Idioms & Expressions
Money paid to a worker for their work, usually weekly or hourly, as opposed to salart (which is usually monthly or yearly.
wages
Noun form of abandon
abandonment
a ______ job (provides regular work and realiable income)
steady
Basis of each meal (name at least five food groups)
Vegetables, fruit, whole wheat grains, olive oil, beans, nuts, healtht fats,
This adjective describes a person, idea, or action that is brave. In business news, a risky or daring decision is often described as a _______________ move.
A bold move
To succeed despite your low chances of success.
against all odds
Adjective from the nound affection
affectionate
a ___________ range ___ (a large variety or many different types of something)
a wide range of
Someone you know but who is not a close friend.
an acquaintance
boost
To end a romantic relationship.
break up with someone
Common adverbs before the adjective "adequate"
(+ )perfectly adequate, entirely adequate,
(- ) barely adequate.
This expression describes a campaign or a project that starts slowly but begins to grow in strength, support or speed
gather momentum
To obtain something (usually knowledge or skills).
acquire
This food-related idiom describes a situation where someone takes on a task that is too difficult or too much for them to handle.
To bite off more than you ........... ...............
A way wish good luck especially to performers before a show
break a leg
To make enough money to support yourself (and your family) financially usually through work or a job.
earn a living
A movie, show or performance that makes a lot of money from tickets and is very popular with audiences.
A box office success
This refers to losing your job, often because of poor performance. Common expressions include a variey of formal and informal ways to say it.
Being ....................
Being ....................
Getting the .............
Formal: Being .............
Being fired
Being sacked
Getting the sack
Formal: Being dismissed
This refers to losing your job, but not because of poor performance (usually business related, not personal)
1. The company makes you ......................
2. The company had to ...... ............. 50 workers dute to budget cuts.
1. The company makes you redundant
2. The company had to lay off 50 workers due to budget cuts.
Something that is difficult to achieve or accomplish, often requiring great effort.
A tall order
This idiom describes the struggle to earn enough money to pay for your living costs, such as rent, food and bills.
To make ends meet.
These foods provide a sense of emotional relief, even if they are not very healthy, often because they are usually tasty, hearty and satisfying.
Examples: pasta, hot chocolate, ice-cream, pizza
Comfort foods
This word describes the situation when there is less of something than needed or expected, such as money, supplies or performance targets.
Example: There are ______________ in both staff and equipment at the hospital.
shortfalls (focuses on not meeting required levels)
shortages (focuses on general scarcity)
(more conversational and followed by preposition of)
This phrasal verb means to reduce the amount of something, usually something you consume or use.
Examples:
1. I'm trying to __________ _________ ____ sugar to improve my health.
2. He ______ _________ ____ his expenses after losing his job.
cut down on
1. I'm trying to cut down on sugar to improve my health.
2. He cut down on his expenses after losing his job.