Phrases & Expressions

A specific goal or set of requirements that must be met in a game or competition to win.

• What is the victory condition here?
• Achieving this is the victory condition.

To invent and tell a story, often one that is long or imaginative.

• The old man loved to weave a tale for the children.
• He could weave a tale about his adventures.

The white navigation light at the tail of an aircraft.

• The white tail light helps identify the aircraft's rear.
• Ensure the white tail light is working properly.

Wanting to do something and also having the ability to do it.

• We need volunteers who are willing and able to work at weekends.
• My grandmother is still willing and able to look after the children.

To do something without preparation, hoping that things will work out.

• I didn't have time to prepare, so I just winged it.
• He decided to wing it during the interview.

Someone who thinks they are clever and makes annoying or sarcastic remarks.

• Don't be a wise guy; just answer the question.
• The clerk was a wise guy, making fun of my accent.

A polite or old-fashioned way to say that a woman is pregnant.

• We were delighted to hear she is with child.
• The announcement that she was with child surprised everyone.

Used to mean very successfully, especially in a test or competition.

• She passed the exam with flying colours.
• He came through the interview with flying colours.

An improv technique where you accept a statement and add to it.

• In improv, we use the 'yes and' rule.
• Her response was a perfect 'yes and'.

The act of sending 4 gigabytes of data from your device to the internet.

• The 4GB upload limit is useful for large videos.
• Premium users benefit from the 4GB upload feature.