letSpeak Up!: March 2025

Golden Week

Introduction to Golden Week

What is Golden Week?
When is Golden Week celebrated?
How long is Golden Week?
Do you enjoy Golden Week?
Do students have no school during Golden Week?
Do workers get days off during Golden Week?
What do most people do during Golden Week?
Is Golden Week a busy time in Japan?
Do you travel during Golden Week?
Do you think Golden Week is important?

Holidays in Golden Week

How many holidays are in Golden Week?
What is Showa Day?
What is Constitution Memorial Day?
What is Greenery Day?
What is Children’s Day?
Do you celebrate all of these holidays?
Which Golden Week holiday do you like best?
Are there special foods during these holidays?
Do you join any events during these holidays?
Do you think these holidays are meaningful?

Travel During Golden Week

Do you like to travel during Golden Week?
Where do most people go?
Have you traveled far during Golden Week?
Do you visit family during Golden Week?
Is traveling expensive during Golden Week?
Are hotels full during this time?
Do you like crowded places?
Would you rather stay home during Golden Week?
What was your favorite Golden Week trip?
Where do you want to go next Golden Week?

Celebrations and Events

Are there any parades during Golden Week?
Do you attend any festivals?
Are there fireworks in Golden Week?
What fun events are held in your city?
Do you dress up for any holiday?
What do children do during Children’s Day?
Are there any games or performances?
Do you join any sports events during this week?
Have you joined a community event in Golden Week?
What is the most exciting part of the week?

Food and Golden Week

Is there special food for Golden Week?
What do you usually eat during this holiday?
Do families cook together?
Do you eat out during Golden Week?
Are restaurants busy during Golden Week?
What snacks do you enjoy at events?
Do you eat traditional food or modern food?
What do kids enjoy eating during Golden Week?
Have you tried new food during this time?
What’s your favorite holiday dish?

Family Time

Do you spend time with your family during Golden Week?
What activities do you do together?
Do you visit grandparents?
Do you go to the countryside with your family?
What do children enjoy most about Golden Week?
Do you play games with your family?
Do you cook or eat meals together?
Is your family complete during this time?
What was your best Golden Week with your family?
What do you want to do with your family next time?

Staying Home

Do you ever stay home during Golden Week?
What do you do if you don’t travel?
Do you watch TV or movies at home?
Do you read books during the break?
Do you play games at home?
Do you clean or organize your house?
Do you rest more during Golden Week?
Is it relaxing to stay home?
Do you do hobbies at home during this time?
Would you prefer to stay home next Golden Week?

Golden Week and the Economy

Is Golden Week good for businesses?
Do many people shop during Golden Week?
Are stores busy during this time?
Do restaurants earn more during Golden Week?
Are there Golden Week sales?
Do theme parks earn more during the holiday?
Do workers get bonuses during Golden Week?
Do people spend more money on travel?
Are companies closed for a few days?
Should more holidays be added to Golden Week?

Golden Week in Other Countries

Do other countries have something like Golden Week?
Do you know about any long holidays in other places?
Would you like to travel abroad during Golden Week?
Do tourists visit Japan during Golden Week?
Is it a good time for foreigners to visit?
How do other people view Golden Week?
Have you met tourists during Golden Week?
Would you rather visit Japan or leave during this time?
What place abroad is perfect for Golden Week?
Do you want to experience holidays in other countries?

Personal Thoughts

Do you look forward to Golden Week?
What was your favorite memory from Golden Week?
What do you want to do next Golden Week?
Do you think it should be longer?
Should there be more holidays like this?
Do you think students enjoy Golden Week more than adults?
How would you plan a perfect Golden Week?
What would you do with unlimited time during Golden Week?
Do you have any Golden Week traditions?
What does Golden Week mean to you?

Soccer

General Questions About Soccer

Do you like soccer?
How often do you watch soccer games?
Have you ever played soccer?
What do you like about soccer?
Who is your favorite soccer player?
What is your favorite soccer team?
Do you prefer watching soccer or playing it?
How old were you when you first learned about soccer?
Do you think soccer is the most popular sport in the world?
What do you think makes soccer exciting?

Soccer Rules and Basics

How many players are there in a soccer team?
How long does a soccer match last?
What happens when a player gets a red card?
How does a team score a goal?
What is a penalty kick?
What is offside in soccer?
How many referees are there in a match?
What is extra time in soccer?
How do teams qualify for the World Cup?
What happens if a match ends in a draw?

Famous Soccer Players

Who is the best soccer player in history, in your opinion?
Do you like Cristiano Ronaldo or Lionel Messi more?
Who is the best soccer player in your country?
Have you ever met a professional soccer player?
Who is your favorite goalkeeper?
Which player do you think has the best skills?
Do you think young players today are better than older legends?
Have you ever watched a live game with a famous player?
Which retired player do you miss the most?
Do you think one player can carry a whole team?

Soccer Teams and Clubs

What is your favorite soccer club?
Do you follow club soccer or international soccer more?
Have you ever attended a live soccer match?
Which club do you think is the strongest right now?
Do you think money is too important in club soccer?
Which club has the best fans?
Have you ever bought a jersey of your favorite club?
What is the most exciting soccer league to watch?
Do you think small clubs can compete with big clubs?
Which club would you love to play for if you were a professional?

The FIFA World Cup

Have you ever watched the FIFA World Cup?
Which country has the best soccer team?
Who do you think will win the next World Cup?
Do you like watching the World Cup with friends?
What is the best World Cup match you have ever seen?
Which country do you support in the World Cup?
Who do you think was the best World Cup player ever?
Do you prefer the World Cup or club tournaments?
Have you ever been to a World Cup match?
Would you like to travel to see the World Cup live?

Playing Soccer

Have you ever played soccer in school?
What position would you like to play?
Do you think soccer is an easy sport to learn?
What skills are important in soccer?
Do you think teamwork is important in soccer?
Have you ever scored a goal in a real match?
How do you feel when your team wins?
How do you feel when your team loses?
Do you prefer playing soccer on grass or indoors?
Do you think soccer is good for fitness?

Soccer and Its Popularity

Why do you think soccer is the most popular sport in the world?
Do you think soccer is more popular than basketball?
Why do people get so emotional about soccer?
Have you ever seen fans fighting over soccer?
What makes soccer different from other sports?
Do you think soccer will always be the number one sport?
Is soccer popular in your country?
Do you think more women should play professional soccer?
How do you feel about soccer players earning millions of dollars?
What is the best part about being a soccer fan?

Soccer Tournaments and Leagues

What is your favorite soccer league?
Do you prefer club soccer or international tournaments?
What do you think about the UEFA Champions League?
Do you like watching the Copa América or Euro Cup?
Which country has the best soccer league?
Have you ever traveled to watch a league match?
Do you think the English Premier League is the best?
How do you feel when your team loses a big tournament?
Which tournament do you never miss watching?
Do you think soccer leagues should have salary limits?

Soccer and Technology

What do you think about VAR (Video Assistant Referee)?
Do you think technology helps make soccer fairer?
How do you feel about goal-line technology?
Should there be more cameras on the field?
Do you think robots will be referees in the future?
What do you think about soccer video games?
Have you ever played FIFA or PES?
Do you think social media affects soccer players?
Should soccer teams use AI to analyze matches?
Do you think soccer will look different in 50 years?

Soccer and Health

Is soccer a good way to stay fit?
Have you ever gotten injured while playing soccer?
Do you think professional soccer players have a healthy lifestyle?
What is the most dangerous injury in soccer?
Do you think players should have longer breaks between games?
How important is nutrition for soccer players?
Do you think heading the ball is dangerous?
How do players recover after a tough match?
Do you think playing soccer improves mental health?
What is the best advice for staying injury-free in soccer?

Shopping malls and Online shopping

General Shopping Habits

Do you enjoy shopping?
How often do you go shopping?
Do you prefer shopping in a mall or online?
What do you usually buy when you go shopping?
How do you decide what to buy?
Do you make a shopping list before going out?
Have you ever bought something you regretted?
Do you compare prices before making a purchase?
What is your favorite thing to shop for?
Do you prefer shopping in the morning or evening?

Shopping Malls

How often do you go to a shopping mall?
What do you like about shopping malls?
What is your favorite store in the mall?
Do you usually visit malls for shopping or entertainment?
What do you think makes a shopping mall good?
Do you prefer small local malls or large shopping centers?
Have you ever gotten lost in a mall?
Do you like malls that have amusement areas or cinemas?
What do you usually eat when you visit a mall?
Do you like seasonal sales at shopping malls?

Online Shopping

Do you shop online?
What was the last thing you bought online?
What are the advantages of online shopping?
What are the disadvantages of online shopping?
Do you trust online shopping sites?
Have you ever had a bad experience shopping online?
What is your favorite online shopping website?
Do you prefer to pay with cash on delivery or online payment?
Do you read product reviews before buying online?
Do you think online shopping will replace malls in the future?

Clothing and Fashion Shopping

Where do you usually buy clothes?
Do you prefer trying on clothes in a store or buying them online?
What kind of clothes do you like to shop for?
Do you wait for discounts before buying clothes?
Have you ever returned an item after buying it?
What is the most expensive clothing item you own?
Do you prefer local or international fashion brands?
How important is brand name when buying clothes?
Do you like shopping for accessories?
Do you follow fashion trends when shopping?

Technology and Gadget Shopping

Do you like shopping for gadgets?
What was the last gadget you bought?
Do you prefer buying gadgets in a mall or online?
What is your favorite electronics store?
How often do you upgrade your phone?
Do you research before buying gadgets?
Have you ever bought a fake gadget online?
Do you buy second-hand electronics?
What is your dream gadget to own?
Would you spend a lot of money on a new gadget?

Grocery Shopping

How often do you go grocery shopping?
Do you prefer supermarkets or small local stores?
What items do you buy the most at the grocery store?
Do you make a shopping list before grocery shopping?
Do you prefer shopping alone or with family?
Have you ever bought more than you planned?
Do you use coupons or look for discounts?
Do you like buying fresh food or packaged food?
What is your favorite section in the grocery store?
Do you enjoy grocery shopping, or do you find it tiring?

Shopping and Money Management

Do you plan a budget before shopping?
Have you ever spent too much while shopping?
Do you save money before buying something expensive?
Do you prefer to pay in cash or use a credit card?
How do you feel about impulse buying?
Have you ever regretted spending too much on something?
What is the most expensive item you’ve bought?
Do you think shopping malls encourage overspending?
How do you control your spending habits?
Do you think it’s better to buy expensive, high-quality items or cheaper ones?

Shopping for Gifts

Do you enjoy buying gifts for others?
What kind of gifts do you usually buy?
Do you prefer to shop for gifts in malls or online?
Have you ever received a gift you didn’t like?
Do you like receiving gift cards?
Do you prefer handmade gifts or store-bought gifts?
What is the best gift you have ever received?
Do you usually wrap gifts yourself?
Do you think expensive gifts are better?
Do you enjoy surprise gifts?

Holiday Shopping

Do you shop a lot during holidays?
Do you take advantage of holiday sales?
What is the busiest shopping time in your country?
Do you prefer to shop early or last-minute for holidays?
Have you ever joined a Black Friday or holiday sale?
Do you think prices increase before holidays?
What is your favorite holiday to shop for?
Do you buy holiday decorations?
Do you enjoy shopping in crowded stores during holidays?
Have you ever received a bad holiday gift?

Future of Shopping

Do you think physical stores will disappear in the future?
Do you believe online shopping will become more popular?
How do you feel about self-checkout in stores?
Do you like using shopping apps?
Have you ever used a virtual try-on feature for clothes?
Do you think robots will help in shopping malls in the future?
Would you like to try shopping in the metaverse?
What do you think about drone delivery for online orders?
How will shopping change in 10 years?
Do you think shopping is becoming too digitalized?

Super-Expert-level 2-phrasal verb

1. Act upon – take action based on advice, information, or feelings

She acted upon the lawyer’s recommendations immediately.
The government must act upon the latest research findings.
He decided to act upon his instincts and change careers.

2. Angle for – try to get something in a subtle way

He’s clearly angling for a promotion by taking on extra work.
She was angling for an invitation to the exclusive event.
The politician is angling for public support before the elections.

3. Back out of – withdraw from a commitment

They backed out of the deal at the last minute.
She promised to help but backed out of it later.
The company backed out of the merger due to financial risks.

4. Bear with – be patient with someone

Please bear with me while I explain the process.
She asked the audience to bear with her during the technical difficulties.
If you could bear with us a little longer, we’ll have the issue resolved.

5. Brush off – dismiss someone or something as unimportant

He brushed off their criticism and continued his work.
She brushed off his concerns, saying they weren’t relevant.
The CEO brushed off the rumors about the company’s struggles.

6. Call out – publicly criticize or challenge someone

The journalist called out the politician for misleading statements.
She called out her boss for unfair treatment.
He was called out for spreading false information.

7. Catch on to – begin to understand something

It took me a while, but I finally caught on to the trick.
She quickly caught on to how the new software works.
He didn’t catch on to the joke until much later.

8. Chase up – remind or pursue someone for something overdue

Can you chase up the supplier about the late delivery?
She had to chase up the client for payment.
I’ll chase up the missing documents with HR.

9. Chip away at – gradually weaken or reduce something

The scandal has chipped away at his reputation.
Constant criticism can chip away at one’s confidence.
Inflation is chipping away at people’s savings.

10. Come down to – be the most important aspect of something

In the end, success comes down to hard work and persistence.
The decision comes down to who is more qualified.
It all comes down to money in the end.

11. Double down on – strengthen one’s effort or commitment

Despite criticism, the company doubled down on its strategy.
She doubled down on her studies before the final exam.
They doubled down on security after the cyber attack.

12. Drag on – continue for longer than necessary

The meeting dragged on for hours.
The trial dragged on for months without resolution.
His explanation dragged on, making everyone impatient.

13. Face off – confront an opponent or rival

The two leaders will face off in a debate tonight.
The teams faced off in the championship match.
She faced off against her strongest competitor in the finals.

14. Fan out – spread out in different directions

The search team fanned out across the forest.
The reporters fanned out to cover different angles of the story.
Protesters fanned out across the city streets.

15. Feed into – contribute to a result or process

Misinformation feeds into public distrust.
Her experience feeds into her ability to lead effectively.
The data feeds into our decision-making process.

16. Follow through with – complete something as planned

He started a project but never followed through with it.
The government failed to follow through with its promises.
She always follows through with her commitments.

17. Give off – emit or produce something

The chemical reaction gives off a strange odor.
His speech gave off an air of confidence.
The lamp gives off a warm, cozy glow.

18. Go overboard – do something excessively

She went overboard with the decorations.
He went overboard trying to impress his boss.
Don’t go overboard with the spices in the dish.

19. Hammer out – negotiate and reach an agreement

They hammered out a deal after long discussions.
The two sides are trying to hammer out a compromise.
The details were hammered out during the meeting.

20. Hold out for – wait for something better before making a decision

She’s holding out for a higher salary offer.
The union is holding out for better working conditions.
They held out for a better deal before signing the contract.

21. Jump on – seize an opportunity quickly

He jumped on the chance to work abroad.
They jumped on the opportunity to invest early.
She jumped on the new business trend immediately.

22. Let up – decrease in intensity or stop

The rain hasn’t let up all day.
Workload won’t let up until the project is finished.
He kept running until the pain let up slightly.

23. Measure up to – meet expectations or standards

The new employee doesn’t measure up to the company’s expectations.
Can this film measure up to the success of the first one?
She’s afraid she won’t measure up to her parents’ high standards.

24. Mull over – think carefully about something

I need time to mull over the offer.
He mulled over his decision for weeks.
She’s mulling over a career change.

25. Opt out of – choose not to participate in something

He opted out of the company’s pension plan.
She decided to opt out of the training session.
They opted out of receiving promotional emails.

26. Phase out – gradually stop using or producing something

The company is phasing out old technology in favor of AI.
Single-use plastics are being phased out to reduce pollution.
The government plans to phase out fossil fuel subsidies.

27. Pin down – establish details precisely or force someone to give a clear answer

We need to pin down the exact cause of the problem.
She tried to pin him down on his commitment, but he avoided the question.
The police finally pinned down the suspect’s location.

28. Play down – make something seem less important

The CEO tried to play down the financial losses.
She played down her role in the project’s success.
The government attempted to play down the crisis to avoid panic.

29. Press ahead with – continue with something despite difficulties

Despite criticism, they pressed ahead with the new policy.
She decided to press ahead with her plans to start a business.
The company is pressing ahead with its expansion despite economic uncertainty.

30. Pull off – succeed in doing something difficult

He pulled off an incredible comeback in the final match.
They managed to pull off the biggest deal of the year.
She pulled off the challenging presentation with confidence.

31. Reel in – attract or convince someone

The marketing campaign reeled in thousands of new customers.
She knows how to reel in investors with her persuasive skills.
They offered discounts to reel in more subscribers.

32. Ride out – endure a difficult situation without major harm

They had to ride out the storm before reaching land.
The company is trying to ride out the economic downturn.
He rode out the crisis with careful financial planning.

33. Rule out – eliminate as a possibility

Doctors have ruled out cancer as the cause of his symptoms.
The police ruled out foul play after the investigation.
We can’t rule out the possibility of delays.

34. Scale back – reduce something in size or amount

Due to budget cuts, the company had to scale back operations.
They decided to scale back the event due to low attendance.
The government is scaling back spending on unnecessary projects.

35. Scrape by – barely manage to survive or succeed

Many small businesses are just scraping by during the recession.
He scraped by in his exams with minimal studying.
They scraped by on a limited budget for years.

36. Settle for – accept something less than ideal

He didn’t get his dream job but had to settle for a lower-paying one.
She won’t settle for anything less than perfection.
They had to settle for second place in the competition.

37. Shore up – strengthen or support something

The government introduced new policies to shore up the economy.
They need to shore up their defense strategy before the next game.
Investors are looking to shore up struggling businesses.

38. Single out – choose or highlight one person or thing from a group

She was singled out for her exceptional performance.
The teacher singled out one student for special recognition.
The media singled out the athlete’s controversial statement.

39. Smooth over – make a problem seem less serious or fix a disagreement

They tried to smooth over the conflict between the two teams.
She apologized to smooth over the misunderstanding.
The manager stepped in to smooth over tensions in the office.

40. Step up – take responsibility or increase effort

He needs to step up and lead the team.
The company is stepping up efforts to reduce waste.
They stepped up security measures after the breach.

41. Stick to – continue doing something without changing

He promised to stick to his diet this time.
They need to stick to the original plan to meet deadlines.
She always sticks to her principles, no matter what.

42. Strike up – start a conversation or relationship

He struck up a conversation with a stranger at the airport.
She quickly struck up a friendship with her new coworker.
The musician struck up a tune and the crowd joined in.

43. Take stock of – assess a situation before making a decision

It’s time to take stock of where we are financially.
She paused to take stock of her career goals.
The company needs to take stock of its current strategy.

44. Talk down to – speak to someone in a condescending manner

He hates when people talk down to him as if he’s inexperienced.
The boss was accused of talking down to his employees.
She doesn’t like being talked down to by anyone.

45. Taper off – gradually decrease

Sales usually taper off after the holiday season.
His enthusiasm tapered off after the initial excitement.
The medication’s effects taper off after a few hours.

46. Throw in – include something extra for free

The seller threw in free accessories with the purchase.
She threw in a few extra tips during the training.
They threw in a bonus for loyal customers.

47. Tone down – make something less extreme or intense

He was asked to tone down his aggressive speech.
The colors in the design need to be toned down a bit.
She toned down her criticism to avoid offending him.

48. Turn against – stop supporting someone and oppose them

The public turned against the politician after the scandal.
His own friends turned against him during the argument.
The media turned against the company after its controversial ad.

49. Wade through – struggle through a large or difficult task

She had to wade through hundreds of emails after vacation.
He spent hours wading through complex legal documents.
Students must wade through dense academic texts in college.

50. Zero in on – focus on something specifically

The scientist zeroed in on the cause of the problem.
The police zeroed in on the suspect’s location.
She zeroed in on the key points in her speech.

Beginner-level phrasal verb

A phrasal verb is a combination of a verb + preposition or verb + adverb that creates a meaning different from the original verb.

1. Wake up – stop sleeping

I wake up at 6 AM every day.
She woke up late and missed the bus.
He wakes up early to exercise.

2. Get up – leave the bed

I get up as soon as my alarm rings.
She got up and made breakfast.
They get up late on Sundays.

3. Turn on – start a device

Can you turn on the TV?
He turned on the lights.
She turned on the radio to listen to music.

4. Turn off – stop a device

Please turn off the fan.
He forgot to turn off the stove.
I turned off my phone before sleeping.

5. Sit down – take a seat

Please sit down and relax.
He sat down next to me.
She sat down to read a book.

6. Stand up – rise from a sitting position

Please stand up when the teacher enters.
He stood up and left the room.
The students stood up to greet their teacher.

7. Look at – direct your eyes to something

Look at the sky! It’s so beautiful.
She looked at the picture for a long time.
He looked at me and smiled.

8. Pick up – lift something

Can you pick up that book?
She picked up the phone and answered it.
He picked up the baby gently.

9. Put down – place something on a surface

Put down your bags and rest.
He put down his coffee cup.
She put down her phone and listened.

10. Run out of – use all of something

We ran out of milk.
He ran out of money before the trip ended.
They ran out of gas on the highway.

11. Give up – stop trying

Don’t give up on your dreams.
He gave up learning French.
She gave up after many attempts.

12. Come in – enter a place

Please come in and have a seat.
He came in late for class.
She came in quietly so she wouldn’t wake anyone.

13. Go out – leave a place

Let’s go out for dinner tonight.
She went out to buy groceries.
He goes out every evening for a walk.

14. Bring back – return something

Please bring back my book.
He brought back souvenirs from Japan.
She brought back the jacket she borrowed.

15. Call back – return a phone call

I’ll call you back later.
He called back after missing my call.
She forgot to call back her friend.

16. Look for – try to find

I’m looking for my keys.
She looked for a job online.
He is looking for a new apartment.

17. Take off – remove something (clothes, shoes) or when an airplane leaves

She took off her jacket.
The plane took off at 10 AM.
He took off his shoes before entering the house.

18. Try on – test clothing before buying

She tried on a new dress.
He tried on different shoes.
I tried on the sunglasses but didn’t buy them.

19. Write down – record something on paper

Please write down your name.
He wrote down the address.
She wrote down her thoughts in a journal.

20. Turn up – increase volume

Can you turn up the music?
He turned up the heater because it was cold.
She turned up the radio to hear the news.

21. Turn down – decrease volume or refuse

Please turn down the TV.
He turned down the job offer.
She turned down the invitation.

22. Get on – enter a vehicle

She got on the bus at the next stop.
He got on his bike and rode away.
They got on the train just in time.

23. Get off – exit a vehicle

I got off at the wrong station.
She got off the bus quickly.
He got off his bike and walked.

24. Come back – return to a place

He will come back tomorrow.
She came back from her trip.
They came back late at night.

25. Go back – return to a previous place

I have to go back to work.
She went back to school after a break.
He went back home after shopping.

26. Check out – look at something or leave a place

Let’s check out that new café.
She checked out a book from the library.
He checked out of the hotel at noon.

27. Fill in – complete a form

Please fill in your name and address.
He filled in the application form.
She filled in the blanks in the worksheet.

28. Find out – discover information

I need to find out what time the train leaves.
She found out the truth yesterday.
He found out that he got the job.

29. Give back – return something

Can you give back my book?
She gave back the borrowed money.
He gave back the pen after using it.

30. Hang up – end a phone call

She hung up before I could say goodbye.
He hung up the phone angrily.
Don’t hang up! I have more to say.

31. Hold on – wait a moment

Please hold on while I get my notebook.
He held on to the railing for support.
She asked me to hold on for a minute.

32. Keep on – continue doing something

She keeps on talking in class.
He kept on running despite the rain.
I will keep on practicing until I improve.

33. Let in – allow someone to enter

Can you let in the cat?
She let in her friend through the gate.
The guard let in the visitors after checking their IDs.

34. Look after – take care of someone or something

She looks after her younger brother.
He looked after the dog while they were away.
I need to look after my grandmother today.

35. Look up – search for information

I looked up the word in the dictionary.
He looked up some facts online.
She looked up the nearest coffee shop.

36. Pass out – lose consciousness

He passed out from the heat.
She almost passed out during the exam.
The man passed out after drinking too much.

37. Put on – wear clothing or accessories

She put on a beautiful dress.
He put on his jacket before going outside.
I put on my glasses to read better.

38. Run away – leave a place quickly or escape

The dog ran away from home.
He ran away when he saw the police.
She wanted to run away from her problems.

39. Set up – arrange or establish something

They set up a meeting for next week.
She set up a new business.
He set up the Wi-Fi at home.

40. Show up – arrive at a place

He showed up late to the party.
She showed up unexpectedly.
They showed up for the meeting on time.

41. Take away – remove or subtract something

Please take away the dirty dishes.
The teacher took away his phone.
He took away five points from my score.

42. Take out – remove or bring something outside

Please take out the trash.
He took out his wallet to pay.
She took out her notebook to take notes.

43. Think over – consider something carefully

I need to think over my decision.
She thought over the offer before accepting.
He thought over what his friend said.

44. Try out – test something new

She tried out a new hairstyle.
He tried out the new game.
They tried out the restaurant last night.

45. Work out – exercise or solve a problem

He works out at the gym every morning.
She worked out the math problem.
We need to work out a plan.

46. Put up with – tolerate something

She can’t put up with the noise anymore.
He puts up with his annoying coworker.
I don’t know how they put up with the traffic.

47. Break down – stop working or become very upset

My car broke down on the way home.
She broke down in tears after hearing the news.
The machine broke down again.

48. Break up – end a relationship

They broke up after five years together.
She broke up with her boyfriend last month.
The band broke up due to personal issues.

49. Bring up – mention a topic or raise a child

She brought up an interesting point.
He was brought up by his grandparents.
I didn’t want to bring up the argument again.

50. Cut down on – reduce the amount of something

I need to cut down on sugar.
He cut down on his screen time.
She wants to cut down on fast food.

Expert-Level Idioms

1. Bite the bullet – To endure a painful or difficult situation bravely

I didn’t want surgery, but I had to bite the bullet.
She didn’t like public speaking, but she bit the bullet and presented her report.
It’s time to bite the bullet and face the consequences.

2. Break the mold – To do something in a unique or different way

He broke the mold by creating a new business model.
She refuses to follow tradition and always breaks the mold.
Their new product completely breaks the mold in the industry.

3. Burn bridges – To damage relationships beyond repair

Be careful with your words; you don’t want to burn bridges.
After quitting his job angrily, he burned all his bridges with the company.
She regrets burning bridges with her former colleagues.

4. Cast the first stone – To be the first to criticize someone

No one is perfect, so don’t cast the first stone.
He cast the first stone, but he was just as guilty.
Before you judge, remember not to cast the first stone.

5. Come out swinging – To be aggressive in defending yourself or your position

The lawyer came out swinging in the courtroom.
She came out swinging during the debate.
If they attack us, we’ll come out swinging.

6. Cut to the chase – To get straight to the point

We don’t have time, so let’s cut to the chase.
He’s impatient and prefers people to cut to the chase.
I’ll cut to the chase—we need your help.

7. Dodge a bullet – To narrowly escape a difficult or dangerous situation

We almost invested in that failing company, but we dodged a bullet.
She dodged a bullet when she canceled her flight before the storm.
They dodged a bullet by avoiding that risky deal.

8. Eat crow – To admit being wrong in a humiliating way

After losing the bet, he had to eat crow.
She laughed at my idea, but now she’s eating crow.
If this fails, we’ll have to eat crow and apologize.

9. Feather in one’s cap – An achievement to be proud of

Winning the award was a feather in his cap.
Her promotion is another feather in her cap.
Finishing the marathon was a feather in his cap.

10. Fly off the handle – To lose temper suddenly

He flew off the handle over a small mistake.
She tends to fly off the handle when stressed.
Don’t fly off the handle—stay calm.

11. Give someone the slip – To escape from someone

The thief gave the police the slip and disappeared.
She gave him the slip and avoided the conversation.
He tried to follow me, but I gave him the slip.

12. Go against the grain – To do something different from the norm

His ideas go against the grain of tradition.
She likes to go against the grain and challenge expectations.
Sometimes, success comes from going against the grain.

13. Go down in flames – To fail spectacularly

Their plan went down in flames when funding was cut.
The company went down in flames due to mismanagement.
His speech went down in flames after a major mistake.

14. Hit below the belt – To act unfairly or cruelly

That insult was personal—it was hitting below the belt.
She hit below the belt with that comment.
Argue fairly; don’t hit below the belt.

15. Jump on the bandwagon – To follow a popular trend

Everyone’s investing in crypto now, but I won’t jump on the bandwagon.
He only supports the team when they win—he jumps on the bandwagon.
She jumped on the bandwagon when yoga became trendy.

16. Keep one’s nose to the grindstone – To work hard continuously

He kept his nose to the grindstone and earned his promotion.
She has her nose to the grindstone studying for exams.
If you keep your nose to the grindstone, you’ll succeed.

17. Leave no stone unturned – To search or try everything

The police left no stone unturned in the investigation.
She left no stone unturned in her job hunt.
We’ll leave no stone unturned to find a solution.

18. Make waves – To cause trouble or attract attention

His bold speech made waves in the industry.
She doesn’t like to make waves, so she stays quiet.
The new policy made waves among employees.

19. Off the beaten path – Uncommon or not mainstream

We love traveling off the beaten path to explore hidden gems.
His ideas are off the beaten path, but they work.
The small café is off the beaten path, but worth the visit.

20. Pull out all the stops – To do everything possible to succeed

We pulled out all the stops to make the event a success.
She pulled out all the stops for her wedding.
They pulled out all the stops to win the championship.

21. Read the riot act – To give a strong warning

The coach read the riot act to the lazy players.
He read the riot act when his employees missed deadlines.
The teacher read the riot act after the noisy class.

22. See the writing on the wall – To notice warning signs of failure

They ignored the signs, but I saw the writing on the wall.
She saw the writing on the wall and quit before the layoffs.
If you pay attention, you can see the writing on the wall.

23. The ball is in your court – It’s your turn to decide or act

I’ve done my part. Now the ball is in your court.
She apologized, so the ball is in his court to forgive her.
If you want change, the ball is in your court.

24. Throw caution to the wind – To take a risk

She threw caution to the wind and quit her job.
He threw caution to the wind and invested everything.
Sometimes, you need to throw caution to the wind and follow your dreams.

25. Up in arms – Very angry or upset

The workers are up in arms over the new policy.
Fans were up in arms after the bad referee decision.
She was up in arms about the unfair grade.

26. Walk on eggshells – To be very careful not to upset someone

Ever since their argument, I’ve had to walk on eggshells around her.
He was walking on eggshells at work, afraid of making mistakes.
I don’t want to walk on eggshells in my own house.

27. Raise the bar – To set higher standards

The new smartphone has raised the bar in technology.
Her performance raised the bar for the rest of the team.
If we want to compete, we need to raise the bar.

28. Spill the beans – To reveal a secret

She accidentally spilled the beans about the surprise party.
Don’t spill the beans before the announcement!
He’s terrible at keeping secrets—he always spills the beans.

29. Go cold turkey – To suddenly quit a bad habit

He went cold turkey on smoking last year.
She decided to go cold turkey and stop drinking coffee.
It’s hard to go cold turkey, but sometimes it’s necessary.

30. Sweep under the rug – To ignore or hide a problem

You can’t just sweep your mistakes under the rug forever.
They tried to sweep the scandal under the rug, but the truth came out.
Instead of sweeping problems under the rug, address them directly.

31. Hit the nail on the head – To describe something accurately

His explanation hit the nail on the head.
You hit the nail on the head—that’s exactly the issue.
She hit the nail on the head with her analysis.

32. Stick to one’s guns – To maintain one’s position firmly

Despite criticism, she stuck to her guns.
He stuck to his guns and refused to lower his prices.
Sometimes, you need to stick to your guns even when others disagree.

33. A bitter pill to swallow – A hard truth to accept

Losing the competition was a bitter pill to swallow.
It’s a bitter pill to swallow, but you need to hear it.
Finding out he wasn’t promoted was a bitter pill to swallow.

34. Twist someone’s arm – To convince someone to do something

I didn’t want to go, but they twisted my arm.
She had to twist his arm to make him apologize.
He finally agreed after I twisted his arm a little.

35. Let the cat out of the bag – To accidentally reveal a secret

He let the cat out of the bag about the wedding proposal.
She didn’t mean to let the cat out of the bag, but she did.
Be careful not to let the cat out of the bag before the big reveal.

36. Play devil’s advocate – To argue against something for the sake of debate

She loves to play devil’s advocate in discussions.
I’m not against your idea—I’m just playing devil’s advocate.
He enjoys playing devil’s advocate to test people’s arguments.

37. Hit the ground running – To start something with energy and enthusiasm

The new manager hit the ground running on his first day.
We need to hit the ground running on this project.
She hit the ground running in her new job and impressed everyone.

38. Keep someone on their toes – To make someone stay alert

The boss likes to keep us on our toes with unexpected tasks.
Parenting toddlers really keeps you on your toes.
His unpredictable behavior keeps everyone on their toes.

39. Throw in the towel – To give up

After years of struggle, he finally threw in the towel.
She refused to throw in the towel, even when things got tough.
They almost threw in the towel, but then things turned around.

40. Bite off more than one can chew – To take on too much

I bit off more than I could chew with all these assignments.
He bit off more than he could chew by promising too much.
Don’t bite off more than you can chew—it’s okay to ask for help.

41. Jump through hoops – To go through great effort or difficulty

He had to jump through hoops to get the permit.
They made me jump through hoops before approving my loan.
She’s willing to jump through hoops for her dream job.

42. Leave someone in the lurch – To abandon someone in difficulty

He left me in the lurch when I needed him the most.
The company left its employees in the lurch with no severance pay.
Don’t leave your friends in the lurch when they need help.

43. Not one’s cup of tea – Something one doesn’t like or prefer

Horror movies are not my cup of tea.
She tried tennis, but it wasn’t her cup of tea.
That job isn’t his cup of tea—he prefers creative work.

44. Put all one’s eggs in one basket – To risk everything on one plan

Don’t put all your eggs in one basket—diversify your investments.
She put all her eggs in one basket and applied to only one college.
It’s risky to put all your eggs in one basket.

45. Take something with a grain of salt – To be skeptical about something

You should take his promises with a grain of salt.
The news sounded exaggerated, so I took it with a grain of salt.
She’s known for gossiping, so take what she says with a grain of salt.

46. The last straw – The final problem that makes a situation unbearable

His rude comment was the last straw for her.
Losing his job was the last straw—he decided to move abroad.
Her constant lateness was the last straw, so he ended the friendship.

47. Think outside the box – To think creatively

To solve this problem, we need to think outside the box.
She always thinks outside the box, which makes her a great designer.
The company encourages employees to think outside the box.

48. Throw someone under the bus – To betray someone for personal gain

He threw his colleague under the bus to save himself.
She threw me under the bus when the boss got angry.
They blamed me to protect themselves—totally threw me under the bus.

49. Water under the bridge – A past problem that is no longer important

Our fight was years ago—it’s water under the bridge now.
They had disagreements before, but it’s water under the bridge.
He apologized, so it’s water under the bridge.

50. Wear one’s heart on one’s sleeve – To show emotions openly

She wears her heart on her sleeve, so you always know how she feels.
He doesn’t hide his emotions—he wears his heart on his sleeve.
Some people prefer not to wear their heart on their sleeve.

Intermediate-Level Idioms

1. A blessing in disguise – Something bad at first, but good in the end

Losing that job was a blessing in disguise because I found a better one.
Her failed relationship turned out to be a blessing in disguise.
The delay was a blessing in disguise, as it helped us prepare better.

2. A dime a dozen – Very common and not valuable

Fake designer bags are a dime a dozen in this market.
Don’t buy that—it’s a dime a dozen.
In the internet age, information is a dime a dozen.

3. All ears – Listening attentively

Tell me what happened—I’m all ears.
The students were all ears during the announcement.
She’s always all ears when it comes to gossip.

4. Bark up the wrong tree – Make a wrong assumption

If you think I’m guilty, you’re barking up the wrong tree.
He blamed me, but he was barking up the wrong tree.
The police were barking up the wrong tree in their investigation.

5. Bite off more than you can chew – Take on too much responsibility

He’s biting off more than he can chew with all these projects.
I thought I could handle it, but I bit off more than I could chew.
She realized she bit off more than she could chew when the work piled up.

6. Break a leg – Good luck

You have an audition? Break a leg!
Before my speech, my friend told me, break a leg.
The teacher wished the students break a leg before the test.

7. Call it a day – Stop working for the day

We’re tired, let’s call it a day.
After eight hours, we finally called it a day.
I think we’ve done enough—let’s call it a day.

8. Cut to the chase – Get to the main point

Enough small talk, let’s cut to the chase.
He always cuts to the chase in meetings.
Just cut to the chase and tell me what happened.

9. Down to earth – Practical and realistic

Despite her wealth, she’s very down to earth.
He gave some down-to-earth advice about saving money.
Her attitude is always down to earth, which I admire.

10. Easy does it – Slow down, be careful

That box is heavy—easy does it.
When driving in the rain, remember easy does it.
I know you’re excited, but easy does it.

11. Every cloud has a silver lining – There’s good in every bad situation

Losing the competition hurt, but every cloud has a silver lining—I learned a lot.
He didn’t get the job, but every cloud has a silver lining, and he found a better opportunity.
After the storm ruined our trip, we reminded ourselves that every cloud has a silver lining.

12. Get cold feet – To become nervous before an event

He was excited about the wedding, but suddenly got cold feet.
She almost canceled her speech because she got cold feet.
I planned to go skydiving but got cold feet at the last minute.

13. Give someone the cold shoulder – To ignore someone

She gave me the cold shoulder after our argument.
He doesn’t know why she’s giving him the cold shoulder.
After the meeting, they gave him the cold shoulder.

14. Go the extra mile – To make extra effort

She always goes the extra mile for her customers.
If you want to succeed, you need to go the extra mile.
His effort to go the extra mile impressed his boss.

15. Hit the sack – To go to bed

I’m exhausted—I need to hit the sack.
After a long day, he hit the sack early.
It’s time to hit the sack—we have work tomorrow.

16. Jump on the bandwagon – To follow a trend

Everyone started using that app, so I jumped on the bandwagon too.
She jumped on the bandwagon and started a TikTok account.
He didn’t like the trend at first, but he eventually jumped on the bandwagon.

17. Keep an eye on – To watch carefully

Can you keep an eye on my bag while I go to the restroom?
She kept an eye on her little brother at the park.
We need to keep an eye on the weather before heading out.

18. Let the cat out of the bag – To reveal a secret

He let the cat out of the bag about the surprise party.
I accidentally let the cat out of the bag about her promotion.
She was upset when I let the cat out of the bag too soon.

19. Make ends meet – To have just enough money to survive

With rent so high, it’s hard to make ends meet.
She works two jobs to make ends meet.
They struggled to make ends meet after losing their jobs.

20. Miss the boat – To miss an opportunity

I didn’t apply in time and missed the boat on that scholarship.
He missed the boat on investing early.
If you don’t act fast, you’ll miss the boat on this deal.

21. On thin ice – In a risky situation

After his mistake, he’s on thin ice with his boss.
I’m already on thin ice, so I need to be careful.
If she doesn’t improve her grades, she’ll be on thin ice.

22. Pull someone’s leg – To joke with someone

I thought he was serious, but he was just pulling my leg.
Are you pulling my leg, or is this true?
She loves to pull people’s legs with her stories.

23. Spill the beans – To reveal a secret

He spilled the beans about the new project.
She didn’t mean to spill the beans about the wedding.
If you spill the beans, the surprise is ruined!

24. The ball is in your court – It’s your turn to make a decision

I’ve done my part—now the ball is in your court.
They made an offer, so the ball is in our court.
He gave her advice, but the ball is in her court now.

25. Throw in the towel – To give up

After several failed attempts, he threw in the towel.
She never throws in the towel, no matter how hard it gets.
If you want to succeed, don’t throw in the towel too soon.

26. A penny for your thoughts – Asking someone what they are thinking

You’ve been quiet for a while. A penny for your thoughts?
He looked deep in thought, so I asked, a penny for your thoughts.
I’d love to hear your opinion on this. A penny for your thoughts?

27. Actions speak louder than words – What people do is more important than what they say

He keeps apologizing, but actions speak louder than words.
She promised to help, but didn’t. Well, actions speak louder than words.
If you really care, prove it. Actions speak louder than words.

28. Add fuel to the fire – To make a bad situation worse

Instead of calming her down, he added fuel to the fire by arguing.
Spreading rumors will only add fuel to the fire.
He was already upset, and your comment just added fuel to the fire.

29. At the drop of a hat – Immediately, without hesitation

She’s ready to help at the drop of a hat.
He agreed to go on the trip at the drop of a hat.
If you need me, I’ll be there at the drop of a hat.

30. Back to square one – To start over

Our project failed, so we’re back to square one.
I lost my work and had to go back to square one.
After the deal fell through, they were back to square one.

31. Beat around the bush – Avoid saying something directly

Stop beating around the bush and tell me the truth.
He beat around the bush instead of giving a clear answer.
I don’t like people who beat around the bush.

32. Burn the midnight oil – To work late into the night

She burned the midnight oil to finish the project.
I had to burn the midnight oil before my exam.
He’s always burning the midnight oil at the office.

33. Caught between a rock and a hard place – In a difficult situation

I’m caught between a rock and a hard place—I don’t know what to do.
She’s caught between a rock and a hard place with two bad choices.
He was caught between a rock and a hard place when both sides wanted his help.

34. Cross that bridge when you come to it – Deal with problems when they happen

Don’t worry about the future. We’ll cross that bridge when we come to it.
She doesn’t plan too much—she crosses that bridge when she comes to it.
If a problem comes up, we’ll cross that bridge when we come to it.

35. Cry over spilled milk – Complain about something that can’t be changed

It’s over, so don’t cry over spilled milk.
She kept complaining, but I told her not to cry over spilled milk.
There’s no point in crying over spilled milk—let’s move on.

36. Don’t put all your eggs in one basket – Don’t risk everything on one thing

Invest wisely—don’t put all your eggs in one basket.
She learned not to put all her eggs in one basket after losing money.
It’s good to have options, so don’t put all your eggs in one basket.

37. Face the music – Accept the consequences

He made a mistake and now has to face the music.
She broke the rules, so she had to face the music.
I knew I was wrong, so I prepared to face the music.

38. Get out of hand – Become uncontrollable

The party got out of hand when too many people showed up.
If you don’t stop now, things will get out of hand.
His temper got out of hand, and he started yelling.

39. Give the benefit of the doubt – Trust someone without proof

I don’t know if she’s lying, but I’ll give her the benefit of the doubt.
He made a mistake, but I’ll give him the benefit of the doubt.
I decided to give the benefit of the doubt and believe her story.

40. Hit the nail on the head – To describe something exactly

You hit the nail on the head with your analysis.
Her guess was perfect—she hit the nail on the head.
He hit the nail on the head when he said I was too stressed.

41. In the same boat – In the same difficult situation

We’re all in the same boat—let’s work together.
She lost her job too, so she’s in the same boat as me.
If you’re struggling, remember that many are in the same boat.

42. It takes two to tango – Both sides are responsible

They both made mistakes—it takes two to tango.
I won’t take all the blame—it takes two to tango.
The argument got worse because it takes two to tango.

43. Let sleeping dogs lie – Avoid trouble by not bringing up the past

I won’t ask about it—better to let sleeping dogs lie.
She wanted to argue, but I said we should let sleeping dogs lie.
He apologized, so let’s let sleeping dogs lie and move on.

44. Play devil’s advocate – Argue against an idea to test it

I’ll play devil’s advocate and challenge your opinion.
She likes to play devil’s advocate in debates.
He played devil’s advocate to make the discussion interesting.

45. Read between the lines – Understand the hidden meaning

If you read between the lines, he’s not happy.
Her message was vague, but I read between the lines.
He didn’t say it, but I read between the lines and understood.

46. The last straw – The final problem before losing patience

His rude comment was the last straw for me.
I’ve been patient, but this mistake is the last straw.
She quit her job after the last straw was reached.

47. Under the weather – Feeling sick

I’m under the weather, so I’ll rest today.
She’s not coming—she’s under the weather.
He’s been under the weather all week.

48. Walk on eggshells – Be very careful not to upset someone

Since the argument, I’ve been walking on eggshells around her.
He gets angry easily, so we walk on eggshells.
At work, we walk on eggshells around our strict boss.

49. When pigs fly – Something that will never happen

He’ll apologize? When pigs fly!
She’ll wake up early? When pigs fly.
They’ll agree on something? When pigs fly.

50. Your guess is as good as mine – I don’t know either

Will it rain tomorrow? Your guess is as good as mine.
How do we fix this? Your guess is as good as mine.
Where is he? Your guess is as good as mine.

Beginner-Level Idioms

1. Break a leg – Good luck

You have a big test tomorrow? Break a leg!
Before the play started, the director told the actors, "Break a leg!"
I hope you do well in your performance tonight. Break a leg!

2. Hit the books – To study hard

I have an exam tomorrow, so I need to hit the books.
She always hits the books before a big test.
If you want to pass, you should start hitting the books now.

3. Piece of cake – Something very easy

The test was a piece of cake!
Learning how to ride a bike is a piece of cake once you get used to it.
That puzzle was a piece of cake for him.

4. Under the weather – Feeling sick

I can’t go to work today. I’m under the weather.
She looked under the weather this morning.
If you're feeling under the weather, you should rest.

5. Bite the bullet – To do something difficult

I don’t like going to the dentist, but I have to bite the bullet.
He decided to bite the bullet and apologize.
Sometimes, you just have to bite the bullet and get it done.

6. Let the cat out of the bag – Reveal a secret

He let the cat out of the bag about the surprise party.
Oops! I didn’t mean to let the cat out of the bag.
She accidentally let the cat out of the bag about their vacation plans.

7. Spill the beans – Reveal a secret

Come on, spill the beans! Tell me what happened.
He refused to spill the beans about his new project.
If you spill the beans, it won’t be a surprise anymore!

8. Call it a day – Stop working on something

We’ve done enough work today. Let’s call it a day.
After finishing the project, they decided to call it a day.
It’s getting late. Time to call it a day.

9. Hit the hay – Go to bed

I’m so tired. I need to hit the hay.
He always hits the hay early on weekdays.
After a long day, she finally hit the hay.

10. The ball is in your court – It’s your turn to decide

I gave you my advice. Now, the ball is in your court.
He apologized. Now, the ball is in her court to forgive him.
The company made an offer. The ball is in his court now.

11. Cost an arm and a leg – Very expensive

That designer bag cost an arm and a leg!
Going on vacation can cost an arm and a leg if you don’t plan well.
I’d love to buy that car, but it costs an arm and a leg.

12. Barking up the wrong tree – Looking in the wrong place

If you think I stole your book, you’re barking up the wrong tree.
She was barking up the wrong tree by accusing him.
The detective realized he was barking up the wrong tree.

13. Once in a blue moon – Very rarely

I only eat fast food once in a blue moon.
He visits his hometown once in a blue moon.
Seeing a comet is something that happens once in a blue moon.

14. Feeling blue – Feeling sad

She has been feeling blue since her pet passed away.
I don’t know why, but I’m feeling blue today.
He was feeling blue after failing the exam.

15. Go the extra mile – Do more than expected

She always goes the extra mile for her customers.
If you want a promotion, you need to go the extra mile.
He went the extra mile to make his project the best.

16. Give someone a hand – Help someone

Can you give me a hand with these boxes?
She always gives a hand to her younger siblings.
I’ll give you a hand if you need help with your homework.

17. Pull yourself together – Calm down

You need to pull yourself together and focus.
He was very upset, but he managed to pull himself together.
After hearing the bad news, she had to pull herself together.

18. A blessing in disguise – Something bad that turns out good

Losing my job was a blessing in disguise because I found a better one.
Their fight was a blessing in disguise because it made them closer.
Failing the test was a blessing in disguise—it made him study harder.

19. When pigs fly – Something that will never happen

He’ll clean his room when pigs fly.
She said she’ll stop shopping, but that’ll happen when pigs fly.
They’ll get back together when pigs fly.

20. Jump the gun – Do something too soon

Don’t jump the gun and assume the worst.
She jumped the gun and bought the dress before checking the price.
They jumped the gun by announcing the project too early.

21. Keep an eye on – Watch something carefully

Can you keep an eye on my bag while I go to the restroom?
Parents always keep an eye on their children at the park.
I need to keep an eye on my cooking so it doesn’t burn.

22. A dime a dozen – Something very common

These cheap watches are a dime a dozen.
Fast-food restaurants are a dime a dozen in big cities.
Fake designer bags are a dime a dozen in street markets.

23. Let sleeping dogs lie – Don’t bring up old problems

It’s best to let sleeping dogs lie and not start a fight.
She wanted to bring up the argument, but I told her to let sleeping dogs lie.
Sometimes, it’s better to let sleeping dogs lie and move on.

24. Throw in the towel – Give up

He wanted to quit, but he refused to throw in the towel.
After many failed attempts, she finally threw in the towel.
They never throw in the towel, no matter how hard things get.

25. Hit the nail on the head – Describe something exactly

You hit the nail on the head—that’s exactly the problem!
His answer hit the nail on the head.
She hit the nail on the head when she explained the issue

26. Scratch someone’s back – To do a favor for someone in hopes of getting one in return

I helped him move, and I hope he’ll scratch my back when I need help.
You should scratch his back now because you might need his help later.
She scratched my back when I needed a favor, so I’ll return the favor.

27. Go cold turkey – To quit something suddenly

He decided to go cold turkey on smoking.
I was addicted to coffee, but I had to go cold turkey.
She went cold turkey on social media to focus on her studies.

28. Burn the midnight oil – To work late into the night

I had to burn the midnight oil to finish my project.
She always burns the midnight oil before exams.
They burned the midnight oil to meet the deadline.

29. A penny for your thoughts – Asking someone what they are thinking

You seem quiet. A penny for your thoughts?
She was lost in thought, so I asked, "A penny for your thoughts?
I’d love to know what you’re thinking—a penny for your thoughts?

30. Be in hot water – To be in trouble

He’s in hot water for forgetting his anniversary.
I got in hot water with my boss for being late.
She’s in hot water because she lost an important document.

31. Pull someone’s leg – To joke with someone

I was just pulling your leg, don’t take it seriously!
He likes to pull my leg by telling funny stories.
Are you serious, or are you just pulling my leg?

32. Have butterflies in your stomach – To feel nervous

Before my speech, I had butterflies in my stomach.
She always gets butterflies in her stomach before a big event.
I had butterflies in my stomach on my first date.

33. Throw someone under the bus – To betray someone for personal gain

He threw me under the bus to save himself.
I can’t believe she threw her best friend under the bus like that!
He made a mistake but threw his coworker under the bus instead.

34. The last straw – The final problem that makes a situation unbearable

His rude comment was the last straw—I quit!
After many mistakes, his lateness was the last straw.
She had enough, and his attitude was the last straw.

35. Cry over spilled milk – To be upset about something that cannot be changed

There’s no use crying over spilled milk—just fix the problem!
She kept crying over spilled milk about her past mistakes.
He made a bad investment, but there’s no point in crying over spilled milk.

36. Don’t put all your eggs in one basket – Don’t rely on just one option

You should invest in different stocks—don’t put all your eggs in one basket.
She applied to multiple universities because she knows not to put all her eggs in one basket.
If you only apply for one job, you’re putting all your eggs in one basket.

37. Read between the lines – Understand the hidden meaning

If you read between the lines, you’ll see she’s unhappy.
His letter seems normal, but if you read between the lines, something is wrong.
She didn’t say she was upset, but I read between the lines.

38. Bite off more than you can chew – Take on more than you can handle

I bit off more than I could chew by taking too many tasks.
She bit off more than she could chew when she agreed to organize the event alone.
If you can’t handle it, don’t bite off more than you can chew.

39. Hit the road – To leave or start a journey

It’s time to hit the road—we have a long trip ahead.
They hit the road early in the morning to avoid traffic.
We should hit the road soon if we want to arrive on time.

40. Get your act together – Start behaving properly

If you want to succeed, you need to get your act together.
He was failing his classes, so his parents told him to get his act together.
She finally got her act together and started studying seriously.

41. By the skin of your teeth – Just barely

I passed the test by the skin of my teeth.
She made it to the bus by the skin of her teeth.
He escaped by the skin of his teeth before the door closed.

42. Be all ears – To be fully listening

Tell me what happened, I’m all ears!
He was all ears when his boss gave instructions.
She said she had gossip, and we were all ears.

43. Get cold feet – To get nervous and back out

He got cold feet before his wedding.
She was ready to perform, but she got cold feet at the last moment.
I wanted to try bungee jumping, but I got cold feet.

44. It takes two to tango – Both people are responsible for a situation

Don’t blame only her; it takes two to tango.
If they argue, remember that it takes two to tango.
Relationships succeed or fail because it takes two to tango.

45. Keep your chin up – Stay positive

Things will get better. Keep your chin up!
He lost the game, but he kept his chin up.
No matter what happens, keep your chin up.

46. Know the ropes – To be experienced in something

He’s new, but he’ll learn to know the ropes.
After a few weeks, I finally knew the ropes at my new job.
She knows the ropes when it comes to event planning.

47. Put your foot down – To be firm about something

She put her foot down and refused to change her decision.
The teacher had to put her foot down to control the noisy class.
Sometimes, you need to put your foot down to be taken seriously.

48. Steal someone’s thunder – To take credit for someone else’s achievement

He stole my thunder by announcing the news first!
She worked hard, but her coworker stole her thunder.
Don’t steal her thunder—let her tell her own story.

49. Throw caution to the wind – Take a risk

She threw caution to the wind and invested all her savings.
He threw caution to the wind and went skydiving.
Sometimes, you have to throw caution to the wind and take chances.

50. Wrap your head around something – To understand something difficult

It’s hard to wrap my head around quantum physics.
She finally wrapped her head around the complex problem.
I can’t wrap my head around why he made that choice.

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