Phrases & Expressions

To give secret information or a warning to someone.

• He tipped me off about the job opening.
• A friend tipped her off that the shop was having a big sale.

Acting as if you are better or more important than others.

• He thinks he's too cool for school.
• She acts too cool for school and never joins our games.

To boast about your own abilities or achievements.

• He's always tooting his own horn about his success.
• She never toots her own horn, even though her work is excellent.

To move around a social event, talking to many different people to be friendly or make connections.

• The host worked the room, greeting every guest personally.
• A good politician knows how to work the room.

The ability to speak persuasively.

• He has a silver tongue.
• With his silver tongue, he convinced everyone.

To start doing something only because it has become popular or fashionable.

• Everyone's jumping on the bandwagon now.
• Don't just jump on the bandwagon because your friends did.

To start a relationship with someone, often someone considered unsuitable.

• He started to take up with a bad crowd.
• She took up with the wrong people.

A friend who is only present during good times and disappears when there are problems.

• He turned out to be a fair-weather friend when I lost my job.
• Don't rely on him; he's just a fair-weather friend.

Born into a rich family and given many advantages.

• He never had to work because he was born with a silver spoon.
• She complains about her life, but she was born with a silver spoon.

To bend your body low in front of someone to show great respect.

• Everyone in the hall bowed down as the queen entered.
• In the old story, the servants bowed down before their master.