Essential English Vocabulary: Phrases, Sounds, and Money

Common Phrases with 'Get'

• Get your own back: Take revenge on someone.
• Get over a break-up: Recover from a break-up.
• Get even: Cause the same damage that has been done to you.
• Get back together: To start a romantic relationship again after having finished.
• Get the impression: To have an impression.
• Get a shock: To be shocked.
• Get the chance: To have the opportunity.
• Get the joke: To understand a joke.
• Get to know: To become familiar with someone or something.
• Get hold of: To obtain or contact.
• Get rid of: To dispose of something.
• Get into trouble: To end up in a difficult situation.
• Get out of the way: To move aside.
• Get real: Be realistic.
• Get a life: To stop wasting time and do something meaningful.
• Not getting anywhere: Making no progress.
• Gets on my nerves: To irritate someone.
• Get her act together: To organize oneself to achieve a goal.
• Get on like a house on fire: To have the same tastes and interests.
• Get a move on: To hurry up.
• Getting on: To make progress or age.
• Get the message: To understand what is implied.
• Get her own way: To get what one wants.
• Get through to: Make somebody understand.
• Get around: Move from place to place.
• Got away with: Do something wrong without getting caught.
• Get by: Manage with what you have.
• Get behind: Fail to make enough progress.
• Get you down: To depress someone.
• Getting out of: Avoid a responsibility.
• Get back to: To respond or return to a topic.

Human Sounds and Onomatopoeia

• Tick: Sound of a clock.
• Sniff: Sound of inhaling through the nose.
• Click: A short, sharp sound.
• Splash: Sound of liquid hitting water.
• Bang: Sound of a gun or explosion.
• Creak: Sound of wood or floorboards.
• Buzz: Sound of a fly or insect.
• Hoot: Sound of a car horn.
• Tap: Sound of fingers on a table.
• Slurp: Sound of drinking noisily.
• Hiss: Sound of a snake.
• Drip: Sound of a leaking tap.
• Roar: Sound of a crowd or loud noise.
• Whistle: Sound made by blowing air.
• Hum: To sing with closed lips.
• Crunch: Sound of crushing something.
• Snore: Sound made while sleeping.
• Rattle: A series of short, sharp sounds.
• Screech: Sound of brakes.
• Crash: A loud, violent sound.
• Giggle: Light, silly laughter.
• Groan: Sound of boredom or pain.
• Mumble: To speak unclearly.
• Scream: A loud, high-pitched cry.
• Sigh: Sound of tiredness or relief.
• Sob: To cry noisily.
• Stammer: To speak with involuntary pauses.
• Whisper: To speak very softly.
• Yell: To shout loudly.

Movies and Film Terminology

• Depressing: Sad or gloomy.
• Entertaining: Enjoyable.
• Fast-moving: Having a lot of action.
• Gripping: Very exciting and engaging.
• Haunting: Difficult to forget.
• Heavy-going: Boring or difficult to follow.
• Implausible: Difficult to believe.
• Intriguing: Arousing curiosity.
• Moving: Makes you cry or feel deep emotion.
• Thought-provoking: Makes you think deeply.

Financial and Money Terms

• Budget: A financial plan.
• Deposit: A sum of money placed in an account.
• Donation: Money given to a cause.
• Fare: Price for transport.
• Fee: Payment for professional services.
• Fine: A penalty payment.
• Grant: Money given for a specific purpose.
• Instalment: Periodic payment.
• Loan: Money borrowed that must be repaid.
• Lump sum: A single, large payment.
• Savings: Money kept for the future.
• Will: A legal document regarding inheritance.
• Consumer society: A society focused on buying goods.
• Standard of living: The level of wealth and comfort.
• Income: Money received.
• Inflation: A general increase in prices.
• Cost of living: The cost of basic necessities.
• Can’t afford: Lacking the money to pay for something.
• Manage an account: To oversee financial records.
• Balance: The amount of money in an account.
• Make transfers: To move money between accounts.
• Payments: Amounts paid.
• Interest rates: The cost of borrowing money.
• In debt: Owing money.
• Mortgage: A loan to buy a house.
• Shares: Units of ownership in a company.
• Stock market: Where shares are traded.
• Currency: The money used in a country.
• Exchange rates: The value of one currency against another.
• Went bankrupt: To be unable to pay debts.
• Recession: A period of economic decline.