We think London, as one of Europe’s greenest cities, is the perfect place to learn some new English idioms about parks and the great outdoors.

To squirrel away (something): to put something in a safe or secret place so that it can be used in the future. The old lady had squirrelled away a small fortune during her lifetime.

A walk in the park: something that is very easy to accomplish. Learning to play a musical instrument isn’t a walk in the park.

To bark up the wrong tree: When someone has misunderstood a situation, and believes the wrong thing. It comes from nineteenth century America, when hunting dogs used to bark under a tree with a racoon in it, and sometimes got the wrong tree. If thinks she’s going to be promoted, she’s barking up the wrong tree.

The grass is greener on the other side: Another situation always seems better than your own, even though this may not be true. He’s always thinking the grass is greener and is never satisfied with his job.

A sandwich short of a picnic: An insult, referring to someone who is not very clever. He believes the earth is flat - he may be a few sandwiches short of a picnic.

A breath of fresh air: Something that is refreshingly new and different. Her new boss is kind and understanding - a breath of fresh air.