Idioms

Standing your ground in a conversation doesn’t mean being loud—it means backing your ideas with clarity and respect. These 15 ways to defend a position in a discussion give you the language to hold your viewpoint firmly while staying open, polite, and persuasive. Whether you’re in a classroom debate, team meeting, or friendly chat, these…

Imagine comparing two job offers side-by-side to see which one is better, or hearing a story and wondering if the details make sense. When you compare one thing with another, or when facts fit together consistently, you use the phrasal verb stack up. This verb has key meanings related to comparison and consistency. What Does…

Imagine being in a crowded space and someone pushes you until you are forced to leave, or a small business being driven out of the market by a much larger competitor. When a person, company, or thing is forced to leave a position, market, or area because of intense pressure, competition, or space restrictions, they…

Imagine two competitors walking to the center of a boxing ring, or two political figures preparing for a televised debate. When two people or groups position themselves ready for a confrontation, competition, or argument, they square off. This is a dynamic phrasal verb used to describe the start of a contest or conflict. What Does…

Imagine small wildflowers suddenly appearing after a heavy rain, or new shops opening overnight in a vacant area. When something appears, grows, or develops suddenly and quickly, we say it springs up. This phrasal verb is used to describe rapid, often unexpected, emergence. What Does “Spring Up” Mean? The phrasal verb “spring up” means to…

Imagine a crisis occurs, and everyone immediately starts working hard and efficiently to solve the problem. When a person or a group starts moving or working with great energy, urgency, and suddenness, they spring into action. This is a dynamic idiom used to describe a quick, decisive response to a need or challenge. What Does…

Imagine people standing too close together, and you ask them to move further apart, or a teacher telling students to put their work over the entire desk. When things move or are distributed over a wider area, or when tasks are distributed over a longer period of time, they spread out. This phrasal verb is…

Imagine walking into a massive supermarket with hundreds of different kinds of bread, or trying to pick a movie when there are countless great films available. When you have so many good options that it becomes difficult to decide, you are spoiled for choice. This common idiom is used when a large selection creates a…

Imagine planning your day. You might allocate a few hours for work, an hour for exercise, and some time with your family. When you use your time, attention, or effort on a particular activity or person, you spend time. This essential phrase is one of the most common ways to talk about prioritizing activities and…

Imagine you are listening to someone, but their voice is too soft to hear clearly. Or, you see something wrong happening and need to voice your objection. When you talk louder, or when you express your opinion, especially in a public or challenging situation, you speak up. This phrasal verb has two important, distinct uses…

Imagine sitting in a classroom or meeting, and your mind suddenly drifts away. You are looking at the speaker, but you aren’t hearing anything they say. When a person becomes inattentive, distracted, or starts daydreaming, we say they space out. This is a very common phrasal verb for describing a temporary mental absence. What Does…

Imagine loving a hobby, but after trying it for a few months, you find it boring and frustrating. When you lose your positive feelings, enthusiasm, or interest in something, you sour on it. This phrasal verb is useful for describing a change in attitude, often from excitement to disappointment or dislike. What Does “Sour On”…