Have you ever needed to buy something very expensive, like a new computer or a car repair? When you have to pay a large amount of money, often unwillingly, you can use the phrasal verb shell out. This idiom is very useful in daily conversations, especially when you are talking about big or unexpected costs….
Imagine a student who is failing a class or a team that is losing every game. If they want to succeed, they need to improve their behavior or performance. When someone needs to make a serious effort to improve, we say they need to shape up. This is a practical and common phrasal verb to…
Imagine a company or a team that is doing the same things every day, but not getting good results. They need to change things! When you want to talk about making major or sudden changes to improve something, you can use the phrasal verb shake up. It is a very common and useful expression for…
Have you ever pointed out a mistake in a document or highlighted an important detail in a meeting? You were trying to call attention to it. This common idiom means to make people notice or focus on a particular person, thing, or issue. Learning call attention to will help you direct focus and highlight what…
Have you ever noticed a project getting more complicated, or a child growing taller? It can feel like the change happens by the day. This common idiom means that something is changing, increasing, or decreasing steadily with each passing day. Learning by the day will help you describe gradual, daily progress or change. What Does…
When you want to say that something is true in most cases, you can use the phrase by and large. This common idiom means “generally,” “for the most part,” or “on the whole.” It is used to summarize a situation, acknowledging that there might be a few exceptions. Learning by and large will help you…
You’re about to buy a used phone online for a great price—until a friend says, “Wait… buyer beware.” Or you see a sign at a garage sale: “All sales final—buyer beware.” The phrase buyer beware is a short, powerful warning that the responsibility is on you, the buyer, to check things carefully before spending your…
Has a friend ever tried to convince you of a new idea? If you started to believe it, you bought into it. This common idiom means to accept that an idea or belief is true or valid. It can also mean to purchase a share or stake in a company. Learning buy into will help…
Do you ever go to a warehouse store and get a huge package of toilet paper or a giant box of cereal? You buy in bulk. This common idiom means to purchase items in large quantities, usually to get a lower price per item. Learning buy in bulk will help you talk about smart shopping…
Have you ever been to a concert that was so packed, the room felt like it could not hold one more person? It was bursting at the seams. This common idiom describes something that is extremely full, crowded, or successful, often to the point of almost breaking. Learning bursting at the seams will help you…
Have you ever received a paycheck and spent it all in a few days? You burned through your money. This common idiom means to use up a resource—like money, time, or supplies—very quickly and often wastefully. Learning burn through will help you talk about rapid consumption and poor resource management. What Does “Burn Through” Mean?…
Have you ever eaten a big dessert and then gone for a run to burn off the calories? Or have you seen morning fog disappear as the sun comes up? The sun burns off the fog. This common idiom means to get rid of something through activity or a natural process. Learning burn off will…
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