Podcast
Questions and Answers
What does it mean when someone says their 'hands are tied'?
What does it mean when someone says their 'hands are tied'?
- They are unable to take action due to external restrictions. (correct)
- They are busy and cannot help others.
- They are physically restrained from moving.
- They have made a decision that can't be changed.
What does the phrase 'burn the midnight oil' imply?
What does the phrase 'burn the midnight oil' imply?
- To take a break during the night.
- To work late into the night. (correct)
- To celebrate a late-night event.
- To waste time instead of working.
What does it mean to 'throw someone under the bus'?
What does it mean to 'throw someone under the bus'?
- To help someone in a difficult situation.
- To support a colleague during criticism.
- To blame someone else for personal gain. (correct)
- To come up with a collaborative solution.
If someone is 'on thin ice', what does this indicate?
If someone is 'on thin ice', what does this indicate?
What does the phrase 'hit a snag' mean?
What does the phrase 'hit a snag' mean?
What does it mean to 'keep one's eyes peeled'?
What does it mean to 'keep one's eyes peeled'?
What is the consequence of 'burning the midnight oil', according to the speaker?
What is the consequence of 'burning the midnight oil', according to the speaker?
Why might an employee feel upset after being 'thrown under the bus'?
Why might an employee feel upset after being 'thrown under the bus'?
What does 'cut a deal' imply?
What does 'cut a deal' imply?
What does it mean when something is 'up in the air'?
What does it mean when something is 'up in the air'?
What does the phrase 'in the works' signify?
What does the phrase 'in the works' signify?
In the context given, what does 'get a move on' mean?
In the context given, what does 'get a move on' mean?
What does 'give me a shout' mean?
What does 'give me a shout' mean?
How is the phrase 'our plans are up in the air' best interpreted?
How is the phrase 'our plans are up in the air' best interpreted?
Which of the following could be a situation described as 'in the works'?
Which of the following could be a situation described as 'in the works'?
What is the purpose of the instruction 'let's get a move on'?
What is the purpose of the instruction 'let's get a move on'?
If someone says 'the conference is up in the air,' what does it suggest?
If someone says 'the conference is up in the air,' what does it suggest?
Which of the following describes 'cut a new deal'?
Which of the following describes 'cut a new deal'?
What does the phrase 'just give me a shout when you're done' imply?
What does the phrase 'just give me a shout when you're done' imply?
What does it mean when plans are said to be 'in the works'?
What does it mean when plans are said to be 'in the works'?
What is meant by saying 'our plans are up in the air'?
What is meant by saying 'our plans are up in the air'?
What does the term 'Band-Aid fix' refer to?
What does the term 'Band-Aid fix' refer to?
What is the proper phrase to use when indicating not to become complacent with past achievements?
What is the proper phrase to use when indicating not to become complacent with past achievements?
In the phrase 'I’m going out for a bit,' what does 'for a bit' imply?
In the phrase 'I’m going out for a bit,' what does 'for a bit' imply?
What should you not say when using 'Band-Aid' as an adjective?
What should you not say when using 'Band-Aid' as an adjective?
What is the meaning of the phrase 'rest on your laurels'?
What is the meaning of the phrase 'rest on your laurels'?
Which of the following is an example of a 'Band-Aid fix'?
Which of the following is an example of a 'Band-Aid fix'?
Which contraction is used in the phrase 'I'm going out for a bit'?
Which contraction is used in the phrase 'I'm going out for a bit'?
Native speakers often pronounce 'can't' in a specific way, what is this pronunciation called?
Native speakers often pronounce 'can't' in a specific way, what is this pronunciation called?
How should one approach their achievements according to the content?
How should one approach their achievements according to the content?
What does the example of a 'Band-Aid fix' regarding ChatGPT imply?
What does the example of a 'Band-Aid fix' regarding ChatGPT imply?
What does the pronunciation change in 'for a bit' illustrate about native English speakers?
What does the pronunciation change in 'for a bit' illustrate about native English speakers?
In what context should someone not rest on their laurels?
In what context should someone not rest on their laurels?
What is the correct pronunciation of 'laurels' in the expression used?
What is the correct pronunciation of 'laurels' in the expression used?
Which of the following statements best captures the essence of continuous improvement?
Which of the following statements best captures the essence of continuous improvement?
What does the term 'give me a SEC' imply in conversation?
What does the term 'give me a SEC' imply in conversation?
Which phrase is functionally similar to 'a cakewalk'?
Which phrase is functionally similar to 'a cakewalk'?
What does 'I still haven't figured it out' indicate about the speaker's situation?
What does 'I still haven't figured it out' indicate about the speaker's situation?
How is 'give me a SEC' used in a work environment?
How is 'give me a SEC' used in a work environment?
What is the significance of the phrase 'figured it out'?
What is the significance of the phrase 'figured it out'?
In what context might you say 'Where are you? The meeting started 5 minutes ago'?
In what context might you say 'Where are you? The meeting started 5 minutes ago'?
What does the contraction 'hasn't' represent in 'He hasn't figured it out yet'?
What does the contraction 'hasn't' represent in 'He hasn't figured it out yet'?
Which verb tense is correctly reflected in 'He still hasn't figured it out'?
Which verb tense is correctly reflected in 'He still hasn't figured it out'?
What would be the appropriate response to 'Have you figured it out yet?' if the answer is positive?
What would be the appropriate response to 'Have you figured it out yet?' if the answer is positive?
What does 'give me a shout when you figure it out' request?
What does 'give me a shout when you figure it out' request?
How does the use of 'yet' in 'have you figured it out yet?' differ from 'still' in 'I still haven't figured it out'?
How does the use of 'yet' in 'have you figured it out yet?' differ from 'still' in 'I still haven't figured it out'?
When someone says, ‘He’s struggling with this,’ what can be inferred?
When someone says, ‘He’s struggling with this,’ what can be inferred?
What does 'cakewalk' suggest about a task during a conversation?
What does 'cakewalk' suggest about a task during a conversation?
What does the phrase 'not a big deal' imply?
What does the phrase 'not a big deal' imply?
In what context would 'it's a big deal' usually be used?
In what context would 'it's a big deal' usually be used?
What does 'no biggie' mean?
What does 'no biggie' mean?
How is the phrase 'play it by ear' best defined?
How is the phrase 'play it by ear' best defined?
Which sentence best illustrates 'it's not a big deal at all'?
Which sentence best illustrates 'it's not a big deal at all'?
When someone says, 'I can finally buy a house,' which sentiment does this evoke?
When someone says, 'I can finally buy a house,' which sentiment does this evoke?
What does the phrase 'you're right, let's play it by ear' suggest?
What does the phrase 'you're right, let's play it by ear' suggest?
Which phrase would a native speaker likely reduce to sound more casual?
Which phrase would a native speaker likely reduce to sound more casual?
Which of the following options represents a negative consequence mentioned?
Which of the following options represents a negative consequence mentioned?
What does the contraction 'what are ya into' represent?
What does the contraction 'what are ya into' represent?
How does a native speaker typically pronounce the T between two vowels?
How does a native speaker typically pronounce the T between two vowels?
Which phrase does NOT indicate importance?
Which phrase does NOT indicate importance?
What response might be appropriate after receiving thanks from a friend?
What response might be appropriate after receiving thanks from a friend?
What does 'turns out' imply in the context of an unexpected situation?
What does 'turns out' imply in the context of an unexpected situation?
What does the term 'knockoff' refer to?
What does the term 'knockoff' refer to?
Which grammatical element is often dropped in spoken English with 'turns out'?
Which grammatical element is often dropped in spoken English with 'turns out'?
What is suggested by the phrase 'play it by ear'?
What is suggested by the phrase 'play it by ear'?
What is the main difference when using 'thanks' compared to 'thank you'?
What is the main difference when using 'thanks' compared to 'thank you'?
How is the contraction 'she's' commonly interpreted?
How is the contraction 'she's' commonly interpreted?
In the context of communication, what does 'rub off' mean?
In the context of communication, what does 'rub off' mean?
Which of the following is an incorrect way to express gratitude?
Which of the following is an incorrect way to express gratitude?
What would you use to describe an unexpected change in plans, according to the context provided?
What would you use to describe an unexpected change in plans, according to the context provided?
What is meant by the phrase 'you rock'?
What is meant by the phrase 'you rock'?
How should one properly use 'thanks for' in a sentence?
How should one properly use 'thanks for' in a sentence?
What does the phrase 'Can we play it by ear?' suggest about a decision?
What does the phrase 'Can we play it by ear?' suggest about a decision?
'Turns out' is an example of which type of grammatical structure?
'Turns out' is an example of which type of grammatical structure?
What does it mean when someone's behavior 'rubs off' on another person?
What does it mean when someone's behavior 'rubs off' on another person?
What characteristic of Janice transfers to Fernando after they work together?
What characteristic of Janice transfers to Fernando after they work together?
What does the phrase 'rub me the wrong way' imply?
What does the phrase 'rub me the wrong way' imply?
What is a 'hunch' according to the content?
What is a 'hunch' according to the content?
How is the verb 'to have' typically used with the noun 'hunch'?
How is the verb 'to have' typically used with the noun 'hunch'?
What does the phrase 'all set' mean?
What does the phrase 'all set' mean?
What does it imply if different personalities 'clash'?
What does it imply if different personalities 'clash'?
What does it mean when someone says they had a hunch he would quit?
What does it mean when someone says they had a hunch he would quit?
How can the phrase 'rubbed me the wrong way' be used regarding a comment?
How can the phrase 'rubbed me the wrong way' be used regarding a comment?
Which of the following is not an example of a 'hunch'?
Which of the following is not an example of a 'hunch'?
What action is linked with Janice's character trait of helpfulness?
What action is linked with Janice's character trait of helpfulness?
When someone says 'he rubs me the wrong way,' how might they feel about the person?
When someone says 'he rubs me the wrong way,' how might they feel about the person?
If a characteristic 'rubs off' on someone, what happens?
If a characteristic 'rubs off' on someone, what happens?
What grammatical aspect is highlighted when using 'hunch' in a sentence?
What grammatical aspect is highlighted when using 'hunch' in a sentence?
Study Notes
Let's get a move on
- Meaning: To begin moving faster or quickly, to hurry up.
- Example: "The movie starts in less than one hour. Let's get a move on!"
Give me a shout
- Meaning: Call me
- Example: "Give me a shout when you land."
I'm done
- Meaning: Finished, the task is complete.
- Example: "I'm done with the report."
Give me a SEC
- Meaning: Give me a short period of time, a few seconds or minutes.
- Example: "Give me a SEC to find your file."
I haven't figured it out
- Meaning: I don't understand, I haven't solved the problem or the question.
- Example: "We've been working on this bug for hours, and I still haven't figured it out."
It was a cakewalk
- Meaning: Something is effortless, simple.
- Example: "Learning English becomes a cakewalk when you have a great teacher."
It's a Band-Aid fix
- Meaning: A temporary solution to a problem.
- Example: "Filling the potholes is a Band-Aid fix. This entire road needs to be repaved."
You can't rest on your laurels
- Meaning: Don't become too comfortable, stagnant, with past achievements; set new goals, push yourself further.
- Example: "The author wrote an international bestseller, but then rested on her laurels; she didn't write anything after that".
I'm going out for a bit
- Meaning: To temporarily leave your current location, usually for a short period of time.
- Example: "Sorry guys, I have to go out for a bit."
Common American Colloquialisms
- It was a cakewalk - An easy task, something that can be done effortlessly.
- Band-Aid fix - a temporary solution or quick fix to a problem, often with unintended consequences.
- You can't rest on your laurels - Do not become complacent or satisfied with past achievements, always strive for more.
- It's not a big deal at all - It is not important or significant, often used to dismiss or downplay a situation. The contraction "It's not" is often reduced to "It's nada". "At all" can be reduced to "at all". You can also use the expression "No biggie" colloquially
- To be a big deal - describes something that is important, serious, or significant, can be used in both positive and negative ways.
Phrasal Verbs & Idioms
- Play it by ear - to improvise or make decisions as you go along, rather than planning beforehand.
- Turns out - Used to convey unexpected or surprising news.
- Knockoff - A cheap imitation of a luxury item.
- Rub off on someone - When someone's behavior or personality influences another person.
- Rub someone the wrong way - to annoy or irritate someone, often unintentionally.
- Have a hunch - to have a feeling or intuition about something, not necessarily based on facts.
Pronunciation
- "It's not a big deal at all." is often pronounced "It's nada, big deal at all".
- "So what are you into?" combines to sound like "What are ya inta?".
- "Can we play it by ear?" combines to sound approximately like "Can we play it yet?"*.
- "Turns out I bought a knockoff" is often pronounced "Turns out I boda knockoff".
- "Thanks for your help, you rock" is shortened to "Thanks fer your help, you rock."
- "She's starting to rub off on you." is pronounced "She's startin tuh rub off fawn you."
- "He rubs me the wrong way." is often pronounced "He rubs me the wrong way"
- "I had a hunch he'd quit." is shortened to "I had a hunch he'd quit."
- "Are you all set" is pronounced "Are ya all set?"
**Grammar **
- Thanks for your help - can be followed by a noun (your help) or gerund (helping me).
- "You rock." - This is used to express appreciation or that someone is awesome.
- "I have a hunch" is used to express a prediction based on intuition.
Other
- Itinerary - A detailed plan that outlines the schedule and activities for a trip.
Studying That Suits You
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Description
Test your knowledge of common English phrases and their meanings with this fun quiz. Understand the context and examples for each phrase to enhance your conversational skills. Perfect for language learners and those looking to refine their English usage.
