go blank: that means to become unable to thinkExamples:1. Mary's mind went blank when the boy of her dreams asked her to go out with him.2. Tom prepared for his job interview, but his mind went blank when he sat down in front of his interviewer.3. My
Read more…bite the bullet: that means to do or accept something difficult or unpleasant and try to live with it.Etymology: When army doctors performed painful operations without drugs, they gave patients a bullet to put between their teeth.Examples:1. She had
Read more…slave away: that means to work very hardExamples:1. Mom slaved away in the kitchen all afternoon to prepare for tonight's big feast.2. She has been slaving away all day at her project and hasn't even had time to eat.
Read more…cup of tea: that means the type of person or thing that one generally likes.Examples:1. Tennis isn't my cup of tea. I prefer table tennis.2. I know John is nice, but he's not my cup of tea.Note: This expression is almost used in the negative.Why is i
Read more…Go overboard means to be excessive."I like to have a glass of wine each evening but I never go overboard" (not excessive with the wine)."Do you like this dress or do you think I have gone overboard?" (dressed excessively)
Read more…narrow down: that means to reduce the number of possibilities, options or choicesExample:There are so many magazines in the library to read, finally, I narrowed down my choice to the ones I could get easily near my seat.For more information please vi
Read more…"Full of beans" means to be very energetic"John was full of beans yesterday wasn't he?""You're full of beans this morning!"
Read more…do a double take: that means to look at something or someone twice because you are so surprised at what you have seen.Examples:1. When I saw a man with 200 cm high walking on the street, I did a double take.2. Tom did a double take when he saw his fa
Read more…stumble across: that means to meet someone or find something unexpectedly.Examples:1. I stumbled across my high school classmate yesterday at the MRT station.2. My brother stumbled across an interesting puzzle this morning when he read the newspapers
Read more…To get out of hand means to become out of control / cannot be controlled."The party started well but after 11pm it got out of hand and I had to call the police.""I like debating about politics with my friends but I don't like it when we start arguing
Read more…hit it off : that means to have a great relationship with someone instantlyExamples:A: Did you make any friends when you moved to New York to study English?B: Yes I did! On the first day, I hit it off with a girl who is from Mexico. Now we are best f
Read more…make one's head spin: that means to cause one to be dizzy, dazed or confused.Examples:1. The roller coaster ride really made our heads spin.2. All of my new work responsibilities really made my head spin.
Read more…level with someone (about someone or something):To level with a person is to speak with them very honestly,including, if necessary, by telling them unpleasant or bad news.Examples:1. Level with me, and tell me what you think of my new dress that I bo
Read more…If you show someone the ropes, you teach or explain to them how to do a particular job.In this expression: ropes = basic methods, or the way something is done.Someone "learning the ropes" is being taught the basics.Someone who "knows the ropes" is fa
Read more…When someone says that you can say that again that does not means you have to say it twice, it means he/she (or they) agree(s) with you completely.Example:Anne: I think EC is a good place for studying English.Grace: You can say that again. It is a pl
Read more…to burn the midnight oil: that means to stay up late studying or workingExamples:1. The design is due tomorrow and we're far from finished. We are about to burn the midnight oil tonight.2. She burned the midnight oil in order to brush up on her Engli
Read more…put up with: that means to endure, tolerateExamples:1. I don't know how she puts up with her mean boss every day.2. Tom could hardly put up with his bizarre classmate. It drives him crazy.to drive one crazy means to annoy someone very much
Read more…the belle of the ball : that means the most attractive or admired girl or woman at a social gatheringExamples:1.Whenever Mary appears, she is always the belle of the ball.2. After a successful makeover, Vanessa became last night's belle of the ball a
Read more…"To be like a fish out of water" means to not be comfortable in a situation.Examples :* "I don't like football so when I went to the football game I was like a fish out of water."* "I was like a fish out of water at the party - it was full of bank ma
Read more…Get real: be serious or realistic about what's going onExamples:1. You think you won't be fined when you drive 100 miles per hour? Get real !2. You think you're going to win $10 million in the lottery? Get real !
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