English Across The Pond
English Across The Pond
English Across The Pond
“Back in my Day” a phrase used to reference a past time when someone was younger
“To settle Down”- To begin living in one place, a place that you will stay.
“To bear something in mind” – to keep something in your thoughts to remember something
“To pump (someone) up” – to get someone excited about doing something
“To nail something” – to do and finish something successfully and very well.
“To catch up (about something)” – to talk with someone about things that have recently
happened in their lives
If something or somebody “opens doors” – to create opportunities for other things to happen.
If something happens “in the blink of and eye” . then it happens very quickly.
If you are “shooting the breeze” – you are having an informal talk or chat
Ways to say shoot up: “I think we’ve heard enough” informal: “pipe down” “zip it” “put a sock
in it”
Ways to say No: “I would love to help you, but…” / I wish I could hep you, but” / I appreciate
the offer, that is really kind, but… / Thank you very much for the offer, I really appreciate, but…
Ways to say What?: Pardon? / Could you say that again? / I missed the last part / I think I
understand, do you mean…? / Would you mind repeating that, please? / Could you run that by
me again? / I messed that, sorry?.
“Be careful, you get your finders burnt” – Something bad happens that you don`t want to
repeat.
“we are a little bit pushed for time” You haven´t got much time, time is running out.
“We’re not going to make it at this rate” means if we keep going at this speed we will be late.
Ways to say You are not feeling very well: “Coming down with something” (you are starting to
feel unwell) / “Feel under the weather” (you don`t feel well in general) / “To Throw up”
(informal way of saying vomit) / “feel like death warmed up” (feel very very bad)
Ways to say Hurry Up: Could you get a move on please? / It`s like waiting for Christmas / We
haven’t got all day/ Chop chop/ shake a leg.
To fall over – you lose your balance and collapse to the ground.
To fall about laughing – the you laugh without being able to stop.
“Rome wasn’t built in a Day” means important work takes time so please be patient.
Ways to say I’m surprised: I’m flabbergasted / I’m lost for words/ I’m gobsmacked/ I’m
astounded/ I’m shocked / I’m stunned / I’m dumbfounded.
“Every cloud… has a silver lining” means there is something good in every bad situation.
“How have you been keeping?” means How are you? How have you been recently?
“To make a pig’s ear of something” then you do something incorrectly or badly and make a
mess of it.
“To make a mountain out of a mole hill” to make a big problem out of a small problem.
If something happens “out of the blue” it was unexpected. Ex: My brother called me out of the
blue yesterday.
“On second thoughts” when we change our idea… I’ll eat fish, on second thoughts, pork.
“Cheer up” we want someone to stop feeling bad. Ex: I’ll buy an ice cream if you cheer up.
“To vanish into thin air” When you can’t find something anywhere. Ex: Have you seen my
phone? I can’t find it anywhere. It’s vanished into thin air”
“Guess what” for positive notice… “You’ll never guess what’s happened” for bad notices.
“To not lift a finger” Do anything without help. EX: I prepared the whole meal, just me! Nobody
else lifted a finger, they just watched TV instead.
“To drive someone up the wall” EX: please, stop singing, it’s driving me up the wall. (I’m fed up
of you)
“All at sea” you are completely lost ex: I’m all at sea in Maths
“Dream of” to talk about our real life, goals and ambitions.
“Dream about” to talk about the dreams we have while we are asleep.
“To go over something” then you check it carefully, often by discussing it with somebody.