Phrases & Expressions

To spend time in a place without doing anything specific.

• They often hang around the park.
• Teenagers often hang around the shopping centre after school.

To have fun and enjoy yourself, often by joking with other people.

• We had a good laugh together at the party.
• My colleagues are great, and we always have a laugh at work.

To be loyal to someone and support them, especially in difficult times.

• Don't worry, I've got your back.
• She always has her friends' back.

To learn news or information through informal communication, often from one person to another.

• I heard it on the grapevine that they are getting married.
• Nobody told me officially; I just heard it on the grapevine.

A toast made to oneself and one's friends.

• Here's to us, we finally finished the project!
• Here's to us, may we always be friends.

To start a journey.

• It's late, time to hit the road.
• Let's hit the road early tomorrow.

To start doing something quickly, usually said as an order.

• The boss wants this done, so hop to it!
• Come on, everyone, hop to it! The guests arrive in an hour.

An informal way to ask why something has happened or why a situation exists.

• How come you're so late?
• How come she didn't call?

Of a person, very healthy and fit.

• At eighty, he's still in tip-top shape.
• She trains every day to stay in tip-top shape.

An order to stop doing something annoying or unnecessary.

• Knock it off! You're disturbing everyone.
• The teacher told the students to knock it off.