Idioms slang sayings ts55

Idioms- A

Achilles’ heel Add fuel to the ﬁre
•The one weakness a person has •To make a bad situation worse, make
someone angrier
Example: “I’m strong in math and
science, but English is my Achilles’ heel.” Example: “I was already angry with
you, and you forgot to pick me up, that
really added fuel to the ﬁre.”

All ears At the end of your rope
•Eager to listen •At the end of your ability or patience
to do something
Example: “You said you had something
important to tell me. I’m all ears.” Example: “I’ve tried everything, but
nothing’s worked. I’m at the end of my
rope.”

Idioms- B

Below the belt Bite the dust
•Cruel, unfair, hurtful, not sportsmanlike •To die, to fail to succeed

Example: “Saying he wasn’t very good Example: “The spy bit the dust at the
in math just because he got a 99 on the end of the movie.”
test was really hitting below the belt.”

Break the ice By the book
•To overcome the ﬁrst awkward •Exactly according to the rules, doing
difﬁculties in a social situation by a just as instructed.
friendly gesture.
Example: “Julie wants all her employees
Example: “John was very shy when he to do everything by the book.”
met Cindy. He didn’t know how to
break the ice.”

Idioms- C

Call it a day Chill out
•To stop work for the day, end a •To relax, calm down.
project for the moment.
Example: “There was a lot of
Example: “You’ve been working on that homework this week. On Saturday, I am
report for hours. Why don’t you call it a going to just chill out.”
day?”

Cold feet Couch potato
•Fear of doing something, to lose •Someone who spends a lot of time
conﬁdence. watching television

Example: “John wanted to ask Rachel Example: “He won’t come out to play
to the dance, but he got cold feet.” because he’s a couch potato.”

Idioms- D

Do or die Down-to-earth
•To succeed or fail completely. •Practical; sensible; realistic

Example: “Mod was determined to win Example: “Even though she has big
the gold medal, do or die!” dreams of being a star, her sister is
down-to-earth and enjoys working at the
bank.”

Draw the line at Drive you crazy
•To set a speciﬁc limit, especially about •To make someone angry, annoyed or
behavior. confused.

Example: “My parents give me a lot of Example: “My roommate’s music drives
freedom, but they draw the line at me crazy!”
letting me stay out late on school
nights.”

Idioms- E

Early bird catches the Eat your words
worm
•A person who gets up early and starts •To have to admit humbly that you
a project ahead of others has the best were wrong.
chance of accomplishing his/her goal.
Example: “He predicted that I would
Example: “Sue slept overnight in front get a C on the Biology exam, but I got
of the stadium in order to get concert an A-. Now, he’ll have to eat his words.”
tickets. The early bird catches the worm.”

Eleventh hour Eyes in the back of your
•At the last possible time, just before head
the absolute deadline. •Ability to sense what is happening
when one’s back is turned.
Example: “At the eleventh hour, just
seconds before the play began, Sigh Example: “My teacher always knows
ﬁnished painting the scenery.” when we’re passing notes. He must
have eyes in the back of his head.”

Idioms- F

Feather in your cap Fifth wheel
•A great achievement or special honor; •An unneeded, extra person (similar to
an accomplishment to be proud of the Thai idiom “ABC”)

Example: “Winning the competition Example: “If he comes with us, he’ll just
was quite a feather in my cap.” be a fifth wheel.”

Fish out of water Full of hot air
•A person who is out of his or her •Being foolish or talking nonsense;
usual place; someone who doesn’t fit in pompous
or is helpless in a situation.
Example: “I don’t believe anything he
Example: “I want to help the new girl says. He’s full of hot air.”
from Germany. She must feel like a fish
out of water.”

Idioms- G

Get out of my face Get under your skin
•Stop standing so close to me and •To bother or upset someone.
arguing with me, or disapproving of my
actions. Example: “It really gets under my skin
when people use my laptop without
Example: “Just get our of my face right asking me.”
now, or I might say something mean!”

Go along for the ride Go bananas
•To watch but not take part in an •To be or go crazy
activity; to keep someone company.
Example: “Come quick! Your brother
Example: “Susan did not want to play has gone bananas.”
basketball, but she went along for the
ride.”

Idioms- H

Hang in there Head in the clouds
•To keep trying and not give up •Absentminded; daydreaming; lost in
thought
Example: “During the bike race, my
brother kept telling me to hang in Example: “My little brother’s report
there.” card said that he should pay more
attention in class - that his head was
usually in the clouds.”

Hit the road Hot under the collar
•To begin a journey; to leave •Very angry; upset

Example: “We’re all packed, it’s time to Example: “I’m going to say goodnight.
hit the road.” My father is starting to get hot under
the collar.”

Idioms- I

In a nutshell In one ear and out the
other
•In very few words; brieﬂy; clearly and •Not listening to what is being said; not
to the point. attentive.

Example: “In a nutshell, tell me what the Example: “I warned him about bringing
movie was about.” his pet tarantula to school for show-
and-tell, but my advice went in one ear
and out the other.”

In the bag In the same boat
•Absolutely certain to be won; sure; •In the same bad situation; sharing the
certain of success same problem or difﬁculty.

Example: “We knew our soccer team Example: “We’re all in the same boat,
had the championship in the bag.” and we’ve got to work together on this
project.”

Idioms- J

Jack-of-all-trades Jump down your throat
•A person who can do many different •To talk or scream at someone in a
kinds of work well. sudden, angry way.

Example: “Mike’s a jack-of-all-trades, he Example: “I asked my older brother to
can ﬁx anything.” borrow his car, and he just jumped down
my throat!”

Jump the gun Just deserts
•To say or do something before you •The punishment a person deserves.
should.
Example: “He got his just deserts when
Example: “I couldn’t wait to give my he overslept and missed the last train.”
mom her birthday present, so I jumped
the gun and gave it to her a week
early.”

Idioms- K

Keep a straight face Keep your ﬁngers
crossed
•To keep from laughing. •To wish for good luck and success for
someone or something.
Example: “When you see Eric’s new
haircut, try to keep a straight face.” Example: “We need a home run to
win. Keep your ﬁngers crossed.”

Keep your shirt on Knock on wood
•To remain cool; to not become angry; •An expression that superstitious
to be patient. people say when they knock on any
kind of wood so that they won’t have
Example: “The referee saw the two bad luck.
players shouting at each other and told
them to keep their shirts on.” Example: “So far, the new teacher
doesn’t give too much homework.
Knock on wood.”

Idioms- L

Let your hair down Like pulling teeth
•To relax and show your true self. •Something very hard to do.

Example: “At the karaoke party, Jane Example: “Getting Jessica to talk in
really let her hair down.” class is like pulling teeth.”

Look down your nose at Loose cannon
someone •A person who is unpredictable and
•To think of and treat people as if they sometimes out of control.
were lower in quality or ability.
Example: “He got ﬁred because he was
Example: “The seniors looked won their a loose cannon and caused everybody a
noses at us.” lot of trouble.”

Idioms- M

Make ends meet Make your mouth water
•To earn just enough to live within •To look so attractive and desirable
one’s income. that it makes you want to have it very
much; to want to eat or drink
Example: “On her salary, Justin can something that looks or smells
hardly make ends meet.” delicious.

Example: “Just looking at that apple pie
makes my mouth water.”

Miss the boat More than meets the
•To lose an opportunity; to arrive too eye
late and miss out on something. •There are hidden facts that can’t be
seen or understood right away.
Example: “If you’re late to the
interview, you’ll miss the boat for the Example: “Sherlock Holmes realized
job.” immediately that there was more to the
murder than met the eye.”

Idioms- N

Needle in a haystack Nickel-and-dime
•Something hard or impossible to ﬁnd. •Unimportant, trivial

Example: “Looking for your contact Example: “Jacob said he worked for a
lens on this carpet will be like looking big corporation, but it was really only a
for a needle in a haystack.” nickel-and-dime company.”

Not your cup of tea Nothing ventured,
•Not what one likes or prefers; not nothing gained
suitable; not to your taste. •If you don’t try to do something, you’ll
never accomplish it.
Example: “I think I should try on
another dress. This one’s not my cup of Example: “Try making that dive.
tea.” Nothing ventured, nothing gained.”

Idioms - O

Off-the-wall On the fence
•shocking; very unusual •Neutral; undecided; not choosing one
way or the other
Example: “That new reality television
show is deﬁnitely off-the-wall.” Example: “Are you for or against the
new honor code, or are you still on the
fence?”

On the tip of your Out of here
tongue
•Temporarily forgotten but at the point •Good-bye; I’m going, I’m leaving
where one can almost say it; ready to
say something but unable to remember Example: “Just one more cookie and
it precisely. I’m out of here.”

Example: “The name of the song was
on the tip of her tongue, but Min couldn’t
remember it fast enough to win the
contest.”

Idioms- P

Piece of cake Pull strings
•An especially easy and pleasant task •To secretly control others from a
distance, as if they were puppets.
Example: “Beating you at cards is a
piece of cake.” Example: “The movie is sold out, but
since your uncle runs the theater,
maybe you could pull strings and get us
tickets.”

Pull your leg Put your foot in your
•To tease or fool someone; to jokingly mouth
try to lie to someone. •Get in trouble for saying the wrong
thing at the wrong time to the wrong
Example: “Kevin, don’t get so annoyed person, often without realizing it.
at them for teasing you. They’re just
pulling your leg.” Example: “You really put your foot in
your mouth when you told Jenny you
didn’t like David’s singing without
knowing that he’s her boyfriend.”

Idioms- R

Rain or shine Raining cats and dogs
•No matter what happens; whatever •To rain very heavily; to pour
the weather is like.
Example: “It’s raining cats and dogs and
Example: “The fair will be on the ﬁeld our picnic is ruined.”
this weekend, rain or shine.”

Read between the lines Ring a bell
•To identify the true, hidden meaning •To sound familiar; to call something to
or fact in any document or action. mind; to stir a vague memory.

Example: “When Mr. Jones said he’d Example: “I don’t remember Margaret’s
ﬁnd a good part for me, I knew he face, but her name rings a bell.”
meant I didn’t get the leading role. I can
read between the lines.”

Idioms - S

See eye to eye Sink or swim
•To agree fully; to have the same •To fail or succeed by one’s own efforts
opinion. without anyone’s help or interference.

Example: “My parents and I don’t Example: “When I went to college, I
always see eye to eye about my had to sink or swim without my family’s
allowance.” help.”

Sky’s the limit Sleep on it
•There is no limit to what you can •To put off making a decision until at
spend or how far you can go or what least the next day so that you can think
you can achieve. about it overnight.

Example: “Order anything on the Example: “The boss said she’d tell me
menu- the sky’s the limit.” tomorrow if I got the job or not. She
had to sleep on it.”

Idioms- T

Take someone under Throw your weight
your wing
•To help, guide, or protect someone.
around
•To use one’s power in a mean,
threatening way; to be bossy or rough.
Example: “Each senior will be assigned
a freshman to take under his/her wing
Example: “That kid is the new school
during the ﬁrst month of school.”
bully. He likes to throw his weight
around.”

Turn the other cheek Turn the tables
•To let someone do something bad to •To reverse the situation; to make the
you and not defend yourself or hit opposite happen.
back; to merely ignore abuse or injury.
Example: “The visiting team was
Example: “Harry keeps insulting you, beating us badly, but then we turned the
and all you do is turn the other cheek.” tables on them and won!”

Idioms- U

Under the table Under the weather
•In secret, dishonestly; not out in the •Sick; not well; in trouble with money
open
Example: “Ms. Mahoney will not be in
Example: “The boxer was accused of today. She’s feeling a little under the
accepting money under the table to lose weather.”
the ﬁght.”

Up a creek without a Up against the wall
paddle
•In big trouble; in a difﬁcult or
•In serious trouble, and unable to do
desperate situation.
anything about it.
Example: “Ben’s up against the wall. He
Example: “Ae lost her costume, and
lost his job and can’t make the
the play is tonight. She’s up a creek
payments on his house.”
without a paddle.”

Idioms - W

Walk on eggshells Wet blanket
•To be very cautious; to proceed warily •A person who spoils other people’s
fun by being depressing, dull, sour,
Example: “Jen was walking on eggshells nagging, or humorless.
when she tried to return the jacket she
had borrowed without asking.” Example: “I hope Paul doesn’t come to
the amusement park with us- he’s such
a wet blanket.”

Wild-goose chase Word of mouth
•A useless or hopeless search, •By one person telling another; by
especially because something does not speaking, rather than writing.
exist or can’t be found.
Example: “The movie got bad reviews,
Example: “We need a GPS! These but it became popular by word of
directions lead us on a wild-goose mouth.”
chase.”

Simple Greetings
(other than just “hi” or “hello”)

! ! Hey!
! ! Howdy!
Things Americans Say

! ! Yo!
! !

! ! *These statements are mostly used like “hello”, people do
! ! not want to know. A quick response like “good”, “ok”, “ﬁne”
! ! or repeating another phrase on this page is the easiest way
! ! to answer.

! ! ! How are you?
! ! ! How’s it going?
! ! ! How is everything?
! ! ! What’s up?
! ! ! Wussup?
! ! ! How have you been?
! ! ! What have you been up to?
! ! ! What’s new?

Starting a conversation

! Starting an informal conversation:

! ! Guess what?
! ! Have you heard the latest?
! ! Have you heard?
! ! Did you hear what happened?
! ! Did you hear the news?
! ! You’ll never guess what I heard.
! ! You’ll never guess what I read online.
! ! You won’t believe this.
! !

! Inviting someone to talk:

! ! You got a minute?
! ! I need to talk.
! ! Can we talk?
! ! Can I talk to you?
! ! May I have a word with you?
! !

When you are depressed

! ! I’m depressed.

! ! I’m feeling low.
! ! I’m feeling down.
! ! I’m feeling blue.
! ! ! =sad
! ! I’m out of sorts.
! ! I can’t put my ﬁnger on what’s wrong.
! ! My heart is heavy.
! ! My heart is broken.
! ! I’m heartbroken.

Explaining you’ve been busy

! ! I’m busy.
! ! Keeping busy.

! ! Keeping myself busy.

! ! I’m swamped.
! ! ! swamped= overwhelmed.

! ! I don’t have time to breathe.
! ! I don’t have time to think.
!
! ! There aren’t enough hours in the day.
! ! Not a moment to spare.

! ! I’ve been running around like a chicken with its head cut off.
! ! ! =I’m so busy that I’ve been trying to do too many
! ! ! things at once.

Leaving things as they are

! ! Let it be.
! ! Leave it be.

! ! Let it go.
! ! Let things be.
! ! Live and let live.
! ! If it ain’t broke, don’t ﬁx it.
! ! Don’t make waves.
! ! Don’t rock the boat.
! ! Don’t make trouble.
! ! Don’t go looking for trouble.

Ending a conversation

Signaling the end of a conversation:
! ! Oh, look at the time!
! ! Well, it was good to see you, but I really must go.

! ! It’s been fun talking to you.
! ! It’s been nice chatting with you.
! ! It’s good to see you again.
! ! We should make plans to get together sometime.
! ! Is it that time already?
! ! I have a big day tomorrow.
! ! Time to call it a day.

Ending a conversation quickly:
! ! I have to run.
! ! I’m all out of time. I’ll have to say goodbye now.
! ! Look at the time. I really must go.
! ! It’s been great talking to you, but I have to go.
! ! Sorry, but I have to leave now.
! ! Let’s continue another time. I really must go.
! ! Wow! I’m late. I’ll have to talk to you again later.
! ! I’m afraid I have to be going.
! ! I’m out of here.
! ! Gotta go.
! ! Have to go now.

Saying goodbye:
! ! Goodbye, bye, bye-bye
! ! Good afternoon, evening, morning, day
! ! So long
! ! Hasta la vista, adios (Spanish)
! ! See you later
! ! I’ll catch you later
! ! See you around
! ! See ya
! ! See you tomorrow
! ! Have a nice day

Showing understanding

Stating that you understand:

! ! I hear you.

! ! I can see that.
! ! I see what you mean.
! ! I see where you’re coming from.
! ! I know.
! ! I know what you mean.
! ! Point well taken.
! ! I know what you’re talking about.
! ! I got you.
! ! Gotcha.
! ! I’m with you.

Making sure you are understood:

! ! Do you know what I mean?
! ! Do you know what I’m talking about?
! ! Does that make any sense?
! ! Am I making sense?
! ! Are you following me?
! ! You know?
! ! Do you see what I mean?
! ! Do you get the picture?
! ! Do you get the message?
! ! Do you get it?
! ! Do you hear what I am saying?
! ! Do you see where I’m coming from?
! ! ! where I’m coming from = what my position is
! ! Are you with me on this?
! ! Do we see eye to eye on this?
! !

Getting ready to study
or do homework
! ! Time to crack the books.
! ! ! to crack = to open

! ! Time to hit the books.
! ! ! to hit = to use

! ! Gotta cram.
! ! ! cram = to study hard; to cram knowledge into one’s
! ! ! brain, usually this term is used the night before a
! ! ! test.! !

! ! I need to prep for a big test.

! ! I have a lot of studying to do.

! ! I have to study.

! ! I’ve got a midterm tomorrow.

! ! I’ve got a big test tomorrow.

! ! I have a lot of homework tonight.

Encouraging someone to be
prudent (clichés)

! ! Don’t jump the gun.

! ! ! =starting a race before the starting gun is ﬁred;
! ! ! to do something too early.

! ! Don’t put the cart before the horse.

! ! Don’t count your chickens before they hatch.
! ! ! =don’t base your plans on something that hasn’t
! ! ! developed yet.

! ! We’ll cross that bridge when we come to it.
! ! ! =We’ll deal with that when the time comes.

! ! Don’t get ahead of yourself.

When you have no money

! ! I’m broke.

! ! I’m ﬂat broke.

! ! I don’t have a dollar to my name.
! ! ! to my name= in my ownership
! ! I don’t have a cent to my name.

! ! I’m as poor as a church mouse.

! ! My pockets are empty.

! ! I have empty pockets.

! ! All I have is the shirt on my back
! ! ! =the clothes you see me in.

! ! I’m bankrupt.

! ! I’m up to my ears in debt.

Expressing stress or anxiety

! ! I’m going nuts.

! ! ! =crazy

! ! I’m going crazy.

! ! I’m losing my mind.

! ! I’m freaking out.

! ! I need a break.

! ! I need some sleep.

! ! My head is going to explode.

! ! Everything is getting on my nerves.

! ! I can’t take it anymore.

! ! I can’t take another problem.

! ! I can’t deal with this anymore.

! ! I’m on pins and needles.
! ! ! =in anxious anticipation. (this is an idiom your
! ! ! teachers might say, but usually teenagers do not.)

! ! I’m a bundle of nerves.

! ! I’ve got butterﬂies in my stomach.

! ! I’m falling apart at the seems.

When someone is stressed out

! ! Calm down.

! ! Control yourself.

! ! Don’t worry.

! ! Don’t lose sleep over it.

! ! Don’t let it get to you.

! ! Don’t go into hysterics.

! ! Chill out.

! ! Chill.

! ! Keep cool.

! ! Cool off.

! ! Cool down.

! ! Slow down.

! ! Relax.
!
! ! Take a deep breath.

! ! Take it easy.

! ! Deal with it.

! ! Keep your shirt on.

! ! Take it slow.

Explanations in conversation
Asking for an explanation:
! ! What do you mean?
! ! What are you saying?
! ! What are you trying to get at?

! ! What’s the bottom line?
! ! How so?
! ! What’s the point?
! ! I don’t see what you’re getting at.
! ! I don’t get it.
! ! I don’t follow you.
! ! I’m not sure I follow.
! ! I’m not sure I get your point.

When someone does not understand you:
! ! That’s not what I meant.
! ! That’s not what I said.
! ! I didn’t mean that.
! ! I didn’t say that.
! ! I didn’t mean to give you that impression.
! ! I didn’t mean to imply that.

Criticizing someone’s misunderstanding:
! ! Listen to me.
! ! You’re not listening to what I am saying.
! ! You’re only hearing what you want to hear.
! ! You’re missing the point.
! ! That’s not my point.
! ! You’ve got it wrong.
! ! You’ve twisted my words.
! ! You’re putting words in my mouth.
! ! You’re taking it out of context.
! ! You’re blowing this all out of proportion.

Attempting to put an end to a misunderstanding:
! ! Let me rephrase that.
! ! Let me clarify that.
! ! Allow me to clarify.
! ! Let me make myself perfectly clear.
! !

When you do not understand
what was said
! ! Pardon me?
! ! Excuse me?

! ! Again, please.
! ! I’m sorry. I missed that.
! ! I didn’t quite get that.
! ! What did you say?
! ! I’m sorry, what?
! ! What?
! ! What was that?
! ! Could you please repeat that?
! ! I don’t understand you.
! ! I can’t hear you.
! ! Could you please speak more slowly?
! ! Could you please speak louder?
! ! Could you write it down, please?
! ! Could you spell that?! !

Making the best of a bad situation
!
! That’s life.
! That’s how it goes.

! That’s the way the ball bounces.
! Things could be worse.
! It’s not as bad as all that.
! Look on the bright side.
! Make the best of it.
! Every cloud has a silver lining.
! It’s the best we can do under the circumstances.! !
! I wish we could do more.
! You did the best you could.
! The important thing is that you tried.
! Winning isn’t everything.
! It was just one of those things.
! Don’t ask why, it just is.
! Who am I to question?
! It’s for the best.
! Don’t let it get you down.
! Cheer up!
! You’ve made your bed, now lie in it.
! If at ﬁrst you don’t succeed, try, try again.!
! The important thing is to learn from your mistakes.
! I’m between a rock and a hard place.

When someone annoys you
!

! ! Would you stop that?

! ! Could you please stop doing that?
! ! You are really trying my patience.
! ! That’s really annoying.
! ! That’s really irritating.
! ! That’s driving me nuts!
! ! That’s making me crazy!
! ! That’s really bothering me.
! ! That’s getting on my nerves.
! ! That’s really bugging me.
! ! ! bugging = bothering
! !
! ! Must you (do that)?
! ! Stop bothering me.
! ! Give it a rest.
! ! Knock it off!
! ! Cut it out!
! ! Enough, already!

Guests and hosts
! Asking to visit someone:
! ! Are you free later today/sometime next week?
! ! Can I come over?

! ! Do you mind if I stop by later?
! ! Are you busy or can I come over?
! ! When is a good time for you?
! !
! When you are invited to an informal meal in a home:
! ! Do I need to bring anything?
! ! Would you like me to bring something?
! ! What should I bring?

! When you cannot reach something on the table:
! ! Could you please pass _________?
!
! Asking to leave the dinner table early:
! ! Do you mind if I leave the table?
! ! I’ll have to excuse myself.
! ! Would you excuse me?

! What a guest says to a host or hostess:
! ! Where can I put my coat?
! ! Where is the bathroom?
! ! You have a beautiful home.
! ! The table looks beautiful.
! ! You have wonderful taste.
! ! What a lovely home!

! When departing:
! ! Thanks for having me over.
! ! Thank you for a lovely time.
! ! Thank you for inviting me.
! ! Thank you for having me.

Talking about the weather
!
! A good way to start a conversation with anyone is by talking about
! the weather.

! ! Nice weather we’re having.
! ! Lousy weather, isn’t it?
! ! Lovely weather for ducks.
! ! It’s raining again.
! ! Hot enough for you?
! ! Cold enough for you?
! ! It’s not the heat; it’s the humidity.
! ! It’s bright and sunny.
! ! Horrible weather we’re having.
! ! It’s raining cats and dogs.
! ! What a storm!
! ! What a downpour!
! ! What a snowstorm!
! ! What a blizzard!
! ! It’s so foggy.
! ! It’s muggy.
! ! It’s windy.

When you do not know what to say

!

! ! I’m at a loss for words.

! ! I’m speechless.
! ! No comment.
! ! I have no response.
! ! I have nothing to say.
! ! I have nothing to add.
! ! I don’t know what to say.
! ! What can I say?
! ! What do you want me to say?
! ! You got me there.

At a restaurant (1)

! Questions a waiter or waitress might ask:
! ! Are you waiting for someone?
! ! Will someone be joining you?

! ! Good evening, would you care for a drink?
! ! Would you like something to drink ﬁrst?
! ! Would you like to order a drink?
! ! Would anyone like coffee?
! ! Cream or sugar?
! ! Would you like to see a menu?
! ! Are you ready to order?
! ! Do you need a few more minutes (to decide what you want)?
! ! Would you like to hear our specials?
! ! How would you like that prepared?
! ! How would you like that done?
! ! What kind of potatoes would you like?
! ! Mashed, boiled, hash browns or french fries?
! ! Would you like a baked potato, fries, or rice?
! ! Would you like soup or salad with that?
! ! Soup or salad?
! ! Our dressings are Ranch, Italian, Thousand Island, Greek
! ! and house.! What would you like?
! ! ! house = the standard salad dressing used in this
! ! ! restaurant.
! ! Would you like some fresh ground pepper?
! ! Would you care for dessert?
! ! Would you like to see the menu again for dessert?
! ! Let me show you the dessert tray.

At a restaurant (2)

! Explaining to a waiter or waitress that you are not ready to order:
! ! We need a couple more minutes to decide.
! ! I need a few more minutes to decide.

! ! Could I see a menu, please?
! ! I’m not ready to order yet.
! ! I haven’t ﬁgured out what I want yet.
! ! I haven’t decided yet.
! ! I cannot decide, do you have any suggestions?

! Asking about speciﬁc items on a restaurant menu:
! ! What are the specials?
! ! What is the special of the day?
! ! Do you have any specials?
! ! What would you suggest?
! ! Do you have any recommendations?
! ! What’s good today?
! ! What does that come with?
! ! Does that come with a salad?
! ! What kind of dressing do you have?
! ! Do you have any low calorie dressing?
! ! What’s the soup of the day?
! ! Is that prepared with meat?
! ! Is there meat in that?
! ! Do you have any vegetarian dishes?
! !

At a restaurant (3)

! Asking for the bill in a restaurant:
! ! Could I have the bill?
! ! Could I have the check?

! ! We’d like the bill, please.
! ! Separate checks, please.
! ! Do I pay you or the cashier?
! ! Can I have a receipt, please?
! ! We are ready to leave now.
! ! All together.
! ! All on one (check).
! Asking about speciﬁc items on a restaurant menu:
! ! What are the specials?
! ! What is the special of the day?
! ! Do you have any specials?
! ! What would you suggest?
! ! Do you have any recommendations?
! ! What’s good today?
! ! What does that come with?
! ! Does that come with a salad?
! ! What kind of dressing do you have?
! ! Do you have any low calorie dressing?
! ! What’s the soup of the day?
! ! Is that prepared with meat?
! ! Is there meat in that?
! ! Do you have any vegetarian dishes?
! !

Telling time
! It’s two.
! It’s two o’clock.
! It’s two o’clock sharp.
! It’s exactly two o’clock.

! ! ! ! It’s twelve noon.
! ! I! ! It’s noon.
! ! ! ! It’s twelve o’clock.
! ! ! ! It’s midnight.
! ! ! ! It’s twelve midnight.

! ! ! ! It’s three ten.
! ! ! ! It’s ten after three.
! ! ! ! It’s ten minutes after three.
! ! ! ! It’s ten past three.

! ! ! ! It’s five fifteen.
! ! ! ! It’s a quarter past five.
! ! ! !

! It’s four forty-five.
! It’s quarter to five.
! It’s a quarter to five.
! ! ! !

! ! ! ! It’s eight thirty.
! ! ! ! It’s half past eight.
! ! ! !
! !
!

Slang/Idioms from TS at prep school

BS What’s up?
Bullsh*t, something people put
in their essays/papers to fill
Bro This is a greeting and, for most
of the time, it is not a
up space when they have Short for brother, referring to question.
nothing else in their heads. boys in the group.
An appropriate response is
Also, in conversation, when typically “hi” or “what’s up.”
someone comments, “That’s
just BS” it means whatever
the other person said is an
unbelievable or useless idea.

P’Ben TS54, Phillips Academy


(You’re) wicked smart Make it through...
Under your belt
Wicked is a way of saying “very”, Persevere, sur vive a difficult
someone who says “you’re wicked experience. An experience or qualification that
smart” is impressed by your had a successful conclusion that
intelligence, especially in academics. may be useful to you in the future.

For example, a coach might say,
“That team was tough, but now we
have that game under our belt and
we can look for ward to next week.”

All set
A task that has been completed or something
that is ready for the next step. A person can
be “ set” and ready to go also.
all

P’Waew TS54, Gould Academy


Preppy Legit On your plate
A preparatory school Real, not fake; cool. To have too much
student or former on one’s plate
student; a person whose means to be too
manner and dress are busy.
typical of a preparatory Get Psyched
school. Get excited or mentally
prepared for something

Hang in there
To continue to try to do something
although it is very difficult

P’Sarah TS54, Phillips Academy


Wildcard Swag You’re
=A determining or =Cool! nuts
important person or thing
whose qualities are =You’re crazy
unknown, indeterminate,
or unpredictable.
Dope
=Cool/awesome

Bum/Booty I hate you!
=Butt
=I’m jealous of you.

Bummer
=Bad luck
P’DD TS54, Peddie School


What’s good This test will kick
=What’s up, how are you
Hook up my ass
doing?
A slang relationship word- can
mean get together for a date, I think I will do very badly on
If you walk past that person
make out (a lot of kissing) or the next test.
and he/she says that to you
to have sex.
without stopping/waiting for
your answer, they simply
mean Hi/Hey.

P’Chad TS54, Deerﬁeld Academy


Good call Hang out
Used to agree with someone. Wake up call To spend time with people
aimlessly and being lazy.
Making the wisest decisions An event that warns someone
to get out of a tough situation. that they need to deal with an
urgent or dangerous problem.

P’Lek TS54, Lake Forest Academy P’View TS54, Blair Academy


Gee! Rock Star Sassy Cheesy
Used as a mild A really cool 1. Rude and
expletive or person disrespectful. 1. Trying too hard, unsubtle
exclamation, as of and inauthentic.
surprise, 2. Lively and
enthusiasm, or 2. Like cheesy in flavor or
spirited.
sympathy. smell.
3. Stylish 3. In poor taste, of poor
quality

Lame
Weak and not effective, unsatisfactory.
Example, “That was a lame apology, he is
still angry with you.”

P’View TS54, Blair Academy


Shut it Have a good one!
=A more polite version of shut
Suck on that =Have a good weekend/day/
up. anything. (Usually used to
=Take that! Sort of proving that you end a conversation)
are better or accomplished
something over someone else.

I got yah/I feel you
= I understand you/your
situation.
Awks!
=Awkward
P’DD TS54 Peddie School


One-chair rule Leggo
Bomb the test
=Mental note when we join a table =Let’s go.
that some students are already =Cannot do well; will fail the test.
sitting there at the dining hall. We
tend to leave one seat empty and
sit on the next seat.

Yay or Nay
=Yes or No

-ish
=kind of/
Nahhh!
approximate
=No
(example: 20ish)



Suck up YOLO
Ball your eyes out
=Someone that does anything to =You Only Live Once.
please the teacher. =Cry

Dawg
=Close friend/homie

Like a boss
=What you say to
Whaddup
make things
=What’s up
sound cooler, more
exciting than it
actually is.

Idioms slang sayings ts55

Empfohlen

Empfohlen

Weitere ähnliche Inhalte

Andere mochten auch

Andere mochten auch (19)

Ähnlich wie Idioms slang sayings ts55

Ähnlich wie Idioms slang sayings ts55 (20)

Kürzlich hochgeladen

Kürzlich hochgeladen (20)

Idioms slang sayings ts55