Essential English Vocabulary: Phrases and Definitions

Master these key English words, phrases, and idioms, complete with accurate Spanish translations and practical example sentences to enhance your fluency.

Common Phrases and Idioms

• Bored to death: (Muerto de aburrimiento). Example: "I was bored to death."
• Live show: (Actuación en directo). Example: "Tonight is OT's final live show."
• Waste of time: (Pérdida de tiempo). Example: "Colossal waste of time for researchers."
• Have a good time: (Pasar un buen rato). Example: "You seem to know how to have a good time."
• Keep going: (Continuar). Example: "I can't keep going like this."
• (Be) worth it: (Valer la pena). Example: "This trip might not be worth it."
• (Be) good for a laugh: (Bueno para echarse unas risas). Example: "That would be good for a laugh."
• Ahead of time: (Con adelanto). Example: "We should pass over the English coast 15 minutes ahead of time."
• Crack the code: (Descifrar el código). Example: "I'll try to crack the code."
• Get in touch with: (Ponerse en contacto con). Example: "I have to get in touch with our friend."
• Invasion of privacy: (Invasión de la privacidad). Example: "Reading someone's mind is an invasion of privacy."

Adjectives and Descriptive Nouns

• Caution: (Prudencia/Cuidado). Example: "All agents be advised... proceed with caution."
• Dishonest: (Deshonesto). Example: "I felt like I was being dishonest with Will."
• Hazardous: (Peligroso). Example: "Operating equipment in space can be hazardous."
• Illegal: (Ilegal). Example: "Ivan's running an illegal gambling establishment."
• Infamous: (Famoso por algo negativo). Example: "So this is the infamous Max."
• Risky: (Peligroso). Example: "This procedure's too risky now."
• Secure: (Seguro). Example: "Whoever wiped it used a secure deletion program."
• Sneaky: (Astuto, Furtivo). Example: "The little sneaky one on the right is Pony Benner."
• Suited to: (Adecuado a). Example: "Someplace better suited to your manners."
• Suspicious: (Sospechoso). Example: "I'm checking the area for anything suspicious."

Key Verbs and Actions

• Disrupt: (Entorpecer). Example: "The bad weather has disrupted the TV broadcast."
• Lead to: (Conducir a, Resultar en). Example: "Carelessness can lead to a serious accident."
• Require: (Requerir). Example: "It will require minimal change in procedure."
• Succeed: (Tener éxito). Example: "The difference is we can succeed."
• Conceal: (Ocultar). Example: "The little boy concealed a cat under his coat."
• Reveal: (Revelar). Example: "You are the only one who can reveal the truth."
• Trust: (Confiar). Example: "I don't trust you."
• Warn: (Avisar). Example: "We've got to warn your mom."
• Blame: (Culpar). Example: "You can't blame it all on Micky."
• Right: (Derecho). Example: "Liberty is a right."
• Hold: (Celebrar). Example: "A beautiful place to hold your wedding reception."