English Idioms & Expressions

A set of 33 vocabulary flashcards covering English idioms, expressions, and specific phrasal verb meanings based on the lecture notes.

Quite a few / Quite a number of / Quite a lot (Countable)

Used ONLY with countable nouns. E.g. quite a few students, quite a number of complaints.

Quite a bit of / Quite a lot (Uncountable)

Used ONLY with uncountable nouns. E.g. quite a bit of money, quite a bit of experience.

Quite a bit (no noun after)

Quite often. E.g. I go to the gym quite a bit these days.

Quite a while

For quite a long time. E.g. I've been waiting for quite a while.

Ages

A very long time. Use 'for ages' generally, or 'in ages' only after a negative or superlative.

Well off

Rich; can also mean having good opportunities/facilities, not just money.

Better off

Richer (comparative of well off); or 'it would be better for you'.

Worse off

Poorer; opposite of better off.

Had better

A stronger form of 'should', giving advice.

To hear of

To know that someone/something exists or recognise the name, usually famous.

To hear about

To find out what happened to someone/something (news, event); or to find out information about something.

To hear from

To receive news or communication (letter, call, email) directly from someone.

Fussy

Difficult to please, not easily satisfied. Synonyms: choosy, particular, picky.

To make a fuss

To complain, to be difficult about a situation.

To make a fuss of / To fuss over

To show affection and attention towards a person or animal.

Stale

Unfresh — used for bread, biscuits; figuratively for forgotten knowledge.

Stuffy

Unfresh, lacking fresh air — the more common word for describing air.

Stalemate

A situation where neither side in a dispute or negotiation can progress or win.

To go off (food/milk)

To go bad. E.g. This milk has gone off/is off.

To go off (alarm)

To ring — used only for an alarm clock or bell, not a phone or doorbell.

To go off (bomb/gun)

To explode or fire.

To go off (an idea/person)

To stop liking something or someone (colloquial).

To go off (letter/fax)

To be sent — often used in an office context.

To go off (travel)

To leave for a particular place, to travel around.

To go off (electricity/gas)

To be switched off or stop working.

To get one's own back on someone / To get someone back

To get revenge.

May/Might as well (nothing better to do)

To do something only because there is nothing better to do.

May/Might as well (worth doing)

There is no harm in doing something, it's worthwhile.

May/Might as well (no difference)

It would make no difference, so one should do the easier or cheaper thing.

To do up (fasten)

To tie up, button up, or fasten (e.g. a zip).

To do up (renovate)

To decorate or renovate.

To undo / undid / undone

The opposite of 'to do up' — to unfasten.

To get/come back to someone on/with something

To return to someone regarding a matter, or with information they requested — often used on the phone.