Phrases & Expressions

To continue working steadily at a difficult or boring task.

• Only 842 more cookies to bake — let's keep plugging away!
• Don't give up on chemistry — if you keep plugging away, you'll eventually master it.

To joke with someone by telling that person something untrue.

• Are you serious or just pulling my leg?
• He's just pulling your leg.

To make a bad situation worse for someone, especially by reminding that person of a failure or loss.

• He apologized, but it felt like he was rubbing salt in the wound.
• Don't rub salt in the wound by mentioning his failure.

A person who is fundamentally good, honest, and reliable.

• My grandmother was truly the salt of the earth.
• He volunteers every weekend; he's the salt of the earth.

Don't waste your time trying to explain or argue, as it will not be successful.

• Save your breath; he's already made up his mind.
• You can't convince her, so save your breath.

To slide around in an uncontrolled way on a wet or icy surface.

• The car began to slip and slide on the icy road.
• The children loved to slip and slide in the wet grass.

To return to a previous, healthier, or normal state quickly.

• She hopes her body will snap back after the baby.
• The economy is starting to snap back.

Used to introduce a new topic related to the previous one.

• Speaking of which, did you finish the book?
• Speaking of which, I saw her yesterday.

To make something more interesting, exciting, or attractive.

• Spice up your life with a new hobby.
• She spiced up the presentation with jokes.

To let a secret slip, usually without meaning to.

• Come on, spill the beans!
• He spilled the beans about the surprise.