Type:
noun
(noun) a clumsy person, a careless person
Example Sentences:
The 5 year-old boy was like a bull in a china shop when he visited his grandmother. He caused a lot of damage by knocking over and breaking a lot of her expensive things.
After Shawn got drunk, he was acting like a bull in a china shop. We got kicked out of the pub because he broke all of our glasses!
Media:
the bag that leftovers from a restaurant meal are put in, so you can take the food home with you
(noun) something with little to no value
Example Sentence:
All of my studying will amount to a hill of beans if I fail the test!
A: Is your car worth a lot?
B: It’s worth a hill of beans since my car accident.
Media:
Click to hear a native speaker pronounce at Forvo.com
(noun) a signal or sign that everything is okay
Example Sentences:
I was just given the all clear to go to Europe.
The doctor gave him the all clear to start cycling again after he broke his leg last winter.
A: Are the police outside?
B: Nope, it’s all clear.
From the News:
Shuttle Discovery ‘all-clear‘ to land
Media:
(noun) an event that continues for a whole night
Example Sentence:
I’m going to have to pull an all-nighter if I hope to finish my assignment by tomorrow morning.
The teenagers planned for an all-nighter so they could watch all of the Lord of the Rings movies in one night.
Media:
Click to hear a native speaker pronounce at Forvo.com
(noun) (slang) a terrible person, a person who acts in a rude or offensive way
(noun) a person who criticizes someone’s driving abilities
Example Sentences:
Mom: Turn left! Slow down! Watch out for that car!
Son: Okay mom! Don’t be a back seat driver, I know what I’m doing!
I hate driving with back seat drivers because they make me so nervous.
The back seat driver gave directions to the driver.
Media:
Click to hear a native speaker pronounce at Forvo.com
(noun) a plan in case something bad happens
Example Sentences:
A: I want to go to Harvard University to study medicine.
B: Do you have a back-up plan in case you don’t get in?
A: Yeah, I’m going to be a singer instead.
Father: What do you want to do when you grow up, son?
Son: I want to play guitar in a band and become famous.
Father: That’s very difficult. Do you have a back-up plan?
Son: Yeah, I want to marry a rich old woman!
The family made plans to go to Mexico, but had a back-up plan in case they had to cancel their vacation.
(noun) a bad person in a group
Example Sentences:
A: Do you like your new classmates?
B: Yeah, everyone is nice except for one bad apple. He answered his cellphone in class, and the teacher was very angry!
There was one bad apple in the movie theatre last night. This man at the back wouldn’t stop talking loudly. He was so rude!
Media:
(noun) a rebellious person, a person who likes to break the rules
Example Sentences:
Her new boyfriend is such a badass, did you see how he got into a fight with those police officers?
The criminal thought that he was a badass because he stole money from an old woman.
(noun) deep dark circles under the eyes, usually caused by lack of sleep
Example Sentences:
You have bags under your eyes, what’s wrong?
After partying all night, Thomas had bags under his eyes the next day.
Media:
(noun) (slang) testicles
Notes:
balls is often used to state whether a man is brave or masculine enough to do something.
Example Sentence:
You don’t have the balls to go skydiving. You are a coward!
I’ve got the balls to go talk to that beautiful woman over there. Watch me!
Media:
(noun) a crazy person
Example Sentence:
Look at that basket case! He is dancing in the street.
He was acting like a basket case because he was high on drugs.
Media:
Click to hear a native speaker pronounce at Forvo.com
(noun) the most unpopular member of a family
Example Sentences:
I went to Medical school and became a doctor. My sister didn’t go to school and became homeless. I think that she is the black sheep.
Mark became the black sheep of the family when he married a girl that nobody liked.
A: Who is the black sheep of your family?
B: My cousin, Bob.
A: Why is he the black sheep?
B: Because he spent 5 years in jail for stealing from our Grandmother.
A: Oh.
Media:
the ticket with your seat number that you get after checking in that allows you to go on the airplane
(noun) alcohol
Example Sentence:
If you keep drinking too much booze, you are going to get sick!
Media:
(noun) a person that can never be full of food, a person that is always hungry
Example Sentence:
My teenage son is a bottomless pit! He never stops eating!
Ever since I started exercising I’ve become a bottomless pit. I am always hungry!
Media:
(noun) a failure of a relationship
Example Sentence:
The young couple’s marriage broke down after the husband had an affair with his wife’s sister.
Media:
(noun) a quick and sudden negative change in someone’s mental health
Example Sentence:
My father had a major breakdown after he got fired from his job. Now he is in the hospital.
I had a mental breakdown after my girlfriend broke up with me.
Media:
(noun) an analysis of information
Example Sentence:
The boss asked his employee for a breakdown of the sales statistics for the fourth quarter.
Can you give me a breakdown of the numbers for this month?
Media:
(noun) an easy thing
Example Sentence:
This class is such a breeze. I think I need something more difficult.
The book was a breeze to read.
I expected the test to be hard, but it turned out to be a breeze.
Media:
(noun) (slang) a person who behaves in a very friendly, flattering, or kind manner to someone higher in order to get a benefit
(noun) (slang) someone who is very good at saying stupid and untrue things
(noun) (slang) someone who is very good at saying stupid and untrue things
(noun) a man who works in a restaurant cleaning dishes, setting tables, and assisting others
(noun) a girl who works in a restaurant cleaning dishes, setting tables, and assisting others
(noun) a person who works in a restaurant cleaning dishes, setting tables, and assisting others
(noun) (slang) a woman who has a sexy body but an ugly face
Example Sentences:
A: Do you think Madonna is attractive?
B: No man, she’s a butterface. Her body is hot, but she’s very old!
Steve’s new girlfriend is a butterface. She’s an athlete, so she has a nice body, but she’s so ugly!
Note: Everything is sexy but her face
Media:
the advertisement for a new movie that tries to make people interested in seeing it
(noun) (slang) a person who makes people uncomfortable at parties, bars, nightclubs or social situations
(noun) a competitor that has little to no chance of winning
Example Sentence:
Canada is the dark horse in tonight’s football match, because they are playing Brazil.
Media:
(noun) a person who takes an opposite or controversial opinion in order to have a conversation
Example Sentence:
So you believe that Canadians are friendly? I’m going to be the devil’s advocate and say that they’re unfriendly!
Media:
(noun) an ugly, dirty, or unattractive place (especially a restaurant or bar)
Example Sentence:
That restaurant is such a dive, I’m never going in there again!
The university students enjoyed going to the dive bar, because the drinks were much cheaper there.
Media:
(noun) a situation that is extremely important, and failure would result in a big problem
(noun) an extremely energetic person
Example Sentences:
Our new boss is such a dynamo! She has so much energy!
The 3 year-old boy was acting like a dynamo because he had too much sugar.
Media:
monthly money that the government gives to a person that has lost their job
(noun) a time when you have to make a difficult decision about something
Example Sentences:
After graduating from university, I reached a fork in the road when I had to decide between going to Law school, or to Graduate school. It took me months to decide!
A: I’m enjoying our European trip!
B: Me too!
A: Do you want to go next, Portugal, or France?
B: I don’t know. When do we have to decide?
A: We’ve reached a fork in the road, so we have to decide right now.
B: Okay……France!
Media:
(noun) someone who lives off of the hard work of others
Example Sentence:
My son-in-law is such a freeloader, he doesn’t have a job, is lazy, and eats all of my food!
Some people don’t like giving money to homeless people because they think they are freeloaders.
Media:
(noun) the beginning of a new period or step
Example Sentences:
A: Thomas! Oh my god! Why did you quit your job at the Law firm? You were making so much money!
B: I decided it was time for a fresh start. I am going to go back to school and become a writer.
A: Oh.
After looking for a fresh start for a long time, Mark was very excited when he had the opportunity to become an accountant.
From the News:
Media:
(noun) a thing that is given away for free, a free item
Example Sentences:
A: Where did you get that chocolate bar?
B: It was a giveaway! They were handing them to everyone on the street!
Media:
(noun) a very helpful or valuable person, thing, or moment in time
Example Sentence:
My English tutor is a godsend. She is always able to answer my questions.
My portable electronic English dictionary is a godsend. It is so useful.
Losing my job was a godsend, because it allowed me to focus on my art instead of working all the time.
Media:
(noun) the things that are happening
Example Sentence:
Have you heard about all the goings on? Jenkins just got promoted to manager!
A: What are all the goings on?
B: Sally is pregnant!
The neighbours were upset by the goings on during the party last night.
(noun) a woman who dates other people only because they are rich, so that they can get money from them
Example Sentences:
A: My rich 87 year-old grandfather has a new girlfriend. I think she is a gold digger.
B: Why do you think that?
A: Because she’s 25.
Martin’s friends tried to warn him that his girlfriend was a gold digger, because she was always asking them how much money he had.
Media:
(noun) the best thing of its type
Example Sentences:
If you want to study English in a North American city, the gold standard is Vancouver. It’s the best place to study!
Ferrari is the gold standard among automobiles.
Media:
(noun) an expensive payment made to someone when they retire early or are fired
(noun) a chaotic and disastrous event
Example Sentence:
A: How was your party?
B: It was such a gongshow! My stuff was stolen, my house was destroyed, and the police came!
The carefully planned presentation turned into a gongshow when the student forgot her notes.
Media:
(noun) an area of confusion between two or more things
Example Sentences:
A: If I download music, will I go to jail?
B: It’s a bit of a grey area. Some people think it is illegal and you will go to prison, some think you may be fined, and others think that the police will leave you alone.
The question of whether or not the president is corrupt is a bit of a grey area.
Media:
(noun) something a person enjoys despite feeling guilty about liking it
(noun) stomach
Example Sentence:
I have a pain in my gut from drinking too much whiskey.
My husband was up all night drinking beer and eating pizza. Now he has a pain in his gut.
Notes:
gut is usually used by men.
Media:
(noun) a piece of clothing or other item passed from one person to another
(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.
(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:
(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:
(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:
(noun) an extremely attractive woman
Example Sentences:
Jennifer Anniston is a knockout. She is so attractive!
The young men stared as the knockout walked down the street.
Media:
(noun) a person who is annoying because they are intelligent and like to show it
feelings of excitement caused by watching Jeremy Lin of the New York Knicks basketball team
(noun) the toilet
Example Sentences:
Excuse me, I have to go to the loo.
A: Where is Tommy?
B: He’s in the loo.
Notes:
This is an expression used mainly in Britain.
(noun) the details
Example Sentence:
I just heard that Mary has a new boyfriend. Quick, give me the lowdown! What does he look like? Is he handsome? How much money does he make?
a man who explains something to a woman in a very simple way, because she is a woman
(noun) someone who is new at something
Example Sentence:
There are a lot of newbie students in my class this month!
The young boy was a newbie soccer player, so he wasn’t very good during his first game.
(noun) something that requires no thought
Example Sentences:
A: Should we go on vacation in Canada or in Iraq?
B: That’s a no brainer. Canada is much safer!
A: Who do you think is better looking, Angelina Jolie or Jennifer Anniston?
B: That’s a no brainer. Jennifer Anniston is much hotter!
Deciding whether to go to University or not was a no brainer for the smart young man.
Media:
(noun) a mind that is only focused on one topic
Example Sentences:
I have a one-track mind when it comes to shopping. It’s all I can think about!
When I was younger, I had a one-track mind about sports. Now I have a one-track mind about women!
(noun) something that really annoys someone
Example Sentences:
A: What’s your pet peeve?
B: My pet peeve is people who smoke in restaurants. They ruin the taste of the food and harm people’s health. I HATE smokers! You?
A: People who complain a lot.
The teacher’s pet peeve is people who are always late, so you should be on time.
Media:
(noun) a sentence used when trying to meet someone of the opposite sex
(noun) a lot, a large amount
Example Sentence:
Everything in that restaurant costs a pile!
I have a pile of homework to do tonight.
(noun) a plan in case something bad happens
Example Sentences:
A: I want to go to Harvard University to study medicine.
B: Do you have a plan B in case you don’t get in?
A: Yeah, I’m going to be a singer instead.
Father: What do you want to do when you grow up, son?
Son: I want to play guitar in a band and become famous.
Father: That’s very difficult. Do you have a plan B?
Son: Yeah, I want to marry a rich old woman!
The family made plans to go to Mexico, but had a plan B in case they had to cancel their vacation.
(noun) a very large stomach that sticks out from the body
Example Sentences:
If you keep eating all of that terrible food, you’re going to get a pot belly.
My father has a huge pot belly. I don’t think he can see his own feet!
Media:
the showing of a movie to only a few people before the movie comes out in theatres
(noun) someone who tells the authorities about the wrong or illegal actions of another.
Example Sentence:
Don’t tell the teacher that I cheated on the test, you rat.
I don’t want to be a rat, but I saw your girlfriend with another man last night.
(noun) a very funny or entertaining person, movie, television show, or thing
Example Sentence:
Dane Cook is such a riot, I love his comedy!
You should watch the movie Knocked Up, it is such a riot. I couldn’t stop laughing!
The Office is one of the funniest shows on TV. It’s a riot!
(noun) the most important member of a group
Example Sentences:
In my family, my mother is the rock. She is so strong and she always takes care of us.
Sarah’s boyfriend is her rock. He always supports her whenever there is a problem.
Media:
(noun) noisy and disorderly people
Example Sentences:
A large group of rowdies ruined the Fourth of July celebration by getting into a fight.
My neighbours kept me awake all night, because they were having a huge party. They are a bunch of rowdies!
From the News:
West End beach rowdies keep police busy
Media:
(noun) child
Example Sentences:
I have three rug rats at home.
A: What are you doing for your vacation?
B: I’m taking the rug rats to disneyland!
Media:
(noun) (slang) a person who enjoys creating fights or causing trouble
Example Sentences:
A: Your girlfriend is ugly!
B: What?!
A: I said, your girlfriend is ugly!
B: Do you want to fight?
A: Yeah!
B: Alright you shit disturber, let’s fight!
The policeman arrested the shit disturber for throwing rocks at windows.
Media:
(noun) a person who displays his or her achievements or good characteristics to make others feel bad
Example Sentence:
A: Do you like your new roommate?
B: No! He has a beautiful girlfriend, a nice car, good looking friends and really nice stereo system. He brought them all over last night to see his new place.
A: Wow, your roommate is a show off!
The young skateboarder enjoyed being a show off because it made all of his friends jealous of his skateboarding abilities.
(noun) terrible food
Example Sentence:
If you expect me to eat this slop you are making a huge mistake. Go make me a better dinner!
I never eat fast food. It tastes like slop to me.
The young man started taking a cooking class, because all of his meals tasted like slop.
Media:
(noun) a person who is annoying because they are intelligent and like to show it
(noun) a person who is annoying because they are intelligent and like to show it
(noun) a person who is annoying because they are intelligent and like to show it
(noun) a very easy thing
Example Sentence:
This class is such a snap. I think I need something more difficult.
The book was a snap to read.
I expected the test to be hard, but it turned out to be a snap.
(noun) something that is very boring
Example Sentence:
That movie is such a snoozer. I wouldn’t recommend it to anyone!
My afternoon class is such a snoozer! I want to switch out of it.
The biology students were mad because their professor was a snoozer. They asked the department for someone more interesting.
(noun) the exact double or copy of someone
Example Sentences:
A: Do you look like your father or mother?
B: I’m the spitting image of my mother. I look exactly like her!
The newborn baby is the spitting image of her father, because she has a similar nose.
(noun) a handsome and masculine man
Example Sentence:
That guy is such a stud. Look how muscular he is!
I think that Johnny Depp is a stud. I love all his movies.
(noun) a person who is unwilling to give or spend money, who is not generous
(noun) a terrible situation, a disaster
Example Sentence:
The AIDS crisis is a major train wreck. World governments need to do more to solve the problem.
I was late to work, my car got stolen, my boyfriend broke up with me, and my dog died. This week has been such a train wreck!
(noun) someone who is in a terrible situation, someone who is a disaster
Example Sentence:
Britney Spears is a trainwreck, someone needs to help her!
My best friend has three children from three different husbands, no job, and is addicted to drugs. She is such a trainwreck!
(noun) a person who enjoys creating fights or causing trouble
Example Sentences:
A: Your girlfriend is ugly!
B: What?!
A: I said, your girlfriend is ugly!
B: Do you want to fight?
A: Yeah!
B: Alright you troublemaker, let’s fight!
The policeman arrested the troublemaker for throwing rocks at windows.
Note:
troublemaker can also be used to refer to mischievous young children in a friendly way
My cute little troublemaker made a mess on my floor!
Media:
(noun) television
Example Sentence:
Did you see that show on the tube last night? It was great.
A: What did you do last night?
B: I just stayed home and watched the tube because I had nothing better to do.
Note:
tube is usually used with the definite article the
the tube
(noun) stomach
Example Sentence:
I drank my juice too quickly and now my tummy hurts.
Note:
tummy is usually used by women and young children only.
Media:
(noun) a competitor that has almost no chance of winning
Example Sentences:
Canada is the underdog in their soccer match against Brazil.
Brazil is the underdog in their hockey game against Canada.
From the News:
Underdog Danes set to face England
Media:
(noun) a person who is shy at social events, especially someone who doesn’t like dancing with other people
(noun) a very weak person
Example Sentence:
He’ll never become the president of the company. He’s such a wimp.
That guy is a wimp. Did you see how small his arms are?
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