Phrases8 Flashcards
Crunch time
We’ve reached crunch time in our relationship – I’m going to ask my boyfriend to move in with me. I wonder what he’ll say?
The team are doing well but come crunch time, will they score that vital goal?
It’s crunch time for us tomorrow – that’s when we find out if our building plans have been approved.
‘crunch time’, which describes an important moment in a situation where a difficult or decisive decision has to be made.
As green as grass
If someone is as green as grass, they have little experience or knowledge of something and trust what other people tell them too easily. I was a newcomer to the sport and as green as grass. Note: It is much more common just to say that someone is green. They admit they were very green when they arrived.
Giant killer
Giant killing
We’re celebrating our village cricket team’s giant-killing over a professional county team!
There was a giant-killing at the tennis match today – a brand new player beat the third- seeded player in straight sets!
The non-league team have become giant killers in the FA Cup – they could go all the way to the final.
we’re hearing about the sporting expression ‘giant-killing’ – that’s when a strong or skilful player or team is beaten by a less strong opponent. The winners are called ‘giant killers’. So a giant-killing is quite an achievement?
From pillar to post
We got moved from pillar to post on our tour so we started to complain – it’s not what was promised in the holiday brochure!
As a child, both my parents worked, so I got dragged from pillar to post trying to find someone to look after me.
I was passed from pillar to post when I phoned the bank to try and pay my credit card bill.
That means moving from one place to another in a disorganised and chaotic way
Small talk
I didn’t know anybody at my cousin’s wedding so I tried to make small talk with the guests.
I’m shy and not very good at small talk. That’s why I hate going to parties.
At the office party, we all had to stand around making small talk, but all I really wanted to do was go home!
that’s informal conversation which is meant to make people feel more relaxed and stops any embarrassing silence.
To be all downhill
Yeah! Our building plans have been approved. It’s all downhill from here on.
Once I’ve completed this final assignment, it’ll be all downhill until I get my qualification.
it’s going to be all downhill until the weekend – that is, things are going to be easy.
The phrase ‘to be all downhill’ isn’t always used in a positive situation. Sometimes it is used to describe situations that get worse.
The film’s opening scene was amazing, but it was all downhill after that - there was no story and the acting was appalling!
It’s the thought that counts
A: Wow! That Elvis Presley onesie you’re wearing is pretty weird.
B: Thanks. My grandmother gave it to me for Christmas. It’s the thought that counts, I suppose.
A: I have no idea what to get my auntie for her birthday.
B: Get her anything. It’s the thought that counts.
A: Oh no, not more tea towels. I was expecting something more exciting for our wedding presents.
B: You know what they say - it’s the thought that counts.
Our expression is ‘it’s the thought that counts.’ It means the kindness someone shows when they buy you a present is more important than the gift itself
Digital detox
My phone broke the day I went on holiday which forced me to have a digital detox. I felt so relaxed.
I spend all day and night on Saturdays on social media so I need a digital detox every Sunday or I’m too tired to go to work on Monday.
Right. Here’s the key to the safe I’ve locked all my gadgets in. I’m going to do this digital detox even if it kills me!
This is The English We Speak from BBC Learning English. And I’m with Neil, who uses his smartphone, tablet and laptop so much, he’s made himself ill.
We use the word ‘detox’ more generally to describe a period when you stop doing something harmful – like drinking too much alcohol or eating junk food.
It leaves a bad taste in my mouth
I refuse to go back to that hotel. They were so rude! Itleft a bad taste in my mouth.
When my boss sent me that angry email last thing on Friday, itleft a bad taste in my mouth.
Itleft a bad taste in my mouthwhen I got fined for going just one mile an hour over the speed limit!
We use the expression it ‘leaves a bad taste in your mouth’ when we have a negative experience and feel bad or angry about it afterwards
A walk in the park
I’ve been studying for so long, this exam should be a walk in the park.
Oh don’t worry about me, I’ve trekked in the Himalayas, this hill will be a walk in the park!
The job at the bank will be a walk in the park – you studied economics at university!
it’s just an expression that means it’s easy to do, especially compared to other activities.
Across
A: Did you come to last week’s meeting?
B: Afraid not, no.
A: OK, so you’re not across the new plan. Let me give you a quick summary.
A: Pete, I want to make sure you’re across the food for tomorrow. Now, remember two of our guests are vegetarian.
B: Got it.
are you across the plan for tonight’s event?
To be familiar with
Fat chance
A: I bought a lottery ticket for tonight’s draw – and these are my lucky numbers! I’m definitely going to win!
B: Fat chance!
A: I hope it’s warm this weekend – I want to go fishing.
B: Well, fat chance of that. It’s the middle of November!
This is a noun phrase that means a small chance, or possibility, of something happening.
Milk it
OK, don’t milk it, Sam! You’ve told me a hundred times you’ve got tickets for the World Cup final.
Tom’s had a week off work with a cold – I think he’s milking it now.
Since her promotion, Freya keeps bossing us around and telling us to call her ‘Miss Brown’ – she’s really milking it!
This means to take full advantage of a situation usually to gain sympathy, respect or kindness
Cherry-pick
Josh says he cherry-picked the players for his football team based on their skills – but I know it’s because they were his friends!
We need to cherry-pick the best food for our new restaurant – we really want to impress our customers.
It seems unfair that our school has cherry-picked the best students to attend the conference – we should all have a chance to go.
to choose the best or most desirable things from a group’. And Rob wants to cherry-pick only the best lines to read from this script. It’s a bit unfair, Rob…
