A Ace: make an "A" on a test, homework assignment, project, etc. "Somebody said you aced the test, Dave.

That's great!"

All right !"# e$pression o% re&uctant agreement. A# "'ome to the party with me. (&ease!" )# "*h, all right. + don't want to, but + wi&&."

All right ,"# %air- not particu&ar&y good. A# ".ow's your chemistry c&ass/" )# "+t's all right, + guess, but it's not the best c&ass +'ve ever had."

All right 0"# unharmed- in satis%actory condition. A# "1ou don't &ook norma&. Are you all right/" )# "1es, but + have a headache."

And then some: and much more besides. A# "+'d guess your new computer cost about 2,,333." )# "+t cost that much and then some because + a&so bought e$tra 4A5 and 64A5."

Antsy# rest&ess- impatient and tired o% waiting. "+ hope 7aty ca&&s soon. 8ust sitting around and waiting is making me antsy."

As easy as pie# very easy. "+ thought you said this was a di%%icu&t prob&em. +t isn't. +n %act, it's as easy as pie."

At the eleventh hour: at the &ast minute- a&most too &ate. "1es, + got the work done in time. + %inished it at the eleventh hour, but + wasn't &ate. B

Bad-mouth: say unkind, un%&attering, embarrassing and probab&y untrue" things about someone. A# "+ don't be&ieve what )ob said. 9hy is he bad:mouthing me/" )# ".e's probab&y jea&ous o% your success."

Be a piece of cake: be very easy. A# ")ob said the test was di%%icu&t, but + thought it was a piece of cake.""

Be all ears: be eager to hear what someone has to say. A# "+ just got an e:mai& message %rom our o&d %riend Sa&&y." )# "Te&& me what she said. +'m all ears!"

Be broke: be without money. ";o, + can't &end you ten do&&ars. +'m comp&ete&y broke unti& payday."

Be fed up with with someone or something"# be out o% patience with someone or something"be very tired o% someone or something. ")i&&, you're too care&ess with your work. +'m fed up with apo&ogi<ing %or your mistakes!"

Be in and out: be at and away %rom a p&ace during a particu&ar time. "'ou&d we postpone our meeting unti& tomorrow/ + e$pect to be in and out o% the o%%ice most o% the day today."

Be on the go: be very busy going %rom one thing or project to another". "+'m rea&&y tired. +'ve been on the go a&& week &ong."

Be on the road: be trave&ing. "1ou won't be ab&e to contact me tomorrow because +'&& be on the road."

Be over: be %inished- end. "+ can't see you unti& around = o'c&ock. 5y meetings won't be over unti& then."

Be up and running: %or a techno&ogica& process" be operationa&- be ready to use. "Dave's >S? 'a%e on the 9eb has been up and running since December !@@A."

Be used to B verbCnoun"# be accustomed to- not uncom%ortab&e with. "+t won't be hard to get up at A#33 A5. + 'm used to getting up ear&y."

Beat: e$hausted- very tired adj.". "This has been a &ong day. +'m beat!"

Beat around the bush: evade an issue- avoid giving a direct answer. "Duit beating around the bush! +% you don't want to go with me, just te&& me!"

Beat one's brains out: try very hard to understand or do something. "'an you he&p me with this prob&em/ +'ve been beating my brains out with it, but + just can't so&ve it."

Beats me# + have no idea. A# "9hat time's the party/" )# "Beats me!"

Before long: soon. A# "+'m rea&&y tired o% working." )# "8ust be patient. The weekend wi&& be here before long."

Bent out of shape: need&ess&y worried about something. "+ know you're worried about your job interview, but don't get bent out of shape. 1ou'&& do just %ine."

Bite off more than one can chew: take responsibi&ity %or more than one can manage. "+'m rea&&y behind with my project. 'an you he&p me/ +'m a%raid + bit off more than I could chew!"

Blabbermouth: a very ta&kative person::especia&&y one who says things that shou&d be kept secret. "Don't say anything to )ob un&ess you want the who&e o%%ice to know. )ob's Euite a blabbermouth."

Blow one's top: become e$treme&y angry. A# "9as your %ather upset when you came home at 0 A5/" )# ".e was more than upset. .e blew his top!"

Boom box: portab&e cassetteC'D p&ayer. "Don't %orget to bring your boom box to the picnic!"

The bottom line: the most essentia& in%ormation. "The discussion &asted many hours. The bottom line was that the F1G 'ompany isn't %or sa&e."

Break a leg # Hood &uck! "+ understand you have a job interview tomorrow. Break a leg!"

Break someone's heart: make someone %ee& very disappointedCdiscouragedCsad. "8oe broke his mother's heart when he dropped out o% schoo&."

Broke: without money. A# "'an you &end me !3 do&&ars/" )# "+'m a%raid not. +'m broke."

Buck!s": do&&ar s". "The cheapest tickets %or the concert cost ,A bucks. Do you sti&& want to go/"

Bug: annoy- bother. "+'m trying to concentrate! Don't bug me!"

Bull-headed# stubborn- in%&e$ib&e. "Don't be so bull-headed. 9hy can't you admit that others' opinions are just as good as yours/"

A bundle# a &ot o% money. A# "1our new car is rea&&y nice." )# "+t shou&d be. +t cost me a bundle!"

Burn the midnight oil: studyCwork a&& night or unti& very, very &ate at night. "+'m not ready %or the test tomorrow. + guess +'&& have to burn the the midnight oil."

Bushed# very tired- e$hausted. "+'m going to &ie down %or a whi&e. +'m rea&&y bushed."

By oneself# a&one and without he&p. "+ can't do this by myself. 'an you he&p me/"

By the skin of one's teeth# bare&y succeed in doing something.

"+'&& have to start ear&ier the ne$t time. This time + on&y %inished by the skin of my teeth." # #all it a day: stop work %or the day. "+t's &ate and you've accomp&ished a &ot. 9hy don't you call it a day/"

#an't make heads or tails of something: can't understand something at a&&%ind something con%using and i&&ogica&. "+ can't make heads or tails of your e:mai&. 9ere you having prob&ems with your computer/"

#atch one's eye: attract one's attentionCinterest. "This brochure about Tahiti caught my eye when + was at the trave& agency."

#atch some $s: s&eep %or a whi&e- take a nap. "1ou &ook tired, Dave. 9hy don't you catch some $s/"

#hange one's mind: decide to do something di%%erent %rom what had been decided ear&ier. A# "9hy are you working this week/ + thought you were going to be on vacation." )# "+ changed my mind. +'m taking my vacation ne$t month."

#hicken adjective or noun": coward&y. "Ired wi&& never ask ?ucy %or a date. .e's chicken C a chicken.

#how: %ood. ".ow's the chow in the university ca%eteria/"

#how down: eat. "+t's a&most J#33. Are you ready to chow down/"

A cinch: something that's very easy to do. A# .ow was the test/ )# +t was a cinch. + %inished it Euick&y and + know that a&& my answers were correct."

#ool a&so kewl"# neat, specia&, wonder%u&. "The >S? 'a%e on the 9eb is rea&&y cool!"

#ool it : ca&m down. "There's no need to be so upset. 8ust cool it!"

#ost !someone" an arm and a leg: cost a &ot- be very e$pensive. A# "1our new car is rea&&y nice." )# "+t shou&d be. +t cost !me" an arm and a leg!"

#ouch potato: someone who spends too much time watching T6. "1ou're a rea& couch potato, 8ay. 1ou need to get more e$ercise!"

#ram: try to &earn as much as possib&e in a very short time. "Sidney did we&& on the test because he crammed %or it. .owever, he probab&y won't remember any o% the in%ormation a coup&e o% days %rom now."

#rash course: short course designed to give a &ot o% know&edgeCin%ormation in a very short time. "Tom's company is sending him to a business meeting in +stanbu&. Shou&d he take a crash course in Turkish/"

#ut it out : stop doing something that's annoying". "1ou kids are making too much noise. #ut it out!"

% %on't count your chickens until !before" they hatch !they've hatched"&: Don't assume that something wi&& happen unti& it has happened. A# +'m sure that +'m going to win a &ot o% money in ?as 6egas." )# "%on't count your chickens until they hatch!"

%icey: uncertain- taking too much o% a chance. A# A %riend o% mine says + can make a &ot o% moneyi% + buy stock in the F1G company. Shou&d + do it/ )# + wou&dn't i% + were you. The chances %or success are too dicey."

%itch class: skip c&assCp&ay hookey. '1ou shou&dn't have ditched class yesterday. 9e had an unannounced test. '

%o a bang-up (ob: do a very good job- do very we&& at something. ".ave you seen Irank's home page/ .e did a bang-up (ob with it."

%own in the dumps: depressed- "b&ue." A# "+s something wrong/" )# ";ot rea&&y, but + %ee& kind o% down in the dumps."

%rop someone a line# write to someone. "+ haven't written to my parents %or a &ong time. +'d better drop them a line today or tomorrow."

%rag one's feet# de&ay- take &onger than necessary to do something. "8oe shou&d have %inished his project a week ago. 9hy is he dragging his feet/" ) An eager beaver: a person who is a&ways wi&&ing to vo&unteer or do e$tra work.

'8an is certain&y an eager beaver. Any time there's work to be done, she's the %irst to say she'&& he&p.'

)asy does it : )e very care%u&! C Don't do anything too %ast or too hard! A# "+'m going to move the tab&e just a &itt&e %urther %rom the window." )# ")asy does it! +% you move too %ast, you might knock over the p&ant!"

An egghead: a very inte&&igent person. '8ake didn't make very good grades in schoo&, but his sister was a rea& egghead&'

)lbow grease: hard work- e%%ort. '1es, the car is pretty dirty, but it'&& &ook nice again with a &itt&e elbow grease.'

)very other ***** : a&ternate&y- omitting the second one in each group o% two. '+n your essays, p&ease write on every other line. That wi&& make the essays much easier to read.' + +ar-fetched: di%%icu&t to accept- di%%icu&t to be&ieve. "That story's pretty far-fetched. ;obody's going to be&ieve it."

+eel blue: %ee& sad and depressed. "+'m feeling blue because + haven't had any mai& e$cept bi&&s %or a &ong, &ong time."

+ire someone: dismiss someone %rom a job because o% poor per%ormance. "+% you continue to be &ate %or work, the company wi&& fire you."

+eel puny: %ee& unwe&&, i&&. "Ted was feeling puny yesterday, so he decided not to go to work."

+ender-bender: automobi&e accident. "Tra%%ic was rea&&y s&ow on the %reeway this morning because o% a fender-bender in one o% the westbound &anes."

+or ages: %or a very &ong time. "9here's 5arie/ + haven't seen her for ages." , ,et going: &eave. "?ook at the time! +'d better get going!"

,et it: understand something o%ten negative". "+ don't get it. 9hat do you mean/"

,et a kick out of something: %ind something amusing. "+ rea&&y get a kick out of &istening to chi&dren ta&k. They say some very %unny things."

,et lost : go away. "+ wish he'd get lost and stop bothering me. + don't want to ta&k to him!"

,et on one's nerves: irritate someone- make someone upset. "+ know you &ike that song, but it's getting on my nerves . 'an you p&ay something e&se/"

,et a move on: hurry. "+% you don't want to be &ate, you'd better get a move on."

,et one's wires crossed# be con%used or mistaken about something.

A# ")i&& said there was a meeting this morning. Don't we have one/" )# ";o. The meeting's tomorrow. + guess )i&& got his wires crossed."

,et out of hand: become out o% contro&- become bad&y managed. "1our absences are getting out of hand, )ob. 1ou'd better do something Euick&y to improve the situation i% you want to keep your job."

,et real : )e rea&istic! C Don't be naive. A# "+'m going to ?as 6egas. + know +'&& win a &ot o% money!" )# "Het rea&! 1ou'&& probab&y lose a &ot o% money!"

,et up and go: energy. "+'m rea&&y tired. + don't have any get up and go."

,ive someone a hand !"# he&p someone. "+ can't do this a&one. 'an you give me a hand/"

,ive someone a hand ,"# app&aud to show respect or appreciation %or someoneCsomething". "Dave's done a wonder%u& job with The >S? 'a%K on the 9eb. ?et's give him a hand!"

A !real" go-getter: a very" ambitious, hard:working person. "+'m not surprised that 8ean %inished be%ore anyone e&se. She's a real go-getter."

,o with the flow: take things as they come. "There's no need to worry. >verything wi&& be *7 i% you just go with the flow."

,rab a bite: get something to eat. "+'m rea&&y hungry. 9ou&d you &ike to grab a bite with me/"

,reen: ine$perienced. "+ don't think you can depend on 8ack to do that job by himse&%. .e's too green." -ad !'d" better: be ob&iged to- shou&d strong". "1ou'd better &eave soon. +% you don't, you'&& miss your bus."

-assle noun"# a troub&esome situation- something troub&esome that interrupts one's norma& routine. "+ know it's a hassle to comp&ete this %orm now, but 5r. 4ogers needs it in his o%%ice by the end o% the day."

-ard feelings: anger- animosity- bitter %ee&ings. A# "+'m sorry that 8im got the job instead o% you." )# "+ have no hard feelings toward him- + know that he had stronger Eua&i%ications."

-ard-headed# stubborn- in%&e$ib&e- unwi&&ing to change. "+ don't think 8u&ie wi&& change her mind. She's pretty hard-headed."

-assle verb"# annoy- bother- interrupt one's norma& routine. "+% you'd stop hassling me, + might get this %inished on time!"

-ave one's hands full: be e$treme&y busy. A# "9i&& you be ab&e to he&p us this a%ternoon/" )# "+'m a%raid not. +'&& have my hands full trying to %inish my research paper."

-ave.has !'ve.'s" got: haveChas. "Dave's got a son whose name is )enjamin and a daughter whose name is Shannon."

-ave something down pat: knowCunderstand something comp&ete&y and thorough&y. "+ know + did we&& on the test. + had a&& the materia& down pat."

-ead honcho: person in charge- top boss. "Dave's the head honcho o% the >S? 'a%e on the 9eb."

-it the books: study. "+ wish + cou&d go to the movies, but +'ve got to hit the books."

-it the hay: go to bed- go to s&eep. "+t's &ate, so + guess +'&& hit the hay."

-it the sack: go to bed. "+'m rea&&y tired. + think +'&& hit the sack."

-ow come/: 9hy/ statement word order". "-ow come you weren't at the party/" I If I had my druthers: i% + cou&d do what + wantedCpre%erred. "If I had my druthers, +'d stay home %rom work today."

In over one's head: in a situation that is too much C too di%%icu&t %or one to manage. "Do you have time to he&p me/ + thought + cou&d do this myse&%, but +'m a%raid +'m in over my head. + just can't hand&e things a&one."

Inside out: with the inner part on the outside and the outer part on the inside. "9hy are you wearing your tee shirt inside out/"

In stock: in supp&y and avai&ab&e to buy C se&&. "+'m sorry, but we just so&d our &ast pair o% hiking boots. +% you come back at the end o% the week, however, we shou&d have some more in stock.

In the black: pro%itab&e- not showing a %inancia& &oss. "9hat did you do to increase pro%it and e&iminate &osses/ 9e've been in the black %or two months in a row."

In the red: unpro%itab&e- showing a %inancia& &oss. "9e have to do something to increase pro%it and decrease &osses. 9e've been in the red %or two months in a row."

In time: not &ate. "+ thought + was going to be &ate %or my %&ight, but it was de&ayed, so + was sti&& in time." 0 0ump all over someone: severe&y critici<e C %ind %au&t with someone. A# "9hat's wrong with 8oe/" )# ".e's %ee&ing bad because his boss (umped all over him this morning."

0ump the gun: do something be%ore it's time to do it. A# ".ow did 5arsha know about the party/ +t was supposed to be a surprise." )# "'huck (umped the gun. 9ithout thinking, he said, '+'m bringing the cake at your party+ hope you &ike it!"

0ump to conclusions: decide something too Euick&y and without thinking about it or considering a&& the %acts. A# "Ange&a just doesn't &ike me. She won't even say he&&o." )# "1ou're (umping to conclusions. Actua&&y, she's very shy."

0unk mail: unso&icited mai& usua&&y advertisements %or something you're not interested in". "+ didn't have any &etters today :: on&y (unk mail." 1 1eep an eye on: check something regu&ar&y. "1ou're busy, so you'&& need to keep an eye on the time. 4emember that we have to &eave at =#03."

1eep an eye out for: watch %or. "+'&& keep an eye out for 8ohn. +% + see him, +'&& te&& him you want to ta&k to him."

1eep one's chin up: remain brave and con%ident in a di%%icu&t situation- don't despair or worry too much. "+ know that things have been di%%icu&t %or you recent&y, but keep your chin up. >verything wi&& be better soon."

1eep one's nose to the grindstone: stay di&igent- steadi&y work hard, without breaks or an uneven pace. "+% + keep my nose to the grindstone, + shou&d be %inished by the end o% the day."

1eep.stay in touch with someone"# remain in%ormed about someone" C in contact with someone" by writing, ca&&ing, sending e:mai&, etc. on a regu&ar basis. "+ haven't seen Irank %or two or three years but we keep stay" in touch by e:mai&."

1eep one's fingers crossed: hope %or the best. A# ".ow did you do on the test/" )# "+ think + passed, but + won't know unti& tomorrow. +'m keeping my fingers crossed!"

1id noun"# chi&d.

A# "1ou have three kids, don't you/" )# "That's right. + have two gir&s and a boy."

1id verb"# p&ay%u&&y say something that isn't true. "+ was kidding when + said my teacher was a monster. She's strict, but she's actua&&y a very nice person."

1ind of: rather- more or &ess- a &itt&e. "+'m %ee&ing kind of hungry. + think +'&& make myse&% a sandwich."

A klut2: an awkward, uncoordinated person. "Don't ask 8e%% to dance with you. .e's a rea& klut2 and wi&& probab&y step on your %eet!"

A know-it-all: someone who acts as i% heCshe knows everything :: as i% no one can te&& himCher anything that heCshe doesn't a&ready know. "Don't try to make any suggestions to )ob. .e's a know-it-all and won't pay attention to anything you say."

1now something backwards and forwards: knowCunderstand something comp&ete&y and thorough&y. "+% you have a Euestion about htm& tags, ask Susan. She knows htm& backwards and forwards."

1now something inside out: knowCunderstand something thorough&y. "+% you have a Euestion about grammar, ask Dr. 5artin. She knows grammar inside out." 3 3end someone a hand: he&p someone. "+ can't do this a&one. 'an you &end me a hand/"

3eave well enough alone: do nothing because doing something wou&d make things worse". "Don't te&& 8im how to discip&ine his chi&dren. 3eave well enough alone."

A let-down: a disappointment- something that's very disappointing. "+t must've been Euite a let-down not to be chosen %or that job. + know you rea&&y hoped you wou&d get it."

3et sleeping dogs lie: Don't cause prob&ems by doing something when it isn't necessary. "+ know that what 8u&ie said made you angry, but let sleeping dogs lie. +% you say or do anything, you'&& on&y make things worse."

3ive from hand to mouth: survive on very &itt&e money- have on&y enough money to pay %or basic needs. "'huck and A&ice are living from hand to mouth since 'huck &ost his job."

3ive and let live: don't unnecessari&y make things di%%icu&t- do as you wish and &et others do as they wish. "+'m not going to critici<e A&ice's %ami&y just because their habits are a &itt&e strange. 5y motto is '3ive and let live.'"

A low blow: a big disappointment. A# "Ired seems depressed. +s he *7/" )# ".e's *7, but not good. +t was a low blow %or him to be &aid o%% %rom his job."

3ousy: terrib&e- very bad. "9hy did you speak so rude&y to your grandmother/ That was a lousy thing to do!" 4 4acho: super mascu&ine C mascu&ine to an e$treme in appearance and behavior". ".er husband wou&d never agree to he&p with the housework- he's too macho to do that."

4ake a mountain out of a molehill: make something seem much more important than it rea&&y is. "'a&m down. There's rea&&y nothing to worry about. 1ou're making a mountain out of a molehill."

4ake up one's mind: decide what to do. A# 9here are you going on your vacation/ )# 5aybe 'anada, maybe 5e$ico. + can't make up my mind." 5 5o way : Abso&ute&y not! C De%inite&y not! A# "1ou didn't open this &etter addressed to me, did you/" )# "5o way! +'d never read &ook at e&se's mai&!"

5osh: snack. "There's p&enty in the re%rigerator i% you want something to nosh on."

5ot on your life : Abso&ute&y not! a strong "no"". A# "Someone said you cheated on the test. Did you/" )# "5ot on your life!"

5ow and then: occasiona&&y- %rom time to time. A# "Do you see 8enni%er o%ten/" )# ";o, not rea&&y. + see her now and then, but not regu&ar&y."

5uke: heat in a microwave. "+% your co%%ee's co&d, just nuke it %or about a minute."

5uts: cra<y.

A# "Stuart says some rea&&y strange things sometimes." )# "Sometimes/ A&& the time! .e's nuts!" 6 61: !" yes to show agreement::o%ten re&uctant agreement". A# "'ome on, A&. 9e rea&&y need your he&p!" )# "*h, 61- + may be cra<y, but +'&& he&p you."

61: ," neither good nor bad- so:so. A# ".ow was the movie/" )# "61, + guess, but +'ve seen better ones."

61: 0" in satis%actory condition- we&&. A# "1ou &ook aw%u&&y pa&e. Are you 61/" )# "Actua&&y, +'m not. + have a terrib&e headache."

61: =" approve verb". A# "Did your boss 61 your vacation p&ans/" )# ";o, but he said that taking them two weeks &ater wou&d be a&& right.

6n the dot: e$act&y at a given time. "9e're &eaving at @#33 on the dot. +% you're &ate, we'&& go without you."

6n time: at the schedu&ed time. "+t's getting &ate. 1ou'd better hurry i% you want to get to work on time."

!6n the" cutting edge: using the most recent techno&ogy. "The university's computer &ab is !on the" cutting edge. +t has a&& the &atest hardware and so%tware."

6nce in a while: occasiona&&y- %rom time to time.

A# "9ou&d you &ike co%%ee or tea/" )# "'o%%ee, p&ease. + drink tea once in a while, but + genera&&y drink co%%ee."

6ver one's head: too di%%icu&t or comp&icated %or someone to understand. "This e$p&anation o% cgi scripting is over my head. 'an you e$p&ain it in a &ess technica& way/" 7 7ay the piper: %ace the conseEuences %or something you've done. "+ stayed up too &ate tonight. Tomorrow +'&& have to pay the piper."

7lastic: credit card s". "*h, no! + %orgot to get any cash! + hope this restaurant accepts plastic!"

7ooped: very tired- e$hausted. "+ went to bed rea&&y ear&y &ast night. + was pooped!"

7op 8ui2: unannounced short test. "1ou shou&dn't have missed c&ass yesterday. 9e had a pop 8ui2."

7retty adv."# rather- somewhat. "That car's pretty e$pensive. Are you sure you can a%%ord it/"

7ull an all-nighter: study or work a&& night without getting any s&eep. A# "1ou &ook rea&&y tired." )# "+ am. + pulled an all-nighter to get ready %or the meeting this morning."

7ull someone's leg: tease someone by trying to make herChim be&ieve something that's e$aggerated or untrue.

A# "9ow! 'ar& has done some rea&&y ama<ing things!" )# "Don't be&ieve everything he te&&s you. .e was probab&y pulling your leg." 9 9uite a few: severa&- numerous. "+ don't think + can meet you a%ter work. + have 8uite a few errands that + have to do."

A 8uick study: someone who &earns new things Euick&y and easi&y. A# "Annie seems to be doing we&& at her new job." )# "+'m not surprised. She's a 8uick study."

: : and :: rest and re&a$ation a vacation". "+ think you're working too hard, Dave. 1ou need some : and :."

:ain or shine: describing something schedu&ed" no matter what the weather is. "9e're &eaving tomorrow, rain or shine."

:ain cats and dogs: rain very hard. "1ou can't &eave just now! +t's raining cats and dogs and you don't have an umbre&&a or raincoat!"

:ead someone's mind: know what someone is thinking. A# "+'&& be you're thinking o% what you're going to have %or dinner." )# ".ey, did you read my mind/" A# ";o. + just know that you're a&ways hungry and &unch was severa& hours ago!"

:ub someone the wrong way: irritate someone- bother or annoy someone.

"A&& my &itt&e brother says is '9hy/' Lsua&&y +'m patient with him, but sometimes a&& his Euestions rub me the wrong way."

:un-down: !" not we&&- weak- %atigued. "Are you eating regu&ar&y and getting enough s&eep/ 1ou &ook run-down."

:un-down: ," in poor condition- needing repair. ; "This must be a poor neighborhood. A&& the bui&dings &ook rea&&y run-down." ** - savvy: know&edgeab&e about MMM . "+% you're having prob&ems with your hard disk, ta&k to 8im. .e's very computer-savvy ."

;chmoo2e: make re&a$ed, casua& conversation. ";o, we weren't ta&king about anything important. 9e were just schmoo2ing."

;hoot the bree2e: make re&a$ed, casua& conversation. ";o, we weren't ta&king about anything important. 9e were just shooting the bree2e."

;leep on it: take at &east a day to think about something be%ore making a decision. "The job that you're o%%ering me sounds rea&&y good, but +'d &ike to sleep on it be%ore giving you my %ina& decision."

A snap: something that's very easy to do. A# "+s your job di%%icu&t/" )# ";o, actua&&y it's a snap. +n %act, it's so easy that it's a &itt&e bit boring."

;omeone's made his.her own bed< now let him.her lie in it&: Someone has caused hisCher own prob&ems- heCshe wi&& have to so&ve them himse&%Cherse&%.

A# 8im upset everyone when he got angry at the meeting. 'an we do anything to make the situation better/ )# ;o. -e's made his own bed< now let him lie in it."

;ooner or later: eventua&&y. "1ou've been working too hard %or too &ong. +% you don't re&a$ a &itt&e, sooner or later you're going to get sick."

;ort of: rather- somewhat. "+ think +'&& &ie down. + %ee& sort of di<<y."

;o-so: %air- not particu&ar&y good. A# ".ow're you doing/" )# ";o-so. +'ve been better, but +'ve a&so been worse."

;tate of the art: using the &atest techno&ogy. "The company is very proud o% the eEuipment in its computer room. +t's state of the art."

;tep on it : .urry up! ";tep on it! The ta$i wi&& be here at any time and you're not even dressed!" T Take it easy: re&a$. "+ don't have any specia& vacation p&ans. +'m just going to take it easy."

Tell a white lie: say something that isn't true in order not to hurt or o%%end someone. "The cake that Susan made tasted terrib&e, but + knew that she made it because she wanted to p&ease me, so when she asked i% + &iked it, + told a white lie and said it was good."

Toss something: throw something away- put something in the trash. "These shoes are worn out. + guess +'&& have to toss them."

Tough: di%%icu&t. "Duestion number three is a tough one.Do you know the answer/"

There= there&# e$pression o% com%ort. "There= there. >verything's going to be *7."

Tight-fisted: very %ruga&- unwi&&ing to spend money unnecessari&y. A# Do you think 'har&ie wi&& donate any money to the activities %und/ )# ;o way! .e's too tight-fisted!

A tightwad# someone who is very %ruga& and unwi&&ing to spend money unnecessari&y. A# 9i&& 'har&ie donate any money to the activities %und/ )# Abso&ute&y not! .e's a rea& tightwad!"

Tricky: easi&y con%used or misunderstood. "This prob&em is tricky. + don't rea&&y understand it."

Two-faced# deceit%u&- diso&ya&- someone who pretends to be a %riend but isn't. "+ thought he was my %riend, but he's two-faced. .e says nice things to me when we're together, but makes jokes about me when we aren't. > >nder the weather: i&&- sick- unwe&&. "Ted was %ee&ing under the weather yesterday, so he decided not to go to work."

>ntil hell free2es over: %orever.

"'hris can practice the piano until hell free2es over, but he'&& never p&ay we&& because he's tone:dea%." 5ote: This e$pression is used to describe something that wi&& not change, no matter how &ong or how o%ten it's done.

>ntil you're blue in the face: %orever. "1ou can ta&k until you're blue in the face, but + won't change my mind." 5ote: This e$pression is used in the same way as "unti& he&& %ree<es over."

>pdate: make current- add in%ormation to show what has happened recent&y. "+ need to update my rKsumK. +t doesn't show what +'ve done during the &ast year."

>pside down: with the bottom part on top and the top part on bottom. "(ut the g&asses upside down in the dishwasher. +% you don't do that, they'&& %i&& with water and you'&& have to dry them by hand."

>sed to B 6"# an action that was true in the past but is not true now. "8ane used to &ive in Austin, Te$as. She &ives in San Irancisco now." ? ?as my face red : + was very embarrassed. "9hen + got to the meeting + noticed that + was wearing one b&ack sock and one brown one. ?as my face red "

?ear out one's welcome: make someone uncom%ortab&e by visiting too &ong. A# "'an't you stay two or three more days/" )# ";o. + don't want to wear out my welcome."

?et behind the ears: ine$perienced and naive.

"Don't inc&ude Ired as part o% the bargaining team..e's just started working here and is sti&& too wet behind the ears."

?hat for/: 9hy/ A# "'ome here %or a minute. + need you." )# "9hat %or/" 5ote: "9hat" and "%or" can be separated::with "%or" at the end o% the Euestion# )# "9hat do you need me %or/"

?hat's up/: 9hat's new/ 9hat's happening/ ".i, Dave. ?hat's up/"

A white lie: a &ie that is to&d to avoid o%%ending someone or hurting his C her %ee&ings. "The cake that Susan made tasted terrib&e, but + knew that she made it because she wanted to p&ease me, so when she asked i% + &iked it, + to&d a white &ie and said it was good."

?ishy-washy: uncommitted- without an opinion o% one's own. "Don't be so wishy-washy. Te&& us how you rea&&y %ee&."

?ith bells on: very eager&y- with the %ee&ing that one wi&& have a very good time. A# "Are you going to Sandra's party/" )# "+'&& be there with bells on!"

?ould !'d" (ust as soon: wou&d 'd" rather- pre%er. "+ know we have a &ot o% work to do, but +'m tired. +' d (ust as soon &eave and %inish tomorrow. +s that *7 with you/" @ A yes-man# someone who tries to get approva& by agreeing with everyone.

A# "9hy does the boss think Arno&d is so inte&&igent/" )# ")ecause Arno&d is a yes-man. .e agrees with everything the boss says!"

@ou don't say # 4ea&&y/ C +s that rea&&y true/ A# ".ave you heard the news/ 8essica got married!" )# "@ou don't say!"

@ou've got to be kidding # 1ou can't be serious! 9hat you said can't be true. 9hat you said is very surprisingChard to be&ieve."" A# "Did you know that )ob Euit his job/" )# "@ou've got to be kidding!"

@ucky# terrib&e- distaste%u&- very unp&easant. "Don't eat the soup at the ca%eteria. +t's yucky!"

@ummy# de&icious. ".ave you tried the cookies that 8onathan baked/ They're yummy!" $ $ilch# nothing. A# ".ow much money do you have/" )# "$ilch. +'m broke unti& payday."

$ip your lip # keep something secret- promise not to te&& what has just been said. "9hat + to&d you is rea&&y important, so 2ip your lip!"