Phrases & Expressions

Strong emotions and physical changes caused by hormones, especially in teenagers.

• Teenagers often struggle with raging hormones.
• His mood swings were due to raging hormones.

To spoil someone's pleasure or enthusiasm.

• Don't rain on my parade; I'm very excited about this.
• I don't want to rain on your parade, but the project might be delayed.

Said when parting before a difficult experience, meaning "I'll see you when it is over.

• Good luck with your exams, and see you on the other side!
• The surgery takes three hours, so see you on the other side.

To tremble with fear or be extremely afraid.

• Brianna is scared of her French teacher; whenever he speaks to her, she starts shaking in her shoes.
• During the storm, Billy was hiding under the kitchen table, really shaking in his shoes.

To pay a lot of money for something, often unwillingly.

• We had to shell out $500 to repair the washing machine.
• How much will I have to shell out for two concert tickets?

To talk in a relaxed and informal way about unimportant things.

• We spent the afternoon just shooting the breeze.
• They were shooting the breeze by the coffee machine.

To send a direct message, often with a romantic or flirtatious intention.

• He decided to slide into her DMs.
• Don't slide into my DMs if you're not serious.

To smoke cigarettes heavily and continuously.

• He was smoking like a chimney after the stressful meeting.
• My uncle was smoking like a chimney until his doctor warned him.

To lie or sit with your arms and legs spread out in a relaxed way.

• He sprawled out on the floor to watch TV.
• Sprawl out and relax after a long day.

To worry too much about unimportant details.

• Don't sweat the small stuff; focus on the main goal.
• He tends to sweat the small stuff, which slows down progress.