Speak English Like an American Flashcards
1
Q
about to
A
ready to- on the verge of
2
Q
after all
A
despite everything- when everything has been considered- the fact is
3
Q
at least
A
anyway- the good thing is that?
4
Q
(to) break the news to
A
to make something known to
5
Q
(to) cost an arm and a leg
A
to be very expensive
6
Q
dead end job
A
a job that won’t lead to anything else
7
Q
(let’s) face it
A
accept a difficult reality
8
Q
(to) give one the creeps
A
to create a feeling of disgust or horror
9
Q
(to) go back to the drawing board
A
to start a task over because the last try failed-to start again from the beginning
10
Q
(to) go belly up
A
to go bankrupt
11
Q
(to) give someone the axe
A
to fire someone
12
Q
(to) lose one’s temper
A
to become very angry
13
Q
(to) make up one’s mind
A
to reach a decision-to decide
14
Q
no point in
A
no reason to- it’s not worth (doing something)
15
Q
(to) put up with
A
to endure without complaint
16
Q
real flop or flop
A
a failure
17
Q
(to) save the day
A
to prevent a disaster or misfortune
18
Q
(as) sharp as a tack
A
very intelligent
19
Q
(to) talk over
A
to discuss
20
Q
top dollar
A
the highest end of a price range- a lot of money
21
Q
(to) change one’s mind
A
to change one’s opinion or decision
22
Q
easier said than done
A
more difficult than you think
23
Q
(to) get canned [slang]
A
to lose one’s job-to get fired
24
Q
(to) hang in there
A
to persevere-to not give up
25
if worse comes to worst
in the worst case- if absolutely necessary
26
(to) keep one's chin up
to stay positive
27
last resort
if there are no other alternatives left- the last solution for getting out of a difficulty
28
(to) live from hand to mouth
to barely have enough money to survive
29
(to) look on the bright side
to be optimistic-to think about the positive part or aspect of a situation
30
(to) make ends meet
to manage one's money so as to have enough to live on-to be okay financially
31
out of work
unemployed- not working
32
right hand man
the most helpful assistant or employee
33
(to) set eyes on
to look at-to see for the first time
34
(to) stab someone in the back
to betray someone
35
(to be) stressed out
under severe strain- very anxious
36
(to) tell off
to scold-to tell someone in strong words what one really thinks
37
thank goodness
I'm grateful- I'm relieved
38
(to) think big
to set high goals
39
What's the matter?
What's the problem?
40
When pigs fly! [slang]
never
41
beside the point
not relevant- not important
42
(to) blow something
to spoil or botch something
43
(to) buckle down
to start working seriously
44
can't stand
to hate
45
(to) cut class
to miss class without an excuse
46
Get real!
be serious or realistic about what's going on
47
(to) have one's heart set on
to really want something
48
(to) hit the books
to start studying
49
lost cause
something hopeless
50
(to) not give a hoot
to not care about
51
over one's head
beyond one's understanding
52
(to) slack off
to waste time
53
(to) stand a chance
to have the possibility of success
54
(to) butt in [slang]
to interrupt-to interfere
55
(to) drive one crazy
to annoy someone very much
56
(to) go into
to enter a profession
57
green with envy
desiring another's advantages or things
58
gung ho
very enthusiastic- very excited (about something)
59
head and shoulders above
far superior to
60
(to) hit the nail on the head
to be right
61
(to be) on thin ice (with someone)
to be in a dangerous position-to be temporarily on somebody's bad side
62
(to) pay (someone) a compliment
to give someone a compliment-to offer someone an admiring comment
63
(to) shake in one's shoes
to tremble with fear-to be afraid
64
shut up
1) be quiet, stop speaking 2) Stop speaking!
65
Way to go!
Good work!
66
(to be) crazy about
to like very much
67
cup of tea
the type of person or thing that one generally likes
68
(to be) down in the dumps
to feel sad-to be depressed
69
(to) drop by
to pay a short, often unannounced visit
70
(to) hang around
to spend time idly-to linger
71
(to) hang out
to spend time (often doing nothing)
72
(to) have a blast [slang]
to enjoy oneself very much
73
(to) have a good time
to enjoy oneself
74
take it easy
relax- don't worry
75
(to) take something the wrong way
to take offense
76
there's no accounting for taste
it's impossible to explain individual likes and dislikes
77
under one's breath
quietly- in a whisper
78
to be) up in the air
not yet determined- uncertain
79
(to) cheer someone up
to make someone happy
80
(to) give (someone) credit
to acknowledge someone's contribution-to recognize a positive trait in someone
81
(to) give credit where credit is due
to give thanks or acknowledgement to the person who deserves it
82
(to) go into business
to start a business
83
good thinking
good idea- smart planning
84
(to) have a heart of gold
to be very kind and giving
85
Help yourself
serve yourself
86
(to be) in a bad mood
unhappy- depressed- irritable
87
just what the doctor ordered
exactly what was needed
88
(to) make a bundle
to make a lot of money
89
(to be) on edge
nervous- irritable
90
out of this world
delicious
91
(to) pig out [slang]
to eat greedily-to stuff oneself
92
bright and early
early in the morning
93
crash course
short and intensive instruction
94
Fat chance!
definitely not
95
(to) give it a shot
to try something
96
happy camper [slang]
a happy person- a satisfied participant
97
(to have) mixed feelings
to feel positive about one aspect of something and negative about another
98
needless to say
obviously
99
(to) not have a clue
to know nothing about
100
(to) not sleep a wink
to be awake all night
101
(to) work like a dog
to work very hard
102
(to) beat around the bush
to talk around the subject-to avoid getting to the point
103
dime a dozen
so plentiful as to be nothing special- common
104
Good for you!
Good job! Well done!
105
hard times
a time of difficulty
106
(to be) in good spirits
happy- in a good mood
107
made of money
very rich
108
(to) make a splash
to win popularity quickly
109
(to) pay (someone) back
to repay a loan or debt
110
pipe dream
an unrealistic hope
111
(to) shell out
to pay (often more than one would like)
112
(to) take (something) by storm
to win popularity quickly
113
(that's or those are) the breaks
when something bad happens and you can't do anything about it
114
wise guy [slang]
a smart aleck- one who makes a lot of sarcastic comments
115
brown noser [slang]
a person who's constantly trying to win favour with people above them, such as teachers or bosses
116
by far
by a wide margin- by a great difference
117
(to) count on someone
to depend or rely on someone
118
full of oneself
to think too much of oneself
119
(to) get down to business
to get serious about a task
120
(to) get or to have under one's belt
to have or to get experience
121
(to) give (someone) a run for (one's) money
to be strong competition
122
(to) give someone the cold shoulder
to be cold to someone on purpose-to snub someone
123
(to not) give someone the time of day
to ignore someone-to refuse to pay any attention to someone
124
goody goody
self righteously or smugly good
125
it's a deal
I agree (to a proposal or offer)
126
(to) kid around
to joke around-to tease
127
(to) talk into
to persuade-to convince
128
you scratch my back and I'll scratch yours
if you do me a favour, I'll do you a favour- let's cooperate
129
ballpark figure
an approximate number
130
Don't mention it!
you're welcome
131
(to) figure out
to solve-to determine
132
from scratch
from the beginning- using all fresh ingredients rather than using a prepared mix
133
(to) go nuts [slang]
to react with great enthusiasm
134
(to) jump the gun
to start doing something too soon or ahead of everybody else
135
just kidding
talking more to get a laugh than anything
136
(to) make a pig of oneself [slang]
to overeat-to eat too much
137
(to) make time for
to put time in one's schedule for something
138
(to) roll up one's sleeves
to prepare to work
139
(to) sit tight
to wait patiently
140
What's up?
What's going on? What's new?
141
you can say that again
I agree with you
142
can't complain
things are going well- I'm fine
143
(to) crunch numbers
to perform calculations (especially financial calculations)
144
(to) drive a hard bargain
to be tough in negotiating an agreement-to negotiate something in one's favour
145
(to) get the ball rolling
to get started
146
How's it going?
How are you?
147
(to) make a living
to earn enough money to support oneself
148
now you're talking
you're saying the right thing
149
out of the question
impossible
150
(to) sweeten the deal
to make an offer more attractive
151
take it or leave it
accept or reject an offer, usually a final one
152
(to) twist (someone's) arm
to persuade someone-to convince someone
153
worth one's while
worthy of one's effort or time
154
(to) bite off more than one can chew
to take on more than one is capable of-to take on too much
155
for heaven's sake!
A way of expressing emotions such as surprise, outrage, or impatience
156
(to) get going
to get started on something-to set off for a destination-to leave
157
(to) help out
to give assistance-to help
158
like a chicken with its head cut off
in a hysterical manner- in a frenzy- in a very nervous way
159
like crazy
with great speed or enthusiasm
160
like pulling teeth
very difficult
161
never mind
don't worry about something- forget it- it doesn't matter
162
(to) pitch in
to help
163
(to) run around
to move about quickly
164
things are looking up
things are improving
165
all the rage
the latest fashion- popular right now
166
(to) call it a night
to stop an activity for the rest of the night
167
feel free
go ahead and do something- don't hesitate (to do something)
168
(to) get out of the way
to move out of the way-to stop interfering with someone's plans or activities
169
(to be) in good hands
in good, competent care
170
(to) know one's stuff
to have an expertise in a field
171
(to) lend a hand
to help
172
(to) lose one's touch
to no longer be able to do something well
173
(to be) out of practice
no longer good at doing something
174
(to) pick up
to acquire-to learn
175
sweet tooth
an enjoyment of sugary foods
176
(to) take a break
to stop and rest from an activity
177
(to) take over
to assume control
178
too many cooks spoil the broth
too many people involved in an activity can ruin it
179
tricks of the trade
clever shortcuts gained by experience
180
(to) work one's tail off [slang]
to work very hard
181
(to) break up with (someone)
to end a relationship with a romantic partner
182
(to) crank out
to produce rapidly or in a routine manner
183
crunch time
a short period when there's high pressure to achieve a result
184
Give me a break!
that's ridiculous- that's outrageous
185
go ahead
to continue-to proceed without hesitation
186
head over heels in love
very much in love
187
love at first sight
an immediate attraction
188
(to) make out
to kiss with much passion
189
(to be) nuts about
to like very much
190
(to have a) one track mind
having all thoughts directed to just one thing or activity- focused on just one thing
191
(to) plug away (at something)
to proceed with a boring or routine task-to keep trying
192
(to) treat (someone) like dirt
to behave in a nasty way towards someone-to treat someone poorly
193
basket case [slang]
someone or something in a useless or hopeless condition
194
(to have a) big head
arrogant- too proud of oneself
195
conventional wisdom
a widely held belief
196
(to) do the trick
to achieve the desired results
197
I'll say!
yes, definitely!
198
in reality
in fact- actually
199
load off one's mind
a relief
200
look like
have the appearance of
201
nervous wreck
a person feeling very worried
202
no wonder
it's not surprising
203
(to) pull an all nighter
to stay up all night to do work
204
rule of thumb
a useful principle
205
(to) turn off
to cause to feel dislike or revulsion
206
at first
in the beginning
207
(to) get the hang of (something)
to learn how-to do something-to acquire an effective technique
208
(to) give (someone) a ring
to telephone someone
209
in any case
whatever the fact is- certainly
210
in person
personally- in one's physical presence
211
(to) keep posted
to provide up ,to date information
212
(to) learn the ropes
to learn the basics
213
pain in the neck
an annoyance
214
piece of cake
very easy
215
(to) round up
to gather people together
216
second nature
a behaviour that has been practiced for so long, it seems to have been there always
217
to tell you the truth
to speak openly-to admit
218
your guess is as good as mine
I don't know- I don't know any more than you do
219
(to) blow it
to spoil an opportunity
220
(to) burn the midnight oil
to stay up late studying or working
221
chitchat
casual conversation- gossip
222
(to) deliver the goods
to meet expectations-to do what's required
223
(to) do one's best
to try as hard as possible
224
rest assured
be sure
225
right away
immediately
226
(to) sell like hotcakes
to sell fast-to be a popular item
227
(to be) sitting pretty
in a good position (often financially)
228
sold out
completely sold
229
(to) take off
to become popular-to grow suddenly
230
tall order
a task or goal that is difficult to achieve
231
big shot
a powerful or important person
232
(to) fool around
to waste time, or spend it in a silly way
233
(to) get on one's nerves
to annoy or irritate someone
234
(to) get the show on the road
to start working-to begin an undertaking
235
(to) lighten up
to stop taking things so seriously
236
night owl
a person who enjoys being active late at night
237
Nothing doing!
Not a chance!
238
(to) stay up
not to go to bed-to stay awake
239
by a hair
just barely- very narrowly- by a small amount
240
fair and square
honestly
241
for sure
definitely
242
(to) give it one's best shot
to try as hard as one can
243
(to) give up
to admit defeat-to surrender
244
(to) go wrong
to make a mistake-to go astray-to malfunction-to work incorrectly
245
(to) live with it
to accept a difficult reality
246
(to) make a fool of oneself
to cause oneself to look stupid
247
(to) mess up
to make a mistake-to spoil an opportunity
248
(to) put the blame on (someone)
to name somebody else as responsible for a misdeed or misfortune
249
(to) set the record straight
to correct an inaccurate account
250
sure thing
an outcome that is assured
251
as a matter of fact
in fact- actually
252
(to) blow things out of proportion
to exaggerate-to make more of something than one should
253
(to) find out
to learn-to discover
254
(to) get a handle on
to gain an understanding of
255
(to) get one's act together
to get organized-to start operating more effectively
256
(to) knock oneself out
to work very hard at something (sometimes too hard)
257
one's heart goes out to (someone)
to feel sorry for someone
258
(to) rant and rave
to talk loudly, often in anger
259
(to) sweep (something) under the rug
to hide something, often a scandal
260
taken aback
surprised (almost always in a negative sense)
261
(to) throw the book at someone
to punish or chide severely
262
all over
throughout- everywhere
263
(to) come to an agreement
to reach an agreement
264
in that case
under that circumstance
265
(to be or to get) in touch with (someone)
to be or to get in contact with (someone)
266
(to) look forward to
to anticipate eagerly
267
(to) make one's day
to give one great satisfaction
268
nuts and bolts
details- basic components of something
269
on a shoestring
on a very low budget
270
track record
a record of achievements or performances
271
(to) work out
to find a solution-to resolve
272
better off
in a more fortunate position
273
(to) buy out
to purchase an entire business or someone's share of a business
274
dragon lady
a nasty woman who misuses her power
275
(to) get it
to understand
276
it looks like
it's likely that
277
no laughing matter
nothing to joke about- something serious
278
nothing to do with (someone or something)
not have any relationship with someone-to not get involved with something
279
rolling in dough
very rich
280
(to) strike it rich
to attain sudden financial success
281
that's the way the cookie crumbles
that's the way things go sometimes and there's nothing you can do about it
282
(to) burn someone up
to make someone angry
283
come on in
enter
284
(to) get plastered [slang]
to get drunk
285
(to) get rid of
to free oneself of-to throw out
286
(to) get (something) straight
to clarify-to understand
287
(to) hold a grudge against (someone)
to stay angry with someone about a past offense
288
(to) let (someone) go
to fire- dismiss employees
289
(to) level with (someone)
to speak openly and honestly with someone
290
(to) lose one's head
to lose control of one's behaviour-to not know what one is doing
291
no hard feelings
no anger- no bitterness
292
no use crying over spilt milk
there's no point in regretting something that's too late to change
293
Not on your life!
definitely not
294
on the job
at work
295
small fortune
a good amount of money
296
(to) stop by
to pay a quick visit
297
three sheets to the wind
drunk
298
well off
wealthy- financially secure
299
all along
throughout- from beginning to en
300
all better
completely cured
301
(to) buy (some) time
to make more time available (in order to achieve a certain purpose)
302
(to) chill out [slang]
to relax
303
(to) cut it out
stop it- stop the annoying behaviour
304
first things first
let's focus on the most important thing or task first
305
(to) freak out [slang]
to respond to something irrationally or crazily-to overreact
306
(to be) in charge of
having responsibility for
307
in progress
happening- under way- going on now
308
(to) make a fortune
to make a lot of money
309
(to be) sick and tired of
completely bored with- sick of
310
Big deal!
So what? That doesn't really matter.
311
(to) break into
to enter or be let into a profession
312
cream of the crop
the best of a group
313
(to) foot the bill
to pay
314
(to be) out of it
not aware or knowledgeable about trends or modern habits
315
spending money
money for minor expenses
316
(to) wine and dine
to take someone out for an evening or an expensive meal
317
(to be on a) winning streak
a series of wins
318
(to) wrap up
to finish
