Expressions for shopping and sleeping

Dear Dr English,

What does ?shop until you drop? mean? I have seen the phrase repeatedly but
can?t find its real meaning. Another unusual phrase is ?sleep like a log?. Please
explain these expressions. Thank you.

Achla Bhatia

?To shop until you drop? means that you shop so hard that you?re ready to
collapse.
When you ?sleep like a log?, you fall into a deep sleep for a very long time.
After driving eight hours to Chiang Mai, Dave slept like a log.

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Atmosphere and ...

Dear Dr English,

Please explain the meanings and usages of the following words: ?atmosphere? and ?environment?, ?prominent? and ?permanent?, and ? a piece of your mind?. Thank you.

Kapil Bhatia

If you talk about a planet?s atmosphere, you are referring its layers of gasses or air.
The atmosphere helps prevent some dangerous rays from reaching Earth.

The atmosphere of a place is the air or climate in that place or the general impression that you get of that place.
Henry could feel the small town?s warm and friendly atmosphere as he walked into the post office.

But when you say this restaurant has atmosphere you are saying that the place feels special, exciting or it has an impact on people.
The resort we went to last summer had a very pleasant tropical atmosphere.

?Environment? is the natural world of forests, mountains, seas, land and animals that exists around us.
We should grow more trees to help improve the environment.

It also means all the things that happen, events, people around us and have an influence on our lives.
How can children learn to appreciate reading if there are no books in their environment?

Prominent, an adjective, is used to explain that someone is well-known and important.
Have you met Professor Edward Stewarts? He is a prominent educator who founded our institution.

Permanent, also an adjective, explains that something lasts for ever or for a very long time.
The accident has caused permanent brain damage to the victim.
And when you give someone a piece of your mind, you tell the person exactly what you think about his or her behavior when he or she does not behave in a way you think is proper.
How can she let the customers wait such a long time? I?m going to give her a piece of my mind right now.

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