Popular Expression

Throw Someone Off

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Throw Someone Off = to interrupt, confuse or mislead someone IMPORTANT NOTE:  This meaning of “throw someone off” is an idiom.  It is different than the literal meaning. Ex: Throwing someone off a cliff or mountain, etc. Ex: I was trying to study, but my neighbors loud music “threw me off.” So I couldn’t concentrate. […]

Phrasal Verbs

Haul Ass

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Haul Ass = go fast * “ass” is low level curse word Ex:  I was late for school, so I had to “haul ass” to my class. Ex:  The car was “hauling ass,”  and was stopped by the police for breaking the speed limit.

Phrasal Verbs

Get Cold Feet

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Get Cold Feet = to get nervous and change one’s mind Ex:  The wedding was starting, but the groom was “getting cold feet,” and wanted to run away. Ex:  The business investors “got cold feet,” and decided to cancel their investment.

Culture and Gestures

Cold Shoulder

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Cold Shoulder = a form of body language to show that you’re ignoring someone Ex:  After our argument. she just gave me the “cold shoulder” for the rest of the day. Ex:  If you don’t want to talk to that person, just give them the “cold shoulder.”

Popular Expression

Out Cold

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Out Cold   = unconscious, passed out from being intoxicated, sound asleep   Ex:  I fell off my bike and hit my head.  I was “out cold” for almost 5 minutes. Ex:  We worked really hard yesterday, and as soon as I lay my head down, I was “out cold.” Ex:  John drank too much […]

Popular Expression

Stick In the Mud

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Stick In the Mud =  a person who is dull, unadventurous, and who resists change Ex:  My brother is always being a “stick in the mud.”  He never wants to do anything, but stay home and watch TV. Ex:  Don’t be a “stick in the mud.”  Come to the party tonight!

Popular Expression

Fair and Square

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Fair and Square (adverb) =  honestly and straightforwardly, totally fair, no cheating Ex:  As much as I didn’t like the other team, they won the game “fair and square.” Ex:  It’s OK,  I lost the game “fair and square.”  The other team just did better.

Phrasal Verbs

Make One’s Mark

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Make One’s Mark = show that you were there, do something that makes you successful or makes people notice you, attain recognition (You may also see it as “leave one’s mark.”)     Ex:  Thomas Edison “made his mark” by creating many inventions that the world still uses today. Ex:  Before I die, I want […]

Popular Expression

Doing “It”

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Doing “It” = having sex (“Doing it” may be preferred to say by some conservative people who may be embarrassed to say “sex.”) Ex:  So you stayed the night at her house.  Did y’all “do ‘it’?” Ex:  We’ve been dating over a month, but last night was the first time we ever “did ‘it’.”