Phrases & Expressions

To tap your fingers repeatedly on a surface, often showing impatience or boredom.

• He drummed his fingers on the table while waiting.
• Stop drumming your fingers; it's annoying.

The three automatic ways the body reacts to danger: running away, fighting or staying still.

• The deer's reaction was flight, fight, or freeze.
• Understanding the flight fight freeze response is key.

To care about something (often used in negative statements).

• I don't give a damn.
• Who gives a damn?

Used to tell someone to stop doing or saying something annoying.

• Give it a rest! You've been complaining all day.
• Give it a rest, the show is over.

To express feelings, ideas or worries openly, or to speak for a group of people.

• She gave voice to her frustrations.
• The artist gives voice to the voiceless.

A GPWS aural alert warning that the aircraft is below the ILS glide slope.

• The "glideslope, glideslope" alert sounded as we sank below the path.
• The system gave a glideslope alert, so the pilot corrected the descent.

A decision on whether to proceed with a plan or activity, often based on readiness or conditions.

• The go-no-go decision depends on the weather.
• We need to make a go-no-go decision soon.

A polite way of saying that you disagree with someone's opinion.

• I beg to differ, but I think that plan has risks.
• You think it's too expensive? I beg to differ.

You accept complete blame for something bad that happened, or you are entirely in charge of a task.

• The project failed, and I take full responsibility.
• If anything goes wrong, I take full responsibility.

held captive

• Lions in captivity.
• Years in captivity.