ahead of time
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idiom

ahead of time

Meaning
before the expected or planned time
Example
She finished her work ahead of time.
phrasal-verb

learn through experience

Meaning
to improve by reflecting on what has happened before
Example
We learn through experience when forecasts miss the mark.
phrasal-verb

be touched by

Meaning
to feel emotional because of someone’s kindness
Example
I was really touched by your kind words.
idiom

plan B

Meaning
an alternative plan if the first one fails
Example
We should have a plan B in case things go wrong.
idiom

in the dark web

Meaning
in a hidden or secret part of the internet used for illegal activities
Example
Stolen credentials often end up in the dark web.
idiom

a man of faith

Meaning
a person who strongly believes in a particular religion or principle
Example
He is known as a man of faith in his community.
idiom

phishing

Meaning
A method of trying to gather personal information using deceptive emails, websites, or other communications.
Example
He received an email that looked legitimate, but it was actually a phishing attempt.
phrasal-verb

calm oneself down

Meaning
to relax and regain emotional control after being upset or angry
Example
He took a deep breath to calm himself down before speaking.
phrasal-verb

get along across cultures

Meaning
to have a friendly and positive relationship with people from other cultures
Example
To work abroad successfully, you need to get along across cultures.
idiom

back up

Meaning
to support or to make a copy of important data
Example
Can you back up my explanation during the meeting?
idiom

no strings attached

Meaning
with no special conditions or restrictions
Example
They offered me a free trial with no strings attached.
idiom

A bright future awaits

Meaning
good things are coming ahead
Example
Despite the challenges, a bright future awaits you.
idiom

the naked truth

Meaning
the complete and unvarnished truth
Example
She told me the naked truth about what happened.
idiom

make friends

Meaning
to form new friendships
Example
It’s easy to make friends when you’re kind to others.
phrasal-verb

draw up plans

Meaning
to prepare detailed strategies or documents
Example
Experts drew up plans for cross-border trade cooperation.
phrasal-verb

face down

Meaning
to confront someone or something bravely
Example
He faced down his fears and took the exam again.
phrasal-verb

agree with

Meaning
to have the same opinion as someone else
Example
I completely agree with you on this matter.
idiom

take things to the next level

Meaning
to improve or develop something beyond its current state
Example
We plan to take our innovation to the next level this year.
idiom

brave the storm

Meaning
to face great difficulties with courage
Example
They braved the storm to rescue the stranded people.
idiom

Curiosity killed the cat

Meaning
Being too inquisitive can lead to trouble.
Example
Don't ask too many questions about his past — curiosity killed the cat.
idiom

a run on the bank

Meaning
a situation where many people withdraw their money from a bank due to fear of collapse
Example
Rumors of insolvency caused a run on the bank.
idiom

kiss and make up

Meaning
to become friends again after an argument
Example
They always kiss and make up after every fight.
idiom

long time no see

Meaning
used when you meet someone after a long time
Example
Long time no see! How have you been?
idiom

out of one’s mind

Meaning
crazy or extremely worried
Example
He must be out of his mind to drive so fast in the rain.
idiom

Stay in the loop

Meaning
To be informed about something regularly.
Example
Make sure you stay in the loop about the latest updates.
phrasal-verb

boom out

Meaning
to grow or expand rapidly
Example
The tech sector has boomed out in the last few years.
phrasal-verb

break in

Meaning
to interrupt; to force entry into a place
Example
Sorry to break in, but can I add something?
phrasal-verb

open up to feedback

Meaning
to be willing to listen and accept constructive criticism
Example
A good leader must open up to feedback from the team.
idiom

Pop quiz

Meaning
a surprise test given without warning
Example
Our teacher gave us a pop quiz today.
idiom

Spread too thin

Meaning
To try to do too many things at once, leaving no energy for any.
Example
She’s spread too thin between her job, family, and studies.
phrasal-verb

build up reserves

Meaning
to increase saved or stored resources for future use
Example
The central bank is working to build up reserves of foreign currency.
idiom

lay it on thick

Meaning
to exaggerate praise or flattery
Example
She really laid it on thick when complimenting her boss.
idiom

to sketch out

Meaning
to make a rough plan or outline of something
Example
The director sketched out the concept before filming began.
idiom

on the fast track

Meaning
advancing quickly in a career or project
Example
He is on the fast track to becoming a manager.
phrasal-verb

bottle emotions up

Meaning
to keep your emotions hidden inside instead of expressing them
Example
He tends to bottle his emotions up instead of talking about them.
phrasal-verb

deal off

Meaning
to finish or complete a business transaction
Example
They finally dealt off the property last week.
phrasal-verb

vote for

Meaning
to choose someone or something in an election
Example
Everyone should vote for candidates who value honesty.
idiom

art for art’s sake

Meaning
art should be valued for its beauty and not for any moral or political purpose
Example
He believes in art for art’s sake, not propaganda.
idiom

turn the other cheek

Meaning
to ignore insults or avoid taking revenge
Example
He chose to turn the other cheek instead of fighting back.
idiom

architectural eye candy

Meaning
something that is visually appealing but may lack substance or functionality
Example
The new skyscraper in the city is just architectural eye candy.
idiom

spread the love

Meaning
to show kindness and affection to others
Example
She always tries to spread the love by helping others.
phrasal-verb

stumble over

Meaning
to make an error while speaking or reading
Example
He stumbled over several words in the script.
idiom

good vibes only

Meaning
to focus only on positive thoughts and energy
Example
This year, I’m living by the motto good vibes only.
idiom

pile up

Meaning
to increase into a large amount
Example
Emails tend to pile up over the weekend.
idiom

juggle work and life

Meaning
to manage both work and personal life at the same time
Example
It's not easy to juggle work and life, but I try to do my best.
idiom

blur the lines

Meaning
to make the difference between two things less clear or distinct
Example
AI-generated art often blurs the lines between human creativity and machine output.
phrasal-verb

hold feelings in

Meaning
to not express emotions; to suppress feelings
Example
He tends to hold his feelings in rather than show them.
idiom

puppy love

Meaning
a young or innocent kind of love
Example
Their relationship in school was just puppy love.
idiom

Hit the wall

Meaning
to reach a point where one is physically or mentally exhausted and cannot continue
Example
I’ve been working all day, and now I’ve finally hit the wall.
idiom

flash back to

Meaning
to suddenly remember a past event
Example
The photo made her flash back to her first day at work.
idiom

Don't put off until tomorrow what you can do today

Meaning
Do not procrastinate; take advantage of the present moment.
Example
Finish your work now, don't put off until tomorrow what you can do today.
phrasal-verb

listen with respect

Meaning
to pay attention and value other people’s perspectives during communication
Example
To understand others, we must listen with respect to their stories.
idiom

diplomatic tightrope

Meaning
a delicate situation requiring careful diplomacy
Example
The president walked a diplomatic tightrope between the two rival nations.
idiom

set your sights high

Meaning
to aim for something ambitious
Example
Always set your sights high if you want to grow.
idiom

to be honest

Meaning
used when expressing a sincere or frank opinion
Example
To be honest, I didn’t like the food.
idiom

cost an arm and a leg

Meaning
to be very expensive
Example
That designer bag cost an arm and a leg.
idiom

the scoop

Meaning
exclusive or sensational news
Example
The journalist got the scoop on the celebrity wedding.
phrasal-verb

pivot to

Meaning
to change direction or strategy in response to challenges or new opportunities
Example
When their initial product failed, the startup decided to pivot to a new market.
idiom

The melting pot

Meaning
A place where many different cultures blend together
Example
New York is often called the melting pot of cultures.
idiom

eat humble pie

Meaning
to admit your mistake and apologize
Example
After blaming her friend, she had to eat humble pie when she realized she was wrong.
idiom

jump in

Meaning
to join an activity quickly
Example
Feel free to jump in if you have suggestions.
idiom

Spread like wildfire

Meaning
To become widely known very quickly.
Example
The news of their engagement spread like wildfire.
phrasal-verb

bounce off

Meaning
to discuss an idea with someone to get their opinion
Example
I’d like to bounce off a few ideas with you before the presentation.
idiom

keep it under wraps

Meaning
to keep something secret
Example
We’re trying to keep it under wraps until the official announcement.
phrasal-verb

touch on

Meaning
to briefly mention or discuss a subject
Example
She only touched on the topic during her speech.
idiom

draw inspiration from

Meaning
to be motivated or influenced by something
Example
He drew inspiration from nature for his latest painting.
idiom

stand by someone

Meaning
to remain loyal or supportive
Example
True friends stand by each other in hard times.
idiom

forbidden fruit

Meaning
something attractive but not allowed or morally wrong
Example
For teenagers, breaking rules often feels like forbidden fruit.
phrasal-verb

take time out

Meaning
to spend time resting away from work or pressure
Example
You should take time out to recharge and relax.
phrasal-verb

rack up

Meaning
to accumulate or achieve something, such as points or awards
Example
She has racked up several awards for her outstanding work.
phrasal-verb

heal up

Meaning
to recover or become healthy again after injury
Example
Her wound has started to heal up nicely.
phrasal-verb

get feelings across

Meaning
to make someone understand your emotions clearly
Example
It's hard to get your feelings across in an email.
idiom

robotic precision

Meaning
extremely accurate and consistent performance
Example
She performs her tasks with robotic precision.
idiom

data encryption

Meaning
the process of converting data into a code to prevent unauthorized access
Example
Ensure all sensitive information is protected through data encryption.
phrasal-verb

testify against

Meaning
to give evidence in court against someone
Example
The witness agreed to testify against the accused.
phrasal-verb

fill up on

Meaning
to eat a lot of one type of food so you are not hungry for other food
Example
Don’t fill up on snacks before dinner.
idiom

put on a brave face

Meaning
to pretend to be confident or happy when you are not
Example
She put on a brave face even after hearing the bad news.
phrasal-verb

branch out internationally

Meaning
to expand your business activities into new countries
Example
Many local firms are trying to branch out internationally to increase their profits.
idiom

in the zone

Meaning
to be fully focused and performing at your best
Example
When she’s in the zone, she can write for hours without stopping.
phrasal-verb

rise through emotions

Meaning
to grow stronger by learning from emotional experiences
Example
We can rise through emotions and become wiser each time.
idiom

blow up in your face

Meaning
a plan or situation that suddenly goes wrong and causes trouble
Example
His plan to impress the boss blew up in his face.
idiom

run for office

Meaning
to campaign for a political position
Example
She decided to run for office next year.
idiom

to strike it rich

Meaning
to suddenly become very wealthy
Example
He struck it rich by investing in early-stage tech companies.
idiom

the real McCoy

Meaning
the genuine or original thing
Example
This painting is the real McCoy, not a copy.
idiom

crack under pressure

Meaning
to lose control or fail when under stress
Example
Some people crack under pressure, while others thrive.
phrasal-verb

partner up

Meaning
to form a partnership for a specific goal or project
Example
Our firm decided to partner up with a local distributor in Africa.
idiom

catch a bug

Meaning
to find a problem or defect in a system
Example
The developer was able to catch a bug in the system before it went live.
idiom

rub someone the wrong way

Meaning
to irritate or annoy someone without intending to
Example
His attitude tends to rub people the wrong way.
idiom

on the rocks

Meaning
in trouble or likely to fail (especially a relationship or marriage)
Example
Their marriage is on the rocks after constant arguments.
idiom

hit the jackpot

Meaning
to achieve great success or win something valuable
Example
He hit the jackpot when his startup got acquired for millions.
idiom

add insult to injury

Meaning
to make a bad situation even worse
Example
First, they lost the game, and then, to add insult to injury, their bus broke down.
idiom

put a spin on

Meaning
to present information in a way that influences people's perception
Example
The media often puts a spin on stories to attract viewers.
idiom

scaling up

Meaning
to expand a business rapidly after initial success
Example
After their Series A funding, the team focused on scaling up.
phrasal-verb

book up

Meaning
to reserve all available places or tickets
Example
All the hotels were booked up weeks before the holiday.
idiom

Fail fast

Meaning
To quickly identify and learn from failures.
Example
In startups, it’s better to fail fast and learn than to waste time.
phrasal-verb

fess up

Meaning
to confess or admit something embarrassing or wrong
Example
It’s time to fess up and tell the truth about what happened.
idiom

Living beyond one’s means

Meaning
Spending more money than one can afford.
Example
Many people get into debt by living beyond their means.
idiom

throw money at

Meaning
to spend large amounts of money in a hasty or unwise way
Example
The company tried to throw money at the problem instead of addressing the root cause.
idiom

have a brainwave

Meaning
to suddenly have a clever idea
Example
I had a brainwave and solved the puzzle.
idiom

on your shoulders

Meaning
used when someone has responsibility for something
Example
The success of this plan rests on your shoulders.
idiom

anchors aweigh

Meaning
Ready to depart or begin a journey.
Example
With our bags packed, it’s anchors aweigh for the road trip!
phrasal-verb

break down emotionally

Meaning
to lose control over your emotions and start crying
Example
She broke down emotionally after hearing the bad news.
idiom

wind up

Meaning
to end up in a particular situation
Example
If you ignore the warning signs, you could wind up in trouble.
phrasal-verb

bring up to date

Meaning
to give someone the latest information about something
Example
Can you bring me up to date on the latest news?
idiom

a drop in the ocean

Meaning
a very small amount compared to what is needed
Example
The money they raised was just a drop in the ocean compared to the total cost.
idiom

take a dim view of

Meaning
to disapprove of something; to have a negative opinion
Example
The manager takes a dim view of employees arriving late.
phrasal-verb

find peace within

Meaning
to achieve a state of inner calm and acceptance
Example
Meditation helps many people find peace within themselves.
idiom

Bury yourself in books

Meaning
To spend all your time studying
Example
He buried himself in books before the finals.
idiom

Nosey parker

Meaning
Someone who is too interested in other people's business.
Example
Stop being a nosey parker and mind your own business!
idiom

reboot your perspective

Meaning
to start fresh with a new mindset
Example
After project failure, the team decided to reboot their perspective.
idiom

under pressure

Meaning
to be in a stressful situation with a lot of demands
Example
She performs well even when she’s under pressure.
phrasal-verb

ease out of

Meaning
to gradually stop doing something stressful
Example
She decided to ease out of her demanding job to find balance.
phrasal-verb

trickle down

Meaning
to spread gradually from the wealthy to the less wealthy; to benefit lower classes indirectly
Example
Many economists argue that wealth doesn’t always trickle down to the poor.
phrasal-verb

break down walls

Meaning
to remove divisions or barriers between people
Example
The new leadership aims to break down walls between departments.
idiom

written in the stars

Meaning
destined to happen; fated
Example
They believe their meeting was written in the stars.
idiom

more luck than sense

Meaning
successful because of luck, not intelligence
Example
He survived the accident—he’s got more luck than sense.
idiom

on your last legs

Meaning
completely exhausted or near collapse
Example
After working 18 hours straight, I was on my last legs.
phrasal-verb

filter out negativity

Meaning
to remove negative thoughts or influences from your mind
Example
Try to filter out negativity and focus on what’s good.
idiom

dog days

Meaning
the hottest days of summer
Example
During the dog days of summer, everyone stays indoors.
idiom

sink or swim

Meaning
to succeed or fail by your own efforts
Example
When you start your own business, it’s sink or swim.
idiom

burned out

Meaning
completely exhausted or tired due to overwork
Example
After months of overtime, she felt burned out.