"Hard And Fast" Natural Recordings by Native Speakers
"Hard and fast" is an idiomatic expression that means something is strict, unyielding, or absolute. It suggests that there are no exceptions or flexibility in a rule, principle, or situation. For example, "The deadline is hard and fast; we must submit the report by Friday."
1. The rule about no food in the classroom is hard and fast, so don't even think about sneaking in a snack.
2. She lives by the hard and fast principle that honesty is always the best policy.
3. In accounting, there are certain hard and fast rules that must be followed to ensure accuracy.
4. The deadline for the project is hard and fast; missing it could mean losing the client.
5. In martial arts, the distinction between different belt ranks is often hard and fast, requiring strict adherence to training and technique.
"Half an hour" refers to a time duration of 30 minutes.
The phrase "half as much" means a quantity or amount that is reduced to one half of the original. If you have something and someone says they want "half as much," they are asking for a quantity equal to 50% of what you have.
The phrase "Hameau de la Reine" refers to a small village or hamlet built for Queen Marie Antoinette at the Palace of Versailles in France during the 18th century. It was a rustic retreat where she could enjoy a simulated countryside experience within the royal estate. The name translates to "Queen's Hamlet" in English.
The phrase "hand and foot" typically refers to being extremely attentive or subservient to someone, as in "waiting on someone hand and foot." It means doing everything for someone, often excessively, taking care of their every need. It can also be used to describe the close connection or interdependence between two things or people.
"Hand in hand" means holding hands, typically as a sign of affection, unity, or partnership. It can also metaphorically refer to working together closely or moving through a situation jointly.
Hans Christian Andersen is a phrase referring to a Danish author who lived from 1805 to 1875. He is famous for writing fairy tales and children's stories, such as "The Ugly Duckling," "The Little Mermaid," and "The Emperor's New Clothes." The phrase often symbolizes storytelling, imagination, and classic children's literature.
"Hanyu Shuiping Kaoshi" refers to the HSK (Hanyu Shuiping Kaoshi) exam, which is a standardized test for non-native speakers to assess their proficiency in the Chinese language. It measures one's ability to understand, read, write, and speak Mandarin Chinese. The test is divided into different levels, from HSK1 for beginners to HSK6 for advanced learners.
"Happy New Year" is a phrase used to wish someone a joyful and prosperous start to the new calendar year. It expresses hope for good fortune, happiness, and success in the coming 12 months.