Colloquial Expressions
“My brother has been blue all day.” What does blue mean in this sentence?
sad, unhappy, in low spirits
What does "Unrequited love" mean?
If you have romantic feelings for someone but they do not have romantic feelings for you, your love for them is "unrequited."
Interstellar has such a great plot. What does plot mean?
the main events in a film or book
What does "immediate family" mean?
your closest relations, such as your parents, children, husband or wife
- My immediate family are my dad, mum and two sisters
“In a nutshell, the problem is that we had to move out of that office.” What does "in a nutshell" mean?
describe something very briefly, using a few words
I have no time. I must dash. What doe "I must dash" sentence mean?
I have to go.
What does "Set people up" mean?
to tell two people that they should date each other.
"I love flicking through books in a bookshop". What does "to flick through" mean?
to look quickly through a book
What does "ancestor" mean?
family members from past generations
Sandra mulled over different solutions for her problems.
to spend some time thinking about something
My lips are sealed. What does this sentence mean?
It's between me and you. I won't tell anyone your secret. I will keep it to myelf.
What does "To pop the question" mean?
to ask someone to marry you.
I have to say I absolutely loved that book … It was a real page-turner. What does page-turner mean?
a book that you want to keep reading
I was fortunate to have a good upbringing but not all children have caring parents who look after them well and teach them the right way to behave. What does "upbringing" mean?
the way in which you are treated and educated when young, especially by your parents
She has a pipe dream of becoming a CEO of her company. What does "pipe dream" mean?
refers to something you want very much but it is impossible to happen.
I can’t get my head round it. What does it mean?
I can't understand it.
What does "To have a fling " mean?
to have a short, intense relationship
I can't stand dramas, thrillers and other dreary movies.
depressing or gloomy
My dad likes to thinks that he’s in charge but it’s my mother who wears the trousers in our house. What does " wear the trousers" mean?
to be the person in a family who holds the authority and makes decisions
The man worked hard all his life and died with his boots on when he had an heart attack at the factory.
What does "die with your boots on" mean?
to die while still actively working or occupied
“I’m not feeling too great, can we take a rain check on lunch today?” What does "take a rain check" mean in this sentence?
canceling until a later date
What does "To "be compatible" with someone" mean?
it is easy for you to get along with them and that you enjoy spending time with each other.
When I broke up with my girlfriend, I didn't want anyone to know that. But Tom saw us in the different corners of the classroom and read everything between the lines. He's very discerning. What does "read between the lines" mean?
to understand the hidden meaning about something
My brother first started getting into trouble with the police when he was a teenager and he’s become the black sheep of the family. What does "black sheep of the family" mean?
someone who brings shame to their family by being different or doing something wrong
He's going to have to pull his socks up if he wants to stay in the team. What does "pull his socks up" mean?
to make an effort to improve your work or behaviour because it is not good enough