Phrases & Expressions

To be overcome and start crying, often unexpectedly.

• She burst into tears when she heard the news.
• The child burst into tears after falling off his bike.

To buy something by visiting a physical shop instead of ordering it online.

• Many shoppers compare prices online but still buy furniture in-store, where they can see the quality for themselves.
• Electronics are often cheaper online, but buying them in-store means you can get advice from staff.

To find out whether a room, seat or ticket is still free on the date you need.

• Call the sports centre to check availability before you go, as the courts are often fully booked at weekends.
• Before planning the conference, we checked the availability of meeting rooms at three different hotels.

To be formed from two or more particular parts or things.

• The IELTS Listening test consists of four sections, each one a little more difficult than the last.
• A balanced diet should consist of fruit, vegetables, whole grains and a moderate amount of protein.

To copy text or images from one place and put them in another place on a computer.

• Plagiarism-detection software makes it easy for teachers to spot work that has simply been copied and pasted.
• I copied and pasted the link into the group chat so that everyone could open it.

To keep a careful record of how much energy is in the food you eat, usually to control your weight.

• My doctor told me that instead of counting calories, I should simply eat more vegetables and less processed food.
• I've been counting calories since January, and I've already lost four kilos.

To sit with one leg placed over the other.

• In some cultures, it is considered impolite to cross your legs in front of older people.
• During the interview she crossed her legs and leaned back, trying to look more relaxed than she felt.

To remove text or images from one place on a computer and put them somewhere else.

• You can cut and paste the paragraph to the end of the document if it fits better there.
• Simply cutting and pasting material from websites into your essay counts as plagiarism.

To do the regular, often boring jobs needed to keep a home clean and tidy.

• Flatmates who agree on a fair way to do household chores tend to argue much less.
• Now that we both work full-time, we have made a rota so that we do household chores equally.

To work without pay, usually to help a charity or the local community.

• Many universities encourage students to do voluntary work, as it develops skills that employers value.
• Since retiring, my grandmother has been doing voluntary work at a local food bank twice a week.