Sprain one's ankle meaning in English

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Definition

to sprain one's ankle:

to twist, to injure the joint between the leg and the foot

idiom
I sprained my ankle playing soccer over the weekend. I jumped up and fell down on it too hard.

UK: I sprained my wrist playing tennis.
US: Be careful not to sprain your ankle.

Examples

  • "My horse has sprained his groin playing polo again!"
  • "I believe one elderly man sprained his ankle, and a child lost her doll, but both of these incidents were unrelated to the crash itself."
Exercise 1
Now complete Brian's Diary!

Monday 17th December
8am
Jogging with Bruno
9am
12.30pm
Learn Chinese
2pm
Meet Chinese businessmen
Appointment with vet
8pm

Now complete Brian's Diary!

Monday 17th December
8am
Jogging with Bruno
9am
Meeting 1
12.30pm
Learn Chinese
2pm
Meet Chinese businessmen
4.15pm 2
Appointment with vet
8pm
Elkie Johns Concert 3
1 Meeting : This is correct. Brian says "I'm in a meeting all morning... that won't finish before 12.30." Note that Brian pronounces the time, "twelve thirty". He could also have said "twelve thirty p.m." or "twelve thirty in the afternoon". Note: "a.m." is used for times before midday (10am = 10:00); "p.m." is used for times before midnight (10pm = 22:00).
1 Respond to emails: This is not the best choice here. Brian does not mention "emails" in his message.
1 Finish report: This is not the best choice here. Brian does not mention a "report" in his message.
1 Presentation: This is not the best choice here. Brian says "I'm giving a presentation to a group of Asian businessmen at 2pm". Brian will be giving a presentation in the afternoon, not in the "morning" between 9.00 and 12.30.
2 4.15pm: This is correct. Brian says "I'm seeing an animal doctor at 4.15". In English, "vet" is a common abbreviation of veterinarian, a doctor who treats animals. Note that Brian pronounces the time, "four fifteen". He could also have said "four fifteen p.m." or "four fifteen in the afternoon". Note: "a.m." is used for times before midday (6am = 06:00); "p.m." is used for times before midnight (6pm = 18:00).
2 3.15pm: This is incorrect. Brian says "four fifteen", not "three fifteen".
2 4.50pm: This is incorrect. Brian says "four fifteen", not "four fifty".
2 3.50pm: This is incorrect. Brian says "four fifteen", not "three fifty".
3 Elkie Johns Concert: This is the right choice. Brian says "Ah, in the evening? Oh no, I've got tickets to see Elkie Johns in concert - I'm not gonna miss that!". The "evening" is the part of the day between the afternoon and the night. "8pm" is the only appointment that Brian has in the evening.
3 Meet with Charlie Braithwaite: This is incorrect. Brian doesn't manage to find a time to meet Charlie.
3 Sprain groin: This is incorrect. Brian has an appointment with a vet because his horse has "sprained his groin" but does not have an appointment to sprain his own groin (to injure the delicate region at the top of his thighs!). I suppose some masochists might make an appointment to injure themselves, but there is no evidence from the dialogue that Brian belongs to this disturbed minority of people.
3 Play polo: This is incorrect. Brian says, "My horse has sprained his groin playing polo again!". This is a reference to a past event. Brian doesn't say that he will be playing polo at 8pm on Monday evening. "To sprain one's groin" means to injure the muscles at the top of the thighs.

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