Home styles, lifestyles

18

squat

is an empty building where people start living without the owner’s permission

hovel

/ is a very small, dirty house or flat in a bad (or run down) condition.

furnished/unfurnished

[with or without furniture]

penthouse

s a luxury flat at the top of a building.

Council / social housing

s rented accommodation provided by the state for people who have low incomes.

High-rise (flats) / tower blocks

flats in a tall, modern building with a lot of floors

granny flat

a set of rooms for an elderly person, connected to a relative’s house.

get on like a house on fire

get on very well with someone

a household word/name

something/someone everyone knows

on the house

free of charge

home truths

information that is true but not pleasant or welcome

nothing to write home about

nothing special

hit home

become fully understood or fully felt

make yourself at home

make yourself feel comfortable in someone else’s home

life in the fast lane

a way of life that is full of activity and excitement

have the time of your life

have a wonderful time

get a new lease of life

become more energetic and active than before

a dog’s life

a very unhappy and difficult life

lead a sheltered life

have a life that is protected from unpleasantness (also lead a busy/ quiet/normal, etc. life)

(not) be a matter of life and death

(not) be very serious

take your life in your hands

do something very dangerous

breathe new life into

bring new ideas and energy to something