A Closer Look: Lesson 7 · Street Talk 2 Vocabulary List

used to refer to something that is very soothing and comforting

"I feel snug as a bug."

"After wrapping myself in the warm blanket, I felt as snug as a bug in a rug all evening."

used to express mock or exaggerated sadness, often in a playful or sarcastic manner

"Boo hoo, you lost."

"When he complained about having to do chores, his sister responded with a sarcastic "boo hoo"."

something disappointing or unfortunate, often related to summer activities or plans

"It was a bummer in the summer."

"It was a real bummer in the summer when it rained every day during our two week beach vacation."

by any means that is necessary

"I will do it by hook or crook."

"The determined salesman was going to close the deal by hook or by crook no matter what it took."

to knowingly do what can get one into trouble

"You are cruising for a bruising."

"If you keep talking back to your boss like that you are cruising for a bruising and might get fired."

used to emphasize that people have different tastes, preferences, and needs, and that it is important to recognize and respect these differences

"He likes rock music and she likes jazz — different strokes for different folks."

"Some employees prefer remote work while others need the office — different strokes for different folks."

*** a situation in which there is twice the number of problems that usually exist

"The twins are double trouble."

"The twins were double trouble for their babysitter who could not keep up with both of them."

so intoxicated with alcohol that one starts behaving like a lunatic

"He was drunk as skunk."

"After the party, he was so drunk as a skunk that he started singing loudly and dancing erratically."

done honestly, justly, or without disobeying any rules

"She won the game fair and square."

"He won the chess match fair and square without cheating so nobody can complain about the result."

a minor car accident that usually involves small damage to the vehicles

"The fender-bender causes no injuries."

"The fender bender causes no injuries and the cars are still drivable."

a conservative who is old-fashioned or dull in attitude or appearance

"He is a fuddy-duddy."

"Despite his modern attire, his outdated opinions revealed him to be a complete fuddy-duddy."

used to convey surprise, annoyance, or disbelief

"Geez Louise! That is very expensive."

"Geez Louise! That is very expensive. I cannot afford to buy something that costs that much money."

to accept things as they happen, without trying to control or resist them

"Just go with the flow."

"Instead of making strict plans for our trip we decided to just go with the flow and see what happens."

used to express surprise, shock, or amazement

"Holy moly, that is huge!"

"Holy moly, that is huge! I have never seen anything like it before."

lacking excitement or variety

"The job is humdrum."

"The humdrum routine of waking up going to work and coming home bored him to tears."

a busy, noisy, and active environment or situation

"I love the hustle and bustle of the city."

"He prefers the quiet countryside over the hustle and bustle of the busy city centre."

used to emphasize the importance of staying cautious and alert, so as not to miss any opportunities

"Set your alarm — you snooze, you lose."

"The early applicants secured the best positions — you snooze, you lose in this competitive market."

used to respond to a farewell, typically in a fun or lighthearted way

"See you later, crocodile, in a while, crocodile."

"After saying goodbye to his friends, he called out, 'See you later, alligator!' and they replied, 'In a while, crocodile!'"

extremely small, often in a cute or endearing way

"The spider is itsy-bitsy."

"The itsy bitsy spider climbed up the water spout and the children sang the nursery rhyme happily."

used to express surprise, shock, or mild alarm

"Jeepers creepers! That is very scary."

"Jeepers creepers! That is very scary. I think I am going to have nightmares about it tonight."

a group of wealthy, stylish individuals who travel frequently and luxuriously, often to exclusive destinations for leisure and social activities

"The jet set flies to exotic locations every weekend."

"The jet set flies to exotic locations every weekend and stays in five star hotels."

a term used to refer to an average or ordinary person, often in a dismissive or humorous way

"The car is affordable for Joe Schmoe."

"Joe Schmoe walked into the dealership hoping to buy a car without being ripped off."

a person from a rural or small town, often used in a slightly mocking or humorous way

"The local yokel gave us directions."

"The local yokel gave the tourists directions that led them completely the wrong way."

used to warn against the dangers of careless talk or gossip, particularly in situations where secrecy or confidentiality is important, as it can have serious consequences

"Do not share the details with anyone — loose lips sink ships."

"The team was reminded that loose lips sink ships when handling sensitive client information."

***very affectionate or romantic, especially excessively so

"The couple is lovey-dovey."

"The lovey dovey couple held hands and whispered to each other while their friends pretended to be disgusted."

to be in a very good position and be living a luxurious life

"She really has it made in the shade."

"After winning the lottery, he has it made in the shade and never has to worry about money again."

to bring about either success or failure for someone or something

"This audition will make or break his career."

"This audition will make or break her acting career because the director is looking for a new star."

verbal misrepresentation intended to take advantage of you in some way

"That was trickery."

"The politician's promises were nothing but hanky panky to distract voters from the real issues."

extreme nervousness

"That spider gives me the heebie-jeebies."

"The horror movie gave him the heebie jeebies and he could not sleep for two nights."

used to show one's frustration, surprise, or anger

"Hell's bells, that is loud," he shouted."

"Well hell's bells the car broke down again on the same deserted road as last month."

haphazardly

"They ran helter-skelter away."

"The children scattered helter-skelter across the playground when the bell rang for recess."

used as part of the magician's patter to create excitement and anticipation for the magical effect about to occur

"Hocus-pocus! Make it happen."

"Hocus-pocus! The magician whispered, building suspense before revealing the amazing illusion he had prepared."

affectedly genteel

"The party is hoity-toity."

"The hoity toity art critic dismissed the young painter's work without even looking at it closely."

used to show agreement, approval, etc.

"Okey-dokey, let us start now."

"Okey-dokey, let us start the work now and finish it quickly."

(of a person) tough, efficient, and in peak physical or functional condition

"He is mean and lean."

"The marathon runner was mean and lean with no extra fat on his muscular body at all."

complicated activities, rituals, or words that lack any real purpose

"I do not believe that mumbo jumbo."

"The self help book was filled with mumbo jumbo about energy fields and cosmic vibrations."

weak in willpower, courage or vitality

"He is namby-pamby."

"The leader's namby-pamby approach to the crisis failed to inspire confidence in his followers."

the most important aspects or principles of something such as an experience or idea

"Let us get to the nitty-gritty."

"Let us skip the small talk and get down to the nitty gritty of the business deal."

a foolish or clueless person

"The nitwit forgot his own name."

"The nitwit tried to microwave a metal pot and nearly started a kitchen fire."

said to mean that something can be easily done or achieved

"It's no muss, no fuss."

"The online ordering process was so simple and efficient, it was truly no muss, no fuss."

used for saying that without working hard and experiencing difficulties, one cannot achieve anything

"I exercise every day because no pain, no gain."

"You have to train very hard every day because no pain no gain as the old saying goes."

used to indicate that something is absolutely not going to happen or is completely unacceptable, often in a playful or exaggerated manner

"No way, José! I do not believe you."

"No way, Jos�! I do not believe you because your story sounds completely made up and fake."

out of the house or office, and actively engaged in various activities, especially outdoors

"She is out and about today."

"She is out and about today running errands and visiting friends around the city."

used to describe a relationship or behavior that is overly familiar or insincerely friendly, often to the point of being exaggerated or forced

"They are palsy-walsy."

"His palsy-walsy demeanor with the boss seemed insincere and was noticed by his colleagues."

used to describe someone who is energetic, enthusiastic, and excessive in their approach to partying or celebrating

"He is a party-hearty guy."

"The party hearty crowd stayed out dancing until four in the morning and then went for breakfast."

the day on which you receive pay for your work

"Friday is always payday."

"The workers looked forward to payday every two weeks when their salaries were deposited."

a woman who is perceived as ordinary or unremarkable in appearance or style

"She is a plain Jane."

"She was a plain Jane who did not wear makeup or fancy clothes but she had a kind heart."

a tool or device used for picking up animal waste, particularly from dogs, in outdoor areas

"She uses a pooper scooper."

"The responsible dog owner always carried a pooper scooper when walking his pet in the park."

short and fat

"The baby is roly-poly."

"The roly-poly puppy rolled over for a belly rub and its round little body looked like a furry ball on the floor."

used to tell someone to not spit when they are talking

"Say it, do not spray it — step back a little!"

"He leaned in too close during the presentation and someone muttered say it, do not spray it."

the action of eating something rapidly or in large quantities, leading to feeling so full or sick that vomiting occurs afterward

"He scarfed and barfed."

"After devouring the entire buffet, he regrettably scarfed and barfed due to his overindulgence."

used to informally say goodbye, often in a playful or lighthearted manner

"Bye! See you later, alligator!"

"He grabbed his bag, winked at his friend, and said see you later, alligator on his way out."

to shop for an extended period of time, often to the point of exhaustion

"Let us shop until we drop."

"My wife loves to shop until she drops on Black Friday when everything is on sale."

used to playfully call someone who is acting foolish or silly, often in an affectionate or teasing manner

"Stop acting like a silly Billy."

"Stop being a silly Billy and put on your coat before you catch a cold outside."

used to describe something that is exceptionally good, impressive, or intense

"I feel super duper."

"The super duper ice cream sundae had three scoops of ice cream and every topping available."

used to represent a light, giggly, or mischievous laugh, often in a playful or teasing manner

"Tee-hee! That is a funny joke."

"Tee-hee! That is a funny joke. You really made me laugh out loud just now."

used to playfully or mockingly dismiss someone, often as a lighthearted insult or comeback

"Up your nose with a rubber hose."

"The angry child shouted up your nose with a rubber hose at his brother during their silly argument."

the gradual damage or deterioration that occurs to an object or property as a result of normal use or aging

"The car shows wear and tear."

"The old car showed significant wear and tear after ten years of driving on rough roads."

used to describe a quick, casual sexual encounter, where there is little to no emotional involvement, often followed by a swift departure or goodbye

"It was wham-bam."

"The one-night stand felt like a wham-bam, thank you ma'am, with no real connection afterward."

used to ask someone for their intended course of action or next steps, often in a casual or lighthearted manner

"So what is the plan, Sam?"

"Before the meeting started, she turned to the project lead and asked what is the plan, Sam?"

to use various dishonest or complicated methods in order to gain things, particularly in politics or business

"He likes to wheel and deal."

"The used car salesman is known for wheeling and dealing to get the best price for himself."

eager or ready for sexual activity

"She is hot to trot."

"The couple was clearly hot to trot, their intense gaze and whispered words revealing their desire."

someone who is extraordinarily successful and talented at what they do

"The hotshot rookie scored twenty points."

"The hotshot lawyer thought he was too good to work on small cases for ordinary people."

a theory or argument made up of miscellaneous or incongruous ideas

"It is a hodgepodge."

"His argument was a hodgepodge of unrelated facts and unsubstantiated claims, making it difficult to follow."