Popular Expression

Squash the Beef

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Beef IMPORTANT NOTE: This is not the same meaning as the beef you eat.   = to have a grudge, a complaint, or start a fight against someone or something used as noun: Ex: I have a “beef” with the American public school system because kids aren’t learning the basics. Ex: John has a “beef” […]

Grammar

So vs Very

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So vs Very (used with adjectives) So =  usually needs another clause (that’s part of the sentence) used after it The ‘so’ part of the sentence explains why the ‘that’ part of the sentence happens. Ex: Texas is “so” big that everyone in the world could live there. Ex: The man is “so” fat that […]

Phrasal Verbs

See Stars

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See Stars = slightly lose consciousness/ awareness after being hit in the head Ex: After taking the hard hit in the head, I was “seeing stars.” Ex: Sometimes when I played American football I would get hit hard, and I would become dizzy and “seeing stars.” Who says it?:  Everyone

Phrasal Verbs

Knock Out/ Be Knocked out

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Knock Out/ Be Knocked Out to knock someone out = to make someone unconscious to be knocked out = to become unconscious Ex: During the boxing match, the boxer “knocked out” the other boxer. Ex: The car crash “knocked me out,” and I woke up in the hospital. Who says it?:  Everyone

Slang

Knockout (person)

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Knockout (describing a person) = an extremely attractive person   Ex: Look at that girl.  Wow, what a “knockout!”  She is so attractive. Ex: The old woman described her husband as a tall, strong, “knockout” when she first met him a long time ago. Who says it?   Everyone

Phrasal Verbs

Tie Up Loose Ends

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Tie Up Loose Ends = take care of unfinished business, finish things you started before Ex: Before I go on vacation, I have to “tie up some loose ends,” so I don’t have to worry about anything while I’m gone. Ex: I’ve been putting off finishing many projects, but now is the time to “tie up […]

Slang

Pet Peeve

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Pet Peeve   = something specific that really annoys you Ex: My “pet peeve” is people talking with their mouth full of food. Ex: My brother always leaves the can food lid on the can opener without throwing it away. It’s a huge “pet peeve” of mine.

Culture and Gestures

The Birds and the Bees

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The Birds and the Bees = the conversation parents have with children to explain sexual reproduction Ex: My dad looked really embarrassed as he explained to me the story of “the birds and the bees.” Ex:  It’s important that parents give their children “the birds and the bees” conversation.