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Quiz 🎲|Every day, one new expression.|

Today's Expressions

Learn useful English expressions easily and fun.

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Hold tight!

Wait a moment · Stay put

What's the situation?

You're in a quick call or meeting, and you need someone to pause briefly while you check something, grab information, or connect them to someone else. It's a friendly way to ask for a short wait without being too formal.

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Give me a sec

Wait a moment · Just a moment

What's the situation?

This gem is your go-to when someone needs your attention but you're in the middle of something super important (like finding that perfect GIF for your friend, or, you know, actual work 😉). It's a polite and quick way to say 'Hold on, I'll be with you in a moment!'

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to be on the checkout line

waiting to pay for your purchases · queueing at the till

What's the situation?

Imagine you've successfully navigated the shopping maze and found all your treasures! 🛍️✨ This phrase is your go-to when you've got your cart full and you're patiently (or impatiently! 😉) waiting your turn to pay for your awesome finds. It's the final frontier before glorious ownership!

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All in good time

be patient · it will happen eventually

What's the situation?

Imagine you are super excited about something, like a new job offer or a trip, but you are constantly checking for updates. Your friend might tell you, 'All in good time!' to encourage you to relax and let things unfold naturally. It's perfect for when you need a gentle reminder to be patient!

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Just a minute

Please wait for a short time · Hold on a moment

What's the situation?

Ever find yourself juggling five things at once when someone asks for your immediate attention? 😅 This is your go-to phrase! It's a polite way to ask someone to pause for just a short moment, whether you're finishing a text or grabbing something.⏱️ It’s super versatile and saves you from saying 'Hold on!' which can sometimes sound a bit abrupt. ✨

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Just a sec

Wait a moment · One moment, please

What's the situation?

Need to grab your keys before heading out? Or maybe you're just finishing a text before replying to a friend? 📱 This super common and friendly phrase is perfect when you need someone to pause for just a very short moment. It implies you'll be ready almost instantly! ✨

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to be on standby

waiting for an available seat, often for a flight or event, if one becomes free · ready for immediate deployment or action

What's the situation?

Ever been at the airport, hoping for a last-minute seat on a full flight? 🤞 That's when you're **on standby**! It's also used in broader contexts, like being ready for a task if needed. Think of it as being in "waiting mode" for something awesome (or just a flight home!). ✈️

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to keep someone in suspense

to make someone wait anxiously for information · to delay telling someone something

What's the situation?

Ever had someone slowly tell you a story, holding back the best part, making you eager to know what happens next? 😬 That's 'keeping someone in suspense'! It's all about building anticipation, sometimes playfully, sometimes not so much. Think about cliffhangers in your favorite shows! 📺✨

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to keep tabs on something

to monitor or watch something closely · to track the status of something

What's the situation?

Imagine you've seen a super cool gadget 📱 or a stunning outfit 👗, but it's a bit pricey. You don't want to miss a potential sale or if it comes back in stock! That's when you 'keep tabs on' it. It's like being a detective for your dream purchase! 🕵️‍♀️💰

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to keep an eye on something

to monitor something for changes · to watch something closely, often before buying it

What's the situation?

You've seen something super cool in a store or online, but you're not quite ready to commit to buying it just yet. Maybe it's a bit pricey, or you want to see if it goes on sale. This expression is perfect for letting someone know you're interested but waiting for the opportune moment! 🕵️‍♀️💸

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to be on tenterhooks

to be in a state of anxious suspense · to be eagerly and nervously awaiting something

What's the situation?

This expression is perfect for when you're waiting for important news, results, or a decision, and you can't help but feel a mix of excitement and anxiety! 😬 It describes that intense anticipation where you just can't relax. It's like your nerves are stretched to their limit!

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to kill time

to do something to pass the time · to occupy oneself while waiting

What's the situation?

Ever find yourself with a bit of extra time before a movie, a meeting, or waiting for a friend? 🕰️ This is your go-to phrase! It means you're doing something just to make the time pass, without a specific goal in mind, often by casually looking around shops or just chilling. 🛍️🚶‍♀️

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to hold your breath

to wait anxiously · to anticipate something with suspense

What's the situation?

Ever found yourself glued to the TV, waiting for the results of a big game or a competition? 📺 Or maybe you're expecting some really important news? That intense feeling where you literally feel like you're holding your breath is exactly when you'd use this! It's for moments of high anticipation or suspense. 😬

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to be in line

waiting for your turn · queueing up

What's the situation?

Ever found yourself staring at a long queue, sighing internally, and thinking, "Oh, joy!"? 😩 This expression is your go-to for letting someone know you're patiently waiting for your turn, whether it's at the grocery store, coffee shop, or even for the latest gadget drop. It's all about that waiting game! ⏳

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to be on a waitlist

to be added to a list of people waiting for something unavailable now · to have to wait for an item to become available

What's the situation?

Ever wanted that super popular new gadget or limited edition item, only to find it's sold out everywhere? 😭 This phrase is your go-to for explaining you're now patiently (or not so patiently!) waiting for it to come back in stock. It shows you're committed! 💪

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Hold on a sec

Wait a moment · Pause briefly

What's the situation?

You're in the middle of something and someone asks you a question or needs your attention. This phrase is your friendly way of saying, "Just a tiny moment, please!" It's perfect for when you need to finish a text, grab your keys, or just mentally switch gears. 🤯⏰

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Hang tight!

Wait a moment · Be patient

What's the situation?

Feeling like you're juggling too many tasks? 😅 "Hang tight!" is your go-to phrase when you need someone to wait patiently for a short period. It's like saying, "Just a sec, I'll be right with you!" — perfect for everyday situations, from getting coffee ☕ to finding your keys 🔑. It shows respect for their time while asking for a brief pause.

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on pins and needles

anxious and excited · eagerly waiting for something

What's the situation?

Ever felt super anxious or excited while waiting for a big announcement, exam results, or a text back from your crush? 😬 That's exactly when you're 'on pins and needles'! It means you're so tense with anticipation, you can barely sit still. Think of it like a tingling sensation from nerves, like tiny pins and needles!

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hang tight

Wait a moment · hold on

What's the situation?

This expression is perfect for those times when you need someone to pause their plans or actions because you're almost ready, or a brief delay is necessary. It’s like hitting the pause button on your friend for a quick sec! 🎮

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