RESTING AND RELAXING
take a nap (= take a snooze) – to sleep (usually for a short time)
e.g. Every afternoon, Kate takes a nap on her couch for an hour.
take a break (= take a breather) – to rest by stopping work or play
e.g. It’s about time to take a break.
take it easy – to relax, not to work hard
note: this idiom may be used when someone is upset.
have free/spare time (= have time on one’s hands, have time to kill) – to have little or no work to do, to have extra time
e.g. Whenever Kate has free time, she tried to find ways to help her students.
pass the time (= while away) – to spend time (usually relaxing)
e.g. We passed the time having coffee.
daydream – to think about something not related to what is happening at that moment
e.g. Evil Kate was angry when she saw her students daydreaming in class.
loosen up (= let one’s hair down) – to become more relaxed, to become informal
e.g. This weekend is the perfect time for me to loosen up.
ABILITY AND EXPERIENCE
get the hang of (= get a feel for) – to learn how to do, to gain an understanding of
e.g. If you review at home, you will get the hang of it sooner.
have a knack for – to have special talent or ability for
e.g. Justin has a real knack for playing the guitar.
be right up one’s alley – to be a suitable activity for someone
e.g. Since you enjoy skiing, then snowboarding should be right up your alley, too.
be cut out for (= be cut out to be, have what it takes) – to have the needed skill or ability for
note: this idiom is mostly used in negative ways
know like the back of one’s hand (= have something down pat) – to know very well, to have much experience
e.g. She knows all the famous restaurants in town like the back of her hand.
DESCRIBING PEOPLE
come across as (= come off as) – to be perceived as, to be judged as
e.g. Rita may come across as a selfish person.
party pooper – someone who tries to reduce the interest or enthusiasm of others
e.g. Why did he come? He is such a party pooper.
penny-pincher (= tightwad, cheapskate) – someone who is very careful about spending money
e.g. My grandfather is a real penny-pincher, giving me $5 on my birthday.
go-getter – enthusiastic worker or hard-working person
e.g. I admire her because she’s always been a go-getter.
show off – to let others see one’s special possession or talent
e.g. Elisa showed off her new outfits to her friends.
know-it-all – someone who believes he or she knows more than others
e.g. Kim is a know-it-all, she will never change her mind.
VISITING
pay a visit (= call on) – to visit by arrangement
e.g. I will make sure to pay Justin a visit when I go back to Vancouver.
drop in/on (= drop by, come by, come over) – to visit, NOT by arrangement
e.g. Why don’t you drop by tonight and we’ll talk more?
swing by (= stop by) – to visit to get/buy something
e.g. I will swing by the market and get you some milk.
stop over – to visit (overnight)
e.g. We will stop over in Las Vegas for 2 days.
get together – to meet or gather for a visit
e.g. All of my relatives get together on Thanksgiving day for a turkey dinner.
BUDGET AND COST
be broke – to have no money
e.g. I was totally broke after I bought gifts for my family.
make ends meet – to live reasonably well without getting into debt
e.g. My parents work really hard to make ends meet.
get by (= make do on) – to manage to survive on limited resources
e.g. How can you guys get by on such a little income?
cut corners – to save money by economizing (buying the cheapest possible items and using as little as possible at one time)
e.g. The company was cutting corners, so there were so many defected products.
do without – to live or survive without something
e.g. My brother had to do without a car in college because my parents didn’t buy him one.
come to – to total, to amount to
e.g. Your phone bill comes to $125.00.
pick up the tab (= foot the bill, be on someone) – to pay for the cost of something, often a meal
e.g. On Janet’s birthday, Harry picked up the tab.