This document defines and provides examples for various technology and general idioms and expressions including: - Silver surfer - an elderly internet user - On the same wavelength - thinking in agreement - Cog in the machine - one small part of a large system - Light years ahead - far more advanced than others - Cutting edge - at the forefront of technological progress - Well-oiled machine - something that functions very efficiently - Have something down to a science - able to manage something very well with expertise

1. VOCABULARY,
IDIOMS &
EXPRESSIONS
(VIE)
TECHNOLOGY

2. Silver Surfer
an elderly person who uses the internet
A silver surfer may even spend more time on
Facebook than his grandchildren.
On the Same Wavelength
thinking in the same pattern or in agreement
They have done a good job in the project because
they were on the same wavelength.

3. Cog In The Machine
said about one part of a large system or
organisation
The secret societies were an important cog in the
machine of organised crime in the early nineties.
Blow a Fuse
become uncontrollably angry
Jim will blow a fuse when he finds out that his son
did not do well for the National Examinations.

4. Light Years Ahead
a long way in front of other people in terms of
development, success etc
Albert Einstein was light years ahead of his fellow
scientists and was able to solve many of mankind’s
mysteries with his experiments.
Bright As A Button
intelligent; quick-minded
You cannot fool Jane. She may be only six years old
but she's bright as a button.

5. Cutting Edge
at the forefront of progress in its area
Apple is at the cutting edge of technology when it
comes to tablet computers.
Button (up) One's Lip
to stop talking
Please, button up your lip and keep the news
secret till tomorrow.

6. Well-oiled machine
something that functions very well
The Singapore Government is a well-oiled
machine when it comes to bringing up the economy
for its people.
Have something down to a science
said when you are able to manage doing something
very well
They have the management of the concert down to
a science, thus it ran smoothly.

7. Bells and Whistles
attractive features that things have, though often a
bit unnecessary
Cars are normally loaded with bells and whistles
but most people will not need them.
Push The Panic Button
to panic suddenly
We may have lost the last three games but we will
not push the panic button yet.

8. All-Singing, All-Dancing
very modern and technically advanced
The latest model of computers all come with the new
all-singing, all-dancing software.
Reinvent The Wheel
to waste one's time doing something that has
already been done satisfactorily
Just use our guide book to and do not try to
reinvent the wheel please.

9. Push The Envelope
to move beyond the limit of what has usually been
done
TV shows are really likes to push the envelope by
showing so much sex and violence.
Rocket Science
an activity requiring considerable intelligence and
ability
It is not exactly rocket science when I asked Billy to
put up the poster which he failed to do.

10. Acid Test
a test whose findings are beyond doubt or dispute
The upcoming General Elections will be an acid
test on the capabilities of the Government. Rocket
Science
Firing on All Cylinders
working at full strength
The team was firing on all cylinders under the new
coach thus able to win the championship last year.

11. Garbage In, Garbage Out.
something produced from materials of low quality will
also be of low quality
The meals are pretty poor but then they never use
fresh ingredients - garbage in, garbage out.
Get Your Wires Crossed
misunderstand each other
Andy and Alex ended up getting their wires crossed
and were confused as to who was supposed to
complete the task.