English Expressions Presents...
Common Phrasal Verbs, Idioms, & More!
For the English-Learner
PART 1
to ACT ON
-do something you've thought about doing
“I thought about starting a company, but never acted on it!”
“I've thought about getting married, but never acted on it.”
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to BARGE IN
-suddenly come into a room unexpected
“We were kissing but stopped when my mom barged into the room!”
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“I BET ___”
-when you guess something is true or will happen
“I bet you enjoyed your holiday in Hawaii!”
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“BIG DEAL!”
-you don't think something is special
A: I got 80% on the test!
B: Ha! Big deal! I got 95%!
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to BREATHE EASY
-relax after experiencing stress
“We can breathe easy once our exams are finished!”
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a “BUMMER”
-bad news
-a bad experience (not very serious)
“Aw, you failed the test? That's a bummer.”
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to “CALL IT A DAY”
-to end working (or another activity)
“It's Friday, so let's call it a day early!”
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“I CAN'T ARGUE WITH THAT!”
-you agree something is a good idea
A: Let's take a break & eat.
B: I can't argue with that!
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to be IN CHARGE
-be the boss (maybe when the real boss is away)
“When mom is out, my older sister is in charge.”
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CHILD'S PLAY
-very easy!
“That test was child's play!”
“Using the internet is child's play!”
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to COME to TERMS WITH
-accept something difficult
-agree on something
“She came to terms with her divorce.”
“The companies came to terms on a new deal.”
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to COOL DOWN
-to stop feeling angry
“Please cool down before we discuss this issue (problem). You're too angry!”
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DRIVE someone UP THE WALL
-to really annoy or bother someone
“Ah! This loud music is driving me up the wall!”
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in DROVES
-very large numbers
“The people came to the festival in droves!”
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FIRSTHAND
-from the original source or from your own experience
“We heard about the war firsthand from a soldier.”
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'FOR THE TIME BEING'
-it will likely change in the future
“I'm staying with my friend for the time being.”
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to be FLAT BROKE
-have NO money! $0.00
“I'm flat broke, can you lend me some $?”
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FOR the FUN OF IT!
-for no reason, but to have fun!
“Let's go for a drive, just for the fun of it!”
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(get) a FEEL FOR something
-understand & be familiar w/ something
“I wanna get a feel for this guitar before I buy.”
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to GAIN WEIGHT
-become (a little) fatter
“Oh no! I'm gaining weight; tomorrow I go on a diet!”
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to GET your ACT TOGETHER
-stop wasting time and focus
“You must get your act together and improve your grades!”
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to GET on someone's NERVES
-to make someone nervous/angry
“Please leave; you're getting on my nerves!”
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“Can you gimme (give me) a hand?” = “Can you help me?”
“Please give us a hand and “like” us on facebook!”
Thank you!
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GIVE someone a RUN for their MONEY
-challenge a skilful person
“He's a pro,But I gave him a run for his money!”
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to GO the DISTANCE
-continue doing something until it's done
“This course is difficult, but I'm going the distance.”
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to GO DOWN
-reduce
-travel (maybe south)
“All the stock prices have gone down!”
“Let's go down to the bar!”
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“HANG IN THERE!”
-you do s.thing difficult & s.one wants you to continue
“English is difficult, but hang in there!”
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to HANG TOGETHER
-spend casual time with another person/group
“Let's hang together sometime?”
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a HANG OVER
to be HUNG OVER
-you're sick & from drinking the nite before
“Ow! My head hurts! I'm so hung over!”
“Ow! My head hurts! I have such a bad hang over!”
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to HAND OVER
-to give something to someone (but you don't want to!)
“I had to hand over my toys to the teacher!”
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to HANG BACK
-wait before taking action
“Let's hang back before buying that company. This price will go down.”
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to HAPPEN ALONG
-visit it a place by chance
“We happened along many lovely cafes in Paris.”
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to HASH OUT
-to discuss and try to solve a problem (conflict) w/ someone
“Our company hashed out a deal w/ them.”
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HERE and THERE
-in many places
-sometimes
“I like to cook here & there.”
“I've taken many trips here & there.”
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HOW DID IT GO?
= What was the result?
= How was the experience?
“How did exams go?”
“How did your job interview go?”
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“IT'S ABOUT TIME!” = “It should have happened earlier!” = “Finally!”
“You arrived! It's about time! You're late!”
“It's about time you cut your hair!”
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to JUMP AROUND
-to be silly, laugh, and move
“We jumped around & cheered after they won the game!”
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KISS UP TO s.one
-be nice to/do things for s.one because you want s.thing
“He's always kissing up to the boss!”
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“KEEP IN MIND ”
-remember s.thing when you do s.thing or think about s.thing
“Keep in mind, the store closes at 9pm.”
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