99 English Phrases

Question 1

1. Make a fuss

Answer 1

COMPLAINT ABOUT SOMETHING (UNIMPORTANT)

After work, I have to submit a report to
my boss. I never want to forget it because
if I do, she’ll definitely [make a fuss] about it
and I don’t like her voice at all. In fact,
nobody does.

Question 2

2. Bang for the buck

Answer 2

WORTH THE MONEY YOU SPEND

MacBook is relatively expensive but it
gives you more [bang for the buck]. I get
more things done since I bought it. And
you should consider buying it too,
because if you don't get your work done
on time, your boss will [make a fuss]
about it

Question 3

3. Around the corner

Answer 3

COMING UP VERY SOON

The next IELTS exam is just [around the
corner]. You study or you die. New Year is
also [around the corner] too. You have to
choose which one is your priority

Question 4

4. Hands down

Answer 4

SIMPLY TO OBVIOUS AND NOT WORTH ARGUING AT ALL

If you fail to plan, you are planing to fail, [hands down]

Question 5

5. Heads-up

Answer 5

AN ADVANCE NOTICE, JUST TO REMIND YOU SOMETHING IS COMING SO BETTER BE PREPARED

It's easier to get A and A+ in Canada
than in Vietnam because professors
usually give students a [heads-up]
before the exams on what chapters
to focus on. I feel like I get more
[bang for the buck]

Question 6

6. Big time

Answer 6

USED TO STRESS THE EXTREME (USUALLY PUT AT THE END OF THE SENTENCE)

I earned $3,000 from stock
investing [big time] last week.
However, yesterday's market crash
also made me lose,[big time].
To get more [bang for the buck],
I better do more research.

Question 7

7. Back to square one

Answer 7

BACK TO THE STARTING POINT (SQUARE ONE), USUALLY AS A RESULT OF A FAILURE

After losing all the money in the stock market,
my saving is now [back to square one].
But still I believe stock maket is
[hands down] the best place to make
some bucks

Question 8

8. Pull of (Pull it off)

Answer 8

SUCCESSFULLY MAKE SOMETHING HAPPEN OR ACCOMPLISH SOMETHING, SUCCEED

I had a job interview last week
and guess what, I pulled it off!
I just pulled off the $200,000 real estate
deal with my client. Now I have money to
spend!

Question 9

9. Pull an all nighter

Answer 9

DO NOT SPLEEP AT ALL TO DO SOME - FREAKING -THING. MOST USED BY COLLEGE STUDENTS

Even though I’m well- prepared,
I still have to [pull an all-nighter] for the exam
tomorrow. Coffee is ready.
Hopefully, I can pull it off

Question 10

10. Goof off

Answer 10

WASTE TIME INSTEAD OF STUDYING OR WORKING

I don’t get it when Jim [goofs off] all
the time but still get A+. He must have
a secret sauce.

Question 11

11. A rip-off

Answer 11

SOMETHING UNREASONABLE EXPENSIVE

$1000 for an IELTS course? Definitely a
[rip-off]. They’re obviously trying to [rip
you off]. So stay away. You will not get
any [bang for your buck] at all.

Question 12

12. Tie the knot

Answer 12

GET MARRIED

I’m 23 this year and I’m not gonna
[tie the knot] anytime soon. Getting
married involves a lot of responsibility,
both expected and unexpected. My
friends, Jim and Lori, will [tie the knot]
this month and their wedding is just
[around the corner].

Question 13

13. Step up my game

Answer 13

TRY HARDER AND MAKE IT BETTER

I want to go back to stock investing to
make some money. I’m aware that to
make a nice return, I’ll have to stop
[goofing off] to [step up my game].

Question 14

14. I’m buyin’ it

Answer 14

I’M CONVINCED!

Linh was always trying to convince me
she saw an alien. At first, [I was not
buying it] because her story was so
sketchy. But then I saw it with my own
eyes and I have to believe in it. [I'm
buying it].

Question 15

15. Hold onto your hat!

Answer 15

BE READY TO HEAR SOMETHING SURPRISING!

Hi everybody, I got some good news.
Please [hold onto your hat]. I finally have
a girlfriend!
Oh, Congrats! Unbelievable!

Question 16

16. Screw it

Answer 16

WHATEVER HAPPEN, I DON’T CARE

In teamwork, people often [slack off].
That really annoys me sometimes. But
you know what, [screw it]. I’ll just do my
part and I’ll [pull an all-nighter] as usual.

Question 17

17. Crunch time

Answer 17

BUSY PERIOD OF TIME WHEN EVERYONE HAS TO WORK HARD

The tax season is just [around the
corner]. In Canada, it’s between March
and April. It’s [crunch time] for
accountants to file tax for their clients.

Question 18

18. What’s the catch?

Answer 18

IT SOUNDS WEIRD. WHAT’S THE REASON BEHIND IT?

A&T is giving away free iPhone
Really? so [what's the catch]?
You have to sign a 2-year contract with
them costing you around $70 every
month.

Question 19

19. Recoup(v)

Answer 19

RECOVER WHAT YOU HAVE LOST

I lost $3,000 in stock market last week
Yesterday, I earned $4,000. I have not
only [recouped] the money but made a
profit after all.

Question 20

20. Fit into the picture

Answer 20

DOES NOT FIT WITH THE OVERALL PLAN

Having a job is important. But
having a job that is not related to
what you study doesn't really [fit
into the picture]. And of course,
doesn't give you [more bang for
your buck] after all.

Question 21

21. I wasn’t born yesterday

Answer 21

COME ON, I’M NOT STUPID

One of my friends suddenly called me
for the first time after 3 years and
said he had a business opportunity
that could help me earn several
thousands dollars per day without
working. Come on, [I wasn't born
yesterday].

Question 22

22. Up and running

Answer 22

ACTIVE, ACTIVELY WORKING, FUNCTIONING

My iPhone 4 is so slow and isn’t
working sometimes. I may have to
reset it to get it ơup and running] again.

I love when I see my money-counting
machine always [up and running].

Question 23

23. Hanhds-on

Answer 23

PRACTICAL (EXPERIENCE)

Working gives you [hands-on
experience] so you can be [up and
running] for the job right after
graduation.

Question 24

24. On my toes

Answer 24

BE REALLY, ALERT, ATTENTIVE, FOCUSED

Whenever my boss is around, all
employees are always on their toes.
They don’t want to mess up or she
may make a fuss about it.

Question 25

25. Look

Answer 25

LISTEN! ATTENTION!
(USED A LOT IN CONVERSATION TO GET ATTENTION)

Kien: You are not so smart, Jim?
Jim: Kien, look, do you think you are?