(verb) to telephone your boss and tell him or her that you are too sick to work
Example Sentence:
Jenkins, if you keep calling in sick every Friday, you are going to get fired!
A: Where is Sarah today?
B: She just called in sick. I think she has a cold.
A: Are you going to go to the beach with us?
B: Yeah, just let me call in sick and then I’m ready to go!
Media:
(idiom) to decide that something is equal and even
Example Sentence:
A: You owe me $50 for dinner.
B: Well, you owe me $55 for dessert.
A: I think we should call it a wash. Let’s go to our movie!
Media:
(idiom) to decide that something is equal and even
Example Sentence:
A: You owe me $50 for dinner.
B: Well, you owe me $55 for dessert.
A: I think we should call it even. Let’s go to our movie!
(phrasal verb) to cancel, to stop
Example Sentences:
We had to call our cruise off when my dad got sick.
The sad bride called off her wedding when she found out her husband had cheated on her.
Father: If you kids don’t stop crying, I’m going to call off our trip to Disneyland.
Kids: Daaaaaaaad!
Media:
(verb) to stop your friends from attacking someone
Example Sentences:
I know that I stole your girlfriend, but you need to call your dogs off. She’s my girlfriend now, and your friends need to leave me alone!
My mother called her dogs off after my uncle apologized for being rude.
A: Are you still fighting with your roommate? I heard you wanted to hurt him.
B: No, I’m calling my dogs off. I don’t want to fight anymore, so I told my friends to stop threatening him.
Media:
(idiom) something is too difficult or complicated for someone to understand
Example Sentences:
A: Do you ever wonder if God is real?
B: That stuff is so difficult I can’t make heads or tails of it.
Before the Olympics, Angelina tried to learn how to speak Chinese. Unfortunately, she couldn’t make heads or tails of it, and she quit after only 3 weeks.
A: What do you think of the new professor?
B: I can’t make heads or tails of his teaching style. I can’t understand what he’s talking about.
Michael can’t make heads or tails of Physics.
From the Blogs:
Can’t make heads or tails of this coin
Media:
(idiom) can’t figure out or understand something
Example Sentences:
A: Something is different about you, but I can’t put my finger on it.
B: I got a haircut.
A: That’s it! You look fabulous!
The rice tasted different, but I couldn’t put my finger on why. Then I realized that I forgot to add the salt!
Media:
(verb) to get fired
Example Sentence:
I got canned at work today for showing up late!
A: What’s happening?
B: The boss just canned Jenkins for coming to work late again!
Media:
(phrasal verb) to understand something after trying for a long time
Example Sentence:
Shelly, took a long time to catch on to the joke that everyone was laughing about.
It took me 2 years of living in Canada before I caught on to the rules of hockey. Now I love it!
Parent: How is my little Timmy doing at school?
Teacher: He is very smart! Timmy is always catching on to difficult concepts long before the other students!
Parent: Nice!
Media:
(verb) to catch someone doing something bad
Example Sentences:
I think my girlfriend is cheating on me, so I plan to follow her and catch her red-handed with another man.
Bob was mad because he kept catching his roommate red-handed. His roommate is stealing his food!
The father was furious when he caught his son red-handed, smoking a cigarette.
Media:
(idiom) found in an embarrassing situation
Example Sentences:
I drank too much at our work party last week. I got caught with my pants down when the boss saw me! I was so embarrassed!
My roommate was caught with his pants down when my girlfriend accidentally saw him naked in the shower.
Mark caught me with my pants down when he came into the bathroom without knocking.
Media:
(idiom) a change from one type of activity to another,
Example Sentence:
A: I’m bored.
B: Well, how about a change of pace. Why don’t we go to a movie?
I decided I needed a change of pace, so I chose a new career.
(verb) to talk to someone you are romantically interested in so they can get to know you better
(phrasal verb) to pay your hotel bill before leaving
Example Sentence:
Please return your key before you check out of our hotel. Thank you.
Check out time is 11:00 am.
I would like to check out of the hotel, please.
Notes:
Usually used with the preposition of.
(phrasal verb) to lose interest in a subject
Example Sentence:
I’m sorry that I can’t focus. I think I have checked out. Can we study our philosophy tomorrow?
I couldn’t date her anymore because I kept checking out of our conversations. I just couldn’t listen to her anymore.
Notes:
Usually used with the preposition of.
Media:
(phrasal verb) to look at someone, to examine someone
Example Sentence:
Wow check out that good looking guy over there. He’s so hot!
Hey, check her out! Look at what she’s wearing.
Don’t look now, but I think that guy over there is checking you out. I think he likes you!
The jealous girlfriend watched as her boyfriend checked out another girl.
(phrasal verb) to look at something, to examine something
Example Sentence:
If you like action movies you should check out Rambo. It’s great!
Check out that building over there. It’s so old.
You keep checking out that diamond ring. Are you trying to give me a hint?
Media:
(idiom) a way of expressing thanks
Example Sentences:
Cheers! Thanks for your question! We’ll email you back soon!
Media:
(idiom) a way to express good wishes, especially before drinking
Example Sentences:
Let’s all wish Sally a happy birthday. Cheers everyone!
Tom shouted “Cheers!!” and everyone had a drink of wine.
Media:
(phrasal verb) to be angry with someone and tell them they did something wrong
Example Sentence:
My wife chewed me out for hours last night because I forgot her birthday.
My parents are always chewing me out because I never do the dishes!
A: How is your daughter doing in school?
B: She never does her homework. I’m going to have to chew her out if she doesn’t start working harder.
The boss chewed out her employees for being lazy while at work.
Media:
(verb) to relax
Example Sentence:
A: What are you doing tonight?
B: I’m going to just go home and chill out.
Would you just let me chill out while I think of what to do next?
Media:
(slang) to relax
Example Sentences:
A: What are you doing tonight?
B: I’m going to just go home and chillax.
Would you just let me chillax while I think of what to do next?
Note:
chillax is a slang combination of chill out and relax
Media:
(verb) to stop something from happening in a very strict way
(idiom) completely remove yourself from a bad situation
Example Sentences:
The girl knew her boyfriend was a loser, so she ended their relationship to get a clean break.
Employee 1: I heard you’re quitting.
Employee 2: Yeah, I am.
Employee 1: Why?
Employee 2: I’m sick of being a lawyer.
Employee 1: Are you going to get a new job with another law firm?
Employee 2: No, I want a clean break. I’m going to go back to school to become an English teacher.
Employee 1: Fantastic!
Media:
(phrasal verb) empty
Example Sentences:
Don’t forget that you have to clean out your lockers before the end of the day.
I was robbed yesterday! I went my apartment and it had been cleaned out! All of my things were gone!
After the party, Sarah was busy cleaning out all of stuff that was left in her house.
Media:
(verb) to improve one’s behaviour, to become a better person
Example Sentence:
If you don’t clean up your act and start studying, you’ll never go to College!
The alcoholic decided to clean up his act and stop drinking, because it was affecting his life.
A: How is your health these days?
B: I feel healthy, but I think I need to start cleaning up my act and exercise more.
My brother is a whole new person since he cleaned up his act and stopped doing drugs.
Media:
(phrasal verb) to make clear, to explain something
Example Sentences:
I want to clear up a few rumors about myself. First, I am not married. Second,….
I had a huge argument with my best friend, until someone cleared up a few things. Now, we’re fine!
By clearing up a lot of our confusion, the professor was able to improve all of our marks.
Media:
(adjective) very unfriendly
Example Sentences:
The new teacher was unpopular because she was cold as ice. She should be more friendly.
A: How is your new boss?
B: He’s as cold as ice. He was unfriendly to everyone!
Media:
(idiom) sudden nervousness about something you have to do
Example Sentences:
The groom got cold feet before the wedding, and his friends had to calm him down.
Mike wanted to give the speech at the conference, but he got cold feet at the last second, and was unable to speak.
Media:
(phrasal verb) to meet someone by accident
Example Sentence:
I came across an old friend from high school while I was walking downtown.
Did you come across any interesting people while you were traveling?
Media:
(phrasal verb) to find something by accident
Example Sentence:
I came across an old photo album while I was cleaning my house.
Did you come across any interesting things while you were traveling?
(verb) to admit that something you said was untrue or that you did something wrong
(idiom) I don’t believe you
Example Sentence:
You’re going to Jamaica for your vacation? Come off it, are you serious?
Media:
(idiom) to support someone during a difficult situation
Example Sentence:
Son: Dad, I was driving on the highway and I got a flat tire. Can you pick me up?
Dad: Don’t worry, son. I’ll come through for you! I’ll be there soon!
I really came through for my friend when I helped her get out of trouble with the police.
Media:
the advertisement for a new movie that tries to make people interested in seeing it
(idiom) being forced to wait for something
Example Sentences:
Customer: I would like to buy an iPhone right now, please.
Employee: I’m sorry, but you have to cool your heels, sir. Lots of people have been waiting longer than you.
Sharon cooled her heels in a park while waiting for her boyfriend to pick her up.
A: Are you ready to go to the beach?
B: I can’t. I’m cooling my heels until my mom comes home so I can borrow her car.
A: Hurry up!
Media:
(idiom) costs a lot of money, is very expensive
Example Sentence:
The man’s new sports car cost an arm and a leg.
A: Do you want to go to that new restaurant?
B: No
A: Why not?
B: Because everything there costs an arm and a leg. It’s too expensive for me.
The young woman’s gambling addiction was costing her an arm and a leg, so she decided to get help.
Media:
(idiom) to go beyond the limits of something by doing something unacceptable
Example Sentences:
Young children often cross the line with their babysitters by being rude and misbehaving.
You can’t take my new girlfriend out for coffee! That’s crossing the line.
The student crossed the line when he answered his mobile phone in class. This angered his teacher.
Media:
(adjective) to be extremely disappointed
Example Sentences:
The teenage girl was crushed when her boyfriend ended their relationship.
A: What’s wrong, you look crushed?
B: I am. I lost my job today!
A: Oh man!
I was crushed when my best friend forgot my birthday.
Media:
(verb) to do something in the easiest or cheapest way by skipping something important
Example Sentences:
The government cut corners when they built the school with bad materials, and put everyone in danger.
Shawn had a terrible vacation because he cut corners while planning it, and was forced to stay in bad hotels.
My mother used to yell at me for cutting corners when I was younger. If my room wasn’t perfectly clean, I’d have to do it again.
Media:
(phrasal verb) to reduce the amount of something you use
Example Sentences:
You should try to cut down on the amount of driving you do, to help the environment.
Last year, I cut down on the amount of times I went to the strip club, because my wife was always getting angry.
If Thomas wants to lose weight, he should start by cutting down on all of the fast food he eats.
Media:
(idiom) to be able to do something
Example Sentence:
For a few years I tried to study Math, but in the end, I just couldn’t cut it. Now I study Art instead.
I heard that the Law school exam is quite hard. Do you think you can cut it?
Media:
(verb) stop it
Example Sentence:
Would you kids cut it out, I’m trying to sleep!
Media:
Related:
(proverb) to hurt yourself when trying to hurt someone else
(idiom) get to the most important point
Example Sentences:
Boss: I have some bad news everyone. Let me first say that you are all great employees, and I love you all.
Employees: Thanks, boss!
Boss: Let me cut to the chase. You’re all fired.
Employees: Thanks, boss!
Father: Son, your mother and I love you very much, and we want you to know that we’ll always take care of you. But, let me cut to the chase. We’re getting a divorce.
Son: Oh.
Media:
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