Phrases & Expressions

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?

In software development, to do testing and checks earlier in a project.

• We need to shift left on this project's testing.
• Teams that shift left find bugs before they become expensive.

To do or say something that harms your own cause or interests.

• By complaining, he shot himself in the foot.
• He shot himself in the foot by revealing the secret.

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 accept responsibility for something bad that has happened.

• He decided to shoulder the blame for the mistake.
• Someone has to shoulder the blame.

To show that you are ready to use your power or to fight.

• The new manager showed her teeth when the deadlines were missed.
• The dog showed its teeth when it growled.

To choose one person or thing from a group, often for special attention.

• She was singled out for praise.
• Don't single out one student to answer.

To choose not to participate in something, like a game or activity.

• I'm going to sit this round out.
• He decided to sit out the competition.

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.

Of a pilot or aircraft, to reduce speed to a stated value.

• The controller asked us to slow to 210 knots on the approach.
• We had to slow to minimum clean speed behind the slower aircraft.