Commonly Used Expressions in American English

end up

• I went from store to store trying to find something for her birthday. I ended up
buying her a book.
• If you work like that you're going to end up sick.
• I took my car in for a simple oil change. It turned out it needed transmission fluid
change. So I ended up paying a lot more than I thought I would.
• You may want to get a smaller car, otherwise you are going to end up paying a
fortune.

used to

• That building over there used to be the phone company.

• They used to serve ice cream at this restaurant.
• I used to work here when I was a student.
• Up until recently most people used to believe that smoking is good for you.
• When I was a student I used to take the bus to school. Now I drive everywhere.
• He used to be so polite when he was younger. He's become so rude !

to be used to / to get used to

• I'm used to having a light breakfast in the morning.

• The neighbor's children make a lot of noise. It used to bother me. But now I am
used to it.
• It will be hard in the beginning. But you will get used to it.
• I need some time to get used to the new environment.

figure out, figure something out

• I need to figure out which test I'm going to sign up for by the end of this week.
• We need to figure out the other team's game strategy.
• Can you help me figure out this math problem ? I can't figure it out.
• I just bought this new stereo system, but I can't figure out how to set it up.

come across

• If you came across any articles on the history of the English language let me
know.
• I have been looking through all these books but haven't come across anything
interesting.

supposed to

• Children are supposed to start talking at the age of 2.

 • You were supposed to call me when you got home.
• How was I supposed to know where you were ?
• I don't what happened to her. She was supposed to meet me at the library at 3
o'clock.

keep doing something/keep ... from doing something

• If you want to get a good grade on the test, keep studying.

• -Should I turn here ?
-No, keep going. Make a right at the (traffic) light.
• I kept looking until I found it.
• I'll turn the lights on so the kids can keep playing.
• This noise is keeping me from doing my homework !
• Put some of this paste on the balcony. It will keep the pigeons from nesting there.
• Anti-freeze keeps the engine from freezing !

go about doing something

• How would I go about getting a driver's license ?

• You just have a different way of going about this than I do.

get the hang of something

• These new bicycles are a bit hard to get the hang of.
• You need to practice with this for a while before you get the hang of it.

run

• I'm sorry, I have to leave now. I have an appointment and I'm running late.
• Could you get some milk on your way home ? We're running low.
• I've got to stop for gas. We're running out.
• I need to run over to the drugstore and grab some aspirin.
• Who left the car running ?!
• You got a few minutes ? I wrote this report and I'd like to run it by you before
I give it to the manager.
• Could you run those numbers by me one more time ?

drop by/off

• I'll drop by your house tomorrow and get some of that home-made yogurt.
• I'm going to make some dinner. A couple of friends are dropping by.
• I asked our neighbor to drop the kids off at school tomorrow.
• Would you mind dropping this off at the post office ?

hang out
 • What are doing this weekend ? Not much, just hanging out with some friends.
• I don't want you to hang out with those kids !

good and bad time

• How was the party ? Did you have a good time?

• Oh, I had a great time !
• When would be a good time for me to call you ?
• (telephone)Hello ? Hi ! This is Mike. Is this a bad time ? Did I catch you at a bad
time ?
• Poor John ! He's having a really tough time with his teenage son.

on the way/in the way

• Mr. Folwell just called to say that he's stuck in traffic but he's on his way.
• We can pick you guys up on the way to the restaurant.
• There's a flower shop on the way over to your place. We can get some flowers
there.
• All the kids out of the kitchen please ! I'm trying to work here and you're getting
in the way !
• Could you move this suitcase please ? It's in my way !
• Hey kids ! Get out of the way or the ball will hit you !
• He's a very nice person. If you ask him something he will go out of his way to do
it for you.

shape

• I've been exercising regularly. I think I'm in pretty good shape.

• After getting lost in the woods for three days, he was in pretty bad shape.

mean to

• I've been meaning to call you.

• I'm sorry, I didn't mean to hurt you.

through

• I'm sorry you had go through all this trouble.

• Do you have any idea what I've been through the past few days ?
• I dialed the number four times, but my call didn't get through.

around

• If we can't resolve this problem today, we need to figure out a way to work
around it.
• I haven't gotten around to fixing my car yet.
 • Those cars have been around since the 1970's.
• Those small DVD players haven't been around long.
• Bob and Mary are taking off, but Mike and Joanne are going to stick around for a
while.

to get a hold of

• I called the office several times this morning but I wasn't able to get a hold of
John.
• Where were you ? I've been trying to get a hold of you for the past hour.

More examples:

• Are you guys about to leave or are you going to stick around ?
• I think I'm going to stick around a while longer.
• The party was very boring. We were going to head out early, but we decided to
stick around.

• I decided to keep my old type-writer. It might come in handy some day.

• Keep your high-school notes. They will come in handy later.

• The science teacher handed out some examples.

• She usually doesn't give any hand-outs.
• Supplies were handed out to the flood victims.

• I was up late last night trying to put together a plan for the meeting.
• I would like to take a look at the basement if you don't mind.
• I put together a list of all the customers. Could you take a look at it please ?
• I would like to run this document by you one more time before I hand it over to
the manager. Would you mind taking a look at it ?

• Last time I rushed through the questions and I didn't do very well. This time I'm
going to take my time.
• I left my glasses at your house. I'll come by tomorrow and pick them up.

• I'm sorry. I can't get a hold of Mr. Johnson. Please call back tomorrow.
• Where have you been ? I've been trying to get a hold of you all day !