Phrasal Verbs

Give Someone the Boot

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Give Someone the Boot = 1) fire, dismiss someone from their job = 2) to end a romantic relationship with someone Ex: After they found out the employee was stealing money, they “gave him the boot” and told him he was fired. Ex:  I had worked at that job for over 10 years, but today […]

Slang

Bone Chilling

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“Bone Chilling” = 1)very cold   2) causing strong feelings of fear, terror, etc. (* Sometimes it may be shortened to “chilling.” Ex: The winter weather in Chicago with the strong winds is “bone chilling.” Ex: I had a “bone chilling” feeling when I heard the bear walking near our tent. Ex:  It’s “chilling” to […]

Culture and Gestures

Bucket List

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Bucket List = a list of experiences or achievements that a person hopes to have or accomplish during their lifetime  Ex:  I decided to make a “bucket list” of things I wanted to do before I die. Ex:  One of the things on my “bucket list” is to go to Ireland.

Podcast

Ask Evil #3

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Guest: Yumi (Scroll down to listen to the podcast) Yumi and I chat about the English language as well as the following: The War of Art by Steven Pressfield What is resistance? What is procrastination? What is the meaning of: “sly like a fox” “busy as a bee” “busy as a beaver” “ass” “bullshit” “chick […]

Popular Expression

Bite the Bullet

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Bite the Bullet   = decide to do something difficult or unpleasant that one has been putting off or hesitating over   Ex: Sometimes you just have to “bite the bullet” and make the best of a bad situation. Ex: Car drivers are “biting the bullet” and paying higher fees for gas.    

Popular Expression

Balls to the Wall

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Balls to the Wall = to push to the limit, go all out, full speed *Origin: term used by pilots when accelerating quickly, the throttle is pushed all the way to the panel and the throttle lever (ball) actually touches the panel (wall). Ex:  The basketball game was almost over, so our team had to […]

Popular Expression

Behold

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Behold = see or observe a thing/person, (especially a remarkable or impressive one) *Sometimes you might see the phrase “lo and behold” = look and see (used to show surprise) Ex: “Behold,” your king! Ex: Welcome to the freak show.  “Behold,” the bearded lady and the wolf boy. Ex: I decided to buy a lottery ticket, […]

Phrasal Verbs

Hit the Deck

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Hit the Deck = fall or drop suddenly, usually to evade some danger Ex: The soldier yelled “Hit the deck!” when he heard gunfire. Ex:  We saw the enemy shooting the cannon, so we “hit the deck,” and put our hands over our heads.