Today we’ll be talking about some interesting verbal expressions that you can come across in everyday language. They are mainly used in informal situations. Naturally, this is just a tiny selection.
Here’s the video version if you want to watch it first:
I’m going to explain each of the verbal expressions below and illustrate it in two sentences. This way you can see how it can be used. And here are the verbal expressions:
cut corners
= to save time or money by doing less than you usually do or than you should do
I don’t have the money they promised me so I can’t purchase everything I was planning to, I have to cut corners somewhere.
After the accident they realized they shouldn’t have cut corners on safety.
throw a hissy fit
= to become very angry and upset
His daughter threw a hissy fit when he told her she was grounded.
She threw a hissy fit when they told her they wouldn’t give her the job.
dash sb’s hopes / dreams
= to ruin sb’s hopes / dreams
Her hopes of marrying John were dashed when he got engaged to another woman.
Her mother dashed her dreams by telling her she was not pretty enough to be a model.
put sth on one’s tab
= to order sth (such as drinks at a bar) that one will pay for later
As he had spent all his money on tips, he had to put the drinks on his tab.
They won’t let him put anything on his tab again; last time they had problems making him pay the bill.
spring a leak
= to start to leak
The pipe suddenly sprung a leak and the whole apartment was under water in no time.
The ship sprung a leak after hitting the iceberg.
stay put
= to stay where you are, to not move or go anywhere
Stay put until I get back.
She told the dog to stay put but the poor animal evidently didn’t understand and ran away as soon as she was out of sight.
kick butt
= to succeed or win in a very impressive way
His team kicked butt in the football match.
The lawyer kicked butt in the courtroom again.
make a stand
= to make a strong effort to defend yourself or oppose something
General Lee’s army was preparing to make a stand against the enemy.
The workers of the two companies were planning to make a stand against the merger.
stand one’s ground
= to not change your position when you are being attacked, to not retreat
The troops managed to stand their ground despite a fierce enemy attack.
The government has continued to stand its ground despite the total failure of the reform of the educational system.
get one’s act together
= to begin to live or function in a good and sensible way, to stop being confused, foolish, etc.
His life got much better when he changed his environment and got his act together.
The team finally got its act together and started to win.
lose track
= to stop being aware of how something is changing, what someone is doing, etc.
There were so many changes in the system that it was very easy to lose track.
She lost track of the time and missed the last train.