LEVEL II LESSON 1

EXPRESSIONS AND PHRASES YOU NEED TO KNOW SO THAT YOU CAN

SPEAK ENGLISH MORE FLUENTLY
As usual: como de costumbre; usually
Example 1: John ordered eggs for breakfast, as usual.
Example 2: I was very tired at the end of the day, as usual.
As a (general) rule: por lo general, generalmente; almost always, generally
Example 1: As a general rule, electronic gadges become smaller as they develop.
Example 2: As a rule, things tend to get less busy after supper time.
At stake: en juego; at risk
Example 1: The team goes into the game knowing their coachs job is at stake.
Example 2: Thats a very risky investment. How much is at stake?
To be up to (someone): ser decisin de (alguin); to be a someone else decision
Example 1: If Ronal wants to invite us a beer is up to him.
Example 2: Dont you think that it is up to me to study any English course?
To break up (with): romper con, cortar a (una relacin), to end a romantic relationship
Example 1: Tom broke up with Mary and started dating lisa.
Example 2: Adrian and I never wanted to break up; but we did it in March, after an
argument.
Cant help: no poder evitar; not able to refrain from something
Example 1: Anne is such a good cook; I cant help eating everything she serves.
Example 2: Since John loves to shop, he cant help spending money.
Call (somebody)names: insultar; insult somebody
Example 1:
Example 2:
To have nothing to do with: no tener nada que ver con; not to be associated with
Example 1: The teacher is saying something that has nothing to do with my question.
Example 2: What does the money have to do with you?
To make sense: tener sentido, to be understandable
Example 1: What Lionel says makes sense to me.
Example 2: It doesnt make sense to walk out wearing sunglasses at night.
In advance :de antemano; before something happens
Example 1: Reserve your ticket in advance by calling our telephone hotline.
Example 2: I want to make a special order. Will I have to pay in advance?
To Look forward to: esperar algo ansiosamente, to expect something with pleasure
Example 1: Shes looking forward to meeting new friends.
Example 2: We all look forward to your brand new book on gardening.
To lose sight of: perder de vista; to forget to consider something
Example 1: Dont lose sight of my baby while Im out.
Example 2:
To notice: echar de ver; to realize
Example 1: Dont you notice the pain you cause her with those words.
Example 2: Did you notice how his hands were trembling?

Run-of-the-mill: ordinario; not special or interesting, typical

Example 1: My father always told me to have a run-of-the-mill job, but I never did it.
Example 2: The service at the restaurant was goo but the food was run-of-the-mill.
So (that): de modo que, para; in order that
Example 1: Can I borrow your map so that I dont get lost?
Example 2: She was saving Money so that she could buy a car.
Take advantage of: aprovechar; to use a situation to get what one wants
Example 1: He took advantage of the opportunity given to him
Example 2: Try to take advantage of every opportunity that comes your way.