Name Three
adjectives meaning “very big”
huge, enormous, giant, massive, vast...
What does “a piece of cake” mean?
Something very easy.
Which phrasal verb means “to stop trying” or “to quit”?
give up.
Explain the difference between “their”, “there” and “they’re”.
Their” shows possession. “There” refers to a place. “They’re” is “they are”.
The number of students have increased this year.
The number of students has increased this year.
Name 3 adjectives meaning “very small”
tiny, minute, minuscule, microscopic, miniature...
What does it mean to be “under the weather”?
To feel slightly ill.
Which phrasal verb means “to take care of someone or something”?
look after.
Explain the difference between “affect” and “effect”.
Affect is usually a verb meaning to influence. Effect is usually a noun meaning a result.
Despite of the rain, we went for a walk.
Despite the rain, we went for a walk.
In spite of the rain...
words or phrases meaning “very tired”
exhausted, shattered, drained, knackered, worn out...
What does it mean to “bite the bullet”?
To force yourself to do something unpleasant or difficult, or to endure it.
Which phrasal verb with “put” means “to postpone”?
put off.
Explain the difference between “principal” and “principle”.
“Principal” means head of a school. “Principle” means a rule or belief.
She suggested to go to the cinema.
She suggested going to the cinema.
Name 3 verbs meaning “to speak quietly”.
whisper, murmur, mutter, mumble...
What does it mean to “cut corners”?
To do something cheaply or quickly by sacrificing quality or skipping steps.
Which phrasal verb with “put” means “to tolerate something unpleasant”?
put up with.
Explain the difference between “imply” and “infer”.
The speaker implies (suggests indirectly). The listener infers (draws a conclusion).
She is used to get up at six every day.
She is used to getting up at six every day.
Name 3 adjectives meaning “very angry”
furious, livid, irate, seething, enraged...
What is “the elephant in the room”?
An obvious, serious problem that everyone avoids discussing.
Which phrasal verb means “to find something by chance”?
come across.
Explain the difference between “uninterested” and “disinterested”.
“Uninterested” means not interested. “Disinterested” means impartial.
Walking down the street, the trees looked beautiful.
Walking down the street, I thought the trees looked beautiful.
Name 3 verbs for different ways of looking at something.
glance, stare, glimpse, gaze, peer, glare...
What does it mean to “play devil’s advocate”?
To argue against a position, often one you don’t hold, to test it or provoke debate.
Which phrasal verb means “to start to suffer from an illness”?
come down with.
explain the difference between “continual” and “continuous”.
“Continual” means repeated often, with breaks. “Continuous” means without any interruption.
If I was you, I’d apologize.
If I were you, I'd apologize.