Page 66 - Speak English Like an American

(to) jump the gun — to start doing something too soon or
ahead of everybody else
ExaMPLeE 1: Nicole really jumped the gun by writing her acceptance
speech before the results of the elections were announced.
EXAMPLE 2: The bookstore jumped the gun by selling the new Harry
Potter book two weeks before its official release date.

| just kidding — talking more to get a laugh than anything

ExampLe 1: I was just kidding when I said your new orange dress makes
you look like a pumpkin.
ExAMPLE 2: Are you sure that’s your boyfriend? I thought he was your
grandfather. Just kidding!

(to) make a pig of oneself [slang] — to overeat; to eat too much
EXaMPLe |: I made a pig of myself by eating four slices of pie.
EXAMPLE 2: Of course you could eat another hamburger, but you don’t
want to make a pig of yourself.

(to) make time for — to put time in one’s schedule for something
EXAMPLE |: Don is a busy lawyer, but he always makes time for his family.
EXAMPLE 2: Ill be sure to make time for you when you visit me.

out of this world — see Lesson 6

(to) roll up one’s sleeves — to prepare to work
EXampLe 1: Let’s roll up our sleeves and finish making these cookies!
EXampLe 2: You’d better roll up your sleeves and finish your homework.

(to) sit tight — to wait patiently
ExampLe 1: Nicole won’t hear back from the colleges she applied to until
April. For now, she’ll just have to sit tight.
EXAMPLE 2: Sit tight, the doctor will be with you in a few minutes.
ae
ee EXAMPLE 2: “The weather is so nasty today.” — “You can say that again!
(to) talk over — see Lesson 1

What’s up? — What’s going on? What’s new?
EXAMPLE 1: What’s up? I haven’t spoken to you in a long time.
EXampLe 2: You never call me anymore. What’s up with that?

you can say that again — I agree with you
Exampce |: You think our house needs repairs? You can say that again
—— even our toilet is broken!

I don’t even want to go outside!”

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