50 Illustrated English Expressions

50 Illustrated
English Expressions
rough day = a very difficult and unpleasant day. Another similar expression is replying “That’s rough” when
someone tells you about difficulties, obstacles, and things that are hard to endure.
on the verge of + ing = very close to taking some action. In this case, the man is so frustrated with his job
that he is very close to quitting (leaving his job)
You’re kidding = you are joking, you are not serious. We often say this in response to something that is so
surprising/shocking that we wonder if it is really true.
How come? = an informal way to say “Why?”
Don’t get me wrong = Don’t misunderstand me. We often say this informal expression when we are
talking about
something that could give the wrong impression, and we want to clarify things.
hands-down = definitely, unquestionably, without a doubt
wrap up = finish, bring to an end/completion
working behind the scenes = working in roles that are helpful, but not very
public or visible
give them a hand = clap hands for them, give them applause, in
thanks/recognition for their good work
I could use (something) = this
thing would be very useful to
me right now
that's more like it = this
situation is much better than
the bad/unsatisfactory
situation before
packed = informal way to say EXTREMELY full of activity
pull that off = manage to do something very difficult
I was short on time = I had very little time
get down to business = start working seriously, without procrastinating or
wasting time or effort
an all-nighter = a time when I stayed awake the entire night
worried sick = extremely worried (about anything, not just medical problems)
He’s stable = this expression is used when someone in a hospital is in OK
condition and not having an emergency at the moment
not out of the woods yet = the problems or difficult times are not yet
finished
I learned that the hard
way = if you do
something “the hard
way,” it means you do
it through
bad/difficult
experiences.
Look on the bright
side = consider the
positive aspect of this
bad situation
I can’t make up my mind = I can’t decide
major in = study primarily at university. Your main concentration of study is
called your “major.” It can also be used as a verb, ex) I majored in biology.
overthink = think too much. The prefix over- can be used for an action that is
done to excess, more than is appropriate/necessary.
go with your gut = follow your intuition / deep natural feelings
I can’t believe = I’m
extremely surprised
my car died = my car
stopped
functioning. The
word “died” is used
informally for
machines that stop
working.
tricks of the trade =
special skills or
knowledge of a
profession
hit the road = start
traveling
What are you up to?
= What are you
currently doing /
planning to do?
I’m game! = I’m
willing to do that!
You can also say “I’m
down!”
at the crack of dawn
= very early in the
morning, when the
sun is beginning
to rise
ready to roll = ready
to start
…for once = we use this expression when someone normally does NOT do that
task. Ex) if Bob is always late, but arrives early one time, we could say “Hey,
Bob came early for once” – implying that he normally is not early.
doesn't lift a finger = doesn’t do anything to help, usually because of
laziness
I lost my cool = I got very angry
I don’t blame you = I can understand why you did that (bad thing); it was
reasonable considering the situation
Can I have a bite? =
Can I taste some of
this food?
Be my guest. = You
have permission.
She could also say,
“Go ahead” or
“Sure.”
I’m not crazy
about
= I don’t like very
much
Whatever floats
your boat = do what
makes you happy
(even if I wouldn’t
do the same)
Where the heck… = adding “the heck” to questions makes them “stronger,”
like you are angry or very surprised about the topic.
leftover = refers to food that was made previously but not eaten, and saved for
later
Don’t play dumb! = Don’t pretend like you don’t know what I’m talking about!
Chill out, dude = “Chill out” means “relax”; “dude” is a slang word for a man
I swear = a very strong way to say “I promise” or “I say this is true”
it was a breeze = it was extremely easy
winded = have difficulty breathing because of intense exercise. Another way to
say this is to be “out of breath.”
I bet = I’m almost certain
sore = describes when your muscles are painful, usually because of previous
exercise
I’ll keep an eye out = I’ll pay attention to potentially see (what you’re looking
for)
I’m positive = I’m very certain
bound to = will probably/definitely happen
turn up = appear
sooner or later = in some time – maybe less time (sooner) or more time (later)
Oh my gosh = an expression of surprise/shock
it slipped my mind = I forgot about it
RSVP = reply to an invitation to confirm if you will go or not
able to make it = able to come/attend
comfy = comfortable
working out = doing
exercise
I picked them up =
an informal way to
say “I bought them”
bucks = dollars
That’s a steal! =
that’s an extremely
good price / very
cheap
Do you have a
minute? = a polite
way to ask if
someone has time to
talk to you
now's not a good
time = a polite way
to say you’re not
available at the
moment
I’ll drop by = I’ll
come for a
short/informal visit
hitting the bar = an
informal way to
say “going to the
bar”
drown my sorrows =
deal with problems by
drinking lots of alcohol
hit rock bottom =
reached the lowest
point (in life)
a wakeup call = an
event that made me
pay attention to the
dangers/problems
turn my life around =
completely change my
life
on the horizon =
coming soon in the
future
Oops! = say this
when there is a
minor mistake or
small accident
grab = take with your
hand
I could hardly = it
was difficult for me
to
keep a straight
face
= avoid laughing or
smiling
I dare you = I
challenge you to do
something difficult /
brave
out of my league =
too high-status or
beautiful for an
average person like
me
strike up a
conversation = start
a conversation
hit it off = like each
other and get
along well
immediately
We’d better = we
should do this,
otherwise
something bad will
happen
get a move on =
hurry, act fast
rush hour = time of
day when many cars
are on the street
because people are
going to work/home
you never know =
it’s impossible to be
certain about
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50 Illustrated English Expressions

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