Learn the difference between American and British English, American Idioms and Phrasal Verbs.

What are the differences between British English and American English?

Print off worksheet (copysheet) for this page
There are many British words which are different to American words. For example:
A lorry is a slimmer truck.
A lift is an elevator.
A fortnight is two weeks.
A chemist is a person who works in a drugstore.
A dual carriageway is a freeway.
Lisa and Sofia Efthymiou, an American mum and daughter, have listed below a few of the differences between British and American words.
Visit also our Glossary of British Words
We have arranged the words in categories to make viewing easier for school work.
British and American Vocabulary
Clothes
Parts of a Car
At School
In and around the House
On the Road
People
Buildings / Shops
Sport
Let's Eat!
Other Words
British and American Spellings
Test Yourself
Clothes
In the UK, we would be embarrassed if people saw our pants. why?
British English
American English
Trousers
Pants
Pants / Underwear / Knickers
Underwear / panties
Jumper / Pullover / Sweater /Jersey
Sweater
Pinafore Dress
Jumper
Vest
Undershirt
Waistcoat
Vest
Wellington Boots / Wellies
Galoshes
Mac (slang for Macintosh)
Rain Coat
Plimsolls
Gym Shoes
Trainers
Sneakers
Braces
Suspenders
Suspenders
Holds up stockings
Dressing Gown
Robe
Nappy
Diaper
Pinny / Apron
Apron
Polo Neck
Turtle Neck
Dressing Gown
Bath Robe
Swimming costume / Cozzy
Bathing Suit
Back to the Top
At School
"Stop mucking around and get on with your work," shouted the teacher to two students who were off task.
British English
American English
Friend / Mate
Friend
Glue
Gum
Rubber
Eraser
Maths
Math
Public School
Private School
State School
Public School
Holiday
Vacation
School dinner
Hot Lunch
Staff Room
Teachers Lounge
Plimsolls
Gym Shoes
"Mucking Around" / Off Task
Off Task / Fooling Around /"Goofing Off"
Play Time / Break Time
Recess
Open Day / Open Evening
Open House
Marking Scheme
Grading Scheme
Drawing pins
pushpins or thumbtacks
Back to the Top
On the Road
In the UK, we drive slowly over sleeping policemen.Are we afraid of waking them up?
British English
American English
Sleeping Policeman /speed bump
Speed bump
Car park
Parking Lot
Car Journey / drive
Road Trip
Zebra Crossing / Pedestrian Crossing
Cross Walk
Lollipop Man or Lady
Crossing Guard
Motorway
Freeway
Traffic Jam / Tailback
Traffic Jam
Lorry
Truck
Articulated Lorry
Tractor Trailer / Trailer Truck
Petrol
Gas / Gasoline
Pavement
Sidewalk
Petrol Station
Gas Station

Skip
Dumpster
Diversion
Detour
Fire Engine
Fire Truck
Phone Box
Telephone Booth
Back to the Top
Buildings / Shops
British English
American English
Semi-Detached House
Duplex
Flat (one storey) apartment
Apartment
Terrace (row of houses joined)
Town House
Chemist
Drug Store / Druggist
Cafe / Caff (not 24 hrs)
Diner
Bungalow
House (one story) Ranch House
Back to the Top
Food
Are you Peckish? (Are you Hungry?)
What's for afters? Have you had your pudding yet?
Are you feeling peckish (hungry)?
That food looks very scrummy (delicious)
British English
American English
Biscuit / Bickie(A cookie is a large biscuit)
Cookie
Scone
Biscuit
Fairy Cake
Cup Cake
Courgette
Zucchini
Sweets
Candy
Sausage / Banger
Sausage
Crisps
Chips
Chips(French Fries in McDonald's)
French Fries
Starter
Appetizer
Puddings / Afters / Dessert / Sweets
Dessert
Jacket Potato / Baked Potato
Baked Potato
Jam
Jelly or Jam
Jelly (a dessert in th UK)
Jell-o (flavoured gelatin)
Aubergine
Eggplant
Sandwich / Butty / Sarny
Sandwich
Ice lolly
Popsicle
Bill (at restaurant)
check
Grill
Broil
Food / Grub / Nosh

Food
Rasher
A slice of bacon
Eggy bread (fried)
French Toast
Runner beans
Green beans
Soldiers (We dip soldiers in our soft boiled eggs)
Finger sized slices of toast.
Take-away
Take out
Scotch Pancakes
Flapjacks
Flapjacks in England are oats mixed with honey and/or golden syrup and baked then cut into slices. sometimes raisins are added to the mixture.
Find out more:
about the food we eat in England and in the rest of the UK
about British Slang words
Back to the Top
Parts of a Car
British English
American English
Bonnet
Hood
Windscreen
Windshield
Boot
Trunk
Reversing lights
Back-up lights
Exhaust pipe
Tail pipe / Muffler
Back to the Top
In and around the House
I watch the telly whilst lying on the settee.
Whilst is used in British English. It is another word for while
British English
American English
The Toilet / Loo / The John / Bog / WC / Visiting the little boys (little girl's room).
Bathroom / Restroom
Bathroom - the room where the bath is. If you asked us for the bathroom we will think you want to have a bath!
Tap
Faucet
Garden
Backyard / Yard
Wardrobe
Closet
Bin / Dust Bin
Trash Can
Telephone / Blower / Phone
Telephone
Television / Box / Telly/ TV
TV / Television
Cooker
Range or Stove
Couch / Sofa / Settee
Sofa
Hand Basin / Sink
Sink
Run the bath
Fill the tub
Back to the Top
People
British English
American English
Girl / Lass
Girl
Boy / Lad
Boy
Man / Bloke / Gentleman / Guy / Chap
Man / Guy
Lady / Woman
Lady
Policeman / Bobby / Copper
Policeman / Cop
Postman
Mailman
Dustman
Garbage Man
Friend / Pal / Chum / Mate / Buddy

Friend / Buddy
Cashier
Teller
Lollypop Man
Crossing Guard
Nutter
Crazy Person
Mum / Mummy / Mom
Mom
Back to the Top
Sport
British English
American English
Football
Soccer
Rounders
Baseball
Bat (table tennis)
Paddle (ping pong)
Back to the Top
Other Words
British English
American English
Torch
Flashlight
Plaster
Band-Aid
Autumn
Fall
Bank Holiday
National Holiday
Lift
Elevator
Queue
There's a queue.
Stand in a Line
There's a line.
Quid (slang for pound)
Bucks
Surgery
Doctor's office
Trodden on
Stepped on
I'm knackered
I'm Beat
Kip / sleep
sleep
Nick
steal
Wireless / Radio
Radio
Starkers / naked
Naked
Come round
Come over
Off you go
Go ahead
It's gone off
It's spoiled
Lady bird
Lady bug
Test yourself

Adding -er/-est Adding -ing/-ed Adding -ly Adding -s-ible or -able -ie- or -ei- English & American English
English and American English Spelling
Here are the principal differences in spelling between English and American English.

English
American English
Final -l is always doubled after one vowel in stressed and unstressed syllables in English but usually only in stressed syllables in American English, for example:
rebel > rebelledtravel > travelled
rebel > rebelledtravel > traveled
Some words end in -tre in English and -ter in American English, for example:
centretheatre
centertheater
Some words end in -ogue in English and -og in American English, for example:
analoguecatalogue
analogcatalog
Some words end in -our in English and -or in American English, for example:
colourlabour
colorlabor
Some verbs end in -ize or -ise in English but only in -ize in American English, for example:
realise, realizeharmonise, harmonize
realizeharmonize
Common Differences
English
American English
all right
all right, alright (disputed)
analyse
Analyze
centre
Center
cheque
Check
colour
Color
counsellor
Counselor
criticise, criticize
Criticize
defence
Defense
doughnut
Donut
favour
Favor
fibre
Fiber
flavour
Flavor
fulfil
Fulfill
grey
Gray
honour
Honor
humour
Humor
jewellery
jewellery, jewelry
judgement, judgment
Judgment
kerb
Curb
labour
Labor
license, licence (verb)licence (noun)
license (verb)license (noun)
litre
Liter
metre
Meter
mould
Mold
neighbour
Neighbor
offence
Offense
practise (verb)practice (noun)
practice (verb)practice (noun)
pretence
Pretense
programme
Program
pyjamas
Pajamas
realise, realize
Realize
savour
Savor
speciality
Specialty
theatre
Theater
travelledtravelling
travelled, traveledtravelling, traveling
tyre
Tire
valour
Valor

Adding -er/est
We make the comparative or superlative forms of short adjectives by adding -er or -est.
Spelling RuleJust add -er or -est to the end of the adjective, for example:
quick > quicker > quickest
great > greater > greatest
full > fuller > fullest
Exceptions
If the adjective ends in:
do this:
and add:
For example:
consonant + -y
change the -y to an -i
-er
-est
happy > happier > happiest
consonant + -e
remove the –e
late > later > latest
consonant + vowel + consonant
double the last letter
hot > hotter > hottest
Note: adjectives ending in -l are regular, except:cruel > crueller > cruelest
Adding -ing/-ed
Often we need to add -ing or -ed to a verb to make other forms of the verb, for example:I was talking when John arrived.
Spelling RuleJust add -ing or -ed to the end of the base verb:
work > working > worked
play > playing > played
open > opening > opened
Exceptions
If the base verb ends in:
do this:
and add:
For example:
consonant + vowel + consonant
and a stressed syllable
double the final consonant
-ing
-ed
stop > stopping > stoppedbegin > beginningtap > tapping > tapped
But, for example:open > opening > opened(because no stress on last syllable of open)
consonant + -e
remove the –e
-ing
-ed
phone > phoning > phoneddance > dancing > dancedmake > makingrake > raking > rakeddye > dying > dyed
-ie
change the -ie to -y
-ing
lie > lyingdie > dying
Nothing
-d
lie > lieddie > died


British to American — (Top) — (Bottom)
Accumulator (automotive) = battery, car battery
Alsatian (dog) = German shepherd
Articulated lorry = tractor-trailer (truck), a "semi"
Ass = donkey; U.S. ass = G.B. "arse," i.e. one's backside (in addition to normal "donkey")
Athletics (an ... meet) = track and field
Backlog = log-jam, pile-up (of business orders, for example). U.S. backlog = comfortable reserve of orders — difference between the two is in opposite interpretation or connotation of same basic situation.
Bank holiday = holiday
Bap = bun, hamburger bun, hamburger roll
Mrs. Beeton = Fanny Farmer (standard cooking, household reference book)
Bespoke = custom-tailored, tailor-made
Big Dipper = roller coaster (at a "Fun-Fair" = "Amusement Park"
Bilberry = blueberry
"Bird" = "chick"
Biro = Papermate (ball-point pen trade name which equals "generic" name)
Biscuit = cookie (U.S. "biscuit" is a baked bread, "bap," "scone"
Blancmange = vanilla pudding
Block, block of flats = apartment building (U.S. term "block" [city block] unknown as such in British English, though usually understandable.
"Bomb" (theater terminology) = a "hit," a great success. U.S. "bomb" = G.B. failure, critical disaster, i.e. the two are exact opposites in sentences like "The play was a bomb!"
Boiler suit = overalls
Bonnet (automotive) = hood (of a car...)
Boot (automotive) = trunk (of a car...)
Bottom drawer = hope chest
Bowler (hat) = derby (special connotations & different pronunc.)
Braces = suspenders; U.S. suspenders = G.B. garters, stocking fasteners
Brambleberry = blackberry
Bottom of the street = end of the street
Box (TV) = Tube (both slang, colloquial terms)
Bull = "mickey mouse" (unnecessary military drill); U.S. bull = G.B. cock
Bum = ass, rectum; U.S. bum = G.B. tramp, derelict
Bun in the oven = pregnant, eating for two
Call box = (tele)phone booth
Camp bed = cot; U.S. cot = G.B. baby bed
Car park = parking lot
Caretaker (for a building) = janitor (not same as "vahtimestari")
Carriage (railway) = railroad car, subway car
Carrier bag = shopping bag
Caucus = permanent group in a political party; U.S. caucus = G.B. ad hoc planning meeting of a group in a political party
Central reservation = median strip (between halves of a divided highway)
Charge sheet = police record
Chemist (drugstore) = druggist
Chips = french fries; U.S. chips often = dried buffalo, cow dung (other cases, i.e. poker chips, wood chips, the same)
Chucker-out = bouncer (doorman or "enforcer" in a bar/restaurant
"In the City" = "on Wall Street" (in main financial district)
City editor = financial editor; U.S. city editor = G.B. "community news editor"
Cloakroom = toilet; U.S. cloakroom = clothes closet, garment storage area
Coach = intercity bus
Combinations = union suit (colloquial for long underwear)
Comforter = scarf; U.S. comforter = heavy quilt, blanket
Compére = Master of ceremonies, M.C. (of TV game show, etc.)
Constable = (police) officer
"To cop" = "to get" something unpleasant, i.e. "to cop a 15-pound fine." U.S. "to cop" = to plead guilty to a lesser charge in order to avoid prosecution & probable conviction on a more serious charge ("to cop a plea" = "plea-bargaining")
Corn = all grain crops; U.S. corn = G.B. "maize" only.
Costermonger = pushcart seller
(Sent to) Coventry = ostracized
Crisps = potato chips
Cupboard = closet; U.S. closet = G.B. w.c., or toilet
Davenport = antique folding writing desk; U.S. davenport = large sofa, often which folds out into a bed at night.
Deposit account = savings account
Dinner jacket = tuxedo ("black tie" formal dress)
Dormitory = bedroom; U.S. dormitory = G.B. residence hall
Dresser = kitchen sideboard; U.S. dresser = bedroom drawers, vanity
"Duck" = "goose egg" (a zero on the scoreboard of a sports match)
Dumb = mute; U.S. dumb usually means "stupid" rather than "mute," which is a secondary meaning in U.S. usage.
Dustbin = garbage can, ashcan (exterior waste-disposal unit)
Dynamo (automotive) = generator (within automobile engine)
Earth wire = ground wire (in electricity, electronics)
Elastic band = rubber band
To Enjoin = to compel, to legally force; U.S. enjoin = to legally forbid — i.e. same term in same general contextual usage has precisely the opposite meaning
Ex-serviceman = veteran; U.S. veteran = G.B. old ex-serviceman; (U.S. term has no special age connotation, only that the person have had prior military experience sometime)
Fag = (a) cigarette; (b) public-school underclass "servant"; U.S. fag = low-slang term for male homosexual.
Fanny = vagina (vulgar usage); U.S. fanny = light euphemism for "backside," either male or female.
First floor = second floor, etc. (Britain walks in ground floor, goes up 1 set of stairs to first floor; U.S. ground floor and first floor are the same.
Fish slice = pancake turner, spatula (kitchen tool); U.S. spatula = G.B. tongue depressor (medical instrument)
Fitted carpet = wall-to-wall carpeting
Flan = pie, fruit pie
Flannel = washcloth; U.S. flannel = heavy warm cotton fabric; "flannels" would be long underwear made from such heavy warm fabric.
Flat = apartment; U.S. flat = tenement flat = poor-standard slum apartment.
Flick knife = switch-blade knife, a switchblade
Flyover = overpass (as in a bridge over a road); U.S. flyover = airplane passing over a certain place, as in military parade "flyovers"; verb is "to overfly."
Form (school) = grade [i.e. first form = first grade in school]
Garden = yard; U.S. garden = vegetable garden, fljower garden, i.e. area of special cultivation. U.S. yard = G.B. paved area (lorry yards)
Goods (car, train) = freight; U.S. goods = supplies, commercial stock
Grind = sexual intercourse; U.S. grind = slang for "hard (routine) work."
Haberdasher = notions seller; U.S. haberdasher = men's clothing seller
To Hack = to (deliberately) kick; U.S. to hack = to chop, cut viciously.
High street = Main street
To Hire = to rent (in most cases); U.S. to hire = to employ Hire-purchase = (the "never-never") = installment plan
Hoarding = billboard (large advertising sign alongside road)
Hold up = traffic jam; U.S. holdup = robbery at gunpoint.
Homely = home-loving, domestic, pleasant; U.S. homely = plain- looking (female), therefore often "left" at home.
To Hoover = to vacuum (carpets, etc.) "Hoover" in the U.S. is a brand name only, never used as a verb.
Inland = internal, domestic (Inland Revenue = Internal Revenue)
Inverted commas = quotation marks (GB = 'xx'; USA = "xx")
Inquiry agent = private detective
Jelly = Jello (deriving from brand name Jell-O, gelatin dessert)
"On the job" = having sexual intercourse; U.s. "on the job" = while working, learning, i.e. "on the job training."
Joint = pot roast; U.S. "joint" = marijuana cigarette
Juggernaut lorry = a very large truck, an overlong truck, a "double semi" truck
Jumble sale = rummage sale
Jumper = light pullover (sweater); U.S. jumper = type of knee- length woman's dress worn over blouse or sweater
Kirby grips = bobby pins (to fasten long hair ...)
A Knock-up = (tennis) to warm up, to volley a few, to practice-volley
To Knock up = to awaken, call early in the morning; U.S. "to knock up" is colloquial for "to impregnate"
Lacquer = hairspray; U.S. lacquer = wood varnish, shellac (high-gloss), i.e. protective decorative wood coating
Ladder = (in women's stockings" = a runner, a run
Lay-by = (beside a road) = a pull-off, a rest area.
Left-luggage office = check room, baggage check (room)
Level crossing = railroad crossing.
Lift = elevator
Lip balm = chapstick
Logic-chopping = splitting hairs, hair-splitting
Long jump (in athletics) = broad jump (in track and field)
Lorry = truck
Loud-hailer = bullhorn, amplified megaphone
Lucky dip = grab bag (children's party game or activity ...)

Lumber room = spare room, storage room (in a home)
Mackintosh = raincoat, overcoat, trenchcoat
Mains = ordinary built-in home electrical network (no special word as equivalent in U.S.)
Market garden = truck farm
Marrow (vegetable) = squash, gourd
Mason = stoneworker; U.S. mason can be stone- or brickworker
Marriage lines = marriage certificate
Mean = stingy, tight with money; U.S. "mean" normally means nasty, spiteful, ill-meaning in action toward another
Mess kit = formal military dress for ceremonial dining; U.S. mess kit = army or boy scout utensils for cooking or eating a meal on the trail.
Minced meat = hamburger meat, ground beef; U.S. mincemeat = sweet, spicy ground meat/fruit/nut combination used for making pies, especially around Thanksgiving/Christmas
Mineral water = any carbonated soft drink; U.S. mineral water = bottled natural water (containing normal minerals) from spring or health spa, Perrier water, etc.
Mistress = teacher in girls' school; U.S. mistress = lover (extramarital)
Mob = gang, group (neutral); U.S. mob = angry crowd; "the mob" = Mafia
Motorist, motoring = driver, driving
Music Hall = vaudeville (generic entertainment type/place name)
Nappy = diaper (for infants not toilet-trained)
A Neat drink = a straight drink, i.e. "give me a straight whiskey" = whiskey without water or other additives
Nervy = nervous, jumpy; U.S. nervy = bold, impertinent, i.e. nearly the opposite of the British usage
Night club = private membership club; U.S. nightclubs are public (commercial) entertainment places
Number plate = license plate (on automobiles)
Off-license = liquor store
Old boy (girl) = alumni, alumnus, alumna [of a school]
Pantechnicon = moving van
Panda car = police patrol car, police cruiser
Patience (card game) = Solitaire
Pecker (keep your pecker up) = keep your chin up; U.S. pecker = penis
Pram (peramulator) = baby carriage, baby buggy, stroller, walker
Petrol = gasoline, gas (to go in automobiles, airplane, etc.)
Pie = meat pie; U.S. pie is always a fruit or fruit-derived pie, unless "a meat pie" is specifically indicated
Pillar-box = mailbox, post office box, letter box, letter drop
Pissed (he was really...) = drunk; U.S. "pissed = angry, upset
Pitch (soccer) = field (football) [GB "football" = US "soccer"]
Plimsolls = sneakers, tennis shoes, gym shoes
Point = electric outlet, railroad switch (depending on context)
Polka dots = chocolate chips (food product for baking)
Prawn = shrimp
Prom, prom concert = music concerts where most of the audience is standing; U.S. prom = dance, semi-formal, especially at end of year in high schools, colleges
Rates = local, municipal property taxes
Redundant = laid off (from a job); U.S. redundant = superfluous (no connotation of connection with jobs at all)
Return ticket = round-trip ticket
Ringway = circular road (around a city), bypass
Rise = raise in salary
To Roger = to "screw," have sex with; to exploit, take advantage of, to use
Roll neck (pullover) = turtleneck (sweater).
Roundabout = traffic circle
Rubber = eraser; U.S. rubber = condom, prophylactic device
Saloon = "sedan" car (automobile); US saloon = western-style bar
Saloon bar = one section of an English pub
Sanitary towel = sanitary napkin, feminine hygienic item
A good screw = a good salary; U.S. "good screw" equals good "fuck" or good sexual experience
To Screw = to cajole, persuade, extract money from; U.S. "to screw" = to have sex with, fornicate
Season ticket = commuter (train, bus) weekly or monthly ticket; U.S. season ticket is admission ticket to all home games in one season of a particular sports team
To Second to = to temporarily loan staff to another job or unit
Sellotape = Scotch tape (both brand names now used as "generics"
"Semi" = duplex, duplex house; U.S. "semi" = tractor-trailer truck rig
Seminary = Roman Catholic seminary only; U.S. Seminary can be ANY religion, i.e. Lutheran, Methodist seminaries
Sherbet = powdered, fruit-flavored candy; U.S. sherbet = G.B. sorbet (pronounced "soorbay")
Shorthand-typist = stenographer
To shy = to throw something (he shied a rock at the stray dog...)
Sideboards = sideburns (in a hairstyle)
Single = one-way ticket; U.S. "single" in context would mean "only one" as opposed to "several" tickets
To Snog = to neck (i.e. kissing, hugging, etc., esp teenagers)
Spinster = any unmarried woman; U.S. spinster is always OLD unmarried woman
Standard lamp = floor lamp (as opposed to table or wall lamp)
S.T.D. (subscriber trunk dialling) = direct distance dialling [on the telephone, as opposed to dialling through operator]
Steps = ladder; U.S. "steps" always would mean staircase, built- in stairway or staircase
To stream (pupils in a school) = to track (streaming = tracking)
Stroke (punctuation) = diagonal, slash
To Stuff = to fornicate, have sex with; U.S. "I'm stuffed..." = to be comfortably, pleasantly full of food, satiated
Sub-editor = copy reader or rewrite person, in journalism
Subs = dues, as in union dues, etc.
Subway = underground walking passage, underpass, pedestrian tunnel; U.S. subway = G.B. "underground," i.e. underground railway system for public transportation
Superannuation scheme = retirement pension plan
Supply teacher = substitute teacher
Supertax = surtax
Surgery = a doctor's office, office hours, reception time; U.S. "surgery" refers to "surgeon" operating on a patient
Suspenders = garters, for socks or stockings only; U.S. suspenders = G.B. braces, for holding up trousers
Sweet = dessert, or piece of candy
Sweetshop = candy store
To Table (parliamentary procedure, conference terminology) = to put on agenda for immediate handling; U.S. "to table" = to put aside [indefinitely], to delay further handling
Tannoy = public address (p.a.) amplification system
Teat = baby bottle nipple; US teat = GB nipple = breast nipple
Terrace house = row house, garden apartment, town house
Are you Through? (telephone) = are you connected; U.S. "are you through"? = are you finished, completed, with your call
To tick = to check, place check mark beside
Tights = hose, panty hoseh, nylons, nylon stockings; U.S. tights = leotards, skin-tight exercise suit, knit stocking pants
Tinkle = telephone call [give me a tinkle sometime]; U.S. "tinkle" = children's talk for "to urinate"
Tip = garbage dump; U.S. tip = hint, advice, clue
Torch = flashlight; U.S. torch = burning, flaming light or weapon
Touchline = sideline (in sports, such as on soccer pitch, etc.)
Tower block = high-rise apartment building
Trade union = labor union (but usually organized by "trades" in England, by "industry" in the U.S. — US "Auto Workers' Union" would be represented by different "trades" in GB)
Tram = streetcar, trolley car
Transport cafe = truck stop (roadside cafeteria, restaurant, popular with truck [lorry] drivers
Traveller = travelling salesman
Treacle = molasses
Trousers = pants; U.S. pants = G.B. underwear shorts
Trunk call = long-distance call (on a telephone)
Turn it up (colloquial) = stop it, cut it out! U.S. "turn it up" = increase the volume
Undercarrige = landing gear (aircraft)
Underdone = rare (extent to which you wish your meat cooked)
Underground= subway (cf "subway")
Vest = undershirt; U.S. Vest = G.B. waistcoat
Windscreen (automotive) = windshield
Wing (automotive) = fender, bumper (pre-70s designs...)
White spirit = turpentine, paint thinner; U.S. "white lightning" (spirits) = potent home-distilled backwoods alcohol!
Wholemeal = whole-wheat (bread, flour, etc.)
Yankee/Yank = any American in general, U.S. Yankee = Northeast erner ONLY, i.e. specific regional, historical definition
Zebra crossing = crosswalk, pedestrian crossing (Ped Xing)
"Zed" = "Zee" (pronunciation of last letter in alphabet)


American to British — (Top) — (Bottom)
Bathroom = toilet, w.c. (G.B. bathroom will have bath, washbasin or shower only)
Billboard = hoarding
Biscuit = scone; G.B. biscuit = U.S. cookie
Billy club = truncheon
Blank = empty form, i.e. telegraph blank
Block (city block) = city block bounded by streets on 4 sides, distance between 2 streets or crossings in same direction
Block-busting = "penetration" of a residential area by an ethnic or minority group unwelcome by original residents, who often then sell and leave
Blotter = police official daily record of happenings in local precinct office
Blowout = puncture (flat tire on car, bicycle, etc.)
Blue book = local social register of high-status families
Blue Cross/Blue Shield = two different large health-insurance companies
Blue laws = restrictive community "moral" laws dating from Puritan times, such as prohibition of liquor sales on Sunday, limits on public entertainment on Sundays, etc.
Bomb (theater) = a failure; G.B. bomb (theatre) = great success
Boner = gaffe, mistake, faux pas
Boot camp = military basic training period/location
Boondocks = backwoods
Bourbon = corn- (maize-) derived whiskey
Box car = good waggon (U.S. spelling "wagon")
Bronx cheer = raspberry (critical noise ...)
Brownie = small, "heavy," rich-chocolate baked biscuit; also young Girl scout
Brunch = mid-morning meal (combination of "breakfast & lunch")
Bush league = baseball "minor" training leagues; also connotes "amateurism," unprofessionalism, etc.
Caboose = last waggon on a goods train
Candy = sweets
Car fare = money for transportation fares
Carry-out (food) = take-away (food)
Catch (to play catch [baseball]) = "playing tag" (US "playing tag" is children's game where one tries to run and "catch" or touch ("tag") one of the other children playing)
"Catch up with him" = "Catch him up"
Checkers = draughts (the game, played on checker/chess board)
Checking account = current account (banking)
Comfort station = public convenience
Cone = cornet ("ice cream" cones--British "ice cream" also quite a different commodity)
Cord (electrical) = flex, lead, wire
Corn = maize; G.B. corn = all types of grain, unless specified
Cotton candy = candy floss
Certified Public Accountant (CPA) = Chartered Pub. Account. (CPA)
Cube sugar = lump sugar
Diaper = nappy
Dishpan = washing-up bowl
Distaff = female
Double header = two sports games played as a single event; also used metaphorically
Draft (military) = conscription into the armed forces
Druggist = chemist (in commercial drugstore or pharmacy)
Editorial = leading article (in a newspaper, periodical)
Eggnog = egg flip (special Christmas drink in U.S. only)
Engineer = railroad engine-driver
Enjoin = to forbid from doing; GB enjoin = to compel to do
Eraser = rubber; G.B. rubber is U.S. condom
"Fairy" = male homosexual, or highly effiminate-acting male
Field hockey = hockey; U.S. hockey (by itself) = ice hockey
Filling station = petrol station
Flashlight = torch
Football = U.S. (American) football, not "soccer"
Formula = baby's prepared liquid food, replaces breast milk
"Freebee" = anything given away free
Freeway = motorway
Freight car = goods waggon (on a train)
Gangway! = exclamation to "clear a path!"; G.B. gangway = U.S. aisle (in a theater, etc.), U.S. gangway [naval term] = entrance "bridge" from shore onto a ship
Glee club = club or group for choral singing
Glue factory = knacker's yard
"Gofer" [to GO out FOR something ... ] = "dogsbody"
Goldbrick(er) = loaf(er)
Good Humor Man = ice cream peddler in residential areas

Graham cracker = wholemeal biscuit
Grandstand play = done to impress the audience in the grandstands rather than as a requirement of the game, "showy" action
Ground rules= specific local rules for particular event or action, sports or otherwise
Half & Half = dairy mixture of half cream, half milk (to put in coffee, for use in baking, etc.)
Handball = game played by hitting a small, hard ball with bare hand against a wall in room similar to a squash court — European "handball" is not 'known' in the U.S.
Hard-on = male sexual erection
High school = secondary school, senior (upper) secondary school
Home free (colloquial) = home & dry
Homely = plain-featured, -looking; GB homely = domestic, pleasant
Horny = randy
Housing project = housing development, housing estate
Huddle = planning, tactics conference, especially in American football, but also metaphorically in other situations
Hung jury = jury that is divided, cannot reach a verdict
Jello = jelly; U.S. "jelly" = G.B. "jam"; U.S. "jam" = G.B. "thick [GB] jelly with fruit embedded"
Kerosene = paraffin, U.S. paraffin = GB paraffin wax
Longshoreman = docker, dock worker
Lox = smoked salmon, especially American Jewish usage
Martini = gin & vermouth (combined) cocktail (does not refer to "Vermouth" brand name)
Mean = nasty
Mobile home = (trailer) house on wheels, can be moved behind truck, auto
Mononucleosis, "Mono" = glandular fever
Nervy = impudent, impertinent, with a lot of nerve (cf. GB Nervy)
Night crawler = fishing worm
Oatmeal = porridge
Ordinance = by-law (law at local city, municipal level)
Overpass = flyover
Pacifier = dummy (what baby uses to suck on when not eating)
Parakeet = budgerigar
Parka = anorak
Patrol wagon, Paddy wagon = black maria
Pegged pants = tapered trousers
To pinch-hit for = to substitute for in a particular tactical situation (batting in Am baseball, or metaphorically)
Plexiglass = Perspex glass (brand names used as generics)
Potato chips = potato crisps
Quarterback = Am. football team leader, also to direct, manage, in other situations
Railroad = railway; U.S. railway = tracks, roadbed which trains run ON; U.S. "railroad" refers to the enterprise, i.e. the Union Pacific Railroad
Raise = rise; U.S. "rise" is slang for male erection, or, "to get a sensation from ..."
Realtor = estate (real estate) agent
Retroactive = retrospective
Roomer = lodger
Roster = rota
Rubber = condom; GB rubber = US eraser
Rube Goldberg = Heath Robinson (stereotyped creators of wacky, bizarre "inventions" in USA, GB)
Sedan = saloon car
Shellac = high-gloss varnish
Slingshot = catapult; U.S. "catapult" = G.B. "sling"
Special Delivery = Express (postal) Mail
Station wagon = estate car
Thumbtack = drawing pin (small, flat-headed tack used on bulletin boards or to attach papers to wooden surfaces; U.S. "drawing pin" a long, narrow, sharp pin used in sewing, clothing design, always with soft fabrics or paper)
Thread = cotton; U.S. cotton = plant, fiber, material only
Trash = rubbish
Trashcan = dustbin; trashman = dustman
Turtleneck = polo neck (sweaters or pullovers)
Vaudeville = Music hall (type of entertainment, style of theater)
Wash up = to wash oneSELF, not the dishes; G.B. to wash up = to do the dishes
Wax paper = greaseproof paper
Yard = garden; U.S. garden = vegetable or flower garden (cultivated area); GB yard = US paved area, not grassy lawn)
ZIP code = postal code
Zucchini (squash) = courgette (marrow)
US: antenna
UK: aerial

US: apartment
UK: flat

US: apartment building
UK: block of flats

US: area code
UK: dialing code

US: ATM
UK: cashpoint

US: baby carriage
UK: pram

US: band-aid
UK: plaster

US: bathroom
UK: loo/ WC/ toilet

US: beet
UK: beetroot

US: buddy
UK: mate


US: busy (phone line)
UK: engaged
US: cafeteria
UK: canteen
US: can (of food)
UK: tin
US: candy
UK: sweets
US: check (rest.)
UK: bill
US: chips
UK: crisps
US: chopped beef
UK: mince
US: cookie
UK: biscuit
US: corn
UK: maize
US: cotton candy
UK: candy floss
US: crosswalk
UK: zebra crossing
US: dead end
UK: cul-de-sac
US: diaper
UK: nappy


US: first floor
UK: ground floor
US: flashlight
UK: torch
US: fries
UK: chips
US: game (sports)
UK: match
US: guy
UK: bloke, chap
US: gas
UK: petrol
US: freeway
UK: motorway
US: to honk
UK: to hoot
US: hood (car)
UK: bonnet
US: jello
UK: jelly
US: jelly
UK: jam
US: kerosene
UK: paraffin
US: laundromat
UK: launderette


US: line
UK: queue
US: mail
UK: post
US: motor home
UK: caravan
US: movie theater
UK: cinema
US: muffler
UK: silencer
US: napkin
UK: serviette
US: overpass
UK: flyover
US: pants
UK: trousers
US: pacifier
UK: dummy
US: parking lot
UK: car park
US: period
UK: full stop
US: private school
UK: public school
US: résumé
UK: CV


US: to rent
UK: to hire
US: sidewalk
UK: pavement
US: soccer
UK: football
US: store
UK: shop
US: trash/garbage can
UK: rubbish bin
US: truck
UK: lorry
US: trunk (car)
UK: boot
US: turn signal
UK: indicator
US: windshield
UK: windscreen
US: z (pron. "zee")
UK: z (pron. "zed")







AMERICAN IDIOMS STARTING WITH A

Welcome to our list of idiomatic expressions - Let us help you study English! These types of phrases are used by native speakers daily. Learn these idioms and you will be on your way to speaking English in a more natural way :)

Why learn idioms? Learning idiomatic expressions is a very important part of the language-learning process. Much of everyday speech is based on colloquial and slang vocabulary - much of this vocabulary is based on idioms. Our collection of American English idioms will teach you the type of language that native speakers use every day. You will become more fluent in English and will be able to communicate better. Although this is a list of American English idioms, you will find that many of these words and expressions are used all over the English-speaking world.About time:Nearly time, high time. "It's about time you bought a new car!" Absence makes the heart grow fonder:Proverb that means that our feeling for those we love increases when we are apart from them. (To) act high and mighty:To act proudly and arrogantly. Actions speak louder than words:Proverb meaning that's it's better to do something about a problem than to talk about it. (To) act one's age:To behave in a more mature way. Frequently said to a child or teen. ex. "Bill, stop throwing rocks! Act your age!" (To) add fuel to the fire:To make a bad problem even worse. (To) add insult to injury:To make a bad situation even worse. Against the clock:To attempt to do something "against the clock" is to attempt to do something as fast as possible usually before a deadline. All-out:Complete. Very strong. "They did an all-out search for the missing boy and they found him." All set:Ready (to go). "All set?" All thumbs:Awkward. Clumsy. A little bird told me:When someone says "a little bird told me" it means they don't want you to know who told them. All in a day's work:Typical. Normal. Expected. ex. "Talking to famous celebrities is all in a day's work for some Hollywood reporters." (From) all walks of life:(From) all social, economic, and ethnic groups. ex. "People from all walks of life voted for him, but he still lost the presidential election." Apple of someone's eye:Someone's favorite person (and sometimes thing). ex. "Sarah was the apple of Tom's eye for quite a long time. He was very much in love with her." Armed to the teeth:Heavily armed. ex. "The rebels were armed to the teeth." At all hours (of the night):Very late at night, throughout the night. ex. "Her boyfriend would call her at all hours of the night." At each other's throats:Fighting or arguing heavily. ex. "They were at each other's throats. The arguments never stopped." At this stage:At this point. ex. "At this stage, it's difficult to say who will win the election." AMERICAN IDIOMS STARTING WITH B NEXT PAGE (C)(a) ball-park figure:A rough estimate. "Can you give me a ball-park figure of what this project will cost?" (To get on the) bandwagon:To begin to like something/start doing something because it's popular, "hip", or everyone else is doing it. (To) bank on something:To count or rely on something. (To) bark up the wrong tree:To ask the wrong person. To make the wrong choice. ex. "The gangster told the cops they were barking up the wrong tree in thinking he was responsible for the robbery."(A) basket-case:A very nervous person, someone at the verge of being neurotic. ex. "All the stress from the divorce turned John into a basket case."(To) be a fan of someone/ something:To like, idolize, admire someone/ or something. ex. "I'm not a big fan of heavy metal music."(To) be a in one's element:To be completely comfortable doing something; To do something that comes very naturally to someone. ex. "When it comes to speaking in public, the Senator is in his element."(To) be up to no good:To be planning something bad, mischievous, etc. ex. "I could tell from the look in his eyes that he was up to no good."(To) beat around the bush:To avoid getting to the point. ex. "Stop beating around the bush and tell me what you really think." (To) beg to differ:A polite way of saying "to disagree", most often heard in the phrase "I beg to differ!" Behind (someone)In the past. "I used to smoke, drink, and take drugs, but all that is behind me now." Believe it or not:Used at the beginning sentence to state that something is true whether one chooses to believe it or not. ex. "Believe it or not, I still care for her." Big fish in a little sea:A person who's famous/ well-known but only in an unimportant place (city or area). (To have a) big mouth:To not be able to keep a secret. ex. "Don't tell her anything. She's got a really big mouth." Big-shot (noun/adjective):An important person. ex. "All the big-shots at headquarters never listen to what we have to say."; "A big-shot reporter." (A) Bimbo:A foolish/empty girl. The term "male bimbo" is also used. ex. "John only talks about his car and his clothes - he's a real male bimbo." (The) birds and the bees:Sex. Human reproduction. ex. "It's about time I talked to my son about the birds and the bees." (A) bite to eat:A snack, some food. ex. "Let's go grab a bite to eat before we go to the game." (To) bite the hand that feeds you:To do harm to someone who helps you. (To) bite one's tongue:To struggle not to say something that you want to say. ex. "I wanted to tell her everything, but I had to bite my tongue because I had promised Bill I would not (tell her)." Black sheep (of the family):The worst, least accepted member of a family. (A) Blast:A great time. A fun time. "We had a blast at the party last night." (To) blow someone's cover:To reveal someone's secret, or true identity. ex. "The spy was very careful not to blow her cover." (To) break even:To neither win nor lose. ex. "Michael thought he would lose $200, but he ended up breaking even." (To) break new ground:To do something that hasn't been done before. To innovate. ex. "Dr. Davis was breaking new ground in cancer research." (To) break someone's heart:To cause someone (strong) emotional pain. ex. "Fiona broke James' heart when she refused to marry him." (To) break the news to someone/ to break "it" to someone:To tell someone some important news, usually bad news. ex. "I hate to be the one to break it to you, but your wife has been cheating on you." (To) burst into tears:To start crying suddenly.

AMERICAN IDIOMS STARTING WITH C NEXT PAGE (D)(To) call it a day:To end work and go home. ex. "Let's call it a day. It's getting late." (To) carry a tune:To be able to sing on key (accurately). "She has an awful voice! She can't carry a tune." (To) cash in on something:To profit from something. "The actor wanted to cash in on his popularity by opening a restaurant." (A) catch:When talking about wives, husbands, girlfriends, etc., people sometimes say "He's quite a catch" or "She's quite a catch" - which means "He/she is a great partner - it's good to be in a relationship with him/her (usually because of his/her personality, money, or looks)" (To) catch someone's eye:To get someone's attention through eye contact. (A) cheap drunk:Also knows as "a cheap date". A person who becomes drunk after only one or two drinks. "Victor had one gin and tonic and was already slurring - what a cheap drunk!" (A) clean bill of health:A report from the doctor that one's health is good. Good results from a doctor's medical examination. ex. "I went in for my yearly physical and got a clean bill of health from Dr. Jones". (To) clear the table:To remove all dishes, cutlery, etc. from a table after a meal. (A) close call:Something that is close to danger or an accident. "That was a close call! The train almost hit the motorbike." Coast-to-coast:From the Atlantic to the Pacific coast in the United States. ex. "Our car made the coast-to-coast trip in 70 hours". (To) come away empty handed:To return without anything. To expect to receive something but to end up receiving nothing. ex. "The union workers came away empty handed from the negotiations." (To) come to an end:To finish. To stop. ex. "When the road came to an end, we turned left." (To) come out of the closet:To reveal that one is gay. Come to think of it:I just remembered. ex. "Hey, come to think of it, I do have a sleeping bag you can borrow." (To) come up short:To not quite achieve one's goal. ex. "The students tried to raise $1,000 for the school play, but they came up short." Come what mayWhatever happens. No matter what happens. Copycat (noun or adjective)Someone who imitates/mimics another person *not really used in a positive sense* (To) cover a lot of ground:To go through a lot of information. "We've covered a lot of ground in my English class in the past two months." (To) cover for someone:To make excuses for someone or to conceal someone's errors. (At the) crack of dawn:Right at dawn (when the sun comes up). "We left at the crack of dawn." (To) crash:To sleep. To go to bed. (To) cramp someone's style:To limit someone in some way. To limit someone from expressing themselves fully. (To) cry one's eyes out:To cry hard. ex. "When her grandfather died, she cried her eyes out for three days straight." (To) cut class:To not go to class. To skip going to class. "Jacob was a very bad student. He was always cutting class to go smoke with his buddies." (To) cut loose:To act or speak freely, without holding back ( = without restraint). "When the three of us are together we really cut loose." (A) cut above (something):Superior/ better (than something). "The commerical said that this car company is 'a cut above the rest'."

AMERICAN IDIOMS STARTING WITH D NEXT PAGE (E)
(To) die of boredom:To be very bored. (A) dead ringer:A look-alike. "He's a dead ringer for Jude Law" (He looks exactly like Jude Law). Dirt cheap:Very cheap (inexpensive). "The hotel we stayed in was dirt cheap, but our room was very nice." (A) dog's age:A very long time. "I haven't seen him in a dog's age." Don't hold your breath:Don't wait for it to happen because it probably won't. "You think David will break up with Tina? Don't hold your breath!"Don't let it get you down:Don't let it upset you. Don't allow it to make you feel bad.(To) do the dishes:To wash the dishes.(A) downer:An event that causes one to be sad. "Your girlfriend broke up with you? What a downer!" Down the drain:Wasted. Lost forever. "I tried for five years to run this business and now I'm bankrupt. Five years down the drain." (A) drag:Boring; a disappointment. "The party was a real drag" or "My car broke down... What a drag!" (To) drive a hard bargain:To be firm when bargaining about something. You drive a hard bargain = It's hard to win when bargaining with you. "You drive a hard bargain, but alright, I'll pay you $10 for the lamp." (To) drive someone crazy:To make someone very agitated, upset, or emotional (either in a good or bad way). "That teacher is so awful! He drives me crazy with his attitude." (To) drop it:To stop talking about something. "I told you to drop it! I don't want to talk about it." (To) drown one's sorrows:To get/ become drunk. (To) drop the ball:To make a mistake. (WARNING: This idiom is overused in the business world). ex. "So it was John's fault? Yes, John really dropped the ball on this one." (A) dream come true:A great thing. A dream or wish that has become reality. ex. "Living in California is like a dream come true." Down in the dumps:Sad. Depressed. (To) dump someone: (very informal)To end a relationship with someone; to break up with someone. To stop seeing someone (romantically). "She dumped me."

AMERICAN IDIOMS STARTING WITH E NEXT PAGE (F)
Earful:a strong verbal scolding. ex. "Katie's father really gave her an earful when she came home at 4 AM." Easy:Not so fast. Calm down! ex. "Easy! Don't eat so fast!" (As) easy as pie:Very easy. Easy come, easy go:PROVERB. Said to explain the loss of something that was very easily obtained in the first place. Easy-going:Tolerant. Laid-back. Relaxed. (To) eat one's heart out:To be envious or jealous. ex. "Eat your heart out Frank, I'm going to Paris!" (To) eat out of someone's hands:To do whatever someone else wants. ex. "James would do anything for Vicky. She had him eating out of her hands." (To) eat one's words:To admit that what one said was wrong. ex. "You think I won't be able to find work in one week? I'm going to make you eat your words." Elbow room:Enough space (room) to feel comfortable. Enough is enough:That is enough and there should be no more. (To) enter one's mind:To cross one's mind. To start thinking about something. "You want me to become a doctor? The thought never even entered my mind." Everything but the kitchen sink:Almost everything one can think of. Every so often:Once in while. Occasionally. Every other:Every second. Alternate. ex. "In Los Angeles, every other person is an actor."

AMERICAN IDIOMS STARTING WITH F NEXT PAGE (G)

(To) face the music:To accept the (unpleasant) consequences of what you have done. (To) fall flat (on one's face):To fail. To be unsuccessful. ex. "The play fell flat on its face." Fair-weather friendA person who is only your friend when things are going well for you.(To) feel like a new person:To feel refreshed, rejuvenated. (To) fall into place:To become organized. To fit together. ex. "Once I started meditating, everything in my life began to fall into place." (To) fall short:To lack something. ex. "We tried to raise fifty thousand dollars, but we fell short by about ten thousand." (A) falling out:A disagreement/break in a friendship. ex. "We had a falling out over what she said." (A) far cry:Very different (often in a worse way). ex. "This wine is nice, but it's a far cry from the wine we had yesterday." (To) feel like a new person:To feel refreshed, rejuvenated. (To) feel out of place:To feel like you don't belong. ex. "We went to Mary's party last night. There were many strange people there and I felt a little out of place, so we left." (A) Fifth wheel:Useless, out of place, unnecessary. "There were only couples there... I felt like a fifth wheel." (To) fill someone's shoes:To replace someone. To do something someone else used to do. ex. "Cathy has been working here for 20 years. It's going to be hard to find someone to fill her shoes." (A) fine line:Not much difference. ex. "Sometimes there's a fine line between love and infatuation." First and foremost:First and most importantly. First thing:Before anything else. ex. "Call me first thing tomorrow morning." (To) fish for a compliment:To try very hard to get a compliment from someone. (To) fix someone (some food - like cocoa, oatmeal, etc.):To prepare (some food) for someone. "I'll fix you a cup of cocoa." Flat broke:Very poor. Having absolutely no money. (To) follow one's heart:To act according to your feelings/ emotions. ex. "I couldn't decide what to do so I just followed my heart." Food for thought:Something to think about. (A) fork in the road:A point when a road splits in two directions. Free and easy:Casual. Not very serious. ex. "Sarah was looking for a free and easy relationship." (A) fresh pair of eyes:A new reader, someone who hasn't seen something before. ex. "Hey can you come check out this report? We need a fresh pair of eyes." (A) full plate:A busy schedule. ex. "Mark can you help me with this project? Not really, I've got a full plate right now."

AMERICAN IDIOMS STARTING WITH G NEXT PAGE (H)
(To) get a move on:To go or do something quickly, to get going, etc. ex. "Hey if we want to make the 8:00 PM show we should get a move on." (To) get carried away:To exaggerate/ go too far/ to become emotional. ex. "I got carried away. I bought 10 shirts!" "She got carried away when she started talking about the war." (To) get caught up:To become involved, especially emotionally. ex. "I just got caught up in his plan and couldn't think straight." (To) get cold feet:To become timid or frightened. ex. "I usually get cold feet when I have to speak in public." (To) get down to business:To start working seriously. ex. "Enough playing around - let's get down to business." (To) get that all the time:To hear something constantly. ex. "Hey, you really look like Brad Pitt! Yeah, I get that all the time." (To) get one's foot in the doorTo get started in a process. To attain a favorable position which will help one work toward a goal. ex. "I'm trying to find a better job, but I can't get my foot in the door. (To) get one's fill of something:To have enough of something. To have a lot of something. ex. "She's had her fill of trouble lately." (To) get on someone's nerves:To annoy someone. To bother or irritate someone. (To) get rid of (something/someone):To eliminate. To throw away. To hide. ex. "This detergent gets rid of dirt better than any other one that I've used.", "Get rid of the cigarette - your mother's coming!" (To) get something off one's chest:To say something that has been on your mind. To say something that has been bothering you. "Did you tell her about Hawaii? Yes, and I felt much better once I got that off my chest." (To) get the blues:To become sad or depressed. (To) get something straight:To clarify something. To understand something clearly. (To) give someone a call:To call someone (on the telephone). (To) give someone the benefit of the doubt:To believe in someone despite information that makes them seem guilty of something. ex. "Hey, don't believe the rumors - give him the benefit of the doubt." (To) give someone a piece of one's mind:To bawl someone out. To let someone know how one really feels. "After that driver took my parking spot, I really gave him a piece of my mind." (A) go-getter:an aggressive employee, a hard worker. "Jim is a real go-getter. He's always taking the initiative." (To) go Dutch:When a group of people go out and everyone pays for him/herself. (To) go overboard:To do too much. To exaggerate. "They really went overboard with the party preparations." (To) go up in flames:To burn. To be consumed in flames. (To) go over something with a fine toothed comb:To go over something very carefully, esp. checking for errors. "Here's the report - Make sure to go over it with a fine toothed comb." (To) go to someone's head:To make someone overly conceited or proud. ex. "That award that he won really went to his head." (To) a golden opportunity:A good chance to succeed, a good investment. ex. "I didn't have money to buy that restaurant. I missed a golden opportunity."
AMERICAN IDIOMS STARTING WITH H NEXT PAGE (I)
Half-baked:Foolish. Hand-me-down:Usually said of clothing that has been passed on from one person to another. ex. "A hand-me-down dress." Hands down:Easily. By far. ex. "She is hands down the most beautiful girl in class." Hang on:Be prepared for fast and/or rough movement. (To) hang on someone's every word:To listen very carefully to someone. ex. "Grandpa was telling a story and the kids were hanging on his every word." (To) hate someone's guts:To hate someone very much. (To) have a big mouth:To be a gossiper. To be a person who can't keep a secret. ex. "Don't tell her anything! She has a big mouth." (To) have a lot going for (someone):To have a lot of good things in one's life. To have many things working to one's benefit. ex. "She has a lot going for her - she's smart, she's attractive, she has a good job, etc." (To) have a sweet tooth:To love to eat candy or other sweets. (To) have an edge:To have an advantage. (To) have mixed feelings (about something):To be unsure or uncertain about something. (To) have one's hands full:To be busy, occupied with some kind of activity, work, etc. ex. "I have my hands full with my three children." (To) have one's heart set on something:To really want something to happen. To expect something to happen. ex. "Julie has her heart set on going to London this summer." (A) hit:A popular song or film. ex. "Titanic was a hit (movie)." (To) hit the spot:To satisfy a need exactly. To be exactly right (often said about food or drinks). ex. "That was a delicious meal - It hit the spot." (To) hit bottom:To reach the lowest point. (To) hit the road:To leave, start on a trip, etc. ex. "It's already 9:00 AM - We have to hit the road!" (To) hit a snag:To run into a problem. ex. "The project hit a snag when testing failed to produce favorable results" Hold on!Wait. "Hold on, I'll be with you in just a moment." (To be) homesickTo miss one's home, country, city, etc. "Franseca is really homesick. She really wants to go back to Italy." How on earth...? How in the world...?When asking a question, "How on earth..." and "How in the world..." emphasize the fact that something incredible or very hard to believe happened. "How on earth did you get that job? (it was very hard to get)" "How on earth did you fix that car!? (it was impossible to fix)" etc.

AMERICAN IDIOMS STARTING WITH I NEXT PAGE (J)
If worst comes to worst:If things get really bad. ex. "If worst comes to worst, we can always fire him." Ill-at-ease:Uncomfortable. ex. "She seemed to be ill-at-ease talking to the doctor about her problems". In bad taste:Rude. Vulgar. Obscene. ex. "John's jokes are always in bad taste." In broad daylight:Publicly visible in the daytime. ex. "This city is very dangerous. You can get robbed in broad daylight." In good shape/ condition:Physically and functionally sound and sturdy. "Shape" is generally used more for people. ex. "The car is in good condition. Bill is in good shape." In mint condition:In perfect condition (not used for people). In no mood to do something:To not feel like doing something. To not want to do something. ex. "I'm in no mood to cook dinner tonight." In season:Currently available for selling (often said of fresh fruit and vegetables). ex. "Tomatoes are very cheap now because they're in season." In stock:Available for purchase, as in goods in a store. ex. "Do you have any more of these books in stock? No, I'm sorry we don't." In the air:Everywhere. All around. In the long run:Over a long period of time. Ultimately. ex. "He smokes a lot now, and I'm afraid that in the long run it will cost him his health." In the same boat:In the same situation (usually negative). In and out:Coming in and going out often. ex. "She's been in and out all day." In with:Friendly with. Friends with. ex. "At high school he was in with the wrong crowd. That's why he always got in trouble." In advance:Ahead of time.

AMERICAN IDIOMS STARTING WITH J NEXT PAGE (K)
Jam-packed:Very crowded. ex. "The stadium was jam packed on Saturday." (To) jam on the brakes:To hit/ step on the brakes suddenly to stop the car. Jack-of-all-trades:A person who knows how to do a lot of different things. (To) jump all over someone/ jump down someone's throat:To criticize or blame someone. ex. "As soon as I brought up going out with my friends, she jumped all over me." (To) jump the gun:To get something started too soon. To start too soon. ex. "We have to do a lot more work before we launch this product. We don't want to jump the gun." (To) jump at:To quickly accept. ex. "The journalist jumped at the chance to interview Madonna." Just about:Almost. ex. "I'm just about finished." Just now:Just a minute ago. Just what the doctor ordered:Exactly what is needed. ex. "This vacation is great! It's just what the doctor ordered."

AMERICAN IDIOMS STARTING WITH K NEXT PAGE (L)
(To) keep a low profile:To lay low. To not attract attention to oneself by talking loudly, dressing in flashy clothes, causing trouble, etc. ex. "The bank robbers knew that they had to keep a low profile until they crossed the border." (To) keep an eye on:To watch. To pay attention to. ex. "I have to go to the store. Can you please keep an eye on the baby for 10 minutes?" (To) keep a straight face:To force oneself not to laugh, even though one wants to. ex. "He was saying the stupidest things, and I was finding it hard to keep a straight face." (To) keep one's cool:To remain calm. (To) keep one's word:To uphold one's promise. ex. "He's a very honorable person who always keeps his word." (To) keep someone posted:To keep someone informed. (To) keep someone up:To not allow someone to sleep. ex. "The neighbors' party kept me up all night." (To) keep something to oneself:To not let others know about something. To not reveal something. ex. "Hey, don't tell anyone about your time in prison. Keep it to yourself." (To) keep track of:To maintain a record of. ex. "I don't know where all my money goes. It's hard to keep track of my expenses." (A) kept man/woman:Someone who is in a relationship where the other person pays for everything. ex. "Stephen's girlfriend always pays for everything. He's such a kept man." (To) kick back:To relax. (To) kick oneself:To regret. (To) kill time:To waste time. Knock it off!:Stop it! Knock on wood:A phrase said to cancel out (imaginary) bad luck. (To) know something inside-out:To know something completely and thoroughly. ex. "Let me show you around - I know this neighborhood inside-out." (To) know the score:To know the facts. To know how things go. Know-it-all:A person who acts like they know everything. ex. "Robert is so conceited! Yeah, he's a real know-it-all."

AMERICAN IDIOMS STARTING WITH L NEXT PAGE (M)
(A) lady-killer:A handsome man; a man who charms women. This does NOT mean "killer of ladies!" :) Last but not least:Last in order but not last in importance. ex. "Last but not least I'd like to thank my parents." Last ditch (adj.):Final (*has a slight connotation of "desperate"*). ex. "They made a last-ditch effort to win the game, but came up short." (To) lay a finger on someone:To touch someone even very slightly. ex. "If you so much as lay a finger on him, you will be in trouble." (To) lay low:SEE "Keep a low profile" (To) leave a bad taste in someone's mouth:To leave a negative impression on someone. (To) leave someone high and dry:To leave someone helpless. ex. "Don't leave me high. Don't leave me dry." - Radiohead (To) leave someone in peace/ alone:To stop bothering someone. ex. "Leave me alone! I don't want to talk to anyone." (To) let off steam:To release energy or anger. ex. "Victor went drinking, and got into a fight. That's OK, he's just letting off a little steam." (To) let someone off the hook:To release someone from responsibility. ex. "Natalie said she didn't want to wash the dishes, but her mom didn't let her off the hook." (To) let something slide:To neglect something. To ignore something. ex. "I'm going to let it slide this time, but next time be more careful!" (A) lift:A ride. ex. "She gave me a lift to the airport." Little by little:Slowly, gradually. ex. "Little by little she started to like living in New York City." (A) little off:Not quite even, normal. ex. "There was something a little off about the way she was behaving." (To) lock horns:To argue. To have a dispute. To disagree. (To) look the other way:To ignore something on purpose. ex. "In some countries, customs officials can be paid to look the other way." (A) long shot:Something that has a slim (small) chance of happening. "They might win, but it's a long-shot." (To) lose (someone):This is often used when someone is chasing someone OR being chased by someone. If you're being chased by someone and you manage to get away you can say - "I lost him!" - The person chasing you can say the same thing - "I lost him" :) (To) lose one's temper:To become angry. (To) lose one's train of thought:To forget what one was thinking/ talking about. ex. "What was I saying? I lost my train of thought." Lost in thought:Busy thinking. (To) lower one's voice:To talk more softly. ex. "Lower your voice, my parents are asleep." (A) lucky break:Good luck, good fortune. ex. "I was supposed to speak at the meeting today, but I found out it was cancelled. What a lucky break!" AMERICAN IDIOMS STARTING WITH M NEXT PAGE (N)
(To) make a beeline for:To head directly to. ex. "Whenever he comes into the cafeteria, he makes a beeline for the fried shrimp." (To) make a bundle:To make a lot of money (one time). "I made a bundle when I sold my Microsoft stock last month." (To) make a long story short:To bring a story to an end; To sum things up. (To) make a pass at someone:To make romantic advances. To "hit on". ex. "Karl was fired because he made a pass at his co-worker Fiona." (To) make believe:To pretend. ex. "When your friends come, let's make believe ( = pretend) we don't know each other." (To) make ends meet:To have enough money to pay one's basic expenses; to just to get by. "This town is so expensive that it's hard to make ends meet sometimes." (To) make good money:To make a lot of money (regularly). ex. "Shawn doesn't like his job, but he makes good money." (To) make light of something:To treat something as if it were trivial or unimportant. ex. "Don't make light of the situation - it's more serious than you think." (To) make life miserable for someone:To cause someone lots of problems. ex. "Patricia's boss is making life miserable for her." (To) make up one's mind:To make a decision. ex. "I've made up my mind - I'm moving to Costa Rica." (To) make oneself at home:To feel as comfortable as one would being at home. "During your visit just make yourself at home." (To) make someone's head spin:To make someone dizzy or disoriented. ex. "All that alcohol made my head spin." (To) make something from scratch:To make something by starting with the basic ingredients. ex. "Did you bake that cake? No, I made it from scratch." (To) meet someone halfway:To compromise with someone. ex. "They settled the argument by deciding to meet each other halfway." (To) mention something in passing:To mention something casually. (The) middle of nowhere:A very isolated place. "Our car broke down in the middle of nowhere. The nearest town was 100 miles away!" (To) mind one's own business:Not to interfere/ get involved in the business of others. "Sometimes it's best to mind your own business." Money talks:Having money helps one get things done. (There's) more than meets the eye:More complicated/more interesting. "There's more than meets the eye when it comes to Maria = Maria is more interesting (or complicated, depending on the context) than she appears." (To) move up in the world:To increase one's standing socially, etc. To become successful. (A) must:Necessary. "In Los Angeles, having a car is a must." AMERICAN IDIOMS STARTING WITH N NEXT PAGE (O)
neck and neck:Very close (almost even), as in a race. "The two candidates were running neck and neck a month before the election." neck of the woods:Area. Part of a country. ex. "What's happening in your neck of the woods?" (To) need a hand:To need help. Neither here nor there:Not relevant. ex. All of a sudden he started talking about his car - a topic which was neither here nor there. Nest egg:Saved money. Never mind:Don't worry about it. ex. "Did you pick up my photos? Never mind, I'll do it myself tomorrow." (To) nip something in the bud:To end something at an early stage. No laughing matter:A very serious matter. ex. "Hey, why are you smiling? This is no laughing matter!" No picnic:Not easy. Very difficult and problematic. ex. "Let me tell you, driving in that snowstorm was no picnic." No rush:You don't have to hurry. ex. "Do you want this done by this evening? No, there's no rush - you can finish it tomorrow." No skin off my nose:I don't care because it doesn't affect me. No sweat:No problem. No wonder:It's not surprising. ex. "He only slept for two hours last night? No wonder he's so tired." (To) not be born yesterday:To be experienced, knowledgeable. ex. "Of course I know that trick! I wasn't born yesterday." Not in the least?:Not at all. ex. "Were you surprised that he failed the FCE? Not in the least." Not likely:Probably will not happen. ex. "You think George will learn a lesson from this? Not likely." Not much of:Pretty bad. ex. "He's not much of a cook, but at least he tries." Now and then:Occasionally.
Odd man out:An unusual or atypical person (or thing). ex. "In a high school where everyone was tough, I was the odd man out." Off-color:Rude. Vulgar. Off-duty:Not working at one's job. ex. "the policeman couldn't help me because he was off-duty." Off the air:No longer on TV (or the radio). ex. "They took that show off the air in November because nobody watched it." Off the hook:No longer having to do something, no longer blamed or under suspicion. ex. "Ok, you're off the hook. Your brother says he'll clean the bathroom." Off the record:Unofficially. Off the top of one's head:Spontaneously. Without thinking too much. "How many cafes are there in this town? Off the top of my head I can think of about 6." On one's mind:Occupying someone's thoughts. Being thought about. ex. "You were always on my mind." (To do something) on one's own accord:Willingly, without anyone forcing one to do something. "Did you make him appoligize? No, he did it on his own accord." On second thought:Having given something more thought. ex. "On second thought, maybe you should sell your house and move into an apartment." On the go:Busy. Moving around busily. ex. "Jim is always on the go. He can never find time to talk to me." On the house:Something that is given away free by a merchant. "How much for the apple? Don't worry - It's one the house!" On the loose:(Most often used speaking about criminals) - free; uncaptured; "The bank robbers are still on the loose." On the tip of one's tongue:About to be said. Almost remembered. On the wagon:Not drinking alcohol. ex. "Hey let's go out for a couple of beers tonight. I can't - I'm on the wagon." Once in a while:Occasionally. Other side of the tracksThe poorer part of a town. Out cold:Unconscious. ex. "The boxer was out cold." Out of sorts:Not quite oneself; In a bad/strange mood. ex. "Tom has been out of sorts recently."

AMERICAN IDIOMS STARTING WITH P NEXT PAGE (Q)
(A) pain in the butt:A problematic person/thing. Chronic complainer. "I hate doing my taxes. It's such a pain in the butt." "Stop being such a pain in the butt - all you do is complain!" (To) pass the buck:To blame someone else. (To) pass the time:To do something to keep busy. "What do you do to pass the time around here?" (A) pat on the back:A sign of approval - "To give someone a pat on the back" means to show them that you approve of something that they did. (To) pay an arm and a leg/ pay a fortune:To pay a lot of money. ex. "I hate to have to pay an arm and a leg for a tank of gas." (A) peeping TomSomeone who looks through people's windows. (A) piece of cake:Very easy. ex. "Hey how did you do on the test? Good - it was a piece of cake for me." (To give someone) a piece of one's mind:To scold, reprimand someone (for something they did). ex. "After I found out how badly Peter had treated his girlfriend, I gave him a piece of my mind." (To) pitch in:To help with something (especially financially). ex. "Let's all pitch in and buy him a nice present." (To) pick up the tab:To pay a bill. ex. "John, you picked up the tab last time - Let me pay this time." (To) play second fiddle to someone:To be second in importance to someone. ex. "Sam didn't join the team because they already had a star and Sam didn't wanted to play second fiddle to anyone." (To) play something by ear:To improvise. To see how things go and make a decision later. ex. "What do you want to do tonight? I don't know, let's just play it by ear." (To) play it safe:To act or be safe. To do something safely. (To) play the field:To date many different people instead of going steady. "After Mary broke up with Jim, she started playing the field." (A) poker face:A face with no expression. Also common is "to be poker-faced." preachy:An adjective that describes someone (or something) that tries to preach how one should live, etc. eg. "A preachy movie" Pressed for time:In a hurry. (To) promise someone the moon:To promise someone lots of extravagant things (unrealistically). ex. "He promised her the moon, but couldn't deliver on any of his promises." (To) puke:To vomit. To throw up. (To) pull someone's leg:To kid, play a joke on someone. (To) pull a fast one:To cheat or to deceive. Pure gold:If something is "pure gold" it is "the best", "fantastic", "amazing". (To) push one's luck:To expect continued good fortune. (To) put up a good fight:To try very hard. ex. "Well, although my team lost, they put up a good fight, so I'm not upset." AMERICAN IDIOMS STARTING WITH Q NEXT PAGE (R) Quick study:Someone who is able to memorize or learn something quickly and easily."I was worried she wouldn't be able to get up to speed quickly enough, but she proved to be a quick study." Quite a few:Many. ex. "There were quite a few people at the concert yesterday." Quite a bit:A lot. (As) quiet as a mouse:Very quiet. Quick on the uptake:Quick to understand. Quick and dirty:Fast and simple, not very sophisticated. AMERICAN IDIOMS STARTING WITH R NEXT PAGE (S)
(To) rack one's brain:To try very hard to think of something. ex. "I racked my brain but I couldn't remember his name." (To) rain cats and dogs:To rain very hard. ex. "It was raining cats and dogs last night." NB: *Although this is a fun idiom, in our opinion it is ARCHAIC = it's best to say "It was raining very heavily" instead* Rain or shine:No matter what the weather is like. (To) raise (some) eyebrows:To shock. ex."The art show raised some eyebrows due to its explicit content." (A) redneck:Generally refers to someone who has either bigoted or narrow-minded opinions. Often used in the context of people who live in small towns or in the country. (To) read between the lines:To try to understand what is meant by something that is not written/said clearly. "Linda tried to be cheerful and said she was okay, but reading between the lines, I could see she was really upset." (A) regular guy:A normal, average man (said in a fairly positive way). "John? I don't know, I guess he's just a regular guy." (To) rest one's case:When someone says "I rest my case", it means that you both have just witnessed proof that their point of view/argument is correct. Right off the bat:Right away. Immediately. First thing. (To) ring in the new year:To celebrate the beginning of the New Year at midnight on December 31st. (To) ring a bell:To remind, vaguely recognize something. "Have you every listened to Alex Chilton? I'm not sure - the name rings a bell, though. ( = I think I've heard the name before)" or "I'm sorry, that doesn't ring a bell = I'm sorry I don't recognize/know that" (A) rip-off or (To) rip-off:"A" rip-off is something that costs more than it should. "The popcorn prices at the movie theater are a rip-off". "To" rip someone off means to steal from someone, or to cheat someone. "The mechanic ripped me off. He was supposed to give me back a 20 and he only gave me back 10." (To) risk one's neck (to do something):To risk (sometimes physical) harm to accomplish something. ex. "He's always been very mean to me. I don't plan to risk my neck to save his job." (To) rob the cradle:To go out with (or marry) someone who is much younger than you are. ex. "Victor's new wife is 25 years younger than him. Talk about robbing the cradle!" (To) rock the boat:To disturb an otherwise stable situation. Rotten:Bad, nasty. "I've done a lot of rotten things in the past." (To) rub someone the wrong way:To irritate someone. ex. "I'm not going out if your cousin is going. She really rubs me the wrong way." (To) rub elbows with someone:To associate with someone. ex. "When her singing career took off, Kathleen was able to rub elbows with the rich and famous." (To) run a fever:To have a fever. (To) run in the family:To happen/ occur often in the family (through generations). ex. "Frank is always so angry. Yeah, his bad temper runs in the family." AMERICAN IDIOMS STARTING WITH S NEXT PAGE (T)

Safe and sound:Safe. Unharmed. ex. "It was a rough trip but we got there safe and sound." (To) save money for a rainy day:To reserve something for some future need. ex. "I've saved a little money for a rainy day." (To) save the day:To produce good results when bad results are expected. ex. "Colin saved the day by remembering to bring the map." (A) score to settle:To get even. To pay someone back for something negative that they did. ex. "Don't stop me. I have a score to settle with him." (To) scratch the surface:To begin finding out about something. Second nature (to someone):Easy and natural. "Scoring goals is second nature to him." (To) see eye to eye on something:To have a similar opinion on something. ex. "Despite their differences, the two candidates in fact see eye to eye on most issues." (To) see fit:To deem, believe to be appropriate. ex. "You can do that any way you see fit." (To) see the writing on the wall:To see that something is going to happen. (To) serve someone right:To serve as appropriate punishment for someone. ex. "They put him in jail for 5 years? Serves him right!" (To) set foot somewhere:To go or enter somewhere. ex. "If I were you I wouldn't set foot in that town." (To) set one's sights on something:To select something as one's goal. (A) shot in the arm:A boost. "The good financial news was a real shot in the arm for Steve's company." (To) sit on one's handsTo do nothing. (To) sit tight:To wait (patiently). ex. "Sit tight, your mother will be here soon." Skeleton(s) in the closet:A shocking/ disturbing secret. (To) sleep on something:To think about something overnight. ex. "I'm not sure if I want to buy this car. I think I should sleep on it." (To) stand up for something:To fight for, support. ex. "The elected official promised to stand up for the poor." (To) stir up trouble:To cause trouble ex. "Sometimes I think she gets great pleasure from stirring up trouble." Sucker:A gullible person or someone who is easily impressed by something ( eg. "a sucker for gadgets" = someone who is easily impressed by gadgets) (To) swallow something hook, line, and sinker:Suit yourself:Have it your way; As you wish; "I wouldn't walk around that neighborhood at night, but if you really want to, suit yourself." (To) swallow something hook, line, and sinker:To believe something (usually a lie) completely. "Margaret told him a flat-out ( = complete and utter) lie and he swallowed it hook line and sinker." AMERICAN IDIOMS STARTING WITH T NEXT PAGE (U)
(To) take it:To endure trouble, criticism, or abuse. ex. "Say whatever you want about me, I can take it." Take it easy!Relax! (Also used in "to take it easy" = to relax, to spend a day relaxing, etc.) Take it or leave it:To accept it the way it is or to forget it. ex. "That's my final offer. Take it or leave it." (To) take it's toll:To cause damage (or loss). "The long hours he puts in at work have begun to take their toll on his health." (To) take something/ someone for granted:To accept something/ someone (without gratitude) as a matter of course. ex. "We tend to take a lot of things for granted." (To) take something lying down:To endure something unpleasant without fighting back. ex. "I'm not going to take this type of treatment lying down!" (To) take something with a grain of salt:Not to take something that someone says too seriously. (To) take someone under one's wing:To protect (and teach) someone. ex. "Arthur took the new employee under his wing and taught him everything he knew." (To) take the rap (for something):To accept responsibility, admit that one is guilty of something. "I thought that Bill was responsible, but his friend Tom took the rap for the mixup." (To) think straight:To think clearly. ex. "I was so tired that I couldn't think straight." (To) throw someone for a loop:To confuse or shock someone. ex. "His last comment really threw me for a loop... I had no idea what he meant!" (To) tie the knot:To get married. (To) tighten one's beltTo spend less money. ex. "After Becky lost her job, we really had to tighten our belts for a while." To save his/her life:At all/ completely. ex. "She can't sing to save her life." Told you so!:Basically when someone says "told you so!", it's like saying "See - I was right!". Tongue in cheek:Joking. ex. "Quentin made a tongue-in-cheek remark to his dad." (To) touch on (something):To mention/talk about. ex. "During the meeting, we touched on the plans to rebuild the school." True to one's word:Keeping one's promise. ex. "I wasn't sure he would pay me, but he turned out to be true to his word." (To) try your luckTo attempt something. To try to see if you can do/win something. "I'm going to try my luck at the slot machines." (To) try someone's patienceTo do something annoying that may cause someone to lose patience. (To) turn a blind eye to something:To ignore something and pretend you did not see it. ex. "The usher turned a blind eye to the boy who snuck into the theater." (To) turn one's back on (something/someone):To forget or ignore (something/someone) ex. "You should never turn your back on your friends." (To) two-time someoneTo be in a relationship and to have another boyfriend/girlfriend without telling your first boyfriend/girlfriend. "I dumped him when I found out he was two-timing me with Mary." AMERICAN IDIOMS STARTING WITH U NEXT PAGE (V)
Under construction:Being built or repaired. ex. "This road has been under construction for six months." Under fire:Being attacked. ex. "The soldiers came under fire when they approached the city." Under the table:Illegally. ex. "Many illegal immigrants try to find work under the table." Under the weather:Sick. Ill. ex. "I'm feeling a bit under the weather today." Up and about:Recovered from an illness. ex. "Hey it's nice to see you up and about. You must feel a lot better." Up for grabsAvailable for anyone to try to get. ex. "The Chinese telecom market is still up for grabs." Up in the air:Uncertain. ex. "His future at this company is up in the air." Uptight:Conservative, nervous, nit-picky. "Stop being so uptight, relax a bit!" Up to it:Capable of, fit for. ex. "Do you feel up to playing a game of tennis?" Up to one's neck in something:Very much involved in something. To have a lot of something. ex. "I can't go out tonight. I'm up to my neck in work." Up to par:Meeting normal standards. (To) use every trick in the book:To use every method possible Under construction:Being built or repaired. ex. "This road has been under construction for six months." Under fire:Being attacked. ex. "The soldiers came under fire when they approached the city." Under the table:Illegally. ex. "Many illegal immigrants try to find work under the table." Under the weather:Sick. Ill. ex. "I'm feeling a bit under the weather today." Up and about:Recovered from an illness. ex. "Hey it's nice to see you up and about. You must feel a lot better." Up for grabsAvailable for anyone to try to get. ex. "The Chinese telecom market is still up for grabs." Up in the air:Uncertain. ex. "His future at this company is up in the air." Uptight:Conservative, nervous, nit-picky. "Stop being so uptight, relax a bit!" Up to it:Capable of, fit for. ex. "Do you feel up to playing a game of tennis?" Up to one's neck in something:Very much involved in something. To have a lot of something. ex. "I can't go out tonight. I'm up to my neck in work." Up to par:Meeting normal standards. (To) use every trick in the book:To use every method possible.

AMERICAN IDIOMS STARTING WITH V NEXT PAGE (W)
(To) vanish into thin air:To disappear without leaving a trace. Variety is the spice of life:Proverb meaning life is made more interesting by doing new or different things. Very last:The last. ex. "We were able to buy the very last tickets to the concert." Very well:OK. Agreed. Vicious circle:Sequence of cause and effect with bad results. ex. "He had fallen into a vicious circle of drinking too much and then losing his job and then drinking even more."

Wait-and-see attitude:A skeptical attitude. An attitude where someone will just wait and see what happens. (To) wait tables:To work as a waiter/ waitress in a restaurant. (To) wait on someone hand and foot:To serve someone very well. To do anything someone asks you. ex. "I don't mind making you coffee, but don't expect me to wait on you hand and foot!" (To) wash one's hands of someone/something:To end one's association with someone or something. ex. "I washed my hands of Tom. I wanted nothing more to do with him." Washed-up:No longer important/ in good form. "Why do you hang out with that washed-up actor?" (To) waste one's breath:To talk in vain. To waste one's time talking. Way to go!:Good job! Congratulations! (*sometimes used sarcastically*) Wear and tear:Damage as a result of normal use. ex. "They put a lot of wear and tear on their truck during their long road trip." (To) wear out one's welcome:To stay too long (at an event, at someone's house, etc.) ex. "Let's only stay with them for 2 days - I don't want us to wear out our welcome." Well-off:Wealthy. ex. "Her parents are well-off." Wet blanket:A person who discourages others from having fun. What makes someone tick:What motivates someone. ex. "He's such a mysterious guy. I don't quite know what makes him tick." What's with (someone)?:What's wrong with (someone)?. ex. "What's with you? You've been acting strange all day!" (A) whole lot:A lot, too many. ex. "There aren't a whole lot of good restaurants in this neighborhood = There aren't too many good restaurants in this neighborhood" (To be) wide awake:To be completely awake. "Were you sleeping? No, I was wide awake." (A) wild goose chase:A futile/hopeless pursuit. "We thought he gave us a good lead, but it ended up being a wild goose chase." (At one's) wits' end:If you're "at your wits' end" it means that you've tried everything to fix, solve a problem or to come up with a solution, and you're almost going crazy from being unable to do this. With no strings attached:Unconditionally. (To) work out for the best.To work out in the best possible way. ex. "It seems bad now, but things will work out for the best." X marks the spot:This is the exact spot.

AMERICAN IDIOMS STARTING WITH Y NEXT PAGE (Z)
Year-roundOperating all year. ex. "This facility is open year-round." Yes-man:A person who tries to be liked by agreeing with everything said, especially by a boss. You bet!Yes! Sure! I agree! No problem! You can say that again:That is true (stress on "that"). ex. "It sure is hot today! You can say that again!" You can't teach an old dog new tricks:A proverb meaning that old people can't learn anything new. You don't say:Used to show surprise at something that is being said. ex. "You don't say! He was really struck by lightning?" Your guess is as good as mine:I don't know any better/ more than you know. To) zero in on something:To aim or focus directly on something. ex. "I would like to zero in on another important issue." (To) zonk out:To fall asleep.

Phrasal Verbs: A NEXT PAGE (B) A Phrasal Verb is an English verb which is composed of two or three words. One verb is combined with a preposition (like on, in, under) or an adverb (like up, down, away). Sometimes a phrasal verb can have a meaning that is very different to the meaning of at least one of those two or three words separately. Phrasal verbs are used more frequently in everyday speech than in formal, official writing or speaking. Account for: To explain how/why. To give reasons. ex. "How do you account for the increase in production costs?" Act on: To pursue. To take action because of information received. ex. "The military planned to act on the information they received." Act up: To behave or function improperly. ex. "My liver is acting up again. I really have to stop drinking!" Add up: 1) To calculate a sum. ex. "I added up all your bills. You owe me $120." 2) To make sense. ex. "There's something about his story that doesn't add up. I don't think he's telling the truth." Add up to: To equal an amount. ex. "Our monthly expenses added up to $500." Ask around: To ask several people or more. ex. "Do you have change for a 20? No, but ask around, I'm sure someone does." Ask out: To ask to go on a date. ex. "I'm going to ask her out tomorrow." Ask over: To invite to one's home. ex. "I would ask him over for dinner, but I'm afraid he would eat too much." Attend to: To see about something (formal). ex. "I have to some business to attend to. I'll meet up with you later, John."


Back off: Not follow a threat. To step back. ex. "The man threatened to call the cops, but he backed off when I said I would pay for the damages." Back out:To not keep (a promise, agreement, deal) ex. "The other investor backed out at the last second." Back up: (1) Move backward; Move in reverse. ex. "You still have some room to back up a bit."(2) To confirm a story, facts, or information; To support. ex. "If you don't believe me, ask Bill. He'll back me up." Be off: (1) To be not quite right. ex. "The curry here is usually excellent, but today it's a little off."(2) To not be at work (To have a day off work) ex. "I'm off today. Let's do something fun!" Be on: To have a very good/successful performance (usually said of musicians, comics, and other entertainers) ex. If you go to a concert and a musician is playing or singing really well - you can say "He's really on tonight!" Be onto (someone): To realize what someone is doing; to figure out someone's game, trick, etc. ex. He thought that he had everyone fooled, but I was onto him ( = I realized what he was doing). Be up: To be awake. ex. "I'm sorry, he's not up yet." Be up to (something): To be doing (something); To have something planned. ex. "What are you up to?", "I can tell that he's up to something." Bear with (someone): To be patient with someone. ex. "Bear with me, I'll be done in about 10 minutes." Beat out: To finish ahead of. ex. "Sandra beat out all the other contestants and finished first in the race." Beat (someone) up: To physically harm (someone). ex. "What happened to you!? One of the school bullies beat me up today." Blow (someone) off:To say no to someone (This term has a somewhat negative connotation). ex. "We invited them for dinner last weekend, but they just blew us off." Blow over:When speaking about a scandal, etc. - To stop becoming important. ex. "This scandal won't blow over any time soon." Blow up:To explode. To destroy by exploding. ex. "The car blew up after the gasoline caught fire. Thankfully no one was inside." Break down: To stop working / functioning. ex. "My car broke down on the highway yesterday." Break in / Break into: To enter by using force (and breaking a lock, window, etc.) ex. "Someone broke into my apartment last night and stole all my CDs." Break out (from prison, etc.): To escape. ex. "Michael broke out of prison last week." Break up: (1)To disperse or scatter. ex. "The police had a hard time breaking up the crowd at the demonstration." (2) To end a personal relationship.ex. "Fiona and Colin are no longer together. They broke up last week." Bring up: (1) To mention (as a topic of discussion). ex. "Don't bring up his relationship with his brother - he's very sensitive about that."(2) To raise. ex. "He was born in Houston, but he was brought up in Los Angeles." Brush up on / Bone up on (*not as popular*): To review/study thoroughly for a short time. ex. "I need to brush up on my French before my trip to Paris next month." Bump into (or run into) someone: To meet someone you know unexpectedly. ex. "I bumped into her at the party last night." Burn down: To completely destroy by fire. ex. "That house burned down last year." Burn out: To become exhausted (from doing something too long/too intensively, etc.); To become exhausted, unenthusiastic about a job due to boredom, stress, etc. Butt in:To impolitely interrupt (a conversation, an action). "Hey, don't butt in! Wait for your turn!"

Call for:To require. ex. "You're pregnant? This calls for a celebration!" Call off:To cancel something. ex. "They called off the game because of the rain. Call up:When speaking of soldiers, etc. - Requested to report for duty. ex. "My brother was called up last week. Calm down:To relax; To make someone relax. ex. "Calm down, it's not as bad as you think!" Care for:1) To nurse someone or something. ex. "He cared for his sick father for three years." 2) To like someone or something. ex. "I don't really care for Thai food." Carry on about:To continue in an annoying way. ex. "He kept carrying on about how expensive his car is." Cash in on (sth.):To profit, make money from sth. ex. "The basketball player wanted to cash in on his popularity by opening a sports bar." Catch on:To slowly start to understand. ex. "She caught on after a few minutes." Catch up:1) To make up for lost time. ex. "I'm trying to catch up on my homework, since I was away from school for 2 weeks."2) To talk to someone after not talking for a long time. ex. "Mary and I bumped into each other at the mall last week. We hadn't seen each other for a year, so we had a lot of catching up to do. Check in/into:To enter or register at a hospital, hotel etc. ex. "Guests can only check in after 11 AM." Check out:1) To investigate, take a look at. ex. "Hey, check out this website - it's really cool!" 2) To leave a hospital, hotel etc. ex. "My wife checked out of the hospital yesterday." Cheer up:To become cheerful; To cheer someone up - To make someone feel better. ex. "A good song will always cheer me up when I'm feeling down." Clean out:To completely remove everything (from somewhere). ex. "I cleaned out my locker before I left for the summer." Clean up:To clean; To tidy up. Close down:To close a place permanently. ex. "I was sad to find out that they're going to close down my favorite restaurant." Come across:Find (by chance, etc.) ex. "I came across some of my old photos when I was cleaning my room." Come along:1) To accompany someone. ex. "I'm going to the mall - You can come along if you like." 2) To progress. ex. "How's your project coming along." Come back:To return. ex. "What time are you coming back tonight?" Come by:To come over. To drop by. To pay a visit. To visit. ex. "He came by last night.", "What time should I come by?" Come up:To be raised (as a topic/issue during a conversation). ex. "That issue never came up during out conversation." Come up with:To produce or create (an idea, a plan). ex. "The writer came up with a great plot for his new book." Count on:To rely or depend on. ex. "I'm your best friend and you can always count on me."

Dawn on (somebody):To come to the realization; to realize. ex. "It never dawned on me that she might be unhappy = I never realized that she might be unhappy" Decide against (doing something):To decide not to (do something). ex. "He decided against joining the military." IMPORTANT: In English, although it's correct to say "He decided *against* joining the military, you can't say "He decided *for* joining the military" - You have to say "He decided to join the military." Die down:To diminish in intensity. ex. "After the controversy died down, he was able to lead a normal life again." Dig in:To start eating. ex. "Dig in, boys. The food is getting cold!" Do away with:To abolish. ex. "Most people in this country would like to do away with the death penalty." Do over:To do again. ex. "I'm sorry but that's not good enough - You'll have to do it over." Do up:When talking about clothes - to fasten, to button, etc. ex. "Could you help me do up the buttons at the back of my dress?" Do without:To manage without something. ex. "We're going to have to do without a car for a while." Dress up:To wear elegant clothes. ex. "I love dressing up to go to the theater." Drop in (on):To visit someone unexpectedly. ex. "My parents dropped in on me last Saturday." Drag on:To last much longer than expected. ex. "I thought that film would be short, but it really dragged on." Drop off:To deliver someone or something. ex. "I'll drop you off at around 7 PM." Drop out of:Quit/ stop going to (school, etc.) ex. "She dropped out of school last year, but now she wants to go back." Draw up:To organize. To create. ex. "The residents of the building drew up a plan to catch the thief." Eat in:To eat at home. ex. "I don't feel like going out tonight - let's eat in." Eat out:To eat at restaurants, outside the home. ex. "David loves going to new restaurants - he eats out almost every night." End up:To arrive somewhere as a result of consequence. ex. "If you try to juggle two girlfriends you might just end up alone." Ease off/ up on:To put less pressure on something/ someone. ex. "The general was asked to ease off on his efforts to bring back the draft." Egg (someone) on:To urge/ push someone to do something. ex. "The boy always eggs his friends on to do stupid things." Explain away:To explain/ make excuses for something so that it seems less important. ex. "The CEO tried to explain away the company's recent poor performance." Embark upon:To start, commence. ex. "As soon as he finished his contract, he embarked upon a new project."

Face up to:To accept responsibility for. ex. "In order to be a responsible person, you have to face up to what you did." Fall for:To believe something that isn't true. ex. "I can't believe you fell for that story! It's obviously a lie!" Fall through:To not happen. ex. "Our plan to go to Europe last year fell through because we didn't have enough money." Feel out:To try to determine. ex. "Jim's a very moody person. You should feel out his mood before you ask him for any favors." Feel up to:To feel good/comfortable/strong enough to. ex. "Do you feel up to going out tonight?" Figure out:To solve or understand something. ex. "I can't figure out why she would lie to me like that." Fill in:To complete (in writing, etc.) ex. "Don't forget to fill in all the blanks on the application." Fill in for:To substitute for. ex. "I was unable to go to the meeting yesterday, but Tom filled in for me." Fill out:1) To complete (an application, form, etc.) ex. "Fill out this application and bring it back to me." 2) To gain weight, body mass. etc. ex. "Mike has really filled out over the past couple of years." Find out:To discover. ex. "He found out that his wife had been cheating on him." Find your way around:To have good knowledge of the layout/geography of a place/thing.ex. "I can find my way around Houston very easily.", "This sitemap will help you find your way around our website." Follow up on (something):To go back to something that was talked about earlier, usually in order to check progress, discuss details, etc. ex. "I'm calling to follow up on our conversation this morning." Freak out: (very informal)To go crazy/wild (because of emotion, anger, etc.).ex. "My friend freaked out when he found out that his girlfriend was cheating on him."

Get along with:To have a friendly relationship with. To be friendly toward. ex. "I like James, but I don't get along with his brother." Get around:1) To avoid doing something. ex. "You can't get around taking this exam, so you better start studying."2) To move from place to place. ex. "In this city you need a car to get around." Get around (TO something):To have a chance/ time to do something ex. "I'm sorry, I haven't gotten around to reviewing your paper yet." Get away:To escape. ex. "The bank robbers got away." Get by:To survive (financially). ex. "It's hard for me to get by on the money I'm making." Get even:To get revenge. To settle a score. ex. "He got even with his former employers by taking them to court and winning the lawsuit." Get hold of:To reach. To contact. ex. "Did you get hold of Robert? I really need to speak to him about the proposal." Get in:To come/arrive. To come home. ex. "What time did you get in last night? 2:00 AM." Get on:To enter (car, bus, plane, etc.) ex. "We got on the train in Paris." Get off:To leave (car, bus, plane, etc.) ex. "We have to get off at the next bus stop." Get on:To continue. ex. "I found it hard to get on with my life after my girlfriend left me." Get over:To accept/stop thinking about. ex. "I can't get over the fact that she left me." Get up:To wake up and get out of bed. ex. "What time to did you get up this morning?" Give away:1) To give something for free. ex. "When Nancy found out she was moving, she gave away all her furniture." 1) To reveal. ex. "There's no point in going out to see that movie - Nancy gave away the ending yesterday." Give in:To stop trying (to fight something). ex. "Tom gave in to his parents' pressure and became a doctor." Give off:To release (a smell, a light) ex. "That yellow flower gives off a wonderful smell." Give up:To surrender, concede, stop trying, etc. ex. "You should always keep trying. Don't give up!" Go away:To leave. ex. "I told him to go away, but he wouldn't leave." Go off:1) To explode. ex. "The bomb could go off at any moment." 2) To start (signal, alarm, warning siren, etc.) ex. "My alarm went off at 7:00 AM but I just couldn't get up." Go on:To continue. ex. "Go on, tell me the rest of the story." Go out:1) To leave the house (and partake in social activities - bar, club, restaurant, etc.) ex. "My cousin loves to party. She goes out every night." 2) To stop burning (a fire). ex. "After the fire went out, it became very cold." Go out with:To have a romantic relationship with. To be boyfriend and girlfriend.ex. "Is she really going out with him?" Go over:To review. ex. "Let's go over your test." Grow on (someone):When something "grows on" you, it means you begin liking it after initially not liking it. ex. "When I first heard that CD, I really hate it, but it's beginning to grow on me." Grow up:To be raised. To become an adult. ex. "I grew up in San Diego.", "These days children grow up too fast." Hand inTo submit (a report, assignment, essay). ex. "I have to hand in my assignment at 8 AM tomorrow morning" Hand out:To distribute. ex. "William, please hand these copies out to the class." Hang on:To hold on. To wait. Hang up:To end a phone conversation by replacing the receiver. ex. "We got into a huge fight on the phone and she hung up on me." Hang out:To stay in a place for fun. ex. "Like most teenagers, she loves to hang out in the mall." Hear from:To receive news from (phone call, letter, e-mail, etc.) ex. "Have you heard from Robert lately?" Hear of:To know/ be familiar with something or someone. ex. "I have never heard of that band." Hit on:To flirt with someone. ex. "That guy was hitting on me all night at the club." Hold off on:To delay. ex. "Let's hold off on making dinner until your roommates come back." Hold on:To wait. ex. "I have never heard of that band." Hold up:1) To delay. ex. "I'm sorry we're late. We got held up at the airport." 2) To rob. ex. "My sister is very upset. Two men held her up and took her purse and jewelry." Hook up (with someone):To meet with someone (*be careful because this often has sexual overtones*) ex. "We hooked up last weekend." Iron outTo eliminate. To work out. ex. "They managed to iron out all the problems before they launched the new product." Inch along:To move along very slowly. ex. "Traffic was inching along this morning because of the accident." Inch away:To back off. To move away. ex. "The president has begun to inch away from his pledge not to spend more money on the war."

Jack upTo raise (a physical object, a price, etc.) ex. "The hotels around here usually jack up their prices during the summer season." Joke around:To kid. To be humorous. ex. "He was just joking around, but his girlfriend didn't find it funny." Jump all over:To seriously scold. ex. "She jumped all over me when I got home at 3:00 AM last Tuesday." Jump at:To willingly seize/ accept the opportunity. ex. "George jumped at the chance to go to Australia with his best friends." Keel over:To fall over and faint. ex. "One of the dancers keeled over from the heat." Keep aroundTo have handy. To have access to. ex. "I like to keep some change around to do laundry." Keep back:To maintain a distance. ex. "Keep back - that driver seems like he's drunk." Keep on:To continue. ex. "He kept on talking until I told him to stop." Keep out:To prevent from entering. ex. "Your job is to keep all the underage kids from entering the club." Keep up:1) To keep (someone) up - To make someone stay awake. ex. "The party kept me up all night." 2) To manage to stay on schedule, or to do the required work on time. ex. "I've got too much work! I'm finding it hard to keep up." Kick around:To think about. ex. "I've been kicking around the idea of writing a book." Kick back:To relax. ex. "Hey, you're on vacation - just kick back and relax." Kick off:To start. ex. "They kicked off the fundraiser with a concert." Kick out:To throw out. To expel. ex. "They kicked him out of school." Knock down:To destroy. To knock (someone) down - To cause someone to fall due to a strong hit, etc. ex. "They knocked down that wall during the renovation.", "He knocked him down with one punch." Knock out:To make unconscious. ex. "The boxing match ended when the German boxer was knocked out in the third round."

Lay down:To establish. ex. "If you would like to stay here, we should lay down some rules." Lay into:To criticize (severely). ex. "His mother really laid into him whenever he came home late." Lay off:1) To (temporarily) suspend someone from work while things are slow. ex. "General Motors had to lay off 3,000 workers last month." 2) To stop using. ex. "You should really lay off the alcohol." Lead on:To make someone think that something (romantic) will happen, while knowing that it will not. ex. "I thought she really liked me. But she was just leading me on!" Let down:To disappoint. ex. "He really let me down by not showing up on Friday." Let on:To pretend, act. ex. "He let on like he hadn't heard that I had been fired." Let up:To lose some intensity. ex. "By the time the storm let up, half the city had been flooded." Lie down:To recline and rest. ex. "I was really tired from playing outside so I lied down for about 10 minutes." Light up:1) To start smoking a cigarette. ex. "In Los Angeles, you're not allowed to light up in any bars and restaurants." 2) To illuminate. ex. "The stars lit up the sky." Let out:Release. ex. "They let him out of the hospital on Friday." Live on:To survive on. ex. "It's hard to live on bread and water alone." Log on/in to:To enter a username/password combination to be allowed access to a computer, email account, etc. ex. "The system is not allowing me to log in for some reason." Look after:To take care of. ex. "I'll look after your dog while you're in Spain." Look down on:To see someone or something as being worse, inferior. ex. "Arrogant people often look down on others." Look up to:1) To admire. ex. "He is a leader in the community and many people look up to him." 2) To check and find (in a dictionary, etc.) ex. "I tried to look that word up, but it wasn't in the dictionary."

Make fun of:To laugh at. To make jokes about. ex. "The other kids always made fun of John." Make of:To understand/ interpret. ex. "What do you make of his comments?" (How would you interpret his comments?) Make out:1) To decipher/ understand. ex. "He always mumbles - I can never make out what he's saying." 2) To kiss and touch (passionately). ex. "The two college students were making out in the park." Make (someone) over:To change someone's appearance. Make (someone) out (to be something):To make someone seem like something. They made her out to be some kind of monster. Make up:1) To fabricate, invent. ex. "He made up a story about how he got robbed on the way to work." 2) To reconcile. ex. "They had a big fight, but then they made up right away." Make up for:To compensate for. ex. "He made up for what he said by inviting her to a movie." Mark down:To lower a price. ex. "All these items have been marked down. They are on sale." Mark up:To increase a price. ex. "Retailers had to mark up their prices in order to cover expenses." Mess up:To spoil, to cause trouble (informal). ex. "The messed up his chance of getting promoted by always being late." Measure up:To be of an equally high quality. ex. "These new products don't measure up to our standards." Mix up:To confuse. To get it wrong. ex. "I hate this restaurant, they always mix up my order." Move in:To start living in an apartment, house, with someone, etc. ex. "Tom moved in with his girlfriend." Move on:To continue. ex. "Let's move on. What's the next topic?" Move out:To stop living in an apartment, house, etc. ex. "Sarah moved out last month. She moved in with her mother." Name after:To give someone the same name as someone else (usually a family member or someone famous). ex. "She was named after her great grandmother." Nod off:To fall asleep, to take a cat nap. ex. "Jim was so tired that he began to nod off during the meeting." Nail down:To make sure. To finalize. ex. "We're still trying to nail down the specifics." Nose around:To look for something (secret), to pry. ex. "I hate it when my brother noses around my room."

Occur to:To come to one's mind. To make one realize. ex. "It just occurred to me that I don't even know his name." Open up:To talk about one's feelings honestly. ex. "I don't usually open up to people this way." Own up:To take the blame for. ex. "He showed lots of character when he owned up to what he did."

Pan out:To happen. To occur. ex. "Our trip to Vietnam didn't pan out." Pass away:To die. ex. "His grandfather passed away last month." Pass for (something/someone):To be able to be accepted as (something/someone). ex. "He's 37, but he can pass for 30.", "He can pass for being Italian." Pass on:1) To tell or transmit. ex. "He passed the news on to the president." 2) To not take or accept. ex. "I'll buy the blouse, but I'll pass on the pants." Pass out:1) To faint. ex. "The woman passed out from the heat." 2) To distribute. ex. "The demonstrators were passing out flyers." Pass (something) up:To let (something) go by. ex. "I passed up a great opportunity to make a lot of money." Pay back:To repay. To get revenge. ex. "Why is she being so mean to him? She is paying him back for all the years he was mean to her." Pay off:1) To complete payment. ex. "I won't be able to pay off my student loan for another 10 years." 2) To bribe. ex. "The police were obviously paid off to stay away." Pick on:To harass. To intentionally make someone upset. ex. "You shouldn't pick on him just because he's different." Pick up:1) To come and get someone (usually in a car). ex. "I have to pick the kids up at school." 2) To notice. ex. "She picked up on his bad mood" 3) To meet someone and initiate a (sexual) relationship. ex. "Some sleazy guy was trying to pick me up last night." Play down:To diminish the significance of. To make something sound less important. ex. "The CEO tried to play down the dismal financial report."Play up:To exaggerate the significance of. To make something sound more important. ex. "He likes to play up the fact that he was raised in a tough neighborhood." Point out:To indicate. To bring to someone's attention. ex. "I'd like to point out that two of the bank robbers were from Canada." Polish off:To finish. ex. "Peter polished off the rest of the spaghetti." Pull in:To drive in. To park. ex. "They pulled in to McDonald's to grab something to eat." Pull (something) off:To succeed in doing something (that seemed un doable, unrealistic, hard to do, etc.) ex. "I can't believe she pulled it off. I was sure she was going to fail." Pull over:When driving - To stop. Put (someone) down:To make negative remarks about (someone). ex. "He was a very mean boy who always put down everyone around him." Pull over:To drive a vehicle to the side of the road. ex. "Pull over by those bushes. I have to go to the bathroom." Put (someone) on:To try to trick someone (usually not in a serious/malicious way - often as a joke/for fun). ex. "You're putting me on! He didn't really say that, did he?" Put (something) off:To delay doing (something) until a later time. ex. "Why do you keep putting this off? Just do it, and get it over with." Put out:When speaking about CDs, etc. - To release. ex. "The Killers put out a new CD last month." Put (someone) up:To have someone as a guest in one's home; To allow someone to sleep in your home. ex. "It was really kind of your uncle to put me up for a week" Put up with:To tolerate. ex. "I can't put up with his behavior any longer."

Quiet down:To be/ become more quiet. ex. "We told the construction workers to quiet down."

Rat on:To be an informer. To reveal someone's secret. ex. "The teacher found out because you ratted on me!" Read up on:To search out information on. ex. "I wanted to read up on camping in West Virginia before my trip." Read (too much) into (sth):To over-analyze/exaggerate the importance of something that was said. ex. "Don't read too much into what she said. She likes to" Rinse out:To rinse the inside of. ex. "Rinse out that kettle before you fill it with water." Rip off:To cheat. To swindle. ex. "Don't go into that store - the owner will try to rip you off." Roll in:To arrive in great numbers/ quantity. ex. "He thinks that if he opens a restaurant, people will just roll in automatically." Rough up:To hurt physically. ex. "When the cops arrived, they saw that the man had been roughed up a bit." Rub off:To transmit to someone. ex. "After hanging out with Hans for the past year, I can say that his love of bratwurst has rubbed off on me." Rule out:To eliminate. ex. "We can't rule out revenge as a possible motive." Run away:To escape; leave; leave quickly without permission. ex. "He ran away from home when he was 16." Run (something) by (someone):To tell someone something. To let someone know about something. ex. "The Secretary of State ran the plan by the President." Run for:To campaign for. To try to become elected as. ex. "Bill Clinton ran for president twice, and both times he was elected." Run into:To meet (by accident). ex. "Guess who I ran into the other day? My math teacher from high school!" Run off:To run away. ex. "They ran off without paying the bill." Run out of:To have no more, to use up completely. ex. "I ran out of gas on the way to my aunt's house."


See to:To make sure that (something happens). ex. "I'll see to it that he gets your message." Sell out:1) To do something one normally would not do, in order to get money (usually used when talking about musicians, artists, etc.) ex. "I liked this band when they first came out, but then they sold out." 2) To sell (an item) until there are none left. ex. "I'm sorry we sold out of that toy this morning." Set (someone) up:1) To arrange a meeting (with the purpose of getting people involved romantically). ex. "Becky tried to set me up with her cousin, but it didn't work out."2) To falsely incriminate someone. ex. "The killer claimed that he had been set up." Show (someone) around:To show someone where everything is in a city, neighborhood, etc.ex. "I don't really know the city - Could you show me around?" Show off:To brag. To be very proud about something. ex. "He just loves to show off his car, doesn't he?" Show up:1) To arrive. ex. "He showed up at her house at 4 o'clock in the morning." 2) To show (someone) up - To outdo, to outperform, to make someone seem worse. ex. "The opening band showed the headliners up" Shut up:To be/ make quiet. ex. "He just kept talking and talking. He never knows when to shut up." Sign off on (something):To approve. ex. "We have to get upper management to sign off on the proposal this week." Sign up (for something):To register. ex. "I signed up for an intensive Spanish course in Barcelona." Sleep in:To sleep longer than normal. ex. "I slept until 11:00 AM this morning." Slip out:To sneak out. To leave (a place, etc.) quietly/without making a sound. ex. "He must have slipped out while the security guard wasn't looking." Slip up:To make a mistake. ex. "The press secretary slipped up and told the reporters more than he was supposed to." Slow down:To (make something) move more slowly. ex. "Hey, could you please slow down! I'm finding it hard to keep up." Stand for:To represent. ex. "VIP stands for very important person." Stand out:To be very different (in a positive way). ex. "Maria is the kind of girl who really stands out in a crowd." Stand up:To not arrive for a date. ex. "She was really angry when he stood her up on Saturday." Stand up to:To defend oneself against. ex. "The boy showed a lot of courage in standing up to the school bully." Stay over:To sleep at someone's house. ex. "Hey can I sleep over tonight?" Stay up:To stay awake; Not to go to bed. ex. "Jamie's parents let him stay up until 11:00 PM on weekends." Straighten (something) out:To make something clear(er); To make something less confusing; "They was a mistake on my phone bill, but the phone company straightened it our for me." String (someone) along:To keep someone in a state of false hope/ deception. Take aback:To surprise (almost always used in the form - "to be taken aback").ex. "I was taken aback by his reaction." Take after:To resemble (a person). ex. "She really takes after her father." Take care of:1) To provide care for. ex. "John took good care of his car and ended up selling it for a lot of money." 2) To assume responsibility for doing. ex. "Who's going to tell him? I'll take care of it." Take off:1) To remove. ex. "Please take off your hat when you're indoors."2) To leave. To split. ex. "I think I'm going to take off - I'm really tired."3) To leave the ground (plane or rocket). ex. "When the plane took off I felt very nervous." Take over:To take control over ex. "After Jim retired, Nancy took over the family business." Talk back:To respond in a rude, or aggressive way. ex. "Don't talk back to your father like that!" Talk (someone) into (something):To convince/persuade someone (by talking to them) to do something. ex. "He talked me into buying a Mazda." Talk (someone) out of (something):To convince/persuade someone (by talking to them) NOT to do something.. ex. "I was going to buy a Mazda, but my cousin talked me out of it." Talk (something) over:To discuss. ex. "It's a good deal, but I have to talk it over with my husband." Tell off:To criticize (sometimes severely). ex. "I told the babysitter off for not taking good care of my son." Tell on:To report bad behavior. ex. "Every time I did something wrong when I was a child, my brother would tell on me." Think up:To create or invent (a story, plan, etc.) ex. "The two writers always think up really interesting plots. " Throw away/ Throw out:To put something in the garbage. To discard. ex. "Maria, stop playing with that paper - throw it out!" Throw (someone) off:To make someone lose their concentration/ to mislead someone. ex. "I know you're doing that just to throw me off, but it's not going to work." Throw up:To vomit. ex. "If you drink too much alcohol, you might throw up." Try out:When talking about teams, bands, etc. - To attempt to become accepted as a member. ex. "She tried out for the basketball team, but they told her that she was too short." Turn down:To reject. To say no to. ex. "The new candidate turned down the job offer." Turn into:To become. To transform into. ex. "The frog turned into a Prince after the Princess kissed him." Turn on:1) To start by turning a handle or switch. ex. "Turn on the light - it's dark in here."2) To turn (someone) on - To excite (often sexually). ex. "Girls like that really turn me on." Turn out:1) To produce an unexpected result. ex. "I thought he was an honest man, but it turns out he had been lying to me all along."2) To appear. To come. (to a protest, an event, etc.) ex. "500,000 people turned out for the concert."Turn up:Appear. To be found. ex. "I'm sure your wallet will turn up somewhere." Turn (something) up:To make something louder. ex. "Turn up the radio - I love that song!"
Use up:To use all of something. ex. "You used up all the toothpaste - How am I supposed to brush my teeth?"
Vote down:
To defeat in a vote. ex. "The senate voted down the president's proposed bill." Veer away from:To avoid. ex. "As a cameraman, I would veer away from those types of shots."
Wait on:To serve (in a restaurant). ex. "I want to go back to school. I don't want to wait on tables forever." Wake up:To awaken. ex. "I woke up at 7:00 AM this morning." Wash up:To wash, clean oneself. ex. "Make sure you wash up before dinner." Watch out:To be careful. ex. "There's a school at the end of this block. Watch out for children crossing the street." Wear off:To stop working. To fade. ex. "The numbness will wear off in two hours." Wear out:1) To wear so much that something becomes too old/ damaged to wear. ex. "I wore out my shoes in about six months."2) To make someone very tired. ex. "My daily routine really wears me out." Wind up:To finish. End up. ex. "If he doesn't get his act together, he is going to wind up in jail." Work out:1) To be successful. ex. "I'm glad your new consulting business is working out."2) To exercise (usually with weights). ex. "Martin works out three times a week." Write up:To prepare a report. ex. "He wrote up a business proposal when he was applying for loan." Wrap up:To finish. To bring to a conclusion. ex. "OK, let's wrap up for today."

As far as we know, there are no phrasal verbs starting with "X" :)

Yak on:To keep talking (too much). ex. "He kept yakking on for hours about how great things were going for him."
Zero in on:To focus on. To pinpoint. ex. "The authorities zeroed in the fugitive's location." Zip around:To move around. ex. "Peter zipped around town after school." Zone out:To stop paying attention. To space out. ex. "He zoned out during the lecture." Zoom in:To focus. ex. "Try to zoom in so we can get a closer look."