Phrases & Expressions

To pay for something with your credit card, so that you pay the bank back later.

• Don't worry about the bill – just put it on my credit card and I'll sort it out later.
• Financial advisers warn young people not to put everyday expenses on their credit cards if they cannot pay them off each month.

Work done carelessly and without enough attention to detail.

• Our manager will not accept sloppy work, so always check your reports before you send them.
• Many of the building's problems were caused by sloppy work during construction.

Said, often sarcastically, when one more piece of bad luck is added to your troubles.

• Oh great, the printer has run out of ink an hour before the deadline — that's all we need!
• The car broke down on the way to the airport, and then it started to rain. That's all we needed!

Said when you receive news that is exactly what you were afraid of.

• “Your flight has been cancelled, I'm afraid.” “Oh no, that's the last thing I want to hear!”
• My dentist says I need three fillings — that's the last thing I want to hear just before my holiday.

A family member seen as a disappointment or embarrassment because they behave differently from the rest.

• As the only one who never settled down, my aunt was always seen as the black sheep of the family.
• After I dropped out of law school to become a musician, I became the black sheep of the family.

Getting two things or benefits for the cost or effort normally needed for only one.

• This week the bookshop is selling all its dictionaries at two for the price of one.
• Cycling to work is two for the price of one: you save money and get fit at the same time.

Used to say that something is annoying, boring or inconvenient.

• “The bus is cancelled, so we'll have to walk all the way.” “What a pain!”
• We have to fill in the same form again because they lost the first one. What a pain!

Used to tell someone that you can no longer follow or understand what they are explaining.

• Sorry, you've lost me — could you explain again how the interest on a student loan is calculated?
• I'm afraid you've lost me; could you give an example of what you mean by 'soft skills'?

The most sensible thing to do, or the option most likely to succeed in a situation.

• If you want to improve your listening skills quickly, your best bet is to watch English films with subtitles.
• For reliable data on literacy rates around the world, the UNESCO website is probably your best bet.

Your husband, wife or long-term partner.

• I'd love to come to dinner on Saturday, but I'll need to check with my other half first.
• With both partners working long hours, many people say they hardly see their other half during the week.