Payback loans

afford (verb): have enough money to pay for something

I don’t think we can afford a new car right now.

outrageous (adjective): very unusual or surprising

That is an outrageous tie. The colors are hard to look out.

up to one’s ears in debt (idiom): have a lot of debt

Some students are up to their ears in debt because of student loans.

give it straight (idiom): speak directly and openly about something

Give it to me straight. How much money do we still have in the bank? 

hassle (noun): an inconvenience or bother

Driving to school is such a hassle because the roads are always congested.

run your dry (idiom): spend money you can’t afford

My kids are going to run us dry.  They eat everything in the house.

get locked into something (adjective): terrible

Maria is in an awful situation right now without a job.

souvenir = đồ lưu niệm

Some friends and I are going to Hawaii next week, and my small bag won’t be big enough for all the souvenirs I plan to bring home

300% interest = lãi suất 300%

I mean they might charge you over 300% interest compared to about 12 to 30% interest for a regular credit card.

nest egg” = extra money to save for the future

We need to have a nest egg in case the economy worsens.

be broke” = be out of money

Brandon is broke, so I can’t buy any food this week.

ordeal (noun): a difficult situation or experience

Getting robbed in the street was a very difficult ordeal for my sister.

heavy build (noun): a large body size 

Sam is tall and has a heavy  build. You will recognize him quickly.

polka dot (adjective): họa tiết chấm bi

The young girl loves her polka dot dress.

bizarre (adjective): very unusual or strange

The story was very bizarre. I couldn’t believe it really happened.

Knock = ngã gục

when this woman knocked me right off my feet

Grab = túm lấy

when this woman knocked me right off my feet, grabbed my stuff, and ran off through the trees.

eat humble pie” = be humiliated or forced to be humble: nhục nhã

The theft had to eat humble pie when he attacked my wife, and she beat him up using some karate moves.

lay a finger on” = touch with the intent to do harm or do something you shouldn’t

Don’t even think about laying a finger on my french fries. They’re all mine.