Easy English phrases for daily use
Phrase : as easy as pie
Means “very easy” (same as “a piece of cake”)
Example:
He said it is a difficult problem, but I don’t agree. It seems as easy as pie to me.
Phrase : be sick and tired of
Means “I hate” (also “can’t stand”)
Example:
I’m sick and tired of doing nothing but work. Let’s go out tonight and have fun.
Phrase : bend over backwards
Means “try very hard” (maybe too much!)
Example:
He bent over backwards to please his new wife, but she never seemed satisfied.
Phrase : bite off more than one can chew
Means “take responsibility for more than one can manage”
Example:
Macky is so far behind in his studies. Besides classes, he plays sports and works at a part-time job. It seems he has bitten off more than he can chew.
Phrase : broke
Means “to have no money”
Example:
I have to borrow some money from my Sis. Right now, I’m broke.
Phrase : change one’s mind
Means “decide to do something different from what had been decided earlier”
Example:
I was planning to shop today, but I changed my mind. I’ll shop tomorrow.
Phrase : Cut it out!
Means “stop doing something bad”
Example:
That noise is really annoying.Cut it out!
Phrase : drop someone a line
Means “send a letter or email to someone”
Example:
It was good to meet you and I hope we can see each other again.Drop me a line when you have time.
Phrase : figure something out
Means “come to understand a problem”
Example:
I don’t understand how to do this problem. Take a look at it. Maybe you can figure it out.
Phrase : fill in for someone
Means “do their work while they are away”
Example:
While I was away from the store, my brother filled in for me.
Phrase : in ages
Means “for a very long time”
Example:
Have you seen Tom recently? I haven’t seen him in ages.
Phrase : give someone a hand
Means “help”
Example:
I want to move this apartment to the next apartment. Can you give me a hand?
Phrase : hit the hay
Means “go to bed” (also “hit the sack”)
Example:
It’s after 12 o’clock. I think it’s time to hit the hay.
Phrase : in the black
Means “the business is making money, it is profitable”
Example:
Our business is really improving. We’ve been in the black all year.
Phrase : in the red
Means “the business is losing money, it is unprofitable”
Example:
Business is really going poorly these days. We’ve been in the red for the past three months.
Phrase : in the nick of time
Means “not too late, but very close!”
Example:
I got to the drugstore just in the nick of time. It’s a good thing, because I really need this medicine!
Phrase : keep one’s chin up
Means “remain brave and keep on trying”
Example:
I know things have been difficult for you recently, but keep your chin up.It will get better soon.
Phrase : know something like the back of your hand
Means “know something very, very well”
Example:
If you get lost, just ask me for directions. I know this part of town like the back of my hand.
Phrase : once in a while
Means “sometimes, not very often”
Example:
Have you been to the new movie theater? No, only see movies.once in a while. I usually stay home and watch TV.
Phrase : sharp
Means “exactly at a that time”
Example:
I’ll meet you at 10 o’clock sharp. If you’re late, client will be move out.
Phrase : sleep on it
Means “think about something before making a decision”
Example:
That sounds like a good deal, but I’d like to sleep on it before I give you my final decision.
Phrase : take it easy
Means “relax”
Example:
I don’t have any special plans for the summer. I think I’ll just take it easy.
Phrase : to get the ball rolling
Means “start something, especially something big”
Example:
We need to get this project started as soon as possible. I’m hoping you will help me get the ball rolling.
Phrase : up to the minute
Means “the most recent information”
Example:
I wish I knew more about what is happening in the project. We need more up to the minute detail.
Phrase : twenty-four/seven
Means “every minute of every day, all the time”
Example:
Now these days websites companies providing 24*7 support.