Author: HelloEnglish

Have you ever tried to learn a new dance? At first, it’s hard, but then you start to catch on. This common idiom has two useful meanings. It can mean to finally understand something. It can also mean that an idea or trend is becoming popular. Learning catch on will help you talk about learning…

Have you ever faced a big change that was hard to accept? It takes time to come to grips with it. This common idiom means to finally accept or understand a difficult situation or idea. Learning come to grips will help you talk about dealing with challenges and reality. What Does “Come to Grips” Mean?…

Have you ever seen a child hold their parent’s hand very tightly? They latch onto them. This common idiom means to hold, grab, or attach to something physically. It can also mean to connect with a person or group, or to become very interested in an idea. Learning latch onto will help you describe strong…

Have you ever seen something cool and wanted to show a friend? You can say, “Check it out!” This common idiom is a friendly and casual way to tell someone to look at something interesting. Learning check it out will help you share exciting news and discoveries. What Does “Check It Out” Mean? “Check it…

Are you cooking food and cannot leave the kitchen? You need to keep an eye on it. These common idioms are about watching carefully. Keep an eye on means to watch something or someone. Keep an eye out means to look for something. Learning these phrases will help you talk about paying attention. What Do…

When a manager says, “I need to see you at once,” it means right now! This common idiom is used to express urgency. It can also mean that many things are happening at the same time. Learning at once will help you understand commands and describe busy situations. What Does “At Once” Mean? “At once”…

Have you ever seen a performance that left you speechless? It impressed you greatly. This common idiom means to amaze someone or to create a very strong, positive effect on them. Learning impress greatly will help you describe things and people that you find truly wonderful. What Does “Impress Greatly” Mean? “Impress greatly” means to…

When you have free time, do you relax or go for a walk? You can do as you please. This common idiom means you are free to do what you want. It gives someone permission to follow their own wishes. Learning do as you please will help you talk about freedom and personal choice in…

Your coach shouts, “This is the final minute—give it your all!” Or maybe you’re about to take a big exam, and your friend says, “You’ve studied so hard—just give it your all!” The phrase give it your all is a powerful, positive way to say “try as hard as you possibly can.” It’s used in…

You’re dropping your friend off at a concert. You smile and say, “Enjoy yourself!” Or your teacher tells the class, “It’s a game day—enjoy yourselves!” The phrase enjoy yourself is a warm, common way to tell someone to have fun, relax, or take pleasure in a moment. It’s kind, simple, and used often in daily…

Your grandmother sees you carrying heavy boxes and says, “Oh dear, don’t exert yourself!” Or maybe a friend just had surgery, and you tell them, “Rest up—don’t exert yourself.” The phrase don’t exert yourself is a polite, caring way to tell someone not to push too hard—physically or mentally. It’s common in health-related or thoughtful…

Your friend is learning to drive and keeps failing the test—but they practice every day. You tell them, “You’re really making a great effort!” Or maybe you stayed up late to finish a project, and your teacher says, “I can see you made a great effort.” The phrase make a great effort is used to…