Phrases & Expressions

To divide cleaning, cooking and other jobs in the home between the people who live there.

• Now that they both work full-time, my parents share the housework equally.
• My flatmates and I have drawn up a weekly rota so that we all share the housework fairly.

To press the device in a vehicle that makes a loud noise, usually to warn others.

• Taxi drivers in the old town sound their horns constantly, which adds to the noise that residents complain about.
• Drivers must not sound their horns near the hospital at night.

Bold, intense colours, as opposed to pale or soft ones.

• Many fast-food chains use strong colours such as red and yellow in their logos and restaurants.
• If your room is small, avoid painting it in strong colours that make it feel even smaller.

To have a medical condition that makes you ill when you eat certain foods, such as nuts.

• Many restaurants list ingredients such as nuts on their menus, because a lot of people suffer from food allergies.
• Children who suffer from a food allergy need a clear plan in case they eat something dangerous at school.

To give a short account of only the most important ideas in a text or talk.

• A good conclusion should summarise the main points of the essay without introducing any new arguments.
• At the end of each lecture, the professor summarises the main points on a single slide so that students can review them.

To follow the suggestion or guidance given by another person.

• She took her doctor's advice and rested for a week.
• He rarely takes anyone's advice.

To do the first of a series of actions needed to achieve something.

• By signing up for an English course, she took the first step towards her dream of studying abroad.
• If you want to give up smoking, taking the first step is always the hardest part.

To start doing a new activity regularly in your free time.

• Doctors often recommend that retired people take up a hobby to stay mentally active.
• During the lockdown, my father took up a new hobby and started baking bread every weekend.

To fill a large area, leaving little room for other things.

• Old paper records take up a lot of space, so many hospitals now store patient files digitally.
• Video files take up a lot of space, so I regularly move them from my phone to the cloud.

The most important factor that helps someone achieve what they want.

• Many teachers believe that regular practice, not natural talent, is the key to success when learning a language.
• Many self-help books promise to reveal the key to success, but few of them offer practical advice.