Phrases & Expressions

To say rude, unkind things about someone, often when they are not there.

• It's unprofessional to slag off your previous employer during a job interview.
• He's always slagging his flatmates off on social media, which I find really childish.

To be too nice to someone in authority, praising them falsely to gain an advantage.

• Everyone knows he only offers to make the boss coffee because he wants to suck up to her.
• Students who suck up to their teachers are not always popular with their classmates.

To eat whatever meal your host already has, because nothing special has been prepared for you.

• When friends drop in unexpectedly, we invite them to take pot luck and share whatever we are having.
• My flatmate invited three friends round at short notice, so they had to take pot luck with whatever was in the fridge.

To take a serious risk of getting hurt or killed by doing something.

• Cyclists in this city take their lives in their hands every time they ride in rush-hour traffic.
• You'd be taking your life in your hands if you went hiking in those mountains without a guide.

To talk about your job or business in a social situation, outside work.

• Whenever my parents' doctor friends come for dinner, they end up talking shop all evening.
• My partner hates it when I talk shop with my colleagues at dinner parties.

A person or thing that is real and authentic, not a fake or imitation.

• Experts examined the painting for months before confirming that it was the genuine article.
• Lots of restaurants claim to serve authentic Italian pizza, but this little place is the genuine article.

Used to say that something terrible suddenly happened and everything seemed to collapse.

• When the factory closed and both parents lost their jobs, the roof fell in on the whole family.
• The team was top of the league in January, but then the roof fell in and they lost six games in a row.

For an extremely long time, usually without getting any result.

• If you let him, my grandfather will tell stories about his army days till the cows come home.
• Instead of holding meetings till the cows come home, the committee should simply make a decision and act on it.

To add numbers or amounts together to find the total.

• Let me tot up what we owe before the waiter comes back with the bill.
• At the end of the quiz, the teacher totted the scores up and announced the winning team.

A very large number of times, often more than seems reasonable.

• I've told you umpteen times to save your work before you close the laptop!
• My laptop has crashed umpteen times this month, so I'm finally buying a new one.