Essential English Vocabulary: Everyday Life, Finances, and More

Soft Drinks and Pet Ownership

Soft Drinks

A soft drink is a beverage that is not alcoholic and is usually carbonated, such as Coca-Cola.

Pet Ownership

To own a pet means to have or hold a pet.

Financial Terms and Actions

Having a Tattoo

This section seems unrelated to finances. Consider moving it to a more appropriate section.

Applying for a Passport

To apply for something, such as a passport, means to formally ask for it.

Withdrawing Money

To withdraw money means to take money from a place of deposit.

Savings Account

A savings account is an amount of money deposited in a bank.

Making a Will

To make a will means to create a legal document that states what will happen to one's possessions or property after one's death.

Holding a License

To hold a license means to have legal permission for something.

Legal Terms and Concepts

Being Convicted Of

To be convicted of an offense means to be proven or declared guilty of it after a legal trial.

Criminal Offense

A criminal offense is the act of breaking the law.

Common Activities and Phrases

Giving Blood

This likely refers to donating blood.

General/Local Election

These refer to elections held at different levels of government.

ATM (Automated Teller Machine)

An ATM is a cash dispenser.

Thrill Seeker

A thrill seeker is a person who enjoys taking risks.

Playing Safe

To play safe means to think carefully and avoid taking risks.

Appeal

An appeal is something that you find interesting.

Backpacking

Backpacking refers to traveling while carrying a rucksack.

Blind Date

A blind date is a date with a person you have not previously met.

Thinking Twice

To think twice means to consider something carefully before making a decision.

Politely

Politely means in a courteous way.

Making Sure

To make sure means to ensure that something is done or is the case.

Having a Go

To have a go means to try to do something.

Animals and Risk-Taking

Alligator

An alligator is a type of crocodile.

Dare

To dare means to be brave enough to do something.

Apprehensive

To be apprehensive means to be worried because you think something bad might happen.

Being Willing To

To be willing to do something means to be ready and prepared to do it.

Expressions and Idioms

No Way!

No way! means absolutely not.

Weighing Up the Pros and Cons

To weigh up the pros and cons means to think about the advantages and disadvantages of something carefully.

I'd Be Game For That

I'd be game for that means I wouldn't mind doing it.

Taking a Risk

To take a risk means to do something that could have negative consequences.

Cautious

To be cautious means to be careful about doing something.

On the Spur of the Moment

On the spur of the moment means suddenly, without planning it.

A Close Shave

A close shave is a situation where you only just avoid an accident.

Safe and Sound

Safe and sound means not hurt in any way, even though you were in a dangerous situation.

Just in Case

Just in case means to be prepared for something that might happen.

Cutting It Fine

Cutting it fine means to leave yourself very little time to do something.

The Coast Was Clear

The coast was clear means you can go somewhere or do something because there is no danger of being seen, caught, or attacked.

Descriptive Adjectives

Brand New

Brand new means not yet used.

Fast Asleep

Fast asleep means sleeping deeply.

Wide Awake

Wide awake means fully conscious.

Pitch Black

Pitch black means total darkness.

Soaking Wet

Soaking wet means completely drenched in liquid.

Wide Open

Wide open means fully open, uncovered.

Sports and Competition

Defeat = Beat

To defeat or beat someone means to overcome them in a contest.

Win

To win means to be victorious or to finish first in a race or contest.

Sponsorship Deal

A sponsorship deal is an agreement with a company that pays someone to advertise something, such as a product.

Get Through (Sport)

To get through in sports means to reach the next stage in a competition.

Runner-Up

The runner-up is the competitor, player, or team finishing in second place.

Qualify

To qualify means to demonstrate the required ability in a contest.

Disqualify

To disqualify means to take away the right to participate in a contest because of a violation of the rules.

Round

A round is a complete course or series, one following the other.

Championship

A championship is the condition of being a champion.

Ban

A ban is a prohibition by law.

Doping Offense

A doping offense is the illegal use of performance-enhancing drugs in sports.

Foul

A foul is something that is contrary to the rules in a sport or game.

Strenuous

Strenuous means requiring or using great exertion.

Pushing Yourself

To push yourself means to do something that is hard but good for you.

Overdoing Something

To overdo something means to do it in excess.

Being Into Something

To be into something means to be very interested in it and to do it a lot.

Staying in Shape

To stay in shape means to be fit.

Sedentary Lifestyle

A sedentary lifestyle involves little to no physical activity.

Junk Food

Junk food is unhealthy food, often synonymous with fast food.

Balanced Diet

A balanced diet involves eating healthy meals throughout the day.

Nutrients

Nutrients are substances that provide nourishment essential for growth and the maintenance of life.

Skipping a Meal

To skip a meal means to fail to eat something you are supposed to.

Crash Diet

A crash diet is a weight-loss diet taken with the aim of achieving very rapid results.

Body Mass Index (BMI)

Body Mass Index (BMI) is a measure of body fat based on height and weight.

Setting a Goal

To set a goal means to plan your objectives that you may carry out or not.

Working Out

To work out means to do physical exercise to get fit.

Cutting Something Out

To cut something out means to stop eating it completely.

Getting Round to Something

To get round to something means to do something you have intended to do for a long time.

Putting on Weight

To put on weight means to gain weight.

Sticking To

To stick to something means to continue with it although it's hard.

Phrasal Verbs with 'Take'

Taking Advantage of Someone/Something

To take advantage of someone or something means to make the most of it, often in an unfair or exploitative way.

Taking Advice

To take advice means to receive guidance.

Taking Drugs

To take drugs typically refers to the abuse of illegal substances.

Taking It Easy

To take it easy means to relax.

Taking Part In

To take part in means to join in a group activity.

Taking Something/Someone for Granted

To take something or someone for granted means to not appreciate the value of them.

Taking Something Out of Your Mind

To take something out of your mind means to try not to think of it.

Taking Something Seriously

To take something seriously means to be concerned by it.

Phrasal Verbs with 'Put'

Putting Pressure on Someone

To put pressure on someone means to coerce them.

Putting Something/Someone at Risk

To put something or someone at risk means to endanger them.

Putting Your Arms Around Someone

To put your arms around someone means to comfort them.

Putting Your Hands Up

This usually refers to surrendering or admitting defeat.

Putting Your Mind to Something

To put your mind to something means to try to achieve it.

Putting Yourself in My Position

To put yourself in my position means to try to understand my perspective.

Informal Terms for Being Overweight

Beer Belly

A beer belly is a slang term for a protruding abdomen.

Spare Tyre

A spare tyre is a slang term for excess fat around the waist.

Chubby

Chubby is a less harsh term for being overweight.

Education and Learning

Revising

To revise means to study material again, often before an exam.

Cramming

To cram means to try to learn many things in a very short time.

Handing In

To hand in means to give something to someone, often an assignment.

Assignment

An assignment is a piece of work you do at school.

Strong Point

A strong point is something you are good at.

Skipping

To skip means to not attend, to miss out (similar to playing truant).

Playing Truant

To play truant means to not attend classes without your parents or teacher knowing.

Messing Around

To mess around means to not do anything productive, to waste time.

Bothering

To bother means to give trouble to.

Disruptive

A disruptive person is someone who interrupts and is annoying.

Getting Stuck

To get stuck means to not know how to continue with something.

Scraping Through

To scrape through means to pass an exam with a low mark.

Passing with Flying Colors

To pass with flying colors means to find an exam very easy and to pass it with a good mark.

A Level

A Level is a type of academic qualification in the UK.

Boarding

A boarding school is a school where students live on the premises.

Campus

A campus refers to the grounds of a school or university.

Deadline

A deadline is the last day to hand in an assignment.

Degree

A degree is an academic title given upon the completion of studies, or as an honorary recognition of achievement.

Fees

Fees are a sum of money paid for a service, such as tuition at a university.

Lecture

A lecture is a kind of class where the professor talks and there is little to no participation from students.

Professor

A professor is a teacher of the highest rank in a college or university.

Pupil

A pupil is a student, typically a younger one.

Secondary

Secondary refers to high school.

Seminar

A seminar is a teaching style where there is interaction and professors and students talk about a topic.

Subject

A subject is an area of study.

Applying For

To apply for means to formally ask for a position or opportunity.

Bullying

To bully means to mistreat someone, often repeatedly and intentionally.

Expelling

To expel means to be forced to leave a school or institution because of bad behavior.

Graduating

To graduate means to receive a degree or diploma on completing a course of study.

Retaking

To retake means to take an exam or course again, often after failing it the first time.

Undergraduate

An undergraduate is a college-level student who has not received a first, especially a bachelor's, degree.

Idioms and Expressions with 'Be'

Being in Two Minds

To be in two minds means to be undecided about what to do.

Being in Tears

To be in tears means to be crying.

Being in (Big) Trouble

To be in (big) trouble means to have problems.

Being on Edge

To be on edge means to be tense and nervous.

Phrasal Verbs and Idioms with 'Do' and 'On'

Doing Something on Purpose

To do something on purpose means to do it intentionally.

Being on One's Way

To be on one's way means to be going somewhere.

Being Out of Order

To be out of order means not working properly.

Being Out of Breath

To be out of breath means to be breathing rapidly and heavily, often after physical exertion.

Being Out of the Championship

To be out of the championship means to be eliminated from a competition.

Shopping and Spending

Splashing Out

To splash out means to spend a lot of money on something (often considered wasteful).

Designer Labels = Designer Brands

Designer labels or brands are distinctive kinds or varieties of clothes that are usually expensive.

Window-Shopping

Window-shopping means to look at articles in store windows without making purchases.

Browsing

To browse means to look in an unhurried way at goods displayed for sale, as in a store.

Unethical

Unethical means something immoral that doesn't fit with normal ethical standards.

Exploit

To exploit means to take advantage of (a person, situation, etc.), unethically or unjustly for one's own ends.

Advertisement = Adverts = Ads

An advertisement is a paid notice or announcement, as of goods for sale, in newspapers or magazines, on radio or television, etc.

Material Possession

Material possessions are things one has to make their life easier and happier.

Bargain

A bargain is a purchase to one's advantage, at less than the usual cost.

Eco-Friendly

Eco-friendly means having a beneficial effect on the environment or at least not causing environmental damage.

Online Auction Site

An online auction site is a webpage where you can buy or bid for products at a potentially good price (e.g., eBay).

Making a Purchase

To make a purchase means to get or obtain something by the payment of money or its equivalent; to buy.

Overdrawing

To overdraw means to try to draw or spend an amount from (one's bank account, an allowance, etc.) that is greater than the money available to one.

Well Off

Well off means in a satisfactory position, often implying wealth.

Affording

To afford means to be able to meet the expense of or pay for something.

In Debt

To be in debt means to owe money to someone or something.

Owing

To owe means to be obligated to pay, repay, or give something to someone.

Wealthy

Wealthy means having great wealth.

Clubbing Together

To club together means to put money together as a group.

Knocking (10%) Off (the Price)

To knock (10%) off the price means to reduce the price by 10%.

Forking Out (58€)

To fork out (58€) means to spend a lot of money on something.

Shopping Around

To shop around means to go to different shops to compare prices.

Selling Out

To sell out means to have none left.

Common Pairs of Opposites

Ups and Downs

Ups and downs refer to the mixture of good and bad things that happen in life.

The Haves and the Have-Nots

The haves and the have-nots refer to the wealthy and the poor, respectively.

Here and There

Here and there means at this place and that; from place to place.

Now and Then

Now and then means sometimes; occasionally.

Give and Take

Give and take refers to the exchange of mutual compromise or concession; negotiation, bargaining, and/or compromise.

Down and Out

Down and out means lacking funds or prospects; destitute, penniless.

Fame and Fortune

Fame and fortune refer to widespread recognition and wealth.

Neat and Tidy

Neat and tidy refer to an orderly and clean condition.

Sick and Tired

Sick and tired means exhausted; fatigued.

Trial and Error

Trial and error is a fundamental method of solving problems. It is characterized by repeated, varied attempts which are continued until success, or until the agent stops trying.

Cheap and Cheerful

Cheap and cheerful means costing little money but attractive, pleasant, or enjoyable.

Peace and Quiet

Peace and quiet refer to tranquility and freedom from disturbance.

Honesty and Deception

White Lie

A white lie is a harmless lie, often one told to avoid hurting someone's feelings.

Pretending

To pretend means to put forward a false appearance; to simulate.

Bluntly

Bluntly means abruptly in manner, without politeness.

Economical with the Truth

To be economical with the truth means to not tell everything about something, often implying deception.

Denying

To deny means to state that something is not true.

Owning Up

To own up means to confess.

Two-Timing

To two-time someone means to cheat on them romantically.

Spreading Gossip

To spread gossip means to share rumors or talk about the private matters of others.

Hoax

A hoax is a joke or something intended to deceive.

Making Up (an Excuse)

To make up an excuse means to invent one.

Falling For

To fall for something means to believe something which is not true.

"Pigs Might Fly"

"Pigs might fly" is an expression used to indicate disbelief.

Telling Tales

To tell tales means to tell people things that someone has done wrong, often in a gossipy or malicious way.

Fake

To fake means to pretend; to simulate.

Media and News

Launching

To launch means to get something going; to start it.

Live Coverage

Live coverage refers to the broadcasting of events as they happen.

Broadcasting

To broadcast means to transmit (programs) from a radio or television station.

Downloading

To download means to copy or transfer (data or a program) into the memory of one computer system from a larger one.

Search Engine

A search engine is a service provided on the internet enabling users to search for items of interest.

Tabloid (Newspaper)

A tabloid newspaper is a newspaper usually with many pictures and often featuring sensational stories.

Publishing

To publish means to announce formally or officially.

Gossip

Gossip refers to casual or unconstrained conversation or reports about other people, typically involving details that are not confirmed as being true.

Biased

Biased means having a tendency toward judging something without full knowledge of it; prejudiced.

Broadsheet

A broadsheet is a newspaper printed on large paper, usually a respectable newspaper rather than a tabloid.

Broadband

Broadband refers to high-speed internet access.

Dubbing

To dub means to give a name, nickname, or title.

Censorship

Censorship is the act or practice of censoring.

Foreign Correspondent

A foreign correspondent is a journalist reporting from overseas.

Sensational

Sensational means extraordinarily good or exciting.

News and Current Events

Casualty

A casualty is any person or thing harmed or destroyed as a result of some act or event (often an accident).

Demonstration

A demonstration is a march or public show of strong opinion.

Venue

A venue is the scene or locale of any action or event.

Making Redundancies

To make redundancies means to dismiss employees from a job, often due to economic reasons.

Economic Downturn

An economic downturn is a drop or reduction in the success of a business or economy.

Forecasting

To forecast means to make a prediction about something.

Outbreak

An outbreak is a sudden occurrence or appearance of something, often a disease.

Union

A union is a number of persons, states, etc., joined or associated together for some common purpose.

Going on Strike

To go on strike means to stop working as a protest to force an employer or some authority to agree to demands, or to protest conditions.

Rave Reviews

Rave reviews are reports in a newspaper or magazine that praise something such as a film or show in a very enthusiastic way.

Premiere

A premiere is a first public performance or showing of a play or movie.

Breakthrough

A breakthrough is an important and sudden advance, etc., as in science, that removes a barrier to progress.

Phrasal Verbs with Various Meanings

Drawing

In sports, to draw means to tie a game.

Blowing Up

To blow up means to explode or make something explode.

Taking Over

To take over means to assume control of something, often a company.

Breaking Out

To break out means to start suddenly.

Dying Out

To die out means to become extinct.

Cracking Down

To crack down means to take strong action against something.

Going Ahead

To go ahead means to do something as planned or with permission.

Going Back on Your Promise

To go back on your promise means to not do something you agreed to do.

Going Bald

To go bald means to lose your hair.

Going Down Well

To go down well means to be received favorably.

Going Far

To go far means to be successful in life.

Going for a Run

To go for a run means to run for exercise.

Going Smoothly

To go smoothly means to proceed without problems.

Going to Great Lengths

To go to great lengths means to make a significant effort to achieve something.

Phrasal Verbs with 'Set'

Setting a Date

To set a date means to schedule a specific day for an event.

Setting a Good Example

To set a good example means to behave in a way that is a good model for others to follow.

Setting a Record

To set a record means to achieve a better result than there was before.

Setting Fire To

To set fire to something means to set it alight.

Setting Free

To set free means to liberate someone or something.