English Expressions and Slang Section 2

 English Expressions and Slang Section 2

Cannot go without

"cannot go without something" / "cannot go a day without something"

Meaning: to need a particular thing in order to live, work, go, or do something else

Similar Expressions

• I can't go a day without chocolate.
• I can't live without chocolate.
• I can't survive without chocolate.

When do we use it?

We often use this expression to show that we really like something. We are saying that if we do not have it or if we cannot do it, then we will die. This is not true; it is just an exaggeration.

• I can't live without this TV show.
• She can't live without coffee.

We can use this phrase in a literal or real way that shows we need something to live, or when we are actually talking about going somewhere.

• Humans cannot go without water for more than a couple days.
• We cannot go to the party with Jamie.

How do we use it?

If there is a time or place, then we can put it after the verb "to go" or at the end of the sentence. We can use a noun or gerund after "without".

• I cannot go for an hour without checking my phone.
• I cannot go without checking Facebook for more than a day.
• She can't go for 10 minutes without looking at herself in the mirror.
• Workers can't go in this area without permission from management.

Example English Conversations

A) You must really love those candies. I always see you eating them.
B) Honestly, I can't go a day without them. I am addicted to them.

A) My mother can't go a weekend without playing Candy Crush.
B) Those online games are addicting. I can understand.

Adding expressions and idioms to your vocabulary will help you become a better English speaker. You do not need to learn a million expressions or idioms at one time! If you study new English expressions and idioms steadily and consistently, then your vocabulary will get better and better. Use these free English lessons to expand your vocabulary and learn useful English idioms, slang, and expressions.

Cheapskate

"to be a cheapskate" / "Don't be a cheapskate."

Meaning: a person who is unwilling to spend money and who is not generous with their money

Similar Expressions

• He is a cheapskate.
• He is cheap.
• He is stingy.
• He is not generous.
• He is a scrooge.

When do we use it?

This is a negative word. We use it when a person is too selfish with their money. This could be when they avoid paying their fair share or they are not generous or kind with their money.

Being called a "cheapskate" is not a good thing. The words "thrifty" and "frugal" are more positive ways to say that a person is very careful with their money.

How do we use it?

We usually use this after a "be verb".

• He is a cheapskate.
• Mary is a cheapskate.
• Don't be a cheapskate.

We can add other words and use a few other sentence patterns.

• He is such a cheapskate.
• She is a big cheapskate.
• What a cheapskate!

Example English Conversation

A) Greg is such a cheapskate.
B) What did he do?
A) We ordered a pizza together and we both ate 4 pieces. But he said that my pieces were bigger, so I should pay more.
B) I can't believe he said that. What a cheapskate!

Adding expressions and idioms to your vocabulary will help you become a better English speaker. You do not need to learn a million expressions or idioms at one time! If you study new English expressions and idioms steadily and consistently, then your vocabulary will get better and better. Use these free English lessons to expand your vocabulary and learn useful English idioms, slang, and expressions.

Chicken

"to be a chicken" / "Chicken!"

Meaning: a person who is not brave; a person who is scared to do something or scared of everything

Similar Expressions

• Mark is a chicken.
• Mark is a scaredy-cat.
• Mark is a coward.
• Mark is scared.
• Mark is afraid.
• Mark is not brave.

When do we use it?

We use this when a person is not acting in a brave way, and we want to shame the person into doing something.

• Come on, chicken! Jump! Jump!
• Don't be a chicken! Try it!

It is possible to use this expression to talk about a person's character, but it is not as common as using it to shame somebody.

• Ben is scared of everything. He is a chicken.
• He is always a chicken.

How do we use it?

We often use this expression after a "be verb", in a command, or as a name.

• She is a chicken. She won't do it.
• Don't be a chicken it. Come on.
• Hey, chicken! Come on. Don't be afraid.

Example English Conversation

A) I don't want to go cliff jumping. It's dangerous.
B) Don't be a chicken. It will be fun.

It is important that you know English expressions and idioms if you want to have fluent English conversations with native English speakers or other advanced English speakers. Do not try to learn many expressions and idioms at one time. Instead, study a few of these free English lessons each week and learn English expressions and words well. This will help your English vocabulary improve steadily, and you will start speaking English like a native speaker

Choke up

"to choke up" / "to get choked up" / "chokes me up"

Meaning: to have a hard time speaking because of a strong emotion; to not be able to speak and almost cry because of a strong emotion

Similar Expressions

• The movie choked me up.
• The movie almost made me cry.
• The movie was touching.

When do we use it?

We use this expression to describe a time or event when we felt very strong emotions and we had a hard time speaking or almost cried because of these emotions.

We often use this expression when something is very sad.

• I choked up while speaking at my grandfather's funeral.

However, we can also use this expression when we feel strong emotions of happiness or pride. We can cry or feel strong emotions when we are happy, too.

• I got choked up when the children thanked me and hugged me.

How do we use it?

We can use this expression in a few different ways.

• I choked up when I saw my brother after he came home from the war.
• I got choked up when I saw my brother after he came home from the war.
• It choked me up when I saw my brother after he came home from the war.
• When I saw my brother after he came home from the war, it choked me up.
• Seeing my brother after he came home from the war choked me up.

Example English Conversation

A) That was a touching speech by your father.
B) Yes, I choked up listening to him talk about my mother
A) I choked up a little bit too. I really almost started crying.

It is important that you know English expressions and idioms if you want to have fluent English conversations with native English speakers or other advanced English speakers. Do not try to learn many expressions and idioms at one time. Instead, study a few of these free English lessons each week and learn English expressions and words well. This will help your English vocabulary improve steadily, and you will start speaking English like a native speaker.