Some idioms,expressions which we can find in U.S.A and U,K

To Miss out: perder uma oportunidade ou Change.
To Crash: dormir
To Turn around: voltar; regressar
To go Over: falar sobre: revisar: analisar
To do Over: fazer de novo
Ain't: don't : aren't : isn't
To go easy on: pegar leve com
Give me some Room: me dê espaço
To Spread out: espalhar
Every single place: um lugar
Every couple place: todos lugares
Couple Times: muitas vezes
That's lit! É emocionante
Spin some place: rodear algum lugar!

Pessoal, estou de volta. Curtem a página!😉👌

Hallo people, here we're again wit' brand new expressions;

Are you ready to get it on?🤘

List of sports idioms

The following is a list of phrases from sports that have become idioms (slang or otherwise) in English. They have evolved usages and meanings independent of sports and are often used by those with little knowledge of these games.

The sport from which each phrase originates has been included immediately after the phrase. In some cases, the specific sport may not be known; these entries may be followed by the generic term sports,or a slightly more specific term, such as team sports (referring to such games as baseball, football, hockey, etc.), ball sports (baseball, tennis, volleyball, etc.), etc.

This list does not include idioms derived exclusively from baseball. The body of idioms derived from that sport is so extensive that two other articles are exclusively dedicated to them. See English language idioms derived from baseball and baseball metaphors for s*x.

Examination of the ethnocultural relevance of these idioms in English speech in areas such as news and political discourse (and how "Rituals, traditions, customs are very closely connected with language and form part and parcel of the linguacultural “realia”") occurs. The occurrence is of note for Philologists, Linguists[1]. Phrases from sports are a part of a " part of a nation’s linguoculture." where "members of common culture not only share the same information but also the methods of coding, storing and retrieving the information[2].

B

block and tackle American football, rugby, etc: The basics, to get back to the basics. When referenced, it's usually speaking to changing the behavior or going back to an earlier time when things were functional or building basic skills to ensure the success of various endeavors. In some ball games (for example American or Canadian football, rugby, etc.), blocking and tackling are basic components of the game. In order to be successful in the game, a player must understand when to block and when to tackle. (Not the block and tackle system of cables

These Are Fighting Words

8 colorful terms that come from boxing and wrestling

Saved by the bell

Its use as the title of a 1990s sitcom might make one think of high school and gigantic cell phones, but saved by the bell originated from boxing. A boxer getting pummeled is "saved by the bell" when the signal comes to end a round.

That phrase was used in boxing writing early in the 20th century, but by the second half of the century acquired a figurative application describe one who has been relieved from pressure or difficulty from an outside intervention.

"Rain in August meant we were saved by the bell and I expect an average German crop," [Stephan Barth] said, adding that along with U.S. crop there would be "sufficient market supply" although prices would remain high. Reuters, 4 Sept. 2017

Palooka

Palooka is a classic term for an inexperienced or incompetent boxer, one who has no business being in the ring. More broadly, it can mean any oaf or lout.

I suppose truth was the winner, but it was messy; by the end it was like watching Mike Tyson in his prime beating up some tank-town palooka in a grudge match where the ref refused to stop the fight. —Stephen King, Entertainment Weekly,30 July 2010

Joe Palooka was the name of a comic strip created by Ham Fisher that was first published in 1930, and many have naturally assumed that its title character, a gentle-hearted prizefighter, was the source of the term palooka. However, the word had been around for at least ten years before the debut of the strip, and the word's true origins are unknown.

No holds barred

No holds barred was a phrase used to advertise free-form wrestling matches, where no grips were illegal, as far back at the late 19th century.

The adverbial phrase no holds barred or with no holds barred has come to mean "free from the usual limits or rules." It can also be an adjective, usually hyphenated:

Later, Hart honed his knack for emotional brutality. The roiling, acoustic-based “Never Talking To

1. A BLESSING IN DISGUISE

Something that appears bad at first but ends up having good results Missing that plane turned out to be a blessing in disguise because I got to spend more time with my family.

2. A SANDWICH SHORT OF A PICNIC

A humorous way of saying someone is stupid or is a bit mad He brought only shorts and t-shirts when he went to Sweden in the winter –I think he might be a sandwich short of a picnic!

3. A STONE’S THROW

Something is very close or near Luckily the wedding is just a stone’s throw from our hotel so we can walk there.

4. ACTIONS SPEAK LOUDER THAN WORDS

What you do is more important than what you say; someone’s words may not be trustworthy Person A: “John keeps saying he wants to take me out for dinner, but then he never does!” Person B: “Actions speak louder than words.“

5. ADD FUEL TO THE FIRE

When someone does something to make a bad situation worse When Sarah started laughing during the argument, it really added fuel to the fire!

6. ADD INSULT TO INJURY

To make a bad situation worse As if breaking my arm isn’t bad enough, to add insult to injury I have to pay £1,000 in hospital fees as I didn’t have travel insurance!

7. ALL EARS

To be eagerly waiting to hear about something Person A: “I have to tell you about what happened on our trip to Spain…” Person B: “I’m all ears!”

8. AT A CROSSROADS

To be at a point in your life when you need to make an important decision I was at a crossroads when I was offered a job in the US, but my boyfriend wanted to stay in London.

9. BARKING UP THE WRONG TREE

To be wrong or misguided about the reason for something He thinks the company’s problems can be solved just by firing the sales team, but he’s barking up the wrong tree.

10. BEAT ABOUT THE BUSH

To talk about unimportant things because you’re avoiding a particular topic Stop beating about the bush! Are you planning to quit university, or not?

11. BETTER LATE THAN NEVER

It’s better to do something late than not at all Person A: “Sorry

1. Never wash your dirty linen in public

This idiom doesn't literally refer to y-fronts, but instead to your personal life. British people have a reputation for being quite prudish and secretive when it comes to their personal relationships, and so in past times it was considered uncouth to talk about or expose one’s personal life outside the confines of your home. An example of washing your dirty linen in public would be arguing about an extra-marital affair with your husband in front of the neighbors.

2. Treading on thin ice

To tread on thin ice is to swim In deep water, which is another idiom, by the way. Both mean to put yourself in unnecessary danger, to walk a pathway likely to present you with problems or trouble in the near future.

3. To tiptoe on broken glass

Do you know someone who is extremely sensitive, someone who is likely to become angry at the slightest misplaced comment? Well, when you are around this person you must ‘tiptoe on broken glass’ to make sure you don’t say the wrong thing.

4. A waste of space

In the opinion of the accuser, a person who is a “waste of space” is taking up too much room on the earth. They are a waste of time and energy, and generally not worth bothering about. The implication here is that the space the person takes up would be better used for something else.

5. Getting on his/her high horse

A person saddling up in this way is considered to be taking a moral stand in an authoritative, arrogant and often aggressive manner. This idiom is usually reserved for someone who regularly acts this way; “Oh my, here we go. He’s getting on his high horse again.”

6. Making a mountain out of a molehill

This idiom is used for a person who makes something out of nothing. For example, a person who unnecessarily makes a small problem into a big one is making a mountain out of a molehill.

7. Putting the cat among the pigeons

Putting a cat among some pigeons is likely to cause commotion and worry for the poor birds, and therefore t

Across the pond This idiom means on the other side of the Atlantic Ocean, used to refer to the US or the UK depending on the speaker's location.

All mouth and trousers Someone who's all mouth and trousers talks or boasts a lot but doesn't deliver. 'All mouth and no trousers' is also used, though this is a corruption of the original.

All my eye and Peggy Martin An idiom that appears to have gone out of use but was prevalent in the English north Midlands of Staffordshire, Cheshire and Derbyshire from at least the turn of the 20th century until the early 1950s or so. The idiom's meaning is literally something said or written that is unbelievable, rumor, over embellished, the result of malicious village gossip etc.

All talk and no trousers Someone who is all talk and no trousers, talks about doing big, important things, but doesn't take any action.

An Englishman's home is his castle This means that what happens in a person's home or  private life is their business and should not be subject to outside interference.

Argue the toss If you argue the toss, you refuse to accept a decision and argue about it.

As the actress said to the bishop This idiom is used to highlight a s*xual reference, deliberate or accidental.

At a loose end If you are at a loose end, you have spare time but don't know what to do with it.

At the end of your tether If you are at the end of your tether, you are at the limit of your patience or endurance.

Back foot If you are on your back foot, you are at a disadvantage and forced to be defensive of your position.

Bad mouth When you are bad mouthing,you are saying negative things about someone or something.('Bad-mouth' and 'badmouth' are also used.)

Banana skin A banana skin is something that is an embarrassment or causes problems.

Barrack-room lawyer A barrack-room lawyer is a person who gives opinions on things they are not qualified to speak about.

Be up the spout If a woman is up the spout, she is pregnant.

Been in the wars If some

A penny for your thoughts A way of asking someone to share their thoughts with you. For example: 'I'll give you a penny if you tell me your thoughts'

Actions speak louder than words What someone actually does means more than what they say.. So someone actually handing you a bunch of flowers rather than just saying 'ah I’ll get you some flowers tomorrow'.

An arm and a leg A phrase used to massively over exaggerate when something might be overly priced. For example: 'This pint cost me an arm and a leg!!' When in reality they're just paying an extorniate amount than what they're used to.

Back to the drawing board Used to indicate that an idea, scheme or proposal has been unsuccesful and that a new one should be devised.

The ball is in your court when someone says the ball is in your court it means it is up to you to make the next move.

Barking up the wrong tree You’re looking in the wrong place – accusing the wrong person or pursuing a mistaken or misguided line of thought.

Beat around the bush A typical British saying meaning you're purposely avoiding the topic in subject, not speaking directly about the issue.

Biting more than you can chew A classic idiom meaning you're trying to accomplish something that is too difficult for you.

Best thing since sliced bread Basically meaning a good invention or innovation – a good idea or a good plan. Because the best thing to happen to the Brits is sliced bread.

You can’t judge a book by its cover A classic saying meaning one should not judge something or someone by how it looks - it's what's on the inside/content that counts most (obviously).

Curiosity killed the cat Meaning being too inquisitive can lead you to an unpleasant situation. Finding out an answer may in fact ruin the question for you.

Don’t count your chickens before your eggs have hatched Basically don’t make plans for something that might not happen. For example, don't spend all your birthday money before you get it - as you might not get any at all.

Do

List of American English Idioms & Phrases

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[ Open all | Close all ] A day late and a dollar short If something is a day late and a dollar short, it is too little, too late.

All bets are off If all bets are off, then agreements that have been made no longer apply.

All hat, no cattle When someone talks big, but cannot back it up, they are all hat, no cattle.('Big hat, no cattle' is also used.)

All over Hell's half acre If you have been all over Hell's half acre, you have been traveling and visiting many more places than originally intended, usually because you were unsuccessful in finding what you were looking for. It can also be used to mean everywhere.

All over the map If something like a discussion is all over the map, it doesn't stick to the main topic and goes off on tangents.

Almost only counts in horseshoes and hand grenades Used in response to someone saying "almost" in a win/lose situation. The full expression is "Almost only counts in horseshoes and hand grenades." An alternate form puts "and flinging s**t from a shovel" at the end.

Armchair quarterback An armchair quarterback is someone who offers advice, especially about football, but never shows that they could actually do any better.

As mad as a wrongly shot hog If someone is as mad as a wrongly shot hog, they are very angry. (Same as, Angry as a bear or Angry as a bull).

As rare as hen's teeth Something that is rare as hen's teeth is very rare or non-existent.

At a drop of a dime If someone will do something at the drop of a dime, they will do it instantly, without hesitation.

At loose ends If you are at a loose end, you have spare time but don't know what to do with it.

At the bottom of the totem pole If someone is at the bottom of the totem pole, they are unimportant. Opposite is at the top of the totem pole.

At the end of your rop

About time: Nearly time, high time. ex. "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. ex. "He has been acting all high and mighty ever since he chased away that burglar."

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. ex. "He added fuel to the fire by bringing up old grudges while they were arguing."

(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 in order to make a deadline. ex. "They were working against the clock to finish the project."

All out (adj./adv.): Full-scale; complete. ex: "They said it was only a few skirmishes, but it was an all-out war."

All set: Ready (to go). ex. "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; par for the course. 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 b

American English Idioms

Do you ever feel like you have ALMOST mastered the English language but there are some phrases that just don't make sense to you? Have you ever thought that your English is sooo close to perfect but something is missing? Phrases you may be hearing that were not listed in your English grammar and vocabulary books could be American English Idioms. An idiom is a phrase that is unique to one language and/or culture that cannot be easily understood or translated just based on the literal definition of words used. There are many of them. Sprinkle a few into your daily dialogue here and there and before you know it you will be an English speaking pro!

Here is a list of some common American English idioms with definitions and examples:

All over the map. Definition: a conversation that does not stick to the main topic and goes off on tangents. "The meeting today was all over the map and I don't feel like we accomplished what we needed to."

Before you know it. Definition: almost immediately. "I will be there before you know it."

Blow off steam. Definition: express anger or frustration. "I was so happy I was able to go to the gym tonight. After a stressful work day it was great to blow off some steam and work out."

Break a leg. Definition: good luck, often heard in the theater world. "Break a leg at your performance tonight!"

Call it a day. Definition: declare the end of working on a task. "Ok, we have done as much as we can for now, let's call it a day"

Cat nap. Definition: short nap. "It has been a productive morning, I am going to take a cat nap after lunch."

Disco nap. Definition: short nap usually taken before one goes out to a long evening engagement. It's 4pm I think I'll take a disco nap before we go out dancing tonight.

Get the hang of it. Definition: To have the ability to complete a task and do it well; to go from beginner to intermediate. "It was tough at first but now I am really getting the hang of it!"

Give props to. Definition

You are such a Dick!
Tu és um id**ta!

I saw it in a movie!!

Today i'm going to teach you about: 10 fun British phrases (and what they mean)

By Harriet Ballantyne - March 31, 2019 40

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If you go to UK to improve your English, or even just for a holiday, these 10 expressions might help you recognise some popular British phrases.

You might think you know the meaning of some of these British sayings, but the different situations where you can use them and their double meanings might just surprise you!

Here are our favourite 10 British phrases and what they mean:

1. Cheeky

Cheeky is a word used by English people to describe somebody who says something insolent or irrelevant in an amusing way. You might say “Don’t be so cheeky!”

2. Fancy

If a friend invites you for a drink, there isn’t a big chance you’ll hear the question: “Would you like to go out for a drink?”, instead, they are much more likely to say: “Fancy a drink?”

3. Knackered

Do you feel extremely tired or exhausted? Then you might say: “‘I am absolutely knackered!”

4. Being funny

“Being funny” can mean so many different things. As you probably know, it can mean something is comical, but a smell can also be funny: “it smells funny in here”. This means it doesn’t smell very nice, or there is a weird smell. Also the British expression: “ I am not being funny but…” is used to soften a complaint which follows the phrase.

5. Smash it!

Apart from its literal meaning (e.g. “I smashed a glass”) this expression can mean “Go for it!” or “to achieve/win something”. For example, if you have an exam and you feel pretty nervous, your friend might tell you: “Good luck! Smash it!”. On the other hand, if your friend gets a good mark, you might say “He smashed it!”.

6. Nice one!

British people will use this expression both sarcastically and sincerely. When being used sincerely, it can be used to express feelings of gratitude, recognition and likeability… But sarcasm? Imagine your friend spills a drink. You might say “Oh nice one!” – in this context, it loosely means “That was silly…”

7. Dodgy

When you hear the expression “this looks a bit dodgy!”, remember it is nothing about dogs!. It actually means that something doesn’t look very honest, legal or simply “not right”.

8. Loo

You will be surprised how many words you will find for bathroom and loo is one of them! Loo, toilet, washroom, bathroom, ladies’, men’s… the list goes on.

9. Bloody

Don’t worry, it’s not a violent word… it has nothing to do with “blood”.”Bloody” is a common word to give more emphasis to the sentence, mostly used as an exclamation of surprise. Something may be “bloody marvellous” or “bloody awful“. Having said that, British people do sometimes use it when expressing anger…

10. Boss

You might know the meaning of this word as your supervisor or person in charge at work, but it also has another meaning: you can say that something is “boss” to say something is extremely cool: “Dude, that’s so boss”. Also, if someone achieves something with a high level of success, you can say that they did it “Like a boss”.

So there you have it – as if the English language wasn’t complicated enough.

Listen out for these expressions, and enjoy using them!

Keen to brush up on your language skills? Start today for free with Busuu.

On probation- em liberdade condicional Ransom- resgate Fine-multa Life setence- prisão perpétua Smuggler- contrabandista Smuggling- contrabandiar Hostage- refém Briber- subornar Bribery- suborno Trial- julgamento Robber- ladrão

Basic Difference between DO and MAKE

Use DO for actions, obligations, and repetitive tasks. Use MAKE for creating or producing something, and for actions you choose to do. DO generally refers to the action itself, and MAKE usually refers to the result.

The formal rule is to use if when you have a conditional sentence and whether when you are showing that two alternatives are possible. Some examples will make this more clear. Here's an example where the two words could be interchangeable: Squiggly didn't know whether Aardvark would arrive on Friday.

“Hey Tom! What’s up?”

“Not much!”

2. I feel you –I understand and empathize with you. Eg. “I feel you. That was really unfair.”

3. I get it –I understand. Eg. “I get it now! Thank you for explaining that.”

4. Same here –I agree.

“I’m having a hard time studying for this exam.”

“Same here.”

5. My bad –My mistake. Eg. “My bad! I didn’t mean to do that.”

6. Oh my God! –(Used to describe excitement or surprise). Eg. “Oh my God! You scared me!”

7. You bet –Certainly; you’re welcome.

“Thanks for the jacket, Tom!”

“You bet, Sally!”

8. No worries –That’s alright. Eg. “No worries about the mess. I’ll clean it up.”

9. No biggie –It’s not a problem.

“Thanks for tutoring me, Tom!”

“No biggie, Sally.”

10. No big deal –(Same usage as above).

11. No sweat –(Same usage as above).

12. No problem –(Same usage as above).

American English Slang Descriptors

1. Laid back –Relaxed or calm. Eg. “This weekend was very laid back.”

2. Chill –(Same as above).

3. Sweet –Fantastic.

“I passed the test!”

“Sweet!”

4. Cool –(Same as above).

5. Lame –The opposite of cool or fantastic. Eg. “That’s so lame that you can’t go out tonight.”

6. Bomb –Really good. Eg. “That sandwich was bomb.”

7. Bummer –A disappointment. Eg. “That’s such a bummer. I’m sorry that happened.”

8. Shady –Questionable or suspicious. Eg. “I saw a shady guy in my neighborhood last night.”

9. Hot –Attractive. Eg. “He/she is hot.”

10. Beat –Tired. Eg. “I was so beat after that soccer game.”

11. Sick –Awesome. Eg. “Those shoes are sick!”

12. Epic –Grand or awesome. Eg. “That was an epic party last night.”

13. Ripped –Very physically fit. Eg. “Tom is ripped!”

14. Cheesy –Silly. Eg. “The romantic comedy we watched was very cheesy.”

15. Corny –(Same as above).

16. Flakey –Indecisive. Eg. “John is so flakey. He never shows up when he says he will.”

17. It sucked –It was bad/poor quality. Eg. “That movie sucked.”

English Slang for People & Relationships

1. Babe –Your significant other; an attractive individual. Eg. “Hey babe!” or “She’s a babe.”

2. Have a crush –Attracted to someone romantically. Eg. “I have a big crush on him.”

3. Dump –To end a romantic relationship with someone. Eg. “She dumped him last May.”

4. Ex –An old relationship or spouse. Eg. “That’s my ex girlfriend.”

5. A turn off –Something that’s repulsive. Eg. “Bad cologne is a turn off.”

6. Party animal –One who loves parties. Eg. “Jerry is a party animal.”

7. Couch potato –A lazy person. Eg. “Don’t be a couch potato! Let’s go for a hike.”

8. Whiz –A really smart person. Eg. “Sally is a whiz at math.”

9. Chicken –Coward. Eg. “Don’t be a chicken! Go ice skating with me.”

10. Chick –A girl or young woman. Eg. “That chick is hilarious.”

11. Getting hitched –Getting married. Eg. “Tom and Sally are getting hitched.”

12. Tying the knot –(Same as above).

13. They got fired –They lost their job. Eg. “Did Jerry get fired?”

American English Slang for Social Events

1. Hang out –To spend time with others. Eg. “Want to hang out with us?”

2. I’m down –I’m able to join. Eg. “I’m down for ping pong.”

3. I’m game –(Same as above).

4. I’m in –(Same as above).

5. A blast –A very fun event. Eg. “Last night was a blast!”

6. Show up –Arrive at an event. Eg. “I can’t show up until 7.”

7. Flick –A movie. Eg. “Want to see a flick on Friday?”

8. Grub –Food. Eg. “Want to get some grub tonight?”

9. Wasted –Intoxicated. Eg. “She was wasted last night.”

10. Drunk –(Same as above).

11. Booze –Alcohol. Eg. “Will they have booze at the party?”

See Also: Common English Idioms [Infographic]

American English Slang for Actions

1. Pig out –To eat a lot. Eg. “I pigged out last night at McDonald’s.”

2. Crash –To fall asleep quickly. Eg. “After all those hours of studying I crashed.”

3. Lighten up –Relax. Eg. “Lighten up! It was an accident.”

4. Screw up –To make a mistake. Eg. “Sorry I screwed up and forgot our plans.”

5. Goof –(Same as above).

6. Score –To get something desirable. Eg. “I scored the best seats in the stadium!”

7. Wrap up –To finish something. Eg. “Let’s wrap up in five minutes.”

8. Ace –Pass a test with 100%. Eg. “I think I’m going to ace the exam.”

9. Cram –To study a lot before an exam. Eg. “Sorry I can’t go out. I have to cram tonight.”

10. Bail –To leave abruptly. Eg. “I’m sorry I had to bail last night.”

11. Ditch –To skip an event. Eg. “I’m going to ditch class tomorrow to go to the beach.”

12. Busted –Caught doing something wrong. Eg. “I got busted for turning in homework late.”

Miscellaneous English Slang Words

1. Freebie –Something that is free. Eg. “The bumper sticker was a freebie.”

2. Lemon –A bad purchase. Eg. “That phone case was a lemon.”

3. Shades –Sunglasses. Eg. “I can’t find my shades.”

4. Shotgun –The front seat of a car. Eg. “Can I sit shotgun?”

5. In no time –Very soon. Eg. “We’ll have our homework done in no time.”

6. Buck –One dollar. Eg. “It only costs a buck.”

7. Rip-off –A purchase that was very overpriced. Eg. “That phone case was a rip-off.”

As you can see, you can’t just learn a language by studying a textbook! Listening will be a key step in mastering these slang words and using them in the right contexts. So hang out with more native speakers, observe the way they use slang in conversation, and then imitate them.

Memorizing these English slang words and their meanings will get you one step closer to sounding like a native. Need more help practicing your skills? Try working one-on-one with an English tutor,or take free online English classes at TakeLessons Live.

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Tips for Learning English in the U.S. | A Glimpse Through the Eyes of a Recent Immigrant

American slang can make things so tricky for English learners.

Has this ever happened to you?

Your friend asks: “Hey, what’s up?”

You respond: “Um, the sky?”

Your friend was really asking you, “How is it going/How are you?”

But how were you supposed to know?

This is everyday language from real-life in the U.S.

The language that you’re not taught in ESL class.

Here’s a rundown on some of the most common American slang.

It will help you understand your friends better, it will help you fit in and of course it will help you avoid any more embarrassing situations inAmerican English conversations.

Download: This blog post is available as a convenient and portable PDF that you can take anywhere. Click here to get a copy. (Download)

20 Essential American Slang Words for English Learners and ESL Students

Awesome (Adjective)

Awesome is such a popular slang word inAmerican English and all over the world. You’ll hear everyone from the young to old saying it.When you use the word awesome, you’re expressing that you think something is wonderful or amazing. It can be used in a sentence or it could be used in a one word reply.

You may have already heard this American slang word in the fun song “Everything Is Awesome,” which you can watch and listen to here. There are even some other words from this list in the song!

Better yet, since that video is available onFluentU,you don’t have to worry about missing a single word. FluentU has interactive subtitles—you can click any word for an instant definition while you watch. Plus,there are flashcards and fun quizzes to make sure you remember new words. To watch that video (and the full library) with all the learning features, check out a free FluentU trial.

Example 1)

“What did you think of ‘The Wolf of Wall Street?’”

“It was awesome! I loved it!” (They thought it was a great movie).

Example 2)

“I’ll pick you up at 1 pm, okay?”

“Awesome.” (Here it shows you’re cool with the idea and you agree).

Example 3)

“My friend Dave is an awesome single guy.You guys would be perfect for each other!”

“Really? I’d love to meet him.”

Cool (Adjective)

Cool like awesome means ‘great’ or ‘fantastic’.It also shows that you’re okay with an idea. Be careful the normal meaning of cool means a little cold so you have to listen to it in context to understand what’s being said.

Example 1)

“How’s the weather in Canada these days?”

“It’s getting cooler. Winter’s coming!” (This is the literal meaning a little cold)

Example 2)

“What did you think of my new boyfriend?”

“I liked him. He seemed like a cool guy!” (He seemed like a nice guy).

Example 3)

“I’m throwing a party next week for my birthday. Do you want to come?”

“Cool! Sure, I’d love to!”

Beat (Adjective)

In normal terms, beat would be used as a verb meaning ‘to win’ (Liverpool beat Manchester United) or ‘to hit’ (Marko, stop beating your brother) however, in slang or everyday English it means something completely different. If you hear your friend saying I’m beat, it means he or she is very tired or exhausted.

Example 1)

“Do you want to go out tonight? There’s a cool new rock bar that’s just opened.”

“Sorry, I can’t. I’m beat and I have to wake up early tomorrow.”

Example 2)

“You look beat,what have you been doing?”

“I’ve been helping my dad in the yard all morning.”

To Hang Out (Verb)

If someone asks you where you usually hang out, they want to know in which place you prefer to be when you have free time. And if your friend asks you if you want to hang outwith them, they’re asking you if you’re free and want to spend some time together. And what about if you ask your friend what they’re doing and they just answer hanging out? It means that they are free and not doing anything special.

Example 1)

“Hey, it’s great to see you again.”

“And you. We must hang out sometime.”

“I would love that. I’ll call you soon.”

Example 2)

“Paulo, where do you usually hang out on a Friday night?”

“If I’m not working, usually at the diner across the road from school.”

“Cool, I’ve been there a few times.”

Example 3)

“Hi Simon, what are you doing?”

“Nothing much, just hanging out with Sally.”(In this case you can just use the word hangingwithout the out and say “Nothing much, just hanging with Sally.”)

And if it’s used as a noun? It refers to the place where you spend your free time.

Example 4)

“Joey, where are you, guys.”

“We’re at our usual hang out. Come down whenever you want!” (It could mean their favorite café, the gym or even the park).

To Chill Out (Verb)

Everybody loves to chill out but what does it mean? It simply means to relax. Usually it can be used with or without the word ‘out’ and if you’re speaking with an American English speaker they’ll definitely understand. Example 1)

“Hey Tommy, what are you guys doing?”

“We’re justchilling (out). Do you want to come round?”

Example 2)

“Sue, what did you do in the weekend?”

“Nothing much. We just chilled (out).”

But if someone tells you need to chill out it’s not as positive. It means that they think you’re overreacting to a situation or getting stressed about silly little things.

Example 3)

“I can’t believe that test we just had. I’m sure I’m going to fail.”

“You need to chill out and stop thinking too much. I’m sure you’ll be fine.”

Wheels (Noun)

We know there are many things that have wheels—a car, a motorbike, a bike and even wheelbarrow but when somebody refers to their wheels they are talking about their car.

Example 1)

“Hey, can you pick me up at 3?”

“Sorry, I can’t. I don’t have my wheels at the moment.”

“Why?”

“I had to take it down to the garage, there’s something wrong with the engine!”

Example 2)

“Nice wheels!”

“Thanks, it was a birthday present from my dad!”

Amped (Adjective)

If you’re amped about something, you’re super excited or you can’t wait for something to happen.

Example 1)

“I can’t wait to see Beyonce live!”

“Me too, I’m amped.”

It can also mean you’re really determined and you want something to happen. With this meaning you can also replace amped withpumped. In other words you’re full of adrenalin!

Example 2)

“I’m so amped for the game tonight!”

“Yeah, I’m sure you are! You guys need to beat the Sox.”

Babe (Noun)

If you refer to someone as a babe,it means that you think they’re hot and attractive. Be careful though, you should only use this when speaking to another person and not thebabe because they may get offended.

Example 1)

“What do you think of James’ new girlfriend?”

“Total babe! And you?”

“Agreed!”

Example 2)

“Oh man, Justin Timberlake is such a babe, don’t you think?”

“Not really, he looks like a little boy. I prefer Johnny Depp—now that’s a real man!”

Bust (Verb)/Busted (Adjective)

If you bust someone, you’ve caught them doing something they shouldn’t be doing/saying/hiding. The police bust people every day translates to they catch all the bad guys and charge them or put them in prison.

Example 1)

“Did you hear that Sam got busted speeding?”

“No, but I’m not surprised. I’m always telling him he needs to drive slower!”

Example 2)

“There were two kids who were bustedcheating in their exams!”

“Really? What happened?”

“I’m not sure, but they’ll definitely be punished.Our school takes cheating really seriously.”

To Have a Blast (Verb)

The normal definition of the word blast refers to a big explosion and it’s a phrase that we could often see or hear in the news for example Two men have been seriously injured and taken to hospital from a suspected bomb blast. But if you use this among your friends, it’s a lot more positive and means that something is great or you had an amazing and fun time.

Example 1)

“How was the Jack Johnson concert?”

“It was awesome. Everyone had a blast.”

“Even John?”

“Yeah even John. He was even dancing!”

“Wow, it must’ve been good!”

Example 2)

“Thanks for inviting me to your party last night, I had a blast.”

“Thanks for coming and I’m glad you enjoyed it.”

To Have a Crush [on Somebody] (Verb)

To have a crush on somebody is a great feeling and it means that you’re attracted to somebody andwould like them to be more than just your friend. And if somebody has a crush on you, well it’s the same—they like you in a more intimate way.

Example 1)

“I have the biggest crush on Simon. He’s so cute!”

“Isn’t he dating Jenny Parkes?”

“No, not anymore, apparently they broke up a few weeks ago!”

“Cool!”

Instead of saying have a crush you can also just say crushing on—it means the same thing but it’s usually used among the younger generation and teenagers.

Example 2)

“Oooh, you’re so crushing on Michael right now!”

“I am not! We’re just friends!”

“Liar! I can tell you like him.”

“Is it that obvious?”

To Dump [Somebody] (Verb)

If you dump somebody, you’re probably going to break their heart. If you dump your boyfriend or girlfriend it means you stop having a romantic relationship with them for some reason. And if you’re dumped, it means that somebody doesn’t want to date you anymore—don’t worry, there are plenty more fish in the sea! (There are many more great single people out there to date).

Example 1)

“What’s wrong with Amy? She’s been walking around campus all day looking sad and like she’s going to start crying any minute.”

“Didn’t you hear? Alex dumped her last night!Just don’t mention his name at all!”

“Wow, I’m surprised. They always looked so happy together!”

Example 2)

“Landon looks so mad! What happened?”

“He and Samantha broke up.”

“Oh no, who dumped who?”

“I’m not sure, but I have a feeling it was Sam!”

Ex (Noun)

Usually if you hear to a friend referring to theirex,they’re referring to their old boyfriend or girlfriend who they no longer date.But if you put it with another noun for example ‘boss’ ex-boss it means your boss from before.I met my ex-boss in the supermarket the other day and he asked me to come back and work for him. I’m not going to now I’ve found this awesome new job.

Example 1)

“Who was that guy you were talking to before?”

“Oh Cam? He’s my ex!”

“And you’re still friends?”

“Kind of, we only broke up because he moved to LA.”

Example 2)

“My ex always sends me messages on Facebook. I wish she’d stop, it’s really annoying!”

“Tell her, or just delete as your friend!”

Geek (noun) Depending on how you use this word will depend on whether you’re being nice or not! If you refer to a person as a geek it’s referring to a person in a negative critical way because they like to study too much or spend too much time on the computer and not socialize. But if you call your friend a geek it could be in a fun more playful way.

Example 1)

“What do think of the new girl Amanda?”

“Not much, she seems like a geek. She spends all her time in the library!”

“Maybe because she feels lonely. She’s new!”(Mean and negative meaning).

Example 2)

“Let’s go Ted’s house party tonight! Everyone’s going to be there!”

“I wish I could, but I have to study for my finals!”

“Ah, man, you’re such a geek!”

“I know. But if I don’t pass Coach Jones is going to kick me off the team!” (Fun and more playful meaning).

Hooked [on Something] (Adjective)

If you’re hooked on something or justhooked,it means that you’re addicted to something and you can’t get enough.You can be hooked on chocolate, basketball, a new TV show or something more dangerous like smoking (which is not cool by the way!)

Example 1)

“What did you think about the new sitcom with James Franco?”

“Loved it. I’m hooked already!”

Example 2)

“I miss George!”

“George’s your ex. You’re hooked on him and it’s not healthy. It’s time to move on!”

Looker (Noun)

If somebody says that you’re a looker,you should definitely be flattered—they are paying you the ultimate compliment and saying that they think you’re good looking. They’ll probably never say it to your face but you could hear it from someone else.

Example 1)

“That Marni girl is a real looker don’t you think?”

“She’s a nice girl but not my type!”

Example 2)

“Have you seen the new history professor yet?”

“No, but I hear he’s a real looker!”

“You hear right. He is!”

In (Adjective)

You probably already know the meaning of inas a preposition. It’s one of the first things you probably learned in your English class e.g. the boy’s in the house, my pencil is in my pencil case. But it can be used to mean something completely different—it means to be in fashion or trending at the moment. Things that are in at the moment may not be in in a month—why?Because trends always change!

Example 1)

“Jordan, why do you keep listening to that music? It’s awful!”

“Mom, you don’t know anything. It’s totally in right now!”

Example 2)

“So, what’s in at the moment?”

“Seriously Dad?”

“Yeah, come on I wanna know what’s cool and what’s not!”

Sick (Adjective)

Cough cough sneeze sneeze… no not this kind of sick. If your buddy says that the party wassick he’s saying he thought it was really cool, awesome or the best. In this case it has a similar meaning to the word awesome,however, you probably will only hear teenagers and college students saying this—oh and maybe those Californian surfers!

Example 1)

“When are you going to Hawaii?”

“Next week! Have you been?”

“Yeah, a few times, it’s sick!”

Example 2)

“You missed a sick party last night!”

“Oh, man, I knew I should have gone!”

Epic Fail (Noun)

The word epic means ‘huge’ and you know what the word ‘fail’ already means. Put the two words together and that’s what it is –a ‘big failure’ or ‘complete disaster/failure’. You’d used this noun when something hasn’t gone the right way as expected and it’s used to exaggerate the idea of failing or doing something wrong.

Example 1)

“The school basketball team lost the game by 30 points, can you believe it?”

“Yeah, epic fail!”

Example 2)

“Did you get your test marks back?”

“Yeah, it was an epic fail and I have to redo the classes again next semester!”

“Oh too bad, I’m sorry!”

Ripped (Adjective)

In normal everyday English ripped means ‘torn.’ You can rip your jeans or a piece of paper, but… in slang it’s got nothing to do with that. If a person is ripped (usually men/guys, but not always) means they have great muscles and bodies—probably because they work out a lot the gym or are into sport.

Example 1)

“Dude, you’re so ripped! What’s your secret?”

“Gym two hours a day!”

Example 2)

“Have you seen Martin lately?”

“No, why?”

“He’s done something to himself! He totallyripped!”

“What? No way! He used to be so overweight!”

Dunno (Contraction)

Simply speaking, dunno means ‘I don’t know’.It’s a quicker and lazier way of saying it and it’s very popular among young people. However, do be careful who you say this to –if you say it to someone in a higher position than you it could come across as rude. So to play it safe just use it around people your own age or younger.

Example 1)

“Where’s Jane? She’s supposed to be here by now.”

“Dunno, she’s always late!”

Example 2)

“What are you doing for Spring Break?”

“Dunno, I was thinking Mexico again. You?”

“Dunno yet!”

Loser (Noun)

In a game we have winners and we have losers, but if your friend says a person is aloser, it doesn’t mean they lost a game or a competition it means that they don’t like him or her because of their actions and behavior.

Example 1)

“Ray is such a loser for breaking up with Rebecca.”

“Yeah, I know, he’s never going to find a girl as good as her!”

Example 2)

“Victor’s turning into a real loser these days.”

“Why?”

“I dunno but he’s turned really arrogant since he’s gone to college!”

Rip-off (Noun)/To Rip Off (Verb)

If you find a simple t-shirt and the price tag says $80 on it, you’d be shocked, right? That t-shirt is a complete rip-off which means that it is way too expensive for what it is. And if a person rips you off they’re cheating you out of money and charging you a lot more than you should be paying for example: tourists often get ripped off by locals because the locals want to make money and the tourists have no idea.

Example 1)

“I’m not going to the J-Lo concert anymore.”

“Why not?”

“The tickets are way too expensive. They’re $250 each.”

“Oooh, that’s such a rip-off! Who can afford that these days?”

Example 2)

“How much did you buy your wheels for bro?”

“$2000!”

“Dude, you were so ripped off. This car’s worth only half of that!”

So there you have it—these are a few of the most common everyday American slang phrases you could hear among your English speaking friends. However, do be careful where and when you use them. Slang is mainly used around your friends (buddies) and people you’re familiar with (family etc). It would be a shame if you didn’t get the job because you used slan