeling a little discouraged. But my friend reminded me that for a first event, earning that much is nothing to sneeze at. She also said that even having the courage to participate was not to be taken lightly. I told her I had about 50 new followers on Instagram, which is nothing to scoff at, especially for just starting out. She smiled and said, “You’re your own worst critic—give yourself more credit!” And honestly, she was right.
💬 Q&A
Q: Why does “It’s nothing to sneeze at” mean something is valuable or significant?
At first glance, this phrase can be confusing—what does sneezing have to do with importance?
You might wonder, “Does it mean I’ve sneezed enough times, so I can’t sneeze anymore? Is that why it’s important?” Not quite!
A: The meaning and origin of “It’s nothing to sneeze at”
Meaning:
“It’s nothing to sneeze at” means something is not trivial—it deserves recognition or respect. It’s often used to highlight something that might seem small but is actually meaningful.
Why the word “sneeze”?
In the 1800s, “to sneeze at something” was an idiom meaning to dismiss something or look down on it, much like scoffing at it.
So when you say something is “nothing to sneeze at,” you’re saying:
“This is not something to look down on”
→ In other words, “It’s valuable” or “It’s respectable.”
Think of it this way:
- A sneeze is often involuntary and seems like an expression of disregard.
- So, if you don’t sneeze at something, you’re not brushing it off or ignoring its worth.
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