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10 Common Idioms with DAY

25/2/2019

In this lesson, you will learn 10 common idioms with DAY that are often used in conversations.

ONE DAY | SOME DAY
When you talk about some time in the future.

Examples:

I'd like to visit Sydney one day.
One day I'd like to have my own apartment and live there by myself.
I lived in Germany for two years and I'll definitely go back there some day.

DAY AND NIGHT
All the time

Examples:

You can hear the traffic noise day and night.
The baby has been crying day and night.
The store is open day and night so you can go any time.
Every member of the team has worked day and night on the new product launch.

DAY IN, DAY OUT
When you talk about something that you do every day for a long period of time.

Examples:

I have to do the same boring tasks day in, day out.
I used to drink coffee day in, day out, but I rarely do now.
I don't like eating the same food day in, day out.

Note: Something that you do every day for a long time, especially in a way that is boring.

FROM ONE DAY TO THE NEXT
If something changes from one day to the next, it changes suddenly.

Examples:

In my job, I never know what to expect from one day to the next.
I really don't like it when my boss tells me to complete tasks from one day to the next.
I never know what my schedule will be. My shift may change from one day to the next.

AT THE END OF THE DAY (informal)
After you have taken everything into consideration.

Examples:

At the end of the day you will decide for yourself where you want to live.
You may ask other people for advice, but at the end of the day, it's up to you.
I got a great job offer in China, but at the end of the day, I decided to stay in my country.

THE OTHER DAY
At some point in the recent past, a few days ago.

Examples:

We met for a coffee the other day.
I met an old friend of mine in the mall the other day.
I forgot to tell you that I got an email from him the other day. He's coming back from the States in the summer.

IN THIS DAY AND AGE
At the present time, nowadays, these days, in the modern world

Examples:

Healthy eating should be one of your main priorities in this day and age.
'Food prices keep going up and up.' -- 'What do you expect in this day and age?'
The Internet is the most important source of information in this day and age.

MAKE SOMEONE'S DAY
To make someone very happy

Examples:

Just seeing the smile on her face made my day.
Thank you all for the birthday wishes. You really made my day.
Getting compliments on my appearance always makes my day.

CALL IT A DAY (informal)
If you 'call it a day', you stop an activity for the rest of the day. (e.g. work, study)

Examples:

I can't call it a day. I need to work a couple more hours.
I have one last question for you and then we can call it a day.
Can we call it a day and continue next time? (= to stop a lesson or something else)

(AS) CLEAR AS DAY | (AS) PLAIN AS DAY
When something is easy to see or understand.

Examples:

It's as clear as day who's going to win the competition.
It's plain as day that they like each other. (= it's obvious)
Their furniture is easy to assemble and the instructions are as clear as day, so don't worry.

Other lessons:
Phrases with HAVE and TAKE
10 Ways to Say that Something is Bad
10 Ways to Say that Something is Good
6 Ways to Say that Something is Cheap
6 Ways to Say that Something is Expensive
Commonly Used Phrases in Spoken English

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10 Common Idioms with TIME

18/2/2019

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In this lesson, you will learn 10 common idioms with TIME that are often used in conversations.

AT TIMES
Sometimes, but not often

Examples:

Being a parent can be hard at times. (= sometimes)
At times even A students lose their motivation. (= students who always get A's for their work)
You're likely to feel stressed at times, especially in a job like this.
I love hanging out with friends, but at times, I just need to be by myself. (= alone)

AT ONE TIME
When you talk about something related to a time in the past, but not now.

Examples:

At one time, I wanted to study law, but now I'm not so sure.
At one time, my sister wanted to be a pharmacist, but it's a bit late now.
I was a teacher at one time, but then I decided to become a flight attendant, so I could travel the world for a few years before settling down. (settle down - to live a quieter way of life by getting married or living permanently in one place)

ALL THE TIME | THE WHOLE TIME
When something happens continuously or very often.

Examples:

My mum leaves the TV on all the time.
Stop complaining all the time - it's really annoying!
When my friend was sick, I was worried about her the whole time.
I keep practising speaking English and I'm improving all the time.

When something happens during the whole of a particular period of time.

I was trying to find my library card in my wallet while it had been in my handbag all the time.

AHEAD OF TIME
Earlier than expected

Examples:

I always prepare my lessons ahead of time. (= before teaching)
Sometimes our classes finish ahead of time. (= earlier than expected)
My flight landed fifty minutes ahead of time, so I had to wait for my mum to pick me up.

Note: 'Ahead of time' is mainly used in American English.

BEHIND TIME
Later than expected

Examples:

The train left twenty minutes behind time. (= after it should have left)
The plane took off thirty minutes behind time. (= after it should have taken off)

BEFORE MY TIME
When something happened before you were born or before you started living somewhere.

Examples:

This type of music was popular before my time.
They say he was a great singer but that was before my time.
I don't remember the fall of the Berlin Wall - it was before my time.

BEHIND THE TIMES
If someone or something is behind the times, they are old-fashioned.

Examples:

My parents are a bit behind the times. (= old-fashioned in ideas and habits)
My grandparents are really behind the times - they don't even have a colour television.
When my friend got a new smartphone, mine was a bit behind the times. (mine = my phone)
I know my camera is behind the times but I can't afford a new one.

TAKE TIME OUT
To take a break from something; To spend time away from studying or working

Examples:

You look tired. Why don't you take some time out? (= take a break)
I took time out after quitting my job to think about the next chapter of my life.
Some young adults prefer to take time out between high school and university.
I'm taking time out from my job to travel and live abroad for a year.

IN NEXT TO NO TIME | IN NO TIME
When you do something extremely quickly.

Examples:

We fixed the problem in next to no time.
The holiday will be over in next to no time.
The test was so easy, I was done in next to no time.
The test was so easy, I was done in no time.

FOR THE TIME BEING
For a limited period or at this time

Examples:

I'm quite happy at school for the time being. (= at the moment, but not permanently)
They've just moved to London and they're renting a flat for the time being.
They went on holiday and we're looking after their cat for the time being. (= at the moment, but this will change)

Other lessons:
6 Ways to Say that Something is Cheap
6 Ways to Say that Something is Expensive
Common Phrases in Spoken English (Part 1)
Common Phrases in Spoken English (Part 2)
Discourse Markers for IELTS Speaking and Everyday English

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10 Common Idioms with MIND

11/2/2019

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In this lesson, you will learn 10 common idioms with MIND that are often used in conversations.

ON YOUR MIND
If someone or something is on your mind, you keep thinking or worrying about it.

Examples:

You've been on my mind all day. (= I've been thinking about you.)
It's difficult to study if you have something on your mind.
I can't bother my mum right now - she's got a lot on her mind.
Sorry I forgot to call you last night. I've got a lot on my mind these days. (= a lot of problems to worry about)

COME TO MIND | SPRING TO MIND
If something comes to mind or springs to mind, it is the first thing you think of.

Examples:

He asked for my opinion, but nothing came to mind.
I was thinking about who might be suitable for this position, and your name came to mind.
When talking about famous businessmen, three names immediately spring to mind.

Note: Do not say that something ‘comes to your mind’ or ‘springs to your mind’. Say that it comes to mind or springs to mind.

SLIP YOUR MIND
If something slips your mind, you forget it.

Examples:

'I told you about the event two weeks ago. How could you forget something so important?' -- 'I'm sorry, it just slipped my mind.'
I'm sorry I didn't call you back earlier. It completely slipped my mind.
I sometimes have so much to do that the most important tasks slip my mind.
Her birthday completely slipped my mind.

CROSS SOMEONE'S MIND
If something crosses your mind, you think about it for a short time.

Examples:

The idea crossed my mind as you were speaking.
It never crossed my mind that he might be married. (= I never thought about that.)
What was the first thing that crossed your mind when you won the competition?

KEEP (SOMETHING) IN MIND | BEAR (SOMETHING) IN MIND
When you remember something, especially something that will be important in the future.

Examples:

Thanks for your advice – I’ll keep it in mind.
Keep that in mind when you make your decision.
Bear in mind that the price doesn't include flights.
Don't spend all your money at once. Keep in mind that it has to last you all week.

MAKE UP YOUR MIND
When something makes you stop thinking or worrying about something.

Examples:

I like them both - I can't make up my mind. (= I can't decide which one to buy.)
I can't make up my mind which universities to apply to.
I can't make up my mind what to study.

CHANGE YOUR MIND | CHANGE SOMEONE'S MIND
It is used when you change a decision you have made or an opinion that you had.

Examples:

Nothing will make me change my mind.
We've changed our minds about selling the car.
We changed our minds and decided to go camping instead of skiing.
He's already decided to live abroad. It would be impossible to change his mind.
She's still very young. She might change her mind about what she wants to do in the future.

Note: You may change your mind or someone else may change your mind.

TAKE YOUR MIND OFF SOMETHING | TAKE SOMEONE'S MIND OFF SOMETHING
When something makes you stop thinking or worrying about something.

Examples:

Going back to work helped take my mind off things.
I often go for a walk to take my mind off my studies.
Why don't you go out for a few hours? It will take your mind off exams.
I was upset about my exam results, but I went out with some friends to take my mind off it.

AT THE BACK OF YOUR MIND | IN THE BACK OF YOUR MIND
If a thought is at the back of your mind, you are aware of it, though it is not the main thing you are thinking about.

Examples:

It's been at the back of my mind to call you for several days now.
At the back of my mind, I knew she was lying.

SOMEONE'S MIND GOES BLANK (informal)
If you mind goes blank, you suddenly cannot remember something.

Examples:

When he asked me for my number, my mind went completely blank.
Even though I studied hard, my mind went blank on the exam day.

Other lessons:
English Conversation: Saying Goodbye
Common Phrases in Spoken English (Part 1)
Common Phrases in Spoken English (Part 2)
Spoken English: How to Agree and Show Interest
Discourse Markers for IELTS Speaking and Everyday English

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6 Ways to Say that Something is Cheap

4/2/2019

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We usually use the adjective 'cheap' to say that something costs less money than we expected.
Cheap can suggest that something is poor quality. To avoid the negative connotation of this word, we can use other adjectives when we talk about products and services that cost little money.

In this lesson, you will learn how to use 6 different adjectives that can replace the word 'cheap'.

Let's look at the example sentences below.

LOW (meaning: not costing a lot of money)
We use 'low' to talk about prices, rents, and fees.

Walmart is able to keep prices low.
January is always a good month to travel because prices are low.
A great way to save money on airline tickets is to use a low-cost carrier.
Some airlines offer lower fares and make travelling easier.

REASONABLE (meaning: not too expensive)
When a price is 'reasonable', it seems fair – neither cheap nor expensive.

I would definitely go to that restaurant again. They offer good food at a reasonable price.
Vegetables are very reasonable at this time of year. (= not too expensive)
They sell quality products at reasonable prices.

INEXPENSIVE (rather formal) (meaning: cheap; doesn't cost a lot of money)
When we say that something is 'inexpensive', we actually mean it's good value for its price.

It's a simple, inexpensive meal.
Can you recommend a relatively inexpensive hotel?
I'd rather have an inexpensive cup of coffee. (= prefer to have)

What is the best store where I can find inexpensive furniture?

AFFORDABLE (meaning: not expensive)
When something is 'affordable', it is cheap enough for most people to be able to buy.

The restaurant is fancy, yet very affordable.
I love shopping for new clothes but I try to save money at the same time -- that's why I always shop online at affordable prices.
Public transport fares in Singapore are more affordable than those in Tokyo, Beijing, Hong Kong and Taipei.
Many governments are struggling with providing high quality affordable housing.

COMPETITIVE (meaning: not expensive to make, buy, or use)
Competitive prices and rates are as low as those charged by other shops and companies.

The store sells a large range of kitchen appliances at very competitive prices.
Their exchange rates are very competitive if you compare them with other banks.

ECONOMICAL (meaning: cheap because you do not need to use a lot of money)
We use 'economical' when something doesn't cost much money.

The big packet is more economical than the small one -- it's only 80 cents more.
It's more economical to buy a bike rather than renting one every time.
It wasn't very economical to get my washing machine repaired, so I bought a new one.

Other lessons:
10 Ways to Say that Something is Bad
10 Ways to Say that Something is Good
6 Ways to Say that Something is Expensive
Common Phrases in Spoken English (Part 1)
Common Phrases in Spoken English (Part 2)

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English Language Blog

10 Common Idioms with DAY

DO YOU WANT TO IMPROVE YOUR ENGLISH SKILLS?

10 Common Idioms with TIME

DO YOU WANT TO PRACTISE SPEAKING ENGLISH IN A GROUP?

10 Common Idioms with MIND

DO YOU WANT TO PRACTISE SPEAKING ENGLISH IN A GROUP?

6 Ways to Say that Something is Cheap

DO YOU WANT TO PRACTISE SPEAKING ENGLISH IN A GROUP?

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10 Common Idioms with DAY

DO YOU WANT TO IMPROVE YOUR ENGLISH SKILLS?

10 Common Idioms with TIME

DO YOU WANT TO PRACTISE SPEAKING ENGLISH IN A GROUP?

10 Common Idioms with MIND

DO YOU WANT TO PRACTISE SPEAKING ENGLISH IN A GROUP?

6 Ways to Say that Something is Cheap

DO YOU WANT TO PRACTISE SPEAKING ENGLISH IN A GROUP?

Author

​NEW!IELTSSPEAKINGPART 22019 & 2020Exam Topicspractice​&feedback

Thanks for visiting the blog! :)

Lots of images on Facebook!

Fast reply to emails: 1 - 8 hrs

Archives

Categories

​Receive our Newsletter

Do you want to receive English lessons via email? Subscribe and we will take care of that.

Online Courses

Company

Support

​Our Contact Info:

NEW!

IELTS
SPEAKING
PART 2

2019 & 2020
Exam Topics

practice
&
feedback

Receive our Newsletter

Our Contact Info: