The phrasal verb to settle down has a couple of idiomatic meanings that are related but are used in specifically distinct situations. We’ll practice the first meaning today, then we’ll do the other one next time. The first idiomatic meaning of to settle down is to stop moving or, specifically, stop any unnecessary movement or… Read more »

A fit is some kind of outburst or sudden show of anger or strong emotion. When someone is having a fit or throwing a fit, that person is screaming and yelling because of anger or frustration. Sometimes, we see children throw fits at the supermarket when the parent doesn’t get them what they want. They… Read more »

Today, let’s practice an expression that I’ve used in past blogs and have featured in the vocabulary sections several times already. The phrase just about is an idiomatic and informal way to say “almost”. It can be used in almost any situation or just about any situation. You can say you’re just about ready, or… Read more »

Something blows you away when it is excellent. This thing can be a book, a movie, a show, etc. It can also be a personality trait that impresses you, such as someone’s kindness, generosity or hospitality. It can be an excellent performance, as well, such as that of an athlete or an actor. So if… Read more »

This phrase was in the example dialog from yesterday’s blog. Why not quickly scroll down right now and read yesterday’s like this example. Getting or taking your mind off things means doing something that will make you forget problems or difficult situations in your life. So, you may go on vacation to get your mind… Read more »

Let’s stay on the topic of “paying for other people’s purchases”. The last two blogs–last Thursday’s and Friday’s–both talked about expressions that you use when you or someone pays for a friend’s dinner or ticket to a movie or a concert, etc. If you haven’t had the chance to use the past two expressions, and… Read more »

This is another commonly used phrase that’s very similar to yesterday’s expression. Basically, if you’re picking up the tab for your dinner with friends, then dinner is on you. So when you’re ready for the waiter to bring the check, you can either say, “It’s ok guys, I’m picking up the tab,” or “It’s ok… Read more »

When you’re out to dinner with friends, sometimes someone in the group picks up the tab. That person may pick up the tab because he just had a promotion at work and would like to celebrate, or it may be his birthday and would like to treat his friends to a nice dinner. Picking up… Read more »

I used this one-word expression in the lesson yesterday. If you didn’t notice, just scroll down and have a quick read. Using say to mean “for example” might be strange at first, but as you become conscious of it, you’ll notice that it’s quite common especially in less formal speech or writing. It’s also the… Read more »

When you’re up for it, you feel like doing it or having it. “It“ can be any activity or thing: going to dinner, a movie, bar hopping, camping, whatever. When you want to do something, say swimming in the river, and you’d like your friend to join you, you can ask, “Are you up for… Read more »