(verb) to bargain, to barter
Example Sentence:
When you buy a car, it is always important to haggle for a better price.
(idiom) uninterested in something, unenthusiastic about something
Example Sentences:
Jeanette gave a half-hearted effort on her presentation. I’d like her to do it again.
My best friend made a half-hearted attempt to help me move into my new apartment.
(adjective) extremely drunk
Example Sentence:
You can’t drive home, you’re hammered.
If you keep getting hammered before work, you’re going to get fired!
The College students were hammered during their late-night party.
Media:
(noun) a piece of clothing or other item passed from one person to another
(verb) to manage a situation, problem, or person
Example Sentence:
A: Do you find it difficult being a doctor?
B: No, I can handle the stress very easily.
A: Do you need some help?
B: No, I can handle it.
I’m not able to handle my wife’s best friend. She is so annoying!
I don’t think I could handle my hurt feelings if I got rejected for this job.
(noun) a name or nickname
Example Sentence:
A: Do you play online games?
B: Yes. My online handle is killer143
A: He’s so cute, what’s your new baby’s name?
B: Prince.
A: That’s a strange handle for a baby.
(idiom) difficult to believe
Example Sentences:
When my best friend told me that he met Britney Spears, I told him that I found that hard to swallow.
A: I got 100% on my math test, mom!
B: I find that hard to swallow. You didn’t study at all.
(idiom) used to express pride or respect for someone
Example Sentences:
Let’s all take out hats off to Mark for his great presentation.
The boss took his hat off to us for our hard work during the busy season.
A: Hey, Uncle Paul! I got 100% on my final exam!
B: My hat’s off to you! Congratulations!
Media:
(noun) when one player scores three goals in hockey
Example Sentences:
I scored a hat trick during the game last night! We won 3-0!
He got a had trick in the third period, and his team won the game!
Heatley nets hat trick for Canada
Media:
(verb) have a great time
Example Sentences:
Have fun on your vacation, I hope you have a blast.
A: How was your class?
B: I had a blast! My teacher, Mike, is so great!
Dear Mom,
I am having a blast here in Canada. I hope to see you soon!
Love,
Son
From the Blogs:
Angels Have a Blast Against Yankees
Media:
(idiom) when one has a very bad attitude because one feels wronged
Example Sentences:
A: What’s wrong with our teacher? Why is she so mad?
B: She has a chip on her shoulder because all of her students were late today.
I have a chip on my shoulder because my neighbours kept me awake all night with a loud party!
Media:
(idiom) to have an idea
Example Sentence:
A: How did you know your wife was having a relationship with another man?
B: I had a clue when I found a gift that he gave her. Now I’m sad.
A: Do you know what time it is?
B: I don’t have a clue!
The man didn’t have a clue why the police were at his house.
(adjective) sensible, intelligent, have common sense
(verb) to have a serious problem that you can’t forget about
Example Sentences:
The employee had a monkey on his back because he knew his report had to be perfect.
Barack Obama had a monkey on his back before the election.
The hockey team had a monkey on its back while it was trying to win the final game.
(idiom) to have a problem with something or someone
Example Sentences:
I have an axe to grind with my roommate because she’s always borrowing my clothes without asking!
The student had an axe to grind with his teacher, because he received a low mark on his presentation.
Media:
(idiom) to have to meet high expectations about something that came before
(idiom) to be extremely embarrassed
Example Sentences:
A: Happy Birthday!
B: My birthday was last month!
A: Oh. I really have egg on my face, don’t I?
The teacher had egg on her face when she forgot to give the students their final exam marks.
The nervous businessman hated having egg on his face, so he practiced his presentation many times.
(verb) to be very excited, cold or scared, and have spots on one’s skin
(idiom) to be very well organized
Example Sentence:
Dad: Son, are you ready for university?
Son: Yes, I think so. I have a strict schedule with study time, time to relax, and time for my part-time job. I think that if I have my ducks in a row, I will be successful!
Sarah needs to have her ducks in a row if she’s going to have children while going to graduate school.
(idiom) to be very nervous or scared about something
(verb) to worry about something, to think about something a lot
Example Sentences:
A: What’s wrong, Shawn? Do you have something on your mind?
B: Yeah, Mark. My girlfriend is pregnant and I don’t know what to do!
A: Oh, man.
The teacher asked the nervous student if she had something on her mind.
Note:
We do not use this expression in the ing form.
I have something on my mind.
I am having something on my mind.
(adjective) much better than
Example Sentence:
This textbook is head and shoulders above the other one. I like it a lot!
If you play football every day you will be head and shoulders above all of the other players.
(idiom) uninterested in something, unenthusiastic about something
(idiom) a sincere or direct conversation
Example Sentences:
I’m worried that my son is using drugs. I’m going to have a heart to heart with him tonight.
We need to have a heart to heart about your new girlfriend. I think she is terrible!
(noun) a very attractive person who doesn’t care about the feelings of those that they have relationships with
Example Sentences:
A: Did you and Shelley break up?
B: Yeah.
A: Why?
B: She was a heartbreaker. She left me for a more attractive guy.
A: Oh. Sorry to hear that man.
B: Her new boyfriend is my brother.
A: Oh.
She may be beautiful, but she is a heartbreaker. I wouldn’t get into a relationship with her!
Media:
(adjective) extreme sadness due to a death or the end of a relationship
Example Sentences:
A: What’s wrong with Bobby? He looks heartsick.
B: Yeah, his mom died unexpectedly last night.
The 13 year-old boy was heartsick after being dumped by his first girlfriend.
Media:
(idiom) to vomit a lot, to be very sick
Example Sentence:
On the weekend I got sick and heaved!
A: Where is Thomas?
B: He is heaving in the washroom because he drank too much tequila!
If I eat that fish I will heave! I am allergic to fish!
(idiom) understood with a strong and personal effect
Example Sentences:
I was never worried about my health, but when my brother died from a heart attack, it really hit home. Now I exercise every day and eat right.
Mary’s car accident really hit home for her, and after that she decided she had to start driving more carefully in the future.
Media:
(phrasal verb) to make a sexual comment to someone
Example Sentences:
That guy tried to hit on my girlfriend, so I punched him in the face.
If you keep hitting on my boyfriend, there is going to be trouble!
The beautiful woman had a terrible time at the nightclub because she was constantly hit on.
Media:
(verb) to go to bed
Example Sentence:
Well, I’m going to hit the hay, I’m feeling pretty tired. Good night!
My mother always hits the hay at 9 pm. She loves going to sleep early.
I don’t know why I’m so tired today, I hit the hay early last night!
(verb) to leave, to start your journey
Example Sentence:
Well, I think it’s time to hit the road, I have to get up early tomorrow. Thanks for dinner!
A: What time does your dad leave for work?
B: He always hits the road at 5 am. He has to work at 6.
Alright kids, time to leave for Disneyland. Let’s hit the road!
(verb) satisfies
Example sentence:
A cold beer on a hot day really hits the spot.
Do you know what would hit the spot right now? A cigarette.
(verb) to blame someone for doing something bad
Example Sentences:
A: How do you feel about your father not teaching you to play sports?
B: I hold it against him. I wish he spent more time with me when I was a child.
Thomas held it against Beth because she had an affair with his best friend.
A: My roommate ate all of my food!
B: When?
A: Last month?
B: Why are you still mad?
A: I’m holding it against him because he still hasn’t apologized.
(phrasal verb) to wait, to slow down, to stop
Example Sentence:
On the telephone
A: Hi, can I speak to Mike please?
B: Sure, just hold on a minute and I’ll go get him.
In person
A: Hi there. I have a 10 o’clock meeting with Mr. Bryson
B: Okay. Just hold on one moment and I’ll go get him.
Would you kids please hold on a minute! I’m trying to think!
(verb) to laugh uncontrollably
Example Sentences:
A: How was the comedian last night?
B: He was so funny! He had everyone holding their sides!
Thomas held his sides while watching the funny movie.
We had to hold our sides while watching America’s Funniest Home Videos. It was so funny!
Media:
(adjective) a feeling of sadness about being away from home
Example Sentence:
A: How do you feel about your time in Vancouver?
B: Actually, I’m a little bit homesick, I miss my friends in Korea and my mother’s cooking.
(verb) to hug and kiss someone
Example Sentence:
I met this girl in a nightclub and we hooked up!
(verb) to have sex with someone
Example Sentence:
I met this girl in a nightclub and we hooked up! It was great!
(verb) to meet someone
Example Sentence:
I will hook up with you after work.
John and Suzanne hooked up in Stanley Park before they went jogging.
We keep hooking up in the strangest places.
(idiom) come inside my vehicle
Example Sentence:
A: Wow, that is a nice car!
B: Thanks, why don’t you hop in and we can go for a drive!
Note:
Hop in can only be used when inviting someone into a vehicle. We cannot say “hop in my house, my bicycle, ….”
(adjective) angry, embarrassed, bitter
Example Sentence:
The policeman was hot under the collar because the criminal escaped.
The nervous exchange student felt hot under the collar during his presentation.
A: Did you send my mother a thank-you note for the birthday gift?
B: No, I forgot.
A: She’s going to be hot under the collar if you don’t.
(adjective) very very large
Example Sentences:
The teenager had a humongous problem when he crashed his father’s car.
Look at that humongous man over there! He’s so big!
Media:
(noun) a lot of activity, a lot of noisy activity
Example Sentences:
My neighbours had a huge party last night. I couldn’t sleep because of all the hurly-burly.
There was a lot of hurly-burly on the street after the team won the championships.
Media:
Search 
- Phrase of the Day!
- Categories
