Phrases & Expressions

To start understanding how something is done and be able to do it reasonably well.

• I'm getting the hang of this new software.
• It takes time to get the hang of driving.

To give a small extra amount of money to someone for a service.

• Please give the waiter a generous tip.
• We always give a tip to the hotel cleaners.

To read parts of a text quickly to get the main ideas.

• I glanced through the report on the way to work.
• She glanced through the article during her break.

To start doing something that has been planned or allowed.

• Go ahead and start without me, I'll be there soon.
• The council decided to go ahead with the new park.

To be wasted or lost completely.

• My savings went down the drain.
• All that effort went down the drain.

To share the cost of a meal or an outing so that each person pays a separate share.

• Let's go Dutch tonight.
• We always go Dutch when we eat out.

To try hard to get or achieve something; often said to encourage someone.

• You really want that job, so go for it!
• It's a great chance to travel; you should go for it.

To give homework to a teacher.

• Hand in your homework by Friday.
• He didn't hand in his homework.

To give something to someone else, or to let them have control.

• The thief handed over the wallet to the police.
• She will hand over her role to a new manager next month.

To talk about a subject with someone, sharing different ideas.

• We need to have a discussion about the project.
• They had a discussion about the budget.