Getting Started: English Vocabulary List

to take a direct and determined approach to a difficult or unpleasant task

"You need to grasp the nettle and fix it."

"The new manager grasped the nettle and fired the underperforming employees immediately."

(of a person) to be physically or mentally ready to get something done

"I am good to go."

"The mechanic checked my car and said it is good to go for our long road trip."

to get ready for action by removing physical and mental obstacles

"Let's clear the decks and start fresh."

"Before starting the new project we need to clear the decks by finishing all old tasks."

to start doing something in the way that was planned

"Let's get this show on the road."

"Now that all the preparations are complete, it's time to get this show on the road and begin the project."

to gain knowledge after experiencing something painful or disastrous

"He finally learned his lesson yesterday."

"After losing all his money in a bad investment, he learned his lesson and became much more careful with finances."

doing something that someone has planned to, often when they find the right time

"He waited for the right moment to make his move."

"He waited for the right moment to make his move and ask her out on a date."

to start working hard instead of hesitating and wondering around

"He needs to pull his finger out."

"You need to pull your finger out and finish your homework because the deadline is tomorrow."

to learn from a failure, mistake, or unpleasant situation instead of feeling bad about it

"Just put it down to experience."

"I lost all my money in that bad investment but I will put it down to experience."

to get ready to do hard work or tackle a serious challenge

"Roll up your sleeves and work."

"It is time to roll up our sleeves and get to work because the deadline is approaching fast."

to become someone's wife or husband during a special ceremony

"We finally took the plunge and got married."

"After dating for five years they finally decided to take the plunge and get married in the summer."

to start with small steps before tackling difficult tasks or challenges

"You must walk before you can run."

"You need to learn to walk before you run so start with the beginner class first."

from the point at which something began

"She built it from scratch."

"She baked the cake completely from scratch without using any ready made cake mix or ingredients."

to enjoy an experience as much as one can, due to the lack of previous opportunity

"We worked all weekend to make up for lost time."

"After being sick for a week he worked all weekend to make up for lost time on the project."

a command given to the participants of a competition, particularly a race, to ready themselves

"On your mark, get set, go."

"On your mark get set go shouted the referee at the beginning of the race."

at the planning, preparing, or developing stage

"There are new features in the pipeline."

"The company has several exciting new products in the pipeline for release next year."

to properly begin doing something that one was neglecting

"Get on the stick and work."

"You need to get on the stick and finish your homework because the deadline is tomorrow morning."

to start to do an activity, often in a way that is encouraging to others

"Let us start the ball rolling now."

"To encourage participation, the manager set the ball rolling by sharing her own ideas at the meeting."

to start dealing with, understanding, or accepting something that is difficult

"I need to get to grips with this software."

"The new student is still trying to come to grips with the difficult school curriculum."

to devote one's time and energy to doing or finishing something one was nervous about

"They took the plunge."

"After much deliberation, she finally decided to take the plunge and start her own business."