Fun PHRASES

Target Language or Knowledge:

  Burn the midnight oil – To work late into the night. Example: She’s been burning the midnight oil to finish her project. Bite the bullet – To face a difficult situation bravely. Example: He decided to bite the bullet and confront his boss. Break the ice – To start a conversation in a social setting. Example: A joke can help break the ice at a party. Cost an arm and a leg – To be very expensive. Example: That car costs an arm and a leg. Go the extra mile – To do more than is expected. Example: He went the extra mile to ensure the presentation was perfect. Hit the nail on the head – To describe something accurately. Example: Her analysis really hit the nail on the head. Let the cat out of the bag – To reveal a secret. Example: She accidentally let the cat out of the bag about the surprise party. Once in a blue moon – Very rarely. Example: We see them once in a blue moon. Piece of cake – Something very easy. Example: That math problem was a piece of cake. Pull someone’s leg – To tease or joke with someone. Example: Are you pulling my leg, or is that true? Spill the beans – To reveal secret information. Example: He spilled the beans about the company merger. Take it with a grain of salt – To not take something too seriously. Example: Take his advice with a grain of salt. The ball is in your court – It’s your decision or responsibility. Example: I’ve explained everything; now the ball is in your court. Under the weather – Feeling unwell. Example: She’s feeling under the weather today. Up in the air – Uncertain or unresolved. Example: The plans for the weekend are still up in the air. Call it a day – To stop working on something. Example: Let’s call it a day and go home. Cut corners – To do something in a cheap or lazy way. Example: Don’t cut corners when building a house. Throw in the towel – To give up or quit. Example: After multiple failures, he decided to throw in the towel. Actions speak louder than words – What you do is more important than what you say. Example: Don’t just promise to help; actions speak louder than words. Kill two birds with one stone – To accomplish two things at once. Example: By shopping online, she killed two birds with one stone: saving time and money.