SESSION 1

shock/surprise someone
throw | knock someone for a loop
catch someone off guard
compliment or give encouragement
to someone for doing something
positive (often in a generally
negative situation)
give someone points | props |
credits for

You want to say something or offer

an advice even though you are not
sure if that helps or matters
for what its worth

introducing someone
Lets meet the one and only
Make some noise for
Lets give it to
Put your hands together for
Lets cheer for
A big hand for

be much better than one's peers

stand out (in/from the crowd)

give the speaking turn to someone

give the floor to

when you do something very well

and easily without having to try too
hard, (e.g. you have a born talent for
it), you are
(a) natural

offer a personal opinion or viewpoint

Well
You know what?
Here is the thing | the deal
I say

someone
able
to
learn
new
knowledge and skills quickly and
easily
(a) quick study

provide additional information that is

not very important
For what its worth

set or increase the standard or level

of difficulty of a test or competition
set | raise the bar

talk
about
advantages
disadvantages
Here is the good news
The bad news is

understand or form an opinion about

something or someone
make of

say after offering your opinion

Just my two-cents

have no intention of doing something

No plan!

for example
Say

SESSION 2
If someone has just experienced
something similar to what you were
through before, you say
Welcome to my world | Join the
club.
If you need to use the bathroom but
none is currently available, you have
to
hold it [in]

and

say when you introduce a topic and

then go on to talk about it
On that note
go back to an earlier point
back up
SESSION 4
Answer the phone to somebody who
is asking for you
This is he | Speaking

 The conversation resumption

Where was I? | Where were we?
what would you say to stop your
partner, who is talking to you, so that
you can emporarily attend to
something else.
hold the thought | hold that
thought
how would you tell someone to keep
talking because you want to know
whats going to happen next?
Finish your thought
what would you say when you are
using the toilet and someone knocks
on the door?
Somebody in here
What would you say when you knock
at someones bedroom door
Are you decent?
What would you say while pouring
someone a drink?
Say when

Phrase reduction
going to gonna
want to wanna
have to hafta
has to hasta
ought to oughta
out of outta
got to gotta
got you gotcha
won't you woncha
did you didja
didn't you didincha
is he izzy
would he wouldy
give it to me gividame
what do you whadaya
SESSION 5

do or perform very well

knock | hit out of the park

advertise, try to sell something by

advertisement
[spin] ones pitch
almost, nearly
seconds away from | inches from
not able to endure or stand
cant take
use something in the wrong way
not for the intended purpose
certain or very likely to happen
be bound to
on opposing sides with no middle
ground
polarized
follow or conform to the law or rules
to abide by
vaguely aware of, do not know for
sure
at | in the back of ones mind
become known to people or the
public
to come out
certain or very likely to happen
be bound to
going to fail
on the skids | on the rocks
conduct a thorough research
dig deep
invest or pay a lot of money
dig deep [into ones pockets]
lost (some money) on gambling
to gamble away
take a risk in doing something
to gamble on
SESSION 6

 swear that something is absolutely

true
the truth, the whole truth, and
nothing but the truth
usually hear that comment/remark
get that a lot

responsible for or have to make

decisions about difficult things
in the hot seat
try to achieve a goal
in quest of | for

immediately
right off the bat

earn a lot of money easily

smile | laugh all the way to the
bank

give an immediate answer without

thinking about it carefully
[right] off the top of ones head

If one has the power to decide,

If one had ones vote | if one has
a say

like certain types of things or people

have a thing for | about

find happiness in something

derive pleasure from
rely on, depend on
to count on

do not have courage or strength to

do something
have no stomach for
keep from telling
hold back
present in a certain way, explain in
details
lay out
something affect you personally or
arouse strong feelings in you
hit close to home | hit one where
one lives
date or have a
relationship with
to hook up with

casual

sexual

really want to do something and

cant wait to do it
be dying to do something | for
something
everyone would have the same
reaction or opinion
who hasnt | doesnt | wouldnt?
SESSION 7
in
a
(usually
important
but
undesirable) position where you are

learn to accept or be able to live with

an existing problem that you cant
change
come to terms with
challenge
an
opponent
in
a
competition, tell them to show you
what they've got
bring it on
someone who stays up very late or
wakes up very early
morning person | early riser
night owl
deal with something when it happens
on a case-by-case basis (i.e. no
planning in advance)
take it | the chance as it comes
talk about something that has been
worrying you (usually something you
normally do not share with others)
get off ones chest
keep (an emotion) inside, do not
share with others
bottle up
admit that one is having problems
work on

 a gender-exclusive social activity

where the other sex is not allowed to
join
girls' night out | boys' night out
something personally important to
you and you really care about
close to ones heart

Ways of saying NO
Never
Not in a million years
No | (absolutely) not
No way Jos
No chance (Lance)
Nugatory
Nyet
Uh-mm | Nah nah | Uh-oh
Not on your life

try to stop oneself from

something
to keep from [crying]

doing

hook up with a lot of different people

to sleep around
in an effort or attempt to achieve
something
in a bid for
not yet completely settled
definitely planned, still tentative
up in the air

or

not able to think of anything or

remember anything
go blank

SESSION 8
tell a story from ones own point of
view and to ones own advantage
spin a story
beyond
what
is
accepted,
unacceptable or inappropriate
over the line
as a result or consequence of
something
in the aftermath of
there are a lot of phone calls coming
in
phone ringing off the hook
live in the same house
live under the same roof
hook up with a lot of different people
to sleep around
in an effort or attempt to achieve
something
in a bid for
not yet completely settled
definitely planned, still tentative
up in the air

become widely known to the public

to go | become | be made public

or

to acknowledge an opponents good

point(s) before counter-argue
Fair enough, but
SESSION 9
dial the number and hang up
immediately so that the receiver
know you wish for him to call you
back
to drop call | miss call
your cell phone, whilst in your
pocket, randomly calls a number
to pocket dial
cant talk about something sensitive
because your parents are watching
POS(parents over shoulders)
have not been able to call someone,
whos been trying to contact you
be in call debt to someone
pretend that you are having a phone
call
make a faux call | fake call
end or finish in a particular state

culminate in | with
compete directly with each other
to compete one-on-one | headto-head

used for emphasizing that what you

have said has more to it than it
seems
thats saying something

agree completely with each other

to see eye-to-eye with

ask or request someone to leave

to show someone the door

marked by or done in a bold, defiant,

or showoff manner (without caring
about what others may react)
in-your-face

work very hard

work ones ass | butt off

survive
make it
something extremely important
a matter of life and/or death
a baby is going to be born soon
have a baby on the way | expect
a child
expectant mother | father
endure and persist, do not give up
stick to
continue to give someone in need
help or support
stick by
keep doing something in spite of
difficulties or bad conditions
through thick and thin
do not understand or cant follow
what others are saying
Im lost
not able to speak
be lost for words
concentrate
on
thinking
about
something and do not pay attention
to what is going on around you
be lost in thought
done on purpose, for a particular
purpose
by design

the same for

ditto
try to achieve past successes
reclaim ones glory
it feels good to be finally home
Home sweet home
tell somebody to start working
get to work
something unusually interesting or
noticeable
a sight to be seen
have no idea
have no clue
SESSION 10
extremely good, unreal, impressive
or unbelievable
out of this world!
get to meet someone you only saw
on TV before
to jump in ones TV
show encouragement
Attaboy! Attagirl!
Way to go!
You go boys! You go girls!
a step, stage or item on a plan or
agenda
order of business

 suddenly understand something or

know what you have to do
something clicks | it clicks

follow someones example

follow in ones footsteps

have a lot of work to do

have work cut out for

look exactly like someone

mirror image

faint, lose consciousness

pass out
either do what I tell you to do or get
out
my way or highway
get what you want
get | have ones [own] way
in a particular state of health
in good | bad | worse | better
shape
the risk that involves
important
the stakes | at stake

a solution to all diseases or problems

panacea | cure-all

something

warning, be careful here

the caveat
a three-part command to start a
competition
On your mark. Get set. Go!
talk to an old friend to find out what
has happened in their life since you
last saw each other
to catch up with someone on
something
reduce the distance between you
and one other in competition until
you catch them
to catch up with someone
for your own benefit or advantage
without caring much about others
each man for himself
try your best, put in your best efforts
give everything one has | give it
everything

something coming as an unpleasant

shock
a slap in the face
available when someone needs you
be there (for)
SESSION 12
When would you say oh in
English?
used to reply to, acknowledge or
indicate
that
you
understand
something
used in direct address
used to give an estimation
used when you are hesitating while
speaking because you are searching
for the right word.
used in an exclamation to express an
emotion such as surprise, pain,
annoyance, or happiness, in hope, in
joy, in confusion, in pain
gradually reduce the level of activity,
usually before closing or stopping
completely
wind down
become less crowded
thin out
cause someone to be very confused
or to have psychological problems
mess up
warn someone that they are asking
for too much or are close to a
breaking point
dont push it!

 irritate someone, try to get a bad

reaction out of someone
push someones button
interpret something in a particular
way
read too much | too far
try to get or understand the hidden
meaning, without it being said
explicitly
to read between the lines
make a particular (usually incorrect)
impression on people
to come across | come over as
not good enough to allow oneself to
behave in a particular way
(don't) have the goods to back it
up
begin to like something or someone
more and more
grow on

a
tricky
and
usually
hidden
disadvantage in a situation that
appears very good
What's the catch? | There is no
catch!
indicate a range
digit | figure
have a lot of things remained to be
done
have a long way to go
make good progress, improve a lot
have come a long way
no longer have to be responsible for
or worry about a burden or
something difficult
a weight off ones shoulders
a three-part command
filming a scene
Lights. Camera. Action!

to

start

indicate that you are happy because

someone has left or

eventually get into a particular state

that you often did not originally
intend to
end up

something is gone
(We) won't miss(you) vs. Good
riddance!

become the possession of someone

who is not supposed to have
fall into the wrong hands

nothing interesting or worth ones

time
do not miss much

acknowledge that somebody does

you a very big favor
we couldn't | cant ask you to do
that
indicate that somebody should help
you out because you do not ask for
much
Is it too much to ask?

ones initial impression was no longer

correct
And we thought
begin or end in a particular state
on | with a(high | low | bad |
good) note
SESSION 13
the most basic or important thing, in
essence
come down to | boil down to

try something as a last resort or in

desperation because you have no
other choices
grasp | clutch at straws
ask for the reason someone does
something (annoyance implied)
what's that for ?

 deliver
(a
package)
(passengers) to get off at
drop off
search the content
something
go through

to

or

let

take time to do
something slowly
plod along

look

for

point out someones problems or

mistakes in public
call out

in summary, after taking everything

into account
all in all
(in response to a request
invitation) sure, absolutely
by all means
goodbye
so long

or

SESSION 14
to follow the rules, to do what you
are ordered or expected to do
toe the line | mark
to confess
own up to | come clean about
to give someone a long (and usually
serious) talk
to sit someone down
very hot and bright (sun) or very
hard (rain)
to beat down
(a body part) fail to function properly
give out
(a body part) put out of alignment
throw out
have a lot of willpower
have a lot of heart
lose spirit
to lose heart
achieve something really great or
incredible
work miracles

something,

do

watch without participating

look on
observe someone very carefully to
make sure that they do not make a
mistake or do something they are not
allowed to do
watch like a hawk
dismiss or fire someone, force them to
go away
send packing
something that requires a great deal
of stamina, willpower, courage and
determination
not for the faint of heart
not for the faint-hearted
right at the moment, immediately
there and now(present)
there and then(past)
represent or make decision
someone else
(speak) in | on behalf of

for

offer or ask for more money

up | raise the ante
for the purpose or benefit of
for the sake of
prevents or stops you from doing
something properly
get in the way of
What the hell are you thinking?
Wheres your head?
something familiar
accomplish

and

easy

to

in | outside | out of ones comfort

zone
solution to a problem or hope
the answer to ones prayers

express your appreciation and/or

gratitude for having a chance to do
something
blessed and honored to

spend time and effort on doing

something
put in

feel calm and contended, be okay

with or accept an undesirable
situation
at peace with

take ones time and do not try hard

enough
coast [along]
get down to serious business
buckle down
perform ones best, at or in ones top
form
bring ones A[+] game
think creatively
think outside the box
SESSION 15
cant compare two totally different
things
apples and oranges
superficially different, but in essence
is not
po-tay-to, po-tah-to
same difference
a distinction without a difference
six of one[, half a dozen of the
other]
something really painful that breaks
your heart
rip ones heart out
something not that memorable,
interesting or impressive
nothing to write home about
indicate an extreme case (either best
or worst)
can't imagine a more | less

SESSION 16
get too excited about or become too
absorbed in something and do
something out of control or foolish
get carried away
have a fit of rage, hysteria, or alarm,
shake uncontrollably
have | go into a conniption fit
something worth spending money on
a good investment
to be honest
in all sincerity
SESSION 17
prepare mentally for an upcoming
task or challenge
to psych up
prepare physically by moving and
stretching your body
to limber up | warm up
make your rivals feel less confident
to psych out
get very nervous
gnaw ones fingers off
deal with a difficult situation
to cope [with]
to continue
to carry on
have everything,
advantages

have

all

the

have it all
the most important thing is
The bottom line is

perfect and satisfactory, best

couldnt ask for anything more
cant get better than
describe something as very beautiful
[be] poetry
(for emphasis) no doubt, certainly
true
without question
impress someone greatly
blow someone away
do something with a lot of passion,
enthusiasm and energy
put one's heart and soul into
lay one's heart and soul out in
show a quality or characteristic very
clearly and strongly
ooze [with]
make someone pay attention
vulnerable to your charm
have someone

or

bring to a whole new level, raise the

bar
rewrite the rule | redefine
also apply for
the same goes for
make it impossible to forget
leave an indelible impression |
mark on
greatly moved, overwhelmed with
emotion
get goose bumps
SESSION 18

Ones point of view or opinion about

a situation
ones take on
Most frequently mentioned, the talk
of the town
most-talked-about
something happened and made one
realize he is not as good as he
thought he was
knock someone off his high
horse
to have an overwhelming effect on,
impress greatly
to knock ones socks off
act based on your intuitions when
something unexpected happened
(fly) by the seat of ones pants
play or perform with all one has; tell
everything and do not hold back
leave it all out [on the floor]
an important issue that is on
everyones mind but no one would
want to talk about because its
uncomfortable
the elephant in the room | the
600 lb. Gorilla
SESSION 19
have a quick look around (usually
secretly or stealthily)
peek around | peep around
engaged in intimate activities
make out(with)

its still early

night is still young

about to, be going to do something

(Southern dialects)
be fixing to

something one enjoys very much

a blast

on ones hands and knees

on all fours
try to find the real or underlying
cause of a problem
get to the bottom of
anticipate and try to prevent a
problem before it actually happens
stay on top of
solve a problem completely
solve a problem at its root

finally meet someone whom you just

know by name
put a face to the name
something you didnt know before
news to
do not bother with a response for
something you have low opinion of
won't dignify something with [a
response]

an
unforeseen
development
involving a series of events that take
place one after another in a short
time
turn of events

How are you, whats up (greeting)

What's shakin' [bacon]!

a situation where its hard to decide

whats true because the parties
involved give contradictory accounts
of what had happened
a he said, she said case

ask what's wrong with a person

What's with | What gives with

unfriendly or hostile feelings towards

someone
bear | have ill will towards
vs. feel goodwill towards

not working properly, become painful

after a period of improvement
to act up [again]

you are going to say something that

contradicts
or
introduces
a
qualification to what you have just
said
[with] that said
emphasize that what you are saying
is true
swear on someones life | grave
time when people are not working or
machinery is not operating
downtime vs. Uptime
know somebody personally
not just a nameless man to
know somebody in person
other contexts of knowing someone
know somebody by name | by
sight | by reputation

fail to keep an appointment to meet

to stand someone up

ask someone to listen carefully

listen up

dismantle, separate
parts
to take apart

into

different

make one interested or curious about

something
pique ones interest | curiosity
be able to discover a smell and
identify or follow the source of this
smell
to pick up a scent
not naive or easily fooled
not born yesterday
SESSION 20
verbally attack or nag at someone
for quite a while, focus on doing
something
go | be | keep at

 when something secret or personal is

made public by the media
the story | news | scandal breaks
use the service of a professional
engage | enlist the services of
use a particular name in certain
context
go by(a particular name)
always, never miss once
without fail

frequent vs. casual customers

regulars vs. one-offs?
emphasize that something only lasts
for a relatively short time
within | over | in a matter
of(days | months | hours)
three different types of adoption
confidential(i.e. closed) adoption
vs. semi-open adoption
vs. open adoption
be a result of a process or event
come of