Expression Cards
7546 cards available.
idiom
take under one’s wing
Meaning
to look after someone and help them develop
Example
The teacher **took the new student under her wing**.
phrasal-verb
take up
Meaning
to start doing something new, such as a habit, activity, or belief
Example
Many people **take up** meditation as they explore mindfulness culture.
idiom
take up a hobby
Meaning
to start a new hobby or leisure activity
Example
During the lockdown, many people **took up hobbies** like painting or cooking.
phrasal-verb
take up a new habit
Meaning
to start doing something regularly as a habit or routine
Example
She decided to **take up a new habit** of reading before bed.
phrasal-verb
take up meditation
Meaning
to start practicing meditation
Example
I recently **took up meditation** to reduce stress and feel more peaceful.
idiom
take with a grain of salt
Meaning
to view something with skepticism or not completely believe it
Example
He's known for exaggerating, so **take his stories with a grain of salt**.
idiom
take your breath away
Meaning
to surprise or impress someone very much
Example
The beauty of the sunset will **take your breath away**.
idiom
Take your chances
Meaning
To try something despite uncertainty.
Example
He decided to **take his chances** and apply for the international scholarship.
idiom
take your life in your hands
Meaning
To do something very risky or dangerous.
Example
You’re **taking your life in your hands** by driving in that storm.
idiom
take your time
Meaning
don’t rush; use as much time as needed
Example
**Take your time** and finish the job carefully.
phrasal-verb
talk about
Meaning
to discuss a topic; to mention something in conversation
Example
We need to **talk about** your plans for next year.
idiom
talk around
Meaning
to persuade someone by discussion
Example
We finally **talked her around** to joining the team.
idiom
talk around something
Meaning
to discuss something without addressing it directly
Example
She kept **talking around** the topic instead of answering the question directly.
idiom
talk at cross purposes
Meaning
to misunderstand each other when talking about different things
Example
I think we’re **talking at cross purposes**—I meant next week, not this one.
phrasal-verb
talk back
Meaning
to reply rudely; to argue with authority
Example
Don’t **talk back** to your teacher like that!
idiom
talk behind someone's back
Meaning
to say bad things about someone when they are not present
Example
I don’t like people who **talk behind my back**.
phrasal-verb
talk down
Meaning
to speak in a way that shows you think someone is less intelligent
Example
Don’t **talk down** to your colleagues; it’s disrespectful.
phrasal-verb
talk down to
Meaning
to speak to someone as if they are less intelligent or inferior
Example
He always **talks down to** his employees.
idiom
talk down to someone
Meaning
to speak to someone as if they are less intelligent
Example
He always **talks down to** his coworkers, which is rude.
phrasal-verb
talk down worries
Meaning
to reduce anxious thoughts by speaking calmly
Example
We **talk down worries** together when a decision feels risky.
idiom
talk in circles
Meaning
to discuss something without reaching a conclusion
Example
We **talked in circles** for hours but didn’t solve anything.
phrasal-verb
talk into
Meaning
to persuade someone to do something
Example
She **talked me into** joining the dance class.
phrasal-verb
talk it out
Meaning
to discuss problems to relieve stress
Example
If you’re feeling tense, it helps to **talk it out** with a friend.
phrasal-verb
talk it over
Meaning
to discuss something to solve a problem or misunderstanding
Example
Let’s **talk it over** and clear things up.