Lesson 10 · Street Talk 1 Vocabulary List

a large sum of money

"This car cost me an arm and a leg."

"The repairs to the car cost me an arm and a leg but I had no other choice."

a cheap disreputable nightclub or dance hall

"This place is a dive."

"Despite its run-down appearance, the old dive bar had a surprisingly lively atmosphere and cheap drinks."

used to say that one doubts that something can ever happen or be true

"You think you'll win? Fat chance!" she scoffs."

"Fat chance of him apologizing because he never admitted he was wrong about anything."

used to tell someone that they should stop saying or doing a particular thing

"Come off it! You are joking, right?"

"Come off it! You are joking, right? Because that sounds completely unbelievable to me."

thin slices of potato that have been cooked in hot oil until they are crispy and golden brown

"The burger comes with a side of fries."

"The burger came with a side of crispy golden fries and a pickle spear."

to quickly make a meal for oneself, often due to a time constraint

"Let's grab a bite to eat."

"Let us grab a bite to eat before the movie starts because I am really hungry."

to be really stressed, angry, or upset about something that has happened or is going to happen

"Mom will have a cow if she sees this."

"My mother is going to have a cow when she finds out that I accidentally broke her favorite vase yesterday."

to have a strong interest or attraction toward a particular person or thing

"He is really into playing guitar."

"My younger brother is really into video games and spends most of his free time playing them."

to become overwhelmed by strong emotions

"She will lose it."

"After weeks of constant pressure, the stressed employee finally began to lose it during the meeting."

in an instant and with no delay

"He started right away."

"She knew the answer off the bat, surprising everyone in class."

luxurious and stylish, often associated with wealth or a high social status

"The party was ritzy."

"The ritzy hotel had a marble lobby and a chandelier that cost more than most people earn in a year."

to behave in a crazy and uncontrollable manner

"He has a screw loose."

"After the accident, he started acting erratically, and people whispered that he had a screw loose."

to suddenly stop moving or doing something due to being extremely surprised, frightened, or impressed

"The deer stopped dead in its tracks."

"The beautiful sunset stopped me dead in my tracks and I could not look away from it."

to discreetly share important information or advice with someone to help them take action or avoid a problem

"Someone tipped off the police."

"An anonymous caller tipped off the police about the planned robbery at the bank."

to drink a beverage after a meal to help swallow and digest the food

"Wash down the pill with water."

"He used a glass of cold milk to wash down the large piece of chocolate cake he had just eaten."

to eat, often in a hearty or enthusiastic manner

"Chow down before the food gets cold."

"The hungry workers could not wait to chow down on the delicious food at the company picnic."

a human being or creature that possesses life and consciousness

"There is not a living soul in the abandoned village."

"There was not a living soul on the street at three in the morning."

used to describe something done in a secretive or furtive manner, typically to avoid detection or to hide intentions

"Sneaking is bad."

"The child was caught sneaking cookies from the jar before dinner, his face covered in crumbs."

to enter or begin involvement in a particular place, situation, or context, often implying the start of an experience or journey

"He set foot in."

"She finally set foot in the new city after months of planning."

to deliberately fail to give a proper tip or to withhold payment for services rendered by a waiter, usually implying an act of poor or unfair behavior

"Don't stiff the waiter."

"It is considered very rude and unfair to stiff a waiter after receiving good service."

used to describe something or someone that is extremely rare, unique, or extraordinary, often with a positive connotation

"She is one in a million."

"My best friend is truly one in a million and I am so lucky to have her in my life."

used to ask for a high five, a gesture where two people slap the palms of their hands together as a form of celebration, greeting, or acknowledgment

"Give me five! A high five, please!"

"Give me five! A high five, please, because we just finished a very difficult task together."

in a state where one is experiencing outmost joy and happiness

"I am in seventh heaven."

"The little girl was in seventh heaven when she met her favourite princess at the theme park."

a typical full-time job that operates during standard business hours, typically from 9 AM to 5 PM, Monday to Friday

"He works nine to five."

"My father works a boring nine to five office job but he does not complain because it pays the bills."

to surf toward the front of the surfboard so that the toes of both feet are hanging over the edge of the board

"He tried to hang ten."

"The experienced surfer managed to hang ten on the huge wave and rode it all the way to the shore."

to get rid of, discard, or eliminate something, often used in reference to canceling, rejecting, or killing

"They eighty-six the plan."

"The restaurant decided to eighty-six the unpopular dish from the menu."

used to emphasize that something has been repeated many times, often in frustration or to convey exasperation

"If I have told you once, I have told you a thousand times — lock the door!"

"If I have told you once, I have told you a thousand times — every report must be proofread before submission."

a person who is significantly overweight, often used in a humorous or exaggerated manner

"He looked like a blimp."

"The comedian's exaggerated portrayal of the blimp trying to squeeze through a revolving door was met with uproarious laughter."

a room or building equipped with one or more toilets

"Where is the john?"

"Please direct me to the nearest john, as I require immediate access to a restroom facility."

to finish eating something completely, often quickly or with enthusiasm

"He polished off the entire cake."

"The hungry child managed to polish off his entire plate of spaghetti and meatballs in just a few minutes."

unappetizing and poorly prepared food, often in a liquid or semi-liquid form

"Don't feed them slop."

"The cook was criticized for serving watery slop instead of a proper meal."

to be morally wrong or unpleasant

"This stinks."

"The corrupt politician's dealings with the mob clearly stink and should be thoroughly investigated."

a place, such as a bar, club, or restaurant

"Meet at the joint."

"This cozy little joint on the corner is known for its delicious homemade pasta."

to request the omission or exclusion of an ingredient or item from a dish

"Hold the onions."

"Could you please hold the cilantro and extra spicy peppers in my order, as I have a strong aversion to them?"

a person who is overweight or fat

"He is a poker."

"The burly poker, with his imposing physique, commanded attention in the crowded room."

a standard full-sized piano

"The piano has eighty-eight keys."

"The eighty eight key piano was too large to fit through the narrow doorway."