Phrases & Expressions

To do your fair share of the work in a group or team.

• Everyone needs to pull their weight if we want to finish on time.
• He's a great team member because he always pulls his weight.

To say something embarrassing, tactless, or foolish by mistake.

• I really put my foot in my mouth when I asked about her ex-husband.
• He put his foot in his mouth at the meeting.

To rest and regain energy.

• I need to recharge my batteries.
• Let's recharge our batteries this weekend.

Continuing to work or function, often when tired, by drinking a lot of coffee.

• I'm running on coffee and sheer willpower today.
• He was running on coffee after staying up all night.

To save money for a time when it might be needed unexpectedly.

• It's wise to save for a rainy day.
• She always saves a little money for a rainy day.

To do something extremely important or difficult, often used humorously to exaggerate the effort or significance of a task.

• He acts like he's saving the planet just by doing the dishes.
• You don't have to save the planet; just finish your report.

To enter a place, especially one you have not been to before or are not allowed to enter.

• He refused to set foot in his old school again.
• I wouldn't set foot in that restaurant.

To stay indoors in a safe location during an emergency, rather than evacuating.

• Authorities advised residents to shelter in place due to the chemical spill.
• If there's a tornado warning, you should shelter in place immediately.

To face a situation alone and either succeed or fail.

• With no help available, it was a sink or swim situation.
• He was thrown into the deep end and had to sink or swim.

A mistake in speaking, where you say a word or sound that is not the one you intended.

• It was just a slip of the tongue; I didn't mean it.
• He apologized for the slip of the tongue.