A words: 3000 List
Phrase
cry and complain about things that are uncomfortable or difficult
acting like a baby
My sister is acting like a baby, complaining about how much work she has to do. Too bad, that's life!
My sister is acting like a baby, complaining about how much work she has to do. Too bad, that's life!
Phrase
expose a room to the open air in order to make it fresh
air the room
Every morning I make my bed, open the windows, and air the bedroom.
Every morning I make my bed, open the windows, and air the bedroom.
Noun
a system used for cooling and drying the air in a building, room, etc.
air-conditioning
It's 100 degrees outside, but my room is cool since I have air-conditioning. My cat loves it!
It's 100 degrees outside, but my room is cool since I have air-conditioning. My cat loves it!
Noun
the date on which a couple was married in a previous year
anniversary
For our one year anniversary we dressed up and had a limo drive us to a fancy restaurant!
For our one year anniversary we dressed up and had a limo drive us to a fancy restaurant!
Phrase
going to happen very soon
around the corner
The team worked hard because the deadline for the installation was around the corner.
The team worked hard because the deadline for the installation was around the corner.
Phrase
to request to see or talk to
asking for
Do you know someone named Joseph? He's asking for you.
Do you know someone named Joseph? He's asking for you.
Phrase
do something or acting in a way that is likely to cause you trouble or difficulties
He's asking for trouble
Carl is working on his truck again. He's asking for trouble the way he has it propped up!
Carl is working on his truck again. He's asking for trouble the way he has it propped up!
Phrase
to ask someone to go on a date with you
ask Lucy out
"I'm amazed that you had the courage to ask Lucy out.""Well I'm amazed that she said yes!"
"I'm amazed that you had the courage to ask Lucy out.""Well I'm amazed that she said yes!"
Phrase
to impress (someone) in a very strong and favorable way
blew me away
That movie was fantastic. The lead's performance blew me away!
That movie was fantastic. The lead's performance blew me away!
Phrase
to get away from someone or something especially by using force or effort
breaking away
Go green! My horse is breaking away from the pack.
Go green! My horse is breaking away from the pack.
Noun
a bank account from which you can take money by writing checks
checking account
I hope there's enough money in my checking account, I need to pay my rent!
I hope there's enough money in my checking account, I need to pay my rent!
Verb
make advances to a goal
coming along
"How's work on the bridge going?""Oh it's coming along..."
"How's work on the bridge going?""Oh it's coming along..."
Verb
be faced with or challenged by (something such as an enemy or problem)
came up against
The climbing team came up against strong winds as they climbed Mt. Fuji.
The climbing team came up against strong winds as they climbed Mt. Fuji.
Noun
a person that sells, rents and manages land and property for clients
estate agent
I'm thinking of moving but I need to sell my house, do you know a good estate agent?
I'm thinking of moving but I need to sell my house, do you know a good estate agent?
Phrase
to find time to do something
got around to
I've lived in Paris for ten years now, but I only just got around to seeing the Mona Lisa!
I've lived in Paris for ten years now, but I only just got around to seeing the Mona Lisa!
Phrase
to do something bad without being punished
get away with murder
When my brother is in charge, we get away with murder hanging out with our friends day and night.
When my brother is in charge, we get away with murder hanging out with our friends day and night.
Phrase
to get confused and lose one's way
got turned around
They were driving to their destination, but along the way they got turned around.
They were driving to their destination, but along the way they got turned around.
Phrase
used to say that you want to do or have something very much
give anything
I would give anything to be able to play the guitar as well as him!
I would give anything to be able to play the guitar as well as him!
Verb
reveal or make known, usually by accident
How you move can give away a lot. Maybe too much, if the wrong person is watching. We think, for instance, that the way we walk can influence the likelihood of an attack by a stranger.
Phrase
to begin or to continue to happen
went ahead
Despite the heavy snow the festival went ahead as planned.
Despite the heavy snow the festival went ahead as planned.
Phrase
to leave your home for a period of time
going away
I can't believe I'm going away to college. The van's packed and ready to go!
I can't believe I'm going away to college. The van's packed and ready to go!
Phrase
to spend time doing silly or playful things
goof around
When I was a kid I would goof around with my brother all the time.
When I was a kid I would goof around with my brother all the time.
Verb
to continue to be in a place for a significant amount of time
hang around
Carlos liked to hang around on campus and sketch what he saw.
Carlos liked to hang around on campus and sketch what he saw.
Phrase
to only have one more chance
has two strikes against him
Micah needs to pay attention in class. He already has two strikes against him and the teacher is watching him carefully.
Micah needs to pay attention in class. He already has two strikes against him and the teacher is watching him carefully.
Phrase
used to say no to an invitation (formal)
I appreciate the offer, but
Jasmine: I appreciate the offer, but I can't go to the yoga class. I'm broke at the moment.
Jasmine: I appreciate the offer, but I can't go to the yoga class. I'm broke at the moment.
Phrase
in my opinion
if you ask me
Many people are afraid of spiders. If you ask me, they're just misunderstood.
Many people are afraid of spiders. If you ask me, they're just misunderstood.
kicked the ball around
Last Wednesday I kicked the ball around with my buddies.
Last Wednesday I kicked the ball around with my buddies.
Noun
a museum dedicated to showcasing modern art
museum of modern art
The Cambridge Museum of Modern Art is basically a huge sculpture garden.
The Cambridge Museum of Modern Art is basically a huge sculpture garden.
Verb
cooperate or pretend to cooperate
plays along
When Amanda decides that she is a famous sword fighter, her dad plays along.
When Amanda decides that she is a famous sword fighter, her dad plays along.
Verb
behave in a casual, foolish, or irresponsible way
playing around
Quit playing around guys, you need to finish that banner for the party!
Quit playing around guys, you need to finish that banner for the party!
to visit a number of shops to compare goods and prices
shop around
I saw the same pair of jeans across the street for twenty dollars more! It's a good thing I shop around!
I saw the same pair of jeans across the street for twenty dollars more! It's a good thing I shop around!
Verb
join in singing with a performer or lead
sing along
Many shoppers stopped to sing along with the carolers performing outside.
Many shoppers stopped to sing along with the carolers performing outside.
Phrase
to spend time doing nothing useful
sitting around
My sister spent the whole weekend sitting around watching TV instead of doing her schoolwork.
My sister spent the whole weekend sitting around watching TV instead of doing her schoolwork.
Verb
separate the parts of something
taking the whole thing apart
I tried to replace a key in my keyboard, but I ended up taking the whole thing apart!
I tried to replace a key in my keyboard, but I ended up taking the whole thing apart!
Phrase
to put something that is no longer useful or wanted in the trash
throw away
I had to throw away my umbrella after it broke in a rainstorm.
I had to throw away my umbrella after it broke in a rainstorm.
Phrase
take a short trip through a place in order to view it
tour around
On our first day we decided to tour around London in their famous double-decker buses.
On our first day we decided to tour around London in their famous double-decker buses.
Verb
move so as to face the opposite direction
turns around
In order to attract a female’s attention the Baltimore Oriole raises itself to full height, ruffles its feathers, bows, and turns around. The Oriole then launches into a seductive song.
In order to attract a female’s attention the Baltimore Oriole raises itself to full height, ruffles its feathers, bows, and turns around. The Oriole then launches into a seductive song.
Phrase
place that passengers stay until they are called to go onto a plane, train, bus, etc.
waiting area
Wow. Our waiting area at the gate is very crowded. I hope they call our flight soon.
Wow. Our waiting area at the gate is very crowded. I hope they call our flight soon.
Verb
go by foot following something such as a river
walk along
I love to walk along the river, even in the winter.
I love to walk along the river, even in the winter.