Phrases & Expressions

An informal way of saying a very large amount or number of something.

• She's got tons of experience with children, so she'd be perfect for the nursery job.
• We took tons of photos on holiday but never got round to printing any of them.

Used to ask what the problem is with someone who seems unhappy or unwell.

• What's up with Ali? He walked straight past me without saying hello.
• You look really pale. What's up with you? Are you feeling ill?

A casual way of speaking directly to two or more people, whether male or female.

• Are you guys ready to order, or do you need a few more minutes to look at the menu?
• Thanks for coming, you guys; I couldn't have organised the charity event without your help.

Used to show that you are very surprised by something or think it is unreasonable.

• Fifty pounds for a cinema ticket? You must be joking – I'll wait until the film is on TV.
• Twenty chapters to read before tomorrow's seminar? You must be joking – there's no way I can finish that!

Used before a noun to make a problem or criticism sound less serious.

• Finding a flat near the university was a bit of a nightmare.
• The final question was a bit of a shock – none of us had studied that topic.

An awkward problem that needs careful handling.

• Being asked by your boss to keep a secret from your colleagues puts you in a sticky situation.
• Forgetting a client's name halfway through a meeting can leave you in a sticky situation.

Something such as a film, show or product that fails completely.

• The company's smart glasses were a total flop because few people wanted to wear them in public.
• Our first attempt at a school musical was a total flop, but we learnt a lot from it.

Used to say that some accidents cannot be avoided, often to comfort someone.

• When my son knocked over his juice at the restaurant, the waiter just smiled and said, 'Accidents will happen.'
• Even in the safest workplaces accidents will happen, which is why first-aid training is so important.

Extremely quiet, making almost no noise at all.

• The new student sat at the back of the class, as quiet as a mouse, for the whole first week.
• My new flatmate is as quiet as a mouse, which is perfect when I'm trying to study.

Extremely pale, usually because of shock, fear or illness.

• The passenger next to me went as white as a sheet when the plane suddenly dropped.
• You've gone as white as a sheet — sit down and I'll get you a glass of water.