English Across the Pond

To look out (for someone) – to take care of protect someone or something

To be an eager beaver – a person who is very excited about or to do something

To mess about – to spend time doing things that aren´t serious

“Back in my Day” a phrase used to reference a past time when someone was younger

To Kick off – to star or begin something

“As sick as a Dog” – to be very, very sick

“To settle Down”- To begin living in one place, a place that you will stay.

“To bear something in mind” – to keep something in your thoughts to remember something

“To pump (someone) up” – to get someone excited about doing something

“To nail something” – to do and finish something successfully and very well.

“To stand out” – to be different than the group/than a crowd, to be unique

“To be golden” – to be fully prepared and ready.

“To catch up (about something)” – to talk with someone about things that have recently
happened in their lives

If something or somebody “opens doors” – to create opportunities for other things to happen.

“To touch on (something)” – to mention something, or talk/write about something briefly.

If something is “not my cup of tea” – to not be an interest, to not like something.

If something happens “in the blink of and eye” . then it happens very quickly.

If you are “shooting the breeze” – you are having an informal talk or chat

“To meet up with” – to meet another person in order to do something together.

“To take a raincheck” – to postpone plans rather than canceling them.

“To be strapped for cash” – to be short of money.

“On your bike” – go away.

“At the end of the day” – finally, a conclusion.

Ways to say shoot up: “I think we’ve heard enough” informal: “pipe down” “zip it” “put a sock
in it”

Ways to say No: “I would love to help you, but…” / I wish I could hep you, but” / I appreciate
the offer, that is really kind, but… / Thank you very much for the offer, I really appreciate, but…

Ways to say What?: Pardon? / Could you say that again? / I missed the last part / I think I
understand, do you mean…? / Would you mind repeating that, please? / Could you run that by
me again? / I messed that, sorry?.
“Be careful, you get your finders burnt” – Something bad happens that you don`t want to
repeat.

“To end up in hot water” To be in trouble.

“we are a little bit pushed for time” You haven´t got much time, time is running out.

“We’re not going to make it at this rate” means if we keep going at this speed we will be late.

Ways to say You are not feeling very well: “Coming down with something” (you are starting to
feel unwell) / “Feel under the weather” (you don`t feel well in general) / “To Throw up”
(informal way of saying vomit) / “feel like death warmed up” (feel very very bad)

Ways to say Hurry Up: Could you get a move on please? / It`s like waiting for Christmas / We
haven’t got all day/ Chop chop/ shake a leg.

To fall in love – you are suddenly and powerfully attracted to someone.

To fall over – you lose your balance and collapse to the ground.

To fall about laughing – the you laugh without being able to stop.

“To drop the ball” means to make a mistake

“To do your best” is to try as hard as you can

“Rome wasn’t built in a Day” means important work takes time so please be patient.

“Take your mind up” means to decide.

“To be over the hill” – to be too old.

“To be between jobs” – to be unemployed.

“To be a little bit on the large side” – to be fat

“To have a face for radio” – to be ugly

“To not make it” – to not survive/die)

“To be a few sandwiches short of a picnic” - to be a bit stupid.

Ways to say I’m surprised: I’m flabbergasted / I’m lost for words/ I’m gobsmacked/ I’m
astounded/ I’m shocked / I’m stunned / I’m dumbfounded.

“Every cloud… has a silver lining” means there is something good in every bad situation.

“How have you been keeping?” means How are you? How have you been recently?

“To make a pig’s ear of something” then you do something incorrectly or badly and make a
mess of it.

“To make a mountain out of a mole hill” to make a big problem out of a small problem.

“To follow in someone else’s footsteps” you do what they do/did.

“To follow the crowd” means to do the same as everybody else.

“To miss the boat” you are slow to learn about or to take advantage of an opportunity.

If something happens “out of the blue” it was unexpected. Ex: My brother called me out of the
blue yesterday.

“Murder a song” sing very bad.

“Talk 19 to the dozen” talk really quickly.

“To wake the dead” (when music is too loud or noisy)

“On the tip of your tongue” you can almost remember

“To run out of something” to use all to have

“The big cheese” – the boss

“Put a sock in it” – stop talking

“A no-brainer” a simple decition.

“Pass” when you don’t know the answer

“On second thoughts” when we change our idea… I’ll eat fish, on second thoughts, pork.

“Cheer up” we want someone to stop feeling bad. Ex: I’ll buy an ice cream if you cheer up.

“To vanish into thin air” When you can’t find something anywhere. Ex: Have you seen my
phone? I can’t find it anywhere. It’s vanished into thin air”

“Guess what” for positive notice… “You’ll never guess what’s happened” for bad notices.

“To not lift a finger” Do anything without help. EX: I prepared the whole meal, just me! Nobody
else lifted a finger, they just watched TV instead.

“To drive someone up the wall” EX: please, stop singing, it’s driving me up the wall. (I’m fed up
of you)

“Once ins a blue moon” when something happens very occasionaly.

“hold your horses” state down, cálmate.

“A rip off” most expensive that it should be

“To be in two minds” you can´t decide.

“All at sea” you are completely lost ex: I’m all at sea in Maths

“Dream of” to talk about our real life, goals and ambitions.

“Dream about” to talk about the dreams we have while we are asleep.

“to walk all over you” they don´t respect you.

“To go over something” then you check it carefully, often by discussing it with somebody.