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Way cool!
The slang word that I want you to learn today is way. When you use way like this, it means “a lot more” or “very much”, and it’s often used with either a comparative adjective or the word “too” plus a simple adjective. When you’re making comparisons, for example, a person can be way taller… Read more »
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come to terms with something
This phrase usually has something to do with facing a negative situation. When you come to terms with something, you accept that something undesirable has happened or is going to happen and there’s nothing you can do to change the situation. You face the fact and get used to it. For example if Tim gets… Read more »
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Way to go!
You say this expression when you want to compliment someone on a job well done. This phrase is similar to “good job” or “excellent.” So when someone gets an A on an exam, you say, “Way to go! That’s awesome.” This phrase only works when you talk to someone, so don’t use it in the… Read more »
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bring someone up to speed
This expression is common in a work/business environment. To bring someone up to speed is to tell that person the most up-to-date information. So if your boss wants you to work with Scott, he’ll probably want you to update Scott on the latest information. If so, he may say, “I’ll tell Scott you guys are… Read more »
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You’re up. (to be up)
There are a couple of idiomatic meanings for this expression. One is “you’re awake.” So you can ask if Mary is already up, and someone might reply, “No, she’s still asleep.” … or sometimes, when you walk into a room, people say, “Oh, you’re up. We thought you were still asleep.” The other meaning of… Read more »
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Time’s up!
This phrase is simple and very common. You’ve probably heard your teacher say “time’s up” at the end of an exam. Time’s up means you have to finish, and you have to stop what you are doing right now. Usually, an authority figure or someone in-charge will say this at the end of a timed… Read more »
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run out of something
This is an expression that all ESL students should know or learn as soon as possible because it’s extremely common. To run out of something or to be out of something means there is none left of something. Something can be sugar, bread, time, money, patience, anything. So if you say, “We ran out of… Read more »
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killing time
Before I get to the lesson, I just want to welcome those of you whom I met at Coney Island in New York this weekend. I was at Flea By The Sea, a flea market not far from the boardwalk and, of course, the beach. I was there to sell The small guide To Improving… Read more »
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What’s the deal?
This question is a slang way of asking “What’s going on?” or “What’s the problem?” or “What’s wrong?” You say it when you don’t understand or are confused about something, and you want something explained to you. So, if you’re driving and you come upon some heavy traffic, and it’s not rush hour, you can… Read more »
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up in the air
A future event is up in the air if it’s not definite or if something about it (the time, the place) is not certain. For example, if you’re planning a party, but you’re not sure if it’s going to happen for some reason, you can say, “The party is up in the air right now…. Read more »