This is a draft cheat sheet. It is a work in progress and is not finished yet.
Idioms
hit the books |
study |
I have to hit the books because I have an exam next week. |
hit the sack |
go to sleep |
It's time for me to hit the sack, I'm so tired. |
up in the air |
undecided, uncertain |
The date for the wedding is still up in the air. |
stab in the back |
betray or hurt someone who trusts you |
Mary was stabbed in the back by her friend Max when he told lies about her. |
sit tight |
wait patiently without doing anything |
The doctor told him to sit tight until she returned. |
on the ball |
doing a good job |
You're on the ball because you finished your homework early! |
under the weather |
sick |
I'm feeling a little under the weather, so I'm going to sleep early. |
blow off steam |
stop being stressed or angry by doing something active |
I had a fight with my brother, so I went running to blow off steam. |
lose one's touch |
forget how to do something well |
I used to be good at playing piano, but then I stopped playing and I lost my touch. |
pitch in |
work together to do something |
There is a lot of work to do but if we all pitch in we can finish it quickly. |
Being Polite
If you don't mind my saying... |
I hope you don't mind my saying... |
Excuse me, I'd just like to say... |
I couldn't help but notice... |
Can / May I just say... |
English speakers very often compliment strangers -- sometimes it is to start conversation, other times it is just to be nice. In this case these phrases are often used to start the compliment.
Compliment Looks / Possessions
Your [N] looks / is [ADJ]. |
Your dress looks so nice. |
I (really) like / love your [N]. |
I really love your hairstyle. |
That is a (really) [ADJ] [N]. |
That is an awesome car. |
What a/an [ADJ] [N]! |
What a cute dog! |
[ADJ] [N]! |
Cool bag! NIce shoes! |
Compliment Ability
You are an excellent cook / writer / singer! |
You're really good at English / dancing! |
You really know how to speak English / dance! |
You can really speak English / dance! |
Accept / Take a Compliment
(Aw,) Thank you. |
You're too kind. |
I appreciate it / that. |
* I don't think so, but thank you. |
* Oh, this/that old thing? |
* In English speaking countries, it can be considered rude to reject a compliment. However, if a compliment makes you uncomfortable, you can say "thank you" and walk away.
|
|
|
