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Quiz 🎲|Every day, one new expression.|

Today's Expressions

Learn useful English expressions easily and fun.

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catch up on something

to get up to date with something · to learn the latest information about something

What's the situation?

Just back from vacation or missed a crucial meeting? This is your go-to phrase to ask what you've missed! ✈️📧 It's super handy when you need to get up to speed on project updates, emails, or even the latest office gossip. 😉

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on the grind

working hard · being busy and productive

What's the situation?

You're hustling towards a big goal, maybe studying for exams or launching a new project. 🚀 This phrase perfectly captures that intense, focused effort! It's especially popular among the 20-30s crowd who are building their careers or personal dreams. 🔥

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done and dusted

finished and completed · successfully concluded

What's the situation?

Imagine you've been working on a big project or a pile of chores, and you've finally wrapped everything up! 🥳 This expression is perfect for triumphantly announcing that something is completely finished, often with a sense of relief or accomplishment. ✨

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to be on top of things

in control · organized · managing tasks effectively

What's the situation?

This expression is perfect for when you're feeling like a superhero, juggling multiple tasks, meeting deadlines, and just generally crushing it! 💪 It's a great way to say you're organized, prepared, and totally in command of your responsibilities. No chaos here, just smooth sailing! ⛵️✨

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to be snowed under

to have too much work/tasks · to be overwhelmed with responsibilities

What's the situation?

Ever feel like your to-do list is a never-ending scroll, and new tasks just keep piling up like snowflakes in a blizzard? 🌨️ That's exactly what 'to be snowed under' means! It’s perfect for describing those moments when you’re utterly overwhelmed with tasks, emails, or responsibilities, feeling like you're buried under a mountain of work. 😅

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to be tied up

to be busy · to be occupied with something

What's the situation?

Ever had those moments at work when you're knee-deep in a project and someone pops by with a 'quick question'? 😬 This phrase is your polite lifesaver to say, 'Can't talk right now, I'm swamped!' without sounding rude. It’s perfect when you’re fully engrossed in a task and can't easily break away. 📚✨

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jump on a call

quickly join a phone or video meeting · to have a brief conversation by phone/video

What's the situation?

Ever been in a situation where you just need to quickly chat with someone without a formal meeting? 📞 'jump on a call' is your go-to! It means to quickly join a phone or video conference, often for a quick discussion or to clarify something. It’s perfect when an email chain is getting too long or you need an instant answer. 🚀

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It's a grind

something difficult and tiring · a demanding routine

What's the situation?

You can use this expression when you're talking about a demanding job, a tough school project, or any activity that requires a lot of consistent effort and might be a bit exhausting. It perfectly captures the feeling of perseverance through a tough period! 💪

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to be apprehensive

feeling anxious or uneasy about something in the future · slightly worried

What's the situation?

You know that feeling when you're waiting for important results, or a big presentation, and your stomach does a little flip? That's when you're apprehensive! 😬 It's a milder form of anxiety, often about something specific that's about to happen.

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How's it looking?

How is it progressing? · What is the current status?

What's the situation?

This phrase is super handy when you want a quick update on something that's in progress, whether it's a project, a plan, or even just dinner! 🍳✨ It's like asking, "What's the status?" or "How's it coming along?" but in a more laid-back, conversational way. Perfect for checking in without being too pushy!

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Let's get started!

Let's begin · Let's commence

What's the situation?

You've been chatting about a project, a task, or an activity, and now it's time to stop planning and actually *do* it. 🚀 It's a call to action, perfect for kicking things off! ✨

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let's get down to business

get serious · start working

What's the situation?

Have you ever been chatting with friends or colleagues, and realized you need to shift from casual banter to the actual topic at hand? 😬 This phrase is your perfect signal to say, "Alright, fun's over, let's focus!" It's super handy when you want to move past small talk and tackle important tasks or discussions. 🚀

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I could use a break

I need a rest · I'd really like to stop for a bit

What's the situation?

You've been working non-stop, staring at your computer screen, or maybe just had a super busy morning. You feel a bit drained and wish you could just pause for a moment. This phrase perfectly captures that feeling when you're not completely exhausted, but definitely ready for a little breather! ☕️

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pull an all-nighter

stay up all night (usually for work or study) · work/study throughout the night

What's the situation?

Ever been in a crunch time for an exam or a project deadline? ☕ This expression is perfect for those moments when you have to stay awake all night to get something done. It's often used with a sense of 'sacrifice' or hard work!

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to take advantage of your vacation days

to use your paid time off for travel or rest · to make good use of your allotted holiday leave

What's the situation?

This expression is perfect when you are talking about making sure you actually *use* all that precious paid time off your job gives you! 🏝️ It is about not letting those days go to waste, especially for a fun trip or much-needed break. So, if you have them, flaunt 'em!

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to pick up steam

gain momentum · accelerate · become more intense or successful

What's the situation?

Imagine your new project or a marketing campaign just launched, and at first, it was a bit slow. But suddenly, things start getting more attention, more users, or more sales! 🎉 That's when your project is starting to 'pick up steam'! It's a fantastic way to describe something gaining momentum and becoming more successful or active.

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I'm slammed

I'm very busy · I have too much to do

What's the situation?

Ever feel like your to-do list is a mile long and your schedule is packed tighter than a sardine can? 🤯 'I'm slammed' is your go-to phrase when you're super busy and feeling the pressure! It perfectly conveys that you're not just busy, but *really* overwhelmed with tasks. 🏃‍♀️💨

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behind schedule

running late · not on time

What's the situation?

Ever feel like you're playing catch-up at work? 😅 This phrase is your go-to when a project or task is taking longer than expected, or not progressing at the pace it should be. It's a professional way to communicate delays without sounding like you're making excuses!

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to meet a deadline

to finish a task or project by the agreed-upon time · to complete something on time

What's the situation?

This expression is super common in the business world! 💼 It means you successfully complete a task or project by the time it's due. Think of it as hitting a target date without any last-minute panic... mostly! 😉

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crunch time

a period when a lot of work has to be done in a short time · a critical period

What's the situation?

Ever felt like you're suddenly in a high-stakes race against the clock, with deadlines looming and coffee being your only friend? ☕️ That, my friend, is `crunch time`! It's that intense period just before a big deadline or project completion when everyone has to pull out all the stops. 🎢

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I've got my hands full

I'm very busy · I have too much to do

What's the situation?

This expression is perfect when you're super busy and juggling multiple tasks, either literally (like carrying a lot of bags) or figuratively (like having many projects at work). It's a polite and common way to explain why you can't take on more!

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have a case of the Mondays

feeling grumpy or unmotivated due to the start of the work/school week

What's the situation?

Ever had that post-weekend slump where you just can't face work or school? 😩 That's when you 'have a case of the Mondays'! It perfectly describes that common feeling of low energy and grumpiness right at the start of the week. 😴

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by close of business

end of the workday · before the workday finishes

What's the situation?

Ever had that urgent task pop up that *just has* to be done today? 😱 'by close of business' is your go-to phrase for setting a clear deadline within the current workday. It's super common in emails and quick chats when you need something wrapped up before everyone clocks out! 💼

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Let's crack on

Let's start working · Let's continue with enthusiasm

What's the situation?

Ever been in a meeting where everyone's just chatting, and you need to politely get things moving? ⏰ Or perhaps you've taken a short break and now it's time to dive back into the grind! 💪 'Let's crack on' is your go-to phrase to signal it's time to focus and make some real progress!

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