Popular Expressions Used in the U.S. |
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I beg your pardon: excuse me. A: Would you two stop making so much noise please? We can’t hear the movie. B: I beg your pardon. We didn’t realize we were so loud. |
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If at first you don’t succeed, try, try again: if you fail or don’t do a good job at something, you can’t quit.
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If it ain’t broke, don’t fix it: if something is working, don’t try to improve it, no matter how old it might be. (the English grammar in this expression is not correct: ain’t broke) A: Wow, this machine needs some new parts. B: If it ain’t broke, don’t fix it. |
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If worst comes to worst: if a situation gets really bad, there’s a solution or something else that can be done. Brandon is a terrible cook, but he wants to make breakfast. If worst comes to worst, they can always go out for breakfast at a restaurant. |
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If you can’t beat them, join them: if you can’t prevent people from doing something you don’t like, be a part of the group. George was angry that everyone was partying on company time, but then he said to himself, "If you can’t beat them, join them." |
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If you can’t stand the heat, get out of the kitchen: if you don’t like the situation you’re in, then get out of it. A: I’m tired of being a supervisor. There’s too much stress involve. B: If you can’t stand the heat, get out of the kitchen. |
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Ignorance is bliss: not knowing something is true can sometimes be a good thing. If you don’t know the truth or the facts, you won’t get in trouble. |
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in a pinch: in an emergency; at a time when necessary action must be taken. Bob can’t always rely on his car to get to work because it breaks down a lot, so in a pinch sometimes he rides his bike. |
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in good condition / in good shape: This old car is in very good condition. |
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in good spirits: happy; cheerful. She’s in very good spirits today because it’s Friday and she doesn’t work on the weekend. |
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in no time at all: very fast; quick. Just wait. The train will be here in no time at all. |
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in one’s own best interest: something is good for you even if you don’t like it. Eating all of her broccoli is in her own best interest, but she hates it. |
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in one’s own world: alone in one’s thoughts; separate from other people. He’s such a deep thinker that he gets lost in his own world. |
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in one’s pocket: to control another person, usually through love, power, or money. He’s so in love with her, she has him in her pocket. |
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in one’s shoes: to see the world from another person’s position. It’s not fair to criticize her unless you’re able to stand in her shoes. |
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in over one’s head: to do something that beyond a person’s experience or abilities. He’s training for a fight with another martial arts expert, but everyone thinks he’s in way over his head. |
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in the ballpark: a good guess; an close estimate. We didn’t pay full price for the house but your guess of just under $300,000 is in the ballpark. |
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in the blink of an eye: very fast. The shot given by the nurse will hurt a little, but it will be over in the blink of an eye. |
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in the driver’s seat: in control of a situation. He’s never comfortable unless he’s in the driver’s seat. |
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in the lap of luxury: very rich; to be surrounded by wealth. After making millions of dollars in real estate, he’s living in the lap of luxury. |
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in the long run: over a long period of time. They have had many disagreements during their 40-year marriage, but in the long run they’ve been able to get along very well together. |
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in the running: in competition with others; a candidate for a position. She’s in the running for a top managerial position within the company. |
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in the same league: in the same position; to be as skilled as others. He’s not in the same league as ordinary supervisors. He’s very, very good at managing his workers. |
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in this day and age: now; in modern times. In this day and age, many downtown plazas display art and sculpture. |
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I guess so: to say "yes," however not willingly; to agree to something after some consideration. A: Can I borrow your car? B: Well….. I guess so. |
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It ain’t over ’till the fat lady sings: something isn’t finished although the event is coming to a conclusion. A: It looks like Brazil is going to lose the soccer match. B: It ain’t over ’till the fat lady sings. |
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it stands to reason: that makes sense; that’s reasonable. It stands to reason that walking around outside in the cold rain without a coat, a hat, or an umbrella might make you sick. |
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it takes some getting used to: you have to do something again and again before you like it or understand it. Fly fishing isn’t as easy as fishing with worms. It takes some getting used to. |
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It takes one to know one: if you say something negative about a person, you yourself might have that same negative quality; it’s easier to recognize faults in other people if you have those same faults. A: You’re a thoughtless, selfish person. B: Oh yeah? Well, it takes one to know one. |
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it’s no use: There’s no way to fix this problem. I can’t do anything about this. This is impossible. "It’s no use! I can’t get this remote control to work." |
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