Music Health Relationships Food Going out Moods

a chick, a bimbo - These are informal (and unpleasant) terms for a girl or girlfriend.

a bloke, a guy, a geezer - These are informal terms for boyfriend.

He / She is good looking! - She's pretty / sexy! He is handsome / sexy!

She's a real babe! - She's gorgeous!

Asking someone out a date

To go on a blind date - To go on a date with someone you haven't met before.

a chat up line - a line to get yourself talking to someone e.g. 'Do you come here often?'

To ask someone out - to invite someone on a date

Advertisements for love - 'small ads'

WLTM - Would like to meet

GSOH - Good sense of humour

LTR - A long term relationship

NS - non smoker

easy-going - relaxed, not easily annoyed or upset.

fun-loving - young at heart, enjoys having a good time.

socialising - spending time with friends

solvent - not in debt or owing money.

broadminded - tolerant of different kinds of behaviour and opinions.

likeminded people - those who share interests and opinions.

Being in love

I'm mad/crazy/bonkers about him! - I really like him and can't stop thinking about him!

He's the love of my life. - He's the one I love.

I think the world of him. - I respect and admire him very much.

I'm head over heels in love. - I am totally in love.

He is The One - I know it! - I'm certain he's the only one for me!

We're living together. - We share a home.

We're going to take the plunge. / I'm going to make an honest man of him. - We're getting engaged [to be married].

My other half / my better half - My partner [male or female]

Getting serious

Finishing the affair

Things just aren't working out between us. - Things keep going wrong in the relationship.

We're bickering all the time. - We're arguing about unimportant things.

He's never got any time for me. - He's too busy [or maybe selfish] to see me.

I'm sure he's having an affair! - I'm sure he's seeing someone else [and not telling me].

We're going to couples' therapy. - We're having professional help [counselling] to try and improve our relationship.

I need some space. - I need some time to think on my own.

Let's have a trial separation. - let's stop seeing each other [for a while].

Lingo Challenge!

Try using as many of these phrases as you can in a one-minute conversation! How many will you manage to use? Have fun!

People working in music

A bassist - Someone who plays bass guitar.

A guitarist - Someone who plays a guitar.

A lead singer - The main singer in the band.

A drummer - The person who plays percussion and the drums.

A programmer - Someone who creates music by mixing different bits or samples of others.

A singer songwriter - Someone who writes and sings their own songs, eg Paul McCartney.

A boy band - A group of young men brought together by a record company.

Types of music

Trance - DJ Quicksilver, Nomad, etc.

Ambient - Tangerine Dream to Brian Eno, Aphex Twin to Penguin Cafe Orchestra, etc.

Disco - Modern Talking, Steps, etc.

Techno - David Holmes, Laurent Garnier, Dave Clarke, etc.

Heavy metal - Led Zeppelin, Iron Maiden, Guns n Roses, Nirvana, Limp Bizkit, etc.

Indie [abbrev. Independent ie not mainstream] - Coldplay, Muse, Stereophonics, etc.

Dance - Prodigy, Chemical Brothers, Daft Punk, Leftfield, etc.

Drum and bass - Roni Size, Grooverider, etc.

Jungle - Goldie, Digital, Photek, etc.

Hip hop - Grandmaster Flash, Wu Tang Clan, Dr Dre, Eminem, etc.

UK Garage - Truesteppers, Artful Dodger, Wookie, etc.

Britpop - mid 90s British pop / rock - Blur, Pulp, Oasis, Suede, Elastica, etc.

In the studio

In the studio William Orbit mixed some of the tracks on Madonna's last CD. - He worked on the sound and arranged the music.

Chinn and Chapman produced a lot of the famous bands from the 1970s. - They decided on the songs and the sound of the bands so the music had a distinctive sound.

Most bands record many demo versions of their music. - Recordings of songs before their final production.

Making the music

They got a really good deal with Warner Brothers. - They've been signed up by a major record company.

She did vocals on Radiohead's latest release. - She sang on Radiohead's last CD.

The concert's been sold out for weeks. - All the tickets were sold weeks ago.

They were headlining at Glastonbury. - They were the main band at Glastonbury [a festival often held on a farm in the south west of England].

Paul McCartney is a great singer-songwriter - He writes his own songs and performs them.

Maria Callas was a famous soprano. One of her greatest performances was as Violetta. She was accompanied by the famous tenor Arrigo Pola - These are terms often used in the description of operatic performers.

The orchestra at the Royal Opera House was conducted by Bernard Heitink. - The conductor is the person who leads the orchestra.

Musical ability

I can play the trumpet but I'm not very good at the piano. My brother can't play anything! - These are examples of using play to describe what instruments you can use.

I wish Jemima wouldn't sing - she's tone deaf! - Jemima is someone who can't sing in tune or recognise different tunes.

I've been able to sightread since I was six. - I can play music the first time I see it on a page.

She was born to sing. - She is very talented at singing.

Lingo Challenge

Try using as many of these phrases as you can in a one-minute conversation! How many will you manage to use? Have fun!

Good moodsmore Lingo

I'm really buzzing!

I'm having a really peachy time!

I'm walking on air!

I'm on cloud nine!

I'm totally over the moon!

Everything's cool!

I haven't got a care in the world!

Bad moods

I've had the day / the meeting / the holiday / the week from hell! - Everything has gone wrong!

I've had a nightmare of a week! - I've had a really bad time this week!

I couldn't care less! - That means nothing to me!

He's been really edgy / on edge / snapping at everyone recently - He's been really irritable lately.

She went ballistic! / threw a wobbly! / had a complete fit! / hit the roof! / blew her top! - She was really angry!

Ooh, Daniel makes my blood boil! - He makes me really angry!

He was really badmouthing his old company! - He was saying some unpleasant things about his old company.

Friction

They've been at each other's throats all morning. - They've been rowing all morning.

There's a bad vibe round here. - There's a bad atmosphere.

The fur's been flying I can tell you! - Other people have been arguing!

Milo getting offered that job has really ruffled Jack's feathers! / put Jack's nose out of joint! / put Jack out! - Jack is really offended [that Milo got the job]!

'Speak to the hand 'cos the face ain't listening!' - I'm not listening to you anymore! [and raise your hand for your combatant to speak to]

Sorting things out

We've kissed and made up.

We're back on speaking terms.

We've made it up.

We've put it behind us.

Forget it - It's water under the bridge.

All these mean that the argument is over and you are friends again - till the next time!

Lingo Challenge

Try using as many of these phrases as you can in a one-minute conversation! How many will you manage to use? Have fun!

Going out for a drink

Let's go for a drink! / Let's go down the pub! / Let's go out for a few bevvies. / a few jars. - Let's go to my local public house - the pub - for some drinks.

We're going to paint the town red. / We're going to go on a bar crawl. - We're going to several pubs or bars.

I'll get the booze!- I'll buy the beer!

A glass of bubbly - A glass of champagne or sparkling wine.

That wine is corked! It tastes like vinegar. - the wine is bad.

A chaser - A measure of a spirit such as whisky or rum which you drink with beer.

A double - 2 measures of spirits. A single measure is usually 1/5 of a gill - 25 ml.

A drop of the hard stuff - Some spirits rather than beer or wine.

A soft drink - A non alcoholic drink.

At the bar

It's my round. What will it be? - I'm buying the drinks - what would you like?

Mine's a pint! - A traditional measure of beer, equal to 0.57 litre.

A spritzer - wine mixed with soda water.

A Red Bull and vodka / A gin and tonic / Rum and cola - Some spirits and their mixers.

Happy hour - A time at the beginning of the evening when some bars sell drinks for half price.

Too much!

I'm over the limit, so let's get a cab. - I'm over the legal limit for being allowed to drive so we should get a taxi.

I've been partying all weekend! - I've been out socialising the whole weekend!

I've got a really bad hangover - I'm feeling bad this morning [after drinking too much the night before].

I went on a real bender last night. My head's killing me!

He got really smashed last night! He was well under the influence! These are ways of describing that you had a great time, drank too much and maybe don't feel your best right now.

Going out

Fancy going for something to eat?

What about going to that new Russell Crowe film?

Let's go and do some theatre. Medea has had some great reviews.

I fancy seeing that new Italian exhibition.

bring a bottle - if you're asked to dinner it's polite to take with you a bottle of wine

Staying in

I'm going to stay in and veg - I'm going to stay at home and do nothing [vegetate]

Jack's such a couch potato - Jack loves to spend his life sitting on the sofa

I'm going to go back to mine and chill - I'm going home to seriously relax.

let's get a takeaway - food you order from a restaurant to eat at home, usually a curry or Chinese food

Lingo Challenge

Try using as many of these phrases as you can in a one-minute conversation! How many will you manage to use? Have fun!

Feeling ill

I feel really rough.

I'm shattered.

I'm on my last legs.

You look poorly.

You look like death warmed up.

You're looking peaky.

All these are informal expressions that indicate you are feeling ill or unwell, tired and exhausted.

Feeling great

I feel great! / I'm on top of the world / I feel like a million dollars! - I couldn't feel any better!

He's glowing with health. - He looks very well.

I'm a picture of health. - There's nothing at all wrong with me.

Common complaints

She's sprained / twisted her ankle / wrist. - She's damaged her ankle or wrist in a fall.

She's broken her arm. She'll be in plaster for weeks. - Her broken limb is in a hard plaster cast.

My back aches / I've got backache - I have a sore back.

I've got toothache. / a headache. / a stomachache. - These are phrases using -ache to describe what hurts.

I feel sick. - I'm feeling nauseous.

I think I've got food poisoning. - I've eaten something bad and I feel unwell.

I've got a really bad cold. - I've got a temperature, a sore throat and a runny nose. [A typical English winter infection!]

Getting treatment

Make an appointment at the doctor's / the GP. - Go and see the general practitioner.

I've been referred to a consultant at the hospital. - My doctor has arranged for me to see an expert at a hospital to help me recover.

I need a check-up at the hospital. / I need an X-Ray. / an examination. / a scan. - These are treatments you might need at a hospital.

I need to see the specialist- someone who knows about one health issue in particular.

On the medicine bottle

Consult your doctor if symptoms persist. - If you still feel ill after taking the medicine, see your doctor.

Do not take more than the stated dose. - Don't take more [pills or medicine] than you're told to.

Always read the label. - Make sure you take the advice given on the medicine container.

Keep out of the reach of children. - Do not let children play with the medicine or its container.

You will also hear:

'She's a pain in the neck!' and 'she's a pain in the arse!' (this is very impolite!) - This doesn't mean she's ill - it means she's very annoying!

FOOD AND COOKINGmore Lingo

Nosh / grub - These are informal words for food.

Lets go out for a slap up dinner. / Let's pig out and stuff our faces! - Let's go out and have a lot to eat!

The food was fusion. - There was a mix of two types of food, eg Thai and western European.

I really fancy an Indian! - You're not in love with someone from India - you just want to go for a curry [spicy Indian food]!

Fancy a ruby? - Here, 'ruby' is rhyming slang for 'curry'. [Ruby Murray was one of the most popular singers in the UK in the 1950s.]

I'm starving. I could eat a horse! - you are extremely hungry!

I'm just a bit peckish. - You are not particularly hungry but feel like having something to eat.

Eating out

A greasy spoon - A café that sells cheap, filling food.

A good fry up / a full English breakfast - Bacon eggs, sausage, tomatoes, mushrooms and anything else people can cram on their plates.

Pub grub - food you find in your local public house [the pub].

A starter, a main course, and pudding / dessert. - A three course meal is served in this order.

Service not included - If you see this on your bill at the end of the meal you'll need to add on the tip.

After the meal

That hit the spot!

I'm absolutely stuffed!

I'm full!

I couldn't eat another thing if I tried!

I think I've eaten too much!

These are all informal expressions meaning you've eaten well and can't eat any more.

Work more Lingo

A full-time job. - Work that occupies five days a week usually from 9am-5pm.

Part-time - Work that may take just 2 or 3 days each week.

A freelancer. - Someone who works for different companies but is not employed by them.

I am self-employed. - You are the boss and own your own company.

A dotcom start up. - To launch a company which will operate online [on the internet].

A job share. - A job's responsibilities and salary are shared, usually by two people.

To float the company / to go public. - To sell shares in a company on the Stock Exchange to raise money or reduce personal responsibility.

Getting work

Why don't you send in your CV with a covering letter? - Why not send to a company your curriculum vitae [a record of your employment, education and interests] with an accompanying letter explaining why you want the job.

Look carefully at the job spec. - Study the job description carefully first.

I've been shortlisted. - My application has been put on a smaller list selected from bigger group of applicants.

I'm down to the last three! - It's you or two others!

Calling a company cold. - Telephoning a company without any form of introduction.

I'm going on a go-see. - To literally go and see a company [models commonly do this].

I'm doing work experience. - I'm working for no money to gain experience and, hopefully, a job.

Work shadowing - To follow a specific employee to learn about their job.

I've just signed my contract! - I've agreed on the pay and conditions of my job and now I am an employee!

At work

Fancy a coffee break? - Shall we go for a quick coffee?

I'd love to but I'm totally snowed under at the moment! - Thanks, but I am really busy just now.

It's manic! I'm working like a dog! - There's an awful lot to do!

I'd better just press on. - I'll stay here and carry on working.

How long until pay day? - When do we get paid?

I've done a lot of overtime. - I've worked for more hours than usual [so I should be paid extra].

Losing work

She claimed for unfair dismissal. - She appealed against her dismissal.

To get the sack / To be fired - To be dismissed from your job.

Molly was made redundant last year. - Molly lost her job because the position disappeared.

She's set up a production company with her golden handshake. - She started another business with her large redundancy payment.

He was a trader for six years, now he's taking early retirement. - He's going to stop working before UK retirement age [60 for women and 65 for men].

He was a millionaire by the time he was 20, now he's burnt out! - He made his money by 20, now he's exhausted!

I'm taking a career-break. - I'm going to do something else for a while (possibly travel) and return to my job in the future.

Today I handed in my resignation. - I told my employers that I wish to leave my job.

Lingo Challenge

Try using as many of these phrases as you can in a one-minute conversation! How many will you manage to use? Have fun!

Phones and the netmore Lingo

RU OK? - Are you OK?

Y NY? - Yes and you?

OK CU2DAY? - OK. See you today?

NO 2MORO WER? - No. Tomorrow. Where?

@J'S. CUL8TR - At John's. See you later.

LUV B - Love Bob.

F2T? - Free to talk?

N. WER RU? - No. Where are you?

@ WK. NU? - At work. And you?

@ HM. CU L8TR? - At home. See you later?

Y. WEN? - Yes. When?

@7. TA4N. CU - At 7 o'clock. That's all for now. See you.

OK. B4N. - OK. Bye for now.

These emoticons are a way of adding emotion to your emails! This shorthand can express emotions in your text and also save on typing time!

Other phrases

Other phrases - for email or phone:

LOL - laughed out loud

BTW - by the way

IMO - in my opinion

IMHO - in my humble opinion

TTFN - ta ta for now [bye for now]

The moneyin your pocket more Lingo

Dosh, dough, wedge - These are informal terms for money.

A fiver , A tenner . - £5, £10

Twenty quid - £20

A ton - £100

A grand - £1,000

Loose change - coins

I've only got a few coppers. - I only have a few 2p and 1p coins.

Plastic - credit/debit cards

Having a lot

She's loaded . She's stinking rich . - She's got lots of money.

Trustafarians - People who receive money from their family or an allowance; the word is a play on Rastafarian (a believer in a religion which originated in Jamaica).

I'll buy you dinner, I'm cashed up tonight! - I've got plenty of money!

Not having any

I'm skint / broke . I haven't got a penny . - I haven't got any money!

I'm a bit short this month. - I don't have much money till I get paid.

I can't afford it! - It's too expensive for me, I don't have enough money.

I've reached my credit limit. - I can't spend any more money on my credit cards.

He lost his job last year and had to sign on . / go on the dole . - He's now out of work and receiving financial help from the government. [If you sign on, you go to a government office and sign a form each fortnight to declare you are available for work.]

People who don't like spending it

He never buys a round ; he's really tight. / tight fisted. / stingy. - That guy never buys drinks for other people - he's mean / ungenerous.

He opened his wallet and a moth flew out ! - He rarely spends his money. [Moths tend to live in clothes which don't get used very often - so someone mean never opens his / her wallet!]

Some phrases

That piano's worth a fortune ! - That piano is worth a lot of money.

It cost an arm and a leg! - It cost a lot of money.

They get paid peanuts ! - They get paid badly.

That restaurant's a real rip-off ! - That restaurant overcharges; it doesn't represent value for money.

They don't have two pennies to rub together . - They are very poor.

The business went bust. - The business was declared bankrupt.

That last bill completely cleaned me out ! - That bill used up all of my money.

I'm skint. I blew my salary on a new hi-fi. - I've spent all my wages.