Different Idiomatic/Slang Expressions to Improve the Vocabulary of English Learners

The following expressions (phrasal verbs, idioms, and slang) can be used to teach people who want to learn the English language. Before ending your conversation with someone who wants to learn English from you, make it a point to give a new expression related to your topic.  I hope that this will be of great help to enhance the vocabulary skills of English learners out there.
If you some helpful expressions, you may contribute below.

Agreeing

fine by me
suits me fine or it suits me fine 

Altruism

philanthropist

Bank

float a loan – it means to make a loan.
Example:
I have to float a loan for the renovation of our house.

floating interest rate

Business

accept an offer
in full swing
gravy train
keep track
top-down and bottom-up decision making
Publicly-listed companies

Office/Work


from here on out 
flattery
figure in 
give (or lend) a hand – it means to help or assist a person in doing something.
Example: 
It will be a big event. Can you send some people to give me a hand with
infographic
on the run

Slow day at work – This is the opposite of swamped. This is the season or time when you don’t do many things at work.
Example: 
Sure, I can listen to your presentation later because I am on a slow day at work.

put off

slated to do something

swamped – it means you are busy.
Example:
Oh, I’m sorry I can’t go, I’m swamped with a lot of deadlines on my desk.

360-degree feedback

Marketing

CPV – cost per view

Computer/Technology

E-commerce payment system

Cooking

out of season


Driving

backseat driver

Drinking 


two or three sheets to the wind – drunk or intoxicated
Example: You are three sheets to the wind.
a stiff drink

Family

black sheep
come of age 
talk shop

Fashion

getup
polka dot
visual merchandising


Feelings/Reactions/Emotions

horror  of horrors
sentimental value
under threat
wake-up call

Food

all-you-can-eat – it means the customers in a restaurant can eat all the food that they want to eat.
Example:
Let’s go to the newly opened all-you-can-eat restaurant in our town. I heard they serve various delectable dishes for only 2000 yen.
delectable – it means the food is delicious or tasty.
Example:
Oh, this spicy chicken that you said you cooked is so delectable.

Ordering food

Would you like a starter?
cutlery


Friendship

fair-weather friend

Games/Gambling

All bets are off

Giving Directions

go past – it means to pass by a certain place.
Example:
After going through the park, just go past the convenience store. Next to it is the building that you are looking for.

Hobbies

cup of tea  
downtime

pique – it means to provoke or awaken something such as the emotion of a person or the person’s curiosity.
Example:
It was the powerhouse band that piqued my interest in that program.

Home


up for grabs –  it means that something can still be taken because it is available.
Example: 
This work assignment is still up for grabs. Anyone?
move house
rip to shreds


Hotel


peak season  


fully booked – it means all the rooms are occupied and there is nothing left to be reserved.
Example:
I’m sorry, sir but we are fully booked on that date.
wake-up call

Losing Something

lost in the shuffle 

Music

powerhouse

Nature


freak of nature – it means something is really different or not normal
Example: What? You can eat 20 red spicy peppers? You a real freak of nature.


Parenting

know best- it means you are the most knowledgeable about something.
Example:
I miss my mother’s chicken curry. Mom really knows best about everything.

Products/Services

high-class
ship out

Transportation


shove over – it means to move over and give space to other people.
Example: Could you shove over so that Lisa can sit down.

bustle around 
highways and byways

Payment

overdue – it means not doing the thing that you are supposed to do at the time it was expected for you to do it.
Example: Your electric bill is two months overdue.

Shopping

shop around – it means going from store to store to compare the price and quality of the item you are buying.
Example: I will shop around for a concert

It’s a steal – it means something is super cheap
Example: Definitely, I’ll buy that one. It’s a steal.

It’s a rip-off – it costs a lot that it is already unreasonable because its price is higher than it supposed to be.
Example: I am not buying a smartphone for 70 000 pesos. It’s a rip-off.

Sales

sales pitch
sales talk

Teaching

teach (someone) a lesson

Telephone Conversation

Can I take a message? – it means you are asking the caller if she wants to leave a message for the person he/she is looking for.
Example:
I’m sorry but Ruby is not here. Can I take a message?

Travel


alleviating poverty through tourism
bump up – it means to move up to a much higher position which in travel means to be transferred to a more expensive seat.
Example:
Guess what? I was bumped up to the business class! Isn’t that amazing?

getaway
holidaymaker
jet lag
the holiday spirit
a short-haul flight (medium-haul or long-haul)
unwind

Weather


muggy – it means the weather is humid.
Example: 
Summer is just around the corner. Prepare for muggy days again.

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