Friends and Fun: idioms
Phrase
very funny
a laugh a minute
That movie was a laugh a minute. You should have seen all the crazy animal tricks!
That movie was a laugh a minute. You should have seen all the crazy animal tricks!
Phrase
to be involved in a well-known romantic relationship
been an item
Adriana and Felipe have been an item since their first year of school together.
Adriana and Felipe have been an item since their first year of school together.
Phrase
to not care romantically about someone any more
is over John
I wonder if Amanda is over John yet. I'd like to ask her out on a date.
I wonder if Amanda is over John yet. I'd like to ask her out on a date.
Phrase
not able or willing to accept (something or someone unpleasant) without complaint
can't stand
My brother's band is really awful. I can't stand being home when they're practicing!
My brother's band is really awful. I can't stand being home when they're practicing!
Phrase
don't criticize someone or something
don't knock it
Have you ever eaten fried bugs? Don't knock it until you've tried it. Crispy cockroaches are delicious!
Have you ever eaten fried bugs? Don't knock it until you've tried it. Crispy cockroaches are delicious!
Phrase
pass slowly and without anything interesting or exciting happening
dragged on and on
The movie dragged on and on. I literally fell asleep in the middle!
The movie dragged on and on. I literally fell asleep in the middle!
Phrase
to become unable to control your emotions
falls to pieces
Ronnie falls to pieces whenever he loses a game.
Ronnie falls to pieces whenever he loses a game.
Phrase
hope that you will be lucky and that something you want to happen will happen
fingers crossed
I'm keeping my fingers crossed that this relationship will work and we'll get married this year.
I'm keeping my fingers crossed that this relationship will work and we'll get married this year.
Phrase
have a very enjoyable and exciting experience
having a blast
What a great party. We're having a blast!
What a great party. We're having a blast!
Phrase
to get along well
hit it off
Mike and Molly hit it off the first time they met and have been going out ever since.
Mike and Molly hit it off the first time they met and have been going out ever since.
Phrase
used to say that bad or unpleasant things often happen to you because you are unlucky
just my luck!
Just my luck! That's the second pair of glasses I've broken this month!
Just my luck! That's the second pair of glasses I've broken this month!
stay in contact with
keeping in touch
Keeping in touch with the friends you've made over the years is a great way to practice your English!
Keeping in touch with the friends you've made over the years is a great way to practice your English!
Phrase
say you want to leave from where you are
let's split
Are you ready to go?Yeah, let's split.
Are you ready to go?Yeah, let's split.
Phrase
news that I am pleased to hear
music to my ears
Hearing that we can stay and snowboard an extra day is music to my ears.
Hearing that we can stay and snowboard an extra day is music to my ears.
Phrase
to eat a lot of food at one time
pigged out
Our favorite restaurant had an all-you-can-eat special so we all went together and pigged out.
Our favorite restaurant had an all-you-can-eat special so we all went together and pigged out.
Phrase
to do a trick that affects someone by making them look foolish
played a trick on
My friends played a trick on me at lunch. I'm not sure it was so funny.
My friends played a trick on me at lunch. I'm not sure it was so funny.
Phrase
way of saying what one thinks or feels to be true
seems to me
It seems to me that this dog looks very cute in a scarf!
It seems to me that this dog looks very cute in a scarf!
Phrase
be overlooked or forgotten
slips my mind
I use Post-It notes at the office to make sure that nothing important slips my mind.
I use Post-It notes at the office to make sure that nothing important slips my mind.
Phrase
speak with the person who is phoning you
take this call
You should take this call. It's your mom.
You should take this call. It's your mom.
Verb
to relax and avoid hard work or strain
take it easy
I work long hours for my job so I try to take it easy on Sunday. Hiking is relaxing for me.
I work long hours for my job so I try to take it easy on Sunday. Hiking is relaxing for me.
Phrase
said when something is funny and unusual
what a laugh
Look at the horse's mouth. What a laugh!
Look at the horse's mouth. What a laugh!
Phrase
you are just too funny, clever or entertaining
you're too much
"You're too much Greg! You always make me laugh!"
"You're too much Greg! You always make me laugh!"