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Quiz 🎲|Every day, one new expression.|

Today's Expressions

Learn useful English expressions easily and fun.

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Let sleeping dogs lie

Don't bring up old problems · Avoid stirring up trouble

What's the situation?

This expression is perfect when you want to advise someone not to bring up an old, potentially troublesome issue that has already been resolved or forgotten. 🤔 It's like saying, 'Hey, that problem is in the past, let's not make it active again!' Sometimes it's best to leave things undisturbed to avoid creating new drama or conflict. 🤫

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walk a fine line

to be in a difficult situation where you have to be very careful to avoid offending people or making a mistake · to maintain a delicate balance

What's the situation?

Ever felt like you're tiptoeing around a tricky topic at work or trying to please two bosses with conflicting demands? 😬 That's when you're **walking a fine line**! This expression perfectly captures those moments when you need to be super cautious to avoid making a mess or upsetting anyone. It's like being a tightrope walker, but with office politics instead of a circus net! 🎪⚖️

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Don't get your hopes up

Don't be too optimistic · Don't expect too much · Be realistic

What's the situation?

This expression is your friendly reality check! 👋 Use it when someone's excitement is soaring, but the chances of something actually happening are pretty slim. It’s like saying, 'Hey, pump the brakes a little, just in case!' 😅

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jump to conclusions

to judge or decide something without all the facts · to assume too much

What's the situation?

Ever found yourself thinking the worst or making assumptions before getting the full story? 😅 This expression is your gentle reminder (or someone else's to you!) not to draw conclusions too quickly. It's super handy when someone is overreacting based on limited info or when you're advising someone to be patient. 🧘‍♀️

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play it safe

to act cautiously · to avoid risk

What's the situation?

Imagine you're at a crossroads with a big project. There's a daring, high-reward option, and a steady, predictable one. If you 'play it safe,' you're choosing the latter! 🐢 It's all about minimizing potential downsides, especially when stakes are high. Think 'better safe than sorry' in a business context.

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Don't push it

warn someone not to go too far · advise against overdoing something · suggest not to take advantage

What's the situation?

Imagine your friend has been working overtime for weeks and then volunteers for another big project. Or maybe someone keeps asking for favors after you've already done a lot. This phrase is your friendly (or not-so-friendly) reminder to chill! 😎 It's like saying, 'Hey, that's enough, don't go too far!'

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Just in case

as a precaution · to be prepared for a possibility

What's the situation?

Ever find yourself packing an extra umbrella on a sunny day or bringing a charger for a fully charged phone? ☂️📱 That's exactly when you'd use 'Just in case'! It's perfect for when you want to be prepared for something unexpected, even if it's unlikely. Better safe than sorry, right? ✨

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know what you're getting into

understand the full situation · be aware of potential difficulties or implications

What's the situation?

This phrase is super useful when you're making a big purchase, like a car, a house, or even a new gadget with a complicated plan. It's all about doing your homework and not jumping in blindly! 🧐💡

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Better safe than sorry

It's better to be cautious · Take precautions

What's the situation?

This expression is a classic for when you want to suggest being extra careful, even if it seems like a small risk. ☔️ It's all about avoiding potential trouble or regret later! Like when your friend asks, "Should I double-check the reservation?" and you reply, "Better safe than sorry!"

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to take something with a pinch of salt

to not completely believe something · to be skeptical

What's the situation?

Ever hear some juicy gossip or a wild claim and think, 'Hmm, I'm not so sure about that...'? 🤔 This is your go-to phrase for those moments! It's perfect when you want to suggest that information should be treated with skepticism, perhaps because it's exaggerated or not fully accurate. It helps manage expectations and emotional reactions to potentially misleading news. 🧂✨

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Hold your horses!

Wait a moment · Slow down

What's the situation?

This lively expression is perfect for when someone is rushing ahead, getting overly excited, or making quick decisions without thinking! 🏇💨 It’s a playful way to say, 'Hey, let's pump the brakes and take a breather!'

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to think twice about something

to reconsider · to hesitate before doing something · to re-evaluate a decision

What's the situation?

Ever seen something you *really* want but your wallet screams "NO!"? Or maybe you're not sure if you truly need it? 🤔 This expression is perfect for those moments when you need to pause and seriously reconsider a purchase. It implies there might be a reason *not* to do it, or at least to be cautious! 🛑

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to tread lightly

to act or speak carefully to avoid offending or upsetting someone · to be cautious in a delicate situation

What's the situation?

Ever found yourself in a tricky conversation where you need to be super careful not to say the wrong thing? 😬 That's when you 'tread lightly'! It's all about being extra sensitive to someone's feelings or a delicate topic. Think of it like walking on thin ice, but with your words! 🧊🗣️

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read the fine print

to pay close attention to the small, often hidden, important details or conditions · to carefully examine the less obvious terms

What's the situation?

You're about to make a big purchase, like a new phone or a car, and you want to make sure you understand all the terms, warranties, and conditions. Don't let hidden fees or tricky clauses surprise you later! 🧐

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to give something a second thought

to reconsider something · to think again about a decision or opinion

What's the situation?

Ever bought something impulsively and later regretted it? 😅 This expression is perfect for those moments when you're advising a friend to pause and really think before swiping that card. Or maybe *you* need to give that trendy but expensive item a second thought! 🤔 It's all about thoughtful reconsideration.

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to take something with a grain of salt

not to take something too seriously · to doubt the truth or accuracy of something

What's the situation?

This expression is perfect for when you hear some spicy gossip 🌶️ or a really wild story that sounds a little too good to be true. It's about maintaining a healthy dose of skepticism and not letting information (especially if it's unverified or exaggerated!) sway your emotions too much. Keep a cool head!

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Easy does it

Be careful · Slow down · Proceed gently

What's the situation?

"Easy does it" is your go-to phrase when someone needs a gentle reminder to slow down, be careful, or handle something delicately. Think of it as a verbal "hold your horses," but for actions rather than impatience! 🤠 Whether they're lifting a heavy box, pouring a delicate liquid, or even just talking too fast, this phrase is a polite way to say, "Hey, let's take it easy here."

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to walk on eggshells

to be very careful not to offend or upset someone · to be overly cautious in dealing with a sensitive person or situation

What's the situation?

Imagine you're dealing with someone who's super sensitive or easily offended. One wrong word and BAM! 💥 They might get upset. This expression perfectly describes that feeling of needing to be extra careful with your words and actions around them. It’s like navigating a minefield of emotions! 😬

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take it with a grain of salt

don't take it too seriously · be skeptical

What's the situation?

Imagine a colleague shares some juicy office gossip or a wild prediction about the next quarter's sales. This expression is your polite shield against believing everything blindly! It's perfect for when information might be unreliable or exaggerated. 😉

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pump the brakes

slow down · pause and reconsider · hold on a second

What's the situation?

Imagine a team meeting where everyone's super hyped about a new project idea and wants to jump straight into execution, but you see a few potential issues they're overlooking. This expression is perfect for gently reminding everyone to take a breath and think things through before rushing ahead. 💨

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to get your hopes up

to become excited about something that might not happen · to anticipate something eagerly, often with the risk of disappointment

What's the situation?

You know that feeling when you're super excited about something, like a job interview or a potential date, but it's not a sure thing yet? 🎢 This expression perfectly captures that optimistic anticipation, often with a hint of caution because disappointment could be lurking! ✨

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raise a red flag

indicate a problem or warning · suggest something is wrong

What's the situation?

This is your go-to phrase when something just doesn't feel right in a project, a proposal, or even a casual business discussion. 🚩 It's like your gut feeling is shouting, "Hold on, something's off!" Use it to politely point out potential issues before they become actual disasters.

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get carried away

become overly excited or emotional · lose control due to strong feelings

What's the situation?

Ever been so hyped about something – maybe a new game, a concert, or even just a killer sale – that you start making wild plans or spending too much? 😅 That's when you're 'getting carried away'! It's all about letting your emotions (excitement, enthusiasm, sometimes even anger) take the wheel and drive you a little too far.

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