Lesson 10 Flashcards
ballpark figure
an approximate number
EXAMPLE 1: The auto mechanic didn’t know exactly how much the repairs would cost, but he was able to give me a ballpark figure.
EXAMPLE 2: The plumber estimated that it would cost $150 to fix our sink, but that was just a ballpark figure.
Don’t mention it!
you’re welcome
EXAMPLE 1: “Thanks for bringing the cookies,” I said to Susan. “Don’t mention it!” she replied.
EXAMPLE 2: “Thanks for picking up my suit at the dry cleaners.” - “Don’t mention it. It was my pleasure.”
(to) figure out
to solve; to determine
EXAMPLE 1: Ted couldn’t figure out one of his math problems, so he asked his sister for help.
EXAMPLE 2: Susan is sure she’ll never figure out why kids today behave the way they do.
from scratch
from the beginning; using all fresh ingredients rather than using a prepared mix
EXAMPLE 1: The house was in such bad shape, they decided to tear it down and re-build it from scratch.
EXAMPLE 2: You baked these muffins from scratch? They’re delicious!
(to) go nuts [slang]
to react with great enthusiasm
EXAMPLE 1: When Tiger Woods got a hole-in-one during the golf tournament, the crowd went nuts.
EXAMPLE 2: When Eminem appeared on stage, everybody went nuts.
Note: This expression also means “to go crazy” or “to become crazy with anger.” Example: Jim went nuts when his wife told him she was leaving him for another man.
(to) jump the gun
to start doing something too soon or ahead of everybody else
EXAMPLE 1: Nicole really jumped the gun by writing her acceptance speech before the results of the elections were announced.
EXAMPLE 2: The bookstore jumped the gun by selling the new Harry Potter book two weeks before its official release date.
just kidding
talking more to get a laugh than anything
EXAMPLE 1: I was just kidding when I said your new orange dress makes you look like a pumpkin.
EXAMPLE 2: Are you sure that’s your boyfriend? I thought he was your
grandfather. Just kidding!
(to) make a pig of oneself [slang]
to overeat; to eat too much
EXAMPLE 1: I made a pig of myself by eating four slices of pie.
EXAMPLE 2: Of course you could eat another hamburger, but you don’t want to make a pig of yourself.
(to) make time for
to put time in one’s schedule for something
EXAMPLE 1: Don is a busy lawyer, but he always makes time for his family.
EXAMPLE 2: I’ll be sure to make time for you when you visit me.
(to) roll up one’s sleeves
to prepare to work
EXAMPLE 1: Let’s roll up our sleeves and finish making these cookies!
EXAMPLE 2: You’d better roll up your sleeves and finish your homework.
(to) sit tight
to wait patiently
EXAMPLE 1: Nicole won’t hear back from the colleges she applied to until April. For now, she’ll just have to sit tight.
EXAMPLE 2: Sit tight, the doctor will be with you in a few minutes.
What’s up?
What’s going on? What’s new?
EXAMPLE 1: What’s up? I haven’t spoken to you in a long time.
EXAMPLE 2: You never call me anymore. What’s up with that?
you can say that again
I agree with you
EXAMPLE l: You think our house needs repairs? You can say that again - even our toilet is broken!
EXAMPLE 2: “The weather is so nasty today.” - “You can say that again! I don’t even want to go outside!”
