Quicksmart
Meaning 1
Very quick, hurry up - usually used with an instruction
Context 1
“Where are you? Get down here quicksmart”
Translate
Pinch it
Meaning 1
take it
Context 1
“I might pinch another banana if that’s ok”
Meaning 2
steal it, to steal something small
Context 2
“Don’t leave your bucket outside, someone will pinch it”
Translate
Things are looking up
Meaning 1
Things are getting better
Context 1
“How’s ben’s job going?”
“It’s been tough but things are looking up”
Translate
Way to go!
Meaning 1
Well done!
Context 1
“I won the race!”
“Way to go!”
“Thanks”
Translate
Selfie
Meaning 1
A photo of myself
Context 1
(facebook or email)
‘Ok everyone, this is my first selfie, hope you like it’
Translate
Flog
Meaning 1
hit / beat
Context 1
“Those kids are so bloody naughty, they need a good flogging”
Meaning 2
sell
Context 2
“We don’t want to take all these old books and stuff when we move so we’re going to try and flog them in a garage sale or something”
Translate
Hump day
Meaning 1
Wednesday (middle of the working week - it gets easier after Wednesday, after the hump)
Context 1
“Everyone’s sluggish in the office today, it’s because it’s hump day I suppose”
Translate
Are you having a go?
Meaning 1
Are you giving me trouble? (may be a warning before a fight)
Context 1
“What? Are you having a go mate? Hey? Are you having a go? You wanna watch yourself”
Meaning 2
Are you having a turn? Is it your turn?
Context 2
“Are you having a go? Here, I’ll try it after you”
Translate
Keep your ear to the ground
Meaning 1
Listen for news or information all the time
Context 1
“I think they’re going to fire some staff, I don’t know who, so keep your ear to the ground”
Translate
I don't get it
Meaning 1
I don’t understand
Context 1
“What? What do I have to do? I don’t get it”
Translate
Make an appearance
Meaning 1
To attend a party or event but only for a very short time
Context 1
“Are you going to Katie’s party?”
“I’m working late that afternoon and then early in the morning but I’ll make an appearance”
Translate
Pull your finger out
Meaning 1
Hurry up / Do it faster
Context 1
“Susie, the meeting’s started, come on, pull your finger out”
Meaning 2
Work faster, harder (annoyed)
Context 2
“Look Ben, you’ve got one more month trial here but I have to tell you, so far we’re not impressed, if you don’t pull your finger out we won’t be continuing your contract.”
Translate
Get cracking
Meaning 1
Hurry up and start / hurry up and do it quickly
Context 1
“The boss is putting the pressure on today, he needs this wall finished so get cracking”
Translate
Have a gander
Meaning 1
Look / have a look
Context 1
“Are you going to look at that house for sale? It’s open today.”
“Yeh I thought I’d have a gander”
Translate
On thin ice
Meaning 1
Very close to trouble with someone / behaivour that is leading to conflict or dismissal from a job
Context 1
“I warned him that he was on very thin ice and if his attitude doesn’t improve quickly, he’ll be fired”
Meaning 2
(same as meaning 1)
Context 2
“You have to go to the meeting tomorrow, you’ve been late to the last two meetings, you’re treading on thin ice with the boss, I think you should go”
Translate
It's up to you
Meaning 1
It’s your choice, your decision
Context 1
“Do you want to go to a movie or get a video”
“I don’t mind, its up to you”
Meaning 2
(same as meaning 1)
Context 2
“Should I take the job or not?”
“It’s up to you”
Translate
Tightarse (Tight-arse)
Meaning 1
Someone who doesn’t like spending money or sharing money
Context 1
“Let’s go have a coffee”
“No, we can have coffee at home”
“Don’t be such a tight-arse, I want to go to a cafe!”
Translate
Drop the ball
Meaning 1
Fail to do what is expected due to confusion or lack of concentration
Context 1
“He dropped the ball and we lost the contract”
“What happened?”
“He didn’t get the advertising in before deadline, so, he’s out”
Meaning 2
(same as meaning 1)
Context 2
“I feel too busy and stressed this week, I don’t want to be the one to drop the ball so I’m just doing it slowly and carefully”
Translate
Get the hang of it
Meaning 1
Learn to do something by yourself with practice
Context 1
“See put the container in here and turn it until you hear it click, then push this and lift this, don’t worry, you’ll get the hang of it”
Meaning 2
(same as Meaning 1)
Context 2
“Everyone finds this tricky on the first day, but, you’ll get the hang of it”
Translate
It goes without saying
Meaning 1
It’s so obvious it doesn’t need saying / It’s something everyone should already know
Context 1
“Of course you have to get her a present, it’s her birthday party, it goes without saying”
Translate
Heads up!
Meaning 1
Warning about something that is happening immediately - to either pay attention quickly or watch out for something coming at you
Context 1
“Can you help me get these boxes down? I’m going to throw them to you, heads up!”
Translate
DINKS
Meaning 1
(acronym) Double/Dual Income No Kids > a couple who both have jobs and no children, so more disposable income
Context 1
“Of course they can afford to go out for dinner every night, they’re DINKS”
Translate
Jazz it up
Meaning 1
Make it look better
Context 1
“That top is nice, maybe a bit casual but you can jazz it up with a nice necklace or a scarf”
Translate
Chuck it out
Meaning 1
Throw it away / put it in the bin
Context 1
“Why is that ham still here? I told you to chuck it out now chuck it out! It’s too old, if it gets used in a dish the customer could get sick”
Translate
Get a foot in the door
Meaning 1
Get an opportunity, a chance to do something that might lead to something better
Context 1
“I got a casual job with the company! It’s not great but it’s a foot in the door, hopefully I can work up to the position I want”
Translate
It's a ball tearer
Meaning 1
Something that is very good, great
Context 1
(watching a cricket game)
“Did you see that catch? It was an absolute ball tearer!”
Meaning 2
(make it less good with NOT: not a ball tearer) something not great but not bad
Context 2
(looking at a photo)
“Well it’s not a ball tearer, but it’s ok”
Translate
Running smoothly
Meaning 1
working well / operating well
Context 1
“Ok everyone, in this first week back at the office please check all your computer systems are running smoothly”
Translate
Povo
Meaning 1
(poverty) no money / not enough money for something
Context 1
“I can’t go out for a while, I’m so povo after the christmas sales”
Translate
Running out
Meaning 1
something is nearly finished / almost empty
Context 1
“The ink in the printer’s running out, we’ve got to get some more”
Meaning 2
“run out” > something is finished / empty
Context 2
“We’ve run out of paper for the photocopier, where do I get more from?”
Translate
Merry Christmas and happy new year!
Meaning 1
Context 1
“Have a merry Christmas and a happy new year!”
Translate
You'll do your back in
Meaning 1
You will damage or hurt your back
Context 1
“Don’t lift like that, you’ll do your back in, always lift heavy things by bending your knees”
Meaning 2
(same as Meaning 1)
Context 2
“I tried to take the boxes from the top shelf and I think I’ve done my back in”
Translate
Go overboard
Meaning 1
Do too much / get too enthusiastic
Context 1
“I love Christmas, but I think people go overboard with too many presents”
Meaning 2
(same as Meaning 1)
Context 2
“You can decorate the house for Christmas, but don’t go overboard, we can’t afford it this year”
Translate
Over a barrel
Meaning 1
Powerless / someone else has control
Context 1
“The bank’s charges are going up and it’ll cost us a lot of money to break contract so they’ve got us over a barrel, we’ll just have to stay with them for now”
Translate
A rip off
Meaning 1
Something that costs much more money than it is worth / something overpriced
Context 1
“$50 for a plastic cup! What a rip off!”
Meaning 2
(same as Meaning 1)
Context 2
“You paid $40 for that chicken? I think you’ve been ripped off”
Translate
Plug it
Meaning 1
talk about a product or event in a positive way in public
Context 1
“I’m going to be interviewed on the radio so I need to remember to plug our new iPhone App”
Meaning 2
(same as Meaning 1)
Context 2
“I’m just reading this article about obesity but look, all they’re doing is plugging this weight-loss powder”
Translate
Hot
Meaning 1
(adj) someone very attractive, goodlooking, with a good body
Context 1
“Wow, check him out, he’s hot!”
Meaning 2
(same as Meaning 1)
Context 2
“Brad Pitt is still the hottest man in the world”
Translate
Move it
Meaning 1
(safety warning) Move out of the way
Context 1
“Move it people, hot coffees coming through”
Meaning 2
Hurry up / do it faster
Context 2
“You haven’t sent out the mail yet? You’d better move it or the post office will close”
Translate
A bit much
Meaning 1
something excessive / more than necessary (negative)
Context 1
“What did you think of Rebecca not letting her son play soccer?”
“It’s a bit much isn’t it? Just because she’s worried about him getting hurt, he’s a kid - he’s meant to get hurt now and then!”
Meaning 2
(same as Meaning 1)
Context 2
“How big is that wedding cake!”
“I know, it’s a bit much isn’t it?”
Translate
Until further notice
Meaning 1
ongoing - finish time not set yet
Context 1
“Mark has quit, so they’ll be no IT support until further notice”
Meaning 2
(same as Meaning 1)
Context 2
“We are cutting back on spending, until further notice there will not be any overtime”
Translate
The penny dropped
Meaning 1
Sudden understanding of something after some time of not understanding
Context 1
I didn’t realise the lunch yesterday was to celebrate your birthday! The penny dropped today when I saw your friends’ comments on facebook, I’m so sorry
Translate
Watch out
Meaning 1
(safety warning) Get out of the way
Context 1
“Kimmy, be careful of the trollies coming through, Kimmy watch out!”
Meaning 2
Be careful
Context 2
“Now watch out for this, it gets very hot after a few minutes”
Translate
Go your hardest
Meaning 1
Yes / Do it / have it / go for it
Context 1
“Can I have one of those chocolates?”
“Yeah go your hardest”
Translate
Reinvent the wheel
Meaning 1
do something or create something that is not necessary because it has already been created.
Context 1
“If you’re teaching numeracy this year and you want worksheets, there’s no need to reinvent the wheel, the resource centre has plenty of materials in the math section, just copy the ones you want.”
Translate
Unco
Meaning 1
(adj) Uncoordinated, lacking coordination (correct movement for activity such as dancing)
Context 1
“I can’t dance, I’m really unco”
Meaning 2
(n) a person who is uncoordinated
Context 2
“hey catch this! How could you miss that, it was so easy! You’re such an unco!”
Translate
Switched-on
Meaning 1
Clever / quick learner
Context 1
“How’s our new marketing guy going?”
“Great, he’s very switched-on, he’s really going to get the right exposure for us”
Translate
Miffed
Meaning 1
A little bit offended and angry
Context 1
“What’s wrong? Are you miffed because Sarah didn’t like your gift?”
“Yeah she didn’t even say thank you”
Meaning 2
(same as Meaning 1)
Context 2
“Are you heaps upset that Caroline didn’t invite you?”
“Oh I’m a bit miffed but I don’t care too much”
Translate
That'll do
Meaning 1
It’s ok / good enough
Context 1
“Here’s the report, the facts are there but I haven’t finished the summary”
“Ok, that’ll do, leave it here”
Meaning 2
Stop / that’s enough
Context 2
“You want some milk in your coffee?”
“Just a bit thanks, that’ll do, ta”
Translate
Posted / Keep me posted
Meaning 1
Continue to tell me about progress
Context 1
“Sue is getting the updates online and I’ve asked her to keep me posted, so we’ll know as soon as they come through”
Meaning 2
(same as Meaning 1)
Context 2
“Thanks for your quote, the management team is away for term break so they’ll discuss it when they come back in a couple of weeks, I’ll keep you posted.”
Translate
Cheers
Meaning 1
Thank you / Thank you and goodbye
Context 1
“So I can come see you tomorrow? Ok cheers”
Meaning 2
Happiness to you (when drinking and you touch glasses together)
Context 2
“Cheers!”
Translate
On the plus side
Meaning 1
Something positive (after saying something bad, this is a link to saying something good)
Context 1
(Email)
Hi Susie
Sorry I haven’t finished your website updates yet. On the plus side, I have improved your settings so it will update automatically from now on.
Warm Regards
Paul
Translate
Spag Bol
Meaning 1
Spaghetti Bolognaise
Context 1
“Shall we have some spag bol for tea?”
Translate
Pitch an idea
Meaning 1
submit, give an idea
Context 1
“I’m going to go pitch an idea for a story to the editor, wish me luck”
Translate
How's that grab you?
Meaning 1
What do you think of that? / Do you like that?
Context 1
“I think we should go fishing at the jetty with Matt tomorrow, how’s that grab you?
Translate
Up to my eyeballs
Meaning 1
very busy, have a lot of work to do
Context 1
“I can’t chat right now sorry, I’m up to my eyeballs”
Translate
a cutie pie
Meaning 1
someone very cute, good looking, attractive - someone you like a lot (for a boyfriend / girlfriend or just a friend)
Context 1
“Look at Brad, he’s such a cutie!”
Meaning 2
”
Context 2
“And who’s this baby boy? What a cutie pie!”
Translate
pay off
Meaning 1
be beneficial, worthwhile
Context 1
“I know it’s boring, but if we can just get our timetable system working smoothly it’ll pay off big time”
Meaning 2
”
Context 2
“You don’t need to do the extra accreditation but I think it’ll pay off”
Translate
He copped it
Meaning 1
He was hit
Context 1
“This woman was so angry, she was waving a stick around and Sam copped it in the neck”
Meaning 2
He was told off / reprimanded
Context 2
“Did she get in trouble?”
“Yes she copped it big time from the coach, she’s suspended for two games now I think”
Translate
on top of . . .
Meaning 1
finished something / in control of something
Context 1
“I just wanted to let you know that we’ve finally managed to get on top of those updates for your website”
Translate
A far cry
Meaning 1
very different from something, almost the oppositte
Context 1
“Life in the outback is a far cry from city life”
Translate
Get stuck into it
Meaning 1
get started / start working - usually used for a big, difficult or messy task
Context 1
“Look at this room, they’ve trashed it, I need it clean before 12. Go on, get stuck into it.”
Meaning 2
”
Context 2
“Ok this cupboard has all the files that were kept for archiving so far this year, unfortunately Kath didn’t do any of them. Susannah needs them categorized by the end of the day, so if I were you I’d get stuck into it.
Meaning 3
start eating a big meal
Context 3
“Hey glad you could make it! Here have a beer and the food’s over there, get stuck into it”
Translate
Suss
Meaning 1
(adj) suspicious - used when you suspect or think a person or situation is not honest
Context 1
“What? He said he wants to buy your car without even looking at it? nah that’s a bit suss”
Meaning 2
(v) suss+out > examine / check / analyse
Context 2
“Something’s wrong with our dishwasher, see if you can suss it out so we don’t have to call anyone”
Translate
Going under
Meaning 1
failing in business, going bankrupt, not surviving,
Context 1
“I hear it’s a bad time for everyone at the moment, a lot of small businesses are going under.”
Translate
Go for your life
Meaning 1
Help yourself / go ahead / take it / do it / you’re welcome to use it
Context 1
“Hey can I use your phone for a sec?”
“Yeah go for your life”
Meaning 2
”
Context 2
“Hey sarah come in! Drinks are in the fridge, go for your life”
Translate
In the long run
Meaning 1
overall / long term / in the future / in the final result
Context 1
“I know the cut backs are bad now, but it’ll be good for us in the long run”
Translate
Undercutting the market
Meaning 1
selling a product or service at a much lower price than the standard competitive rate
Context 1
“Listen, your design services shouldn’t be so cheap just because you’ve got another job to sustain you, you’re undercutting the market and devaluing your skills and it’s gonna hurt you in the long run”
Translate
a squiz
Meaning 1
a look, a quick look at something
Context 1
“What’s that? Can I’ve a squiz?”
Meaning 2
”
Context 2
“Did you bring photos? Give me a squiz!”
Translate
Fella
Meaning 1
(fellow) Man - usually used in a friendly way
Context 1
“A nice old fella at the bus stop gave me his umbrella to use for a little while”
Meaning 2
”
Context 2
“See you later fellas”
Translate
The fob off
Meaning 1
An excuse or superficial answer to make someone go away easily
Context 1
“Yes hello?”
“Hi can I get the name and email address of the manager please?”
“Oh he’s very busy just email reception”
“Did you get it?”
“No she gave me the fob off, I’ll have to try again”
Meaning 2
”
Context 2
“There’s a customer here complaining about service and wants to see the boss”
“I’m busy, see if you can fob them off with a free coffee or something”
Translate
(I'm) dragging my feet
Meaning 1
Doing something very slowly because it’s difficult or you don’t want to do it / procrastinating
Context 1
“How’s it going with the advertising?”
“I’m really dragging my feet at the moment, it’s too hard”
Meaning 2
”
Context 2
“This report was only meant to take you a week, but it’s been two months! Stop dragging your feet and just do it!”
Translate
Keep up
Meaning 1
move at the same speed as others (move faster - you’re too slow)
Context 1
“Let’s go to that new swimming pool, I’ll follow you in my car, but drive slowly so I can keep up because I don’t know the way”
Meaning 2
think / understand at the same speed as others (think fast, understand quickly)
Context 2
“The class is too difficult, I can’t keep up”
Meaning 3
think / understand at the same speed as others (negative / mocking voice)
Context 3
“But how does this work?”
“Come on, I said you click here, then here see? Keep up!”
Translate
Keep it up
Meaning 1
Continue / Keep doing it (affirmation of good behaivour - Keep up the good work)
Context 1
“Sam you’re reports have been excellent recently, keep it up”
Meaning 2
Can be used as a warning against continuing bad behaviour
Context 2
“Keep it up Bridgett and you’ll be going to see Principal Howlett at lunch time”
Translate
Get a wriggle on
Meaning 1
Hurry up (friendly, relaxed voice, gentle reminder to hurry up)
Context 1
“Come on kids, get a wriggle on, we have to go pick up your brother”
Translate
touch base
Meaning 1
make contact with someone to update on progress
Context 1
(telephone)
“Hi Sam, I just wanted to touch base with you on the designing, see where you were at?”
Meaning 2
”
Context 2
(email)
Just a general email to touch base with everyone, the website construction is well under way and should be finished by next week . . .
Translate
. . . as!
Meaning 1
>used after an adjective to make it stronger -eg: I’m tired as! (I’m very tired) I’m hungry as! (I’m very hungry)
Context 1
“I can’t move, my legs are sore as!”
“what from?”
“went for a run yesterday, big mistake”
Meaning 2
”
Context 2
“So are we going to see that new movie together?”
“Yeah, Shannon’s keen as! She’s already booked us all gold tickets!”
Translate
Fast / Quick turnaround
Meaning 1
Quick to complete a task / You finish a task quickly
Context 1
“How long for you to fix the brakes?”
“Should be done in a couple of hours I reckon”
“Wow that’s fast”
“Yeah, we like to have a quick turnaround time here”
Meaning 2
(same as Meaning 1)
Context 2
“This camera needs cleaning, but I need it back this afternoon, how quick’s your turnaround?”
“About an hour if you want me to put a rush on it”
“Yeah thanks”
Translate
과제를 빨리/신속히 끝내기
Long-winded
Meaning 1
adj> boring and unnecessarily long - usually used about a speech or explanation / when someone’s answer is too long
Context 1
“I hate looking at new cars, the sales people are always so long-winded, one little question will turn into a whole lecture, when they could just say yes or no”
Translate
Hard yakka
Meaning 1
Hard work / Heavy labor / Something that takes a lot of effort, usually over a long time
Context 1
“Now, the next few months are going to be hard yakka, clearing and cleaning.”
Meaning 2
(same as Meaning 1)
Context 2
“Man that was hard yakka”
“I know, I couldn’t do that everyday”
Translate
어려운 일/중노동
Rooted
Meaning 1
adj> broken / not working
Context 1
“Can you mow the lawn? The backyard’s becoming a jungle”
“I can’t, the lawnmower’s rooted”
“So go get it fixed!”
“No, you don’t understand, it’s rooted, it can’t be fixed”
“So go buy a new one!”
Meaning 2
adj> tired / sore
Context 2
“How was rugby training?”
“Oh, not good, I think my shoulder’s rooted”
“Ok off to the doctor”
Translate
Under the pump
Meaning 1
feeling pressure, in a hurry to finish something by a deadline
Context 1
“So how was Courtney’s birthday?”
“alright, uh, sorry, can’t chat, under the pump to send these files through”
“oh sure no worries”
Translate
They got belted
Meaning 1
They were heavily defeated / They lost by a lot
Context 1
“Did you see the score last night?”
“I know, my team got belted”
Meaning 2
”
Context 2
“That game was so bad, they didn’t just lose, they got absolutely belted”
Meaning 3
belt - hit
Context 3
“Hey, sammy, leave your sister alone before I belt you”
Translate
Newbie
Meaning 1
Beginner - new or inexperienced person at a job or situation, (can be an insult but usually just a description)
Context 1
“Hi, are you the newbie? My name’s Sarah, how are you going?”
Meaning 2
(same as Meaning 1)
Context 2
“Who left the coffee machine on?”
“Must’ve been the newbie, I’ll tell him”
Translate
초보자
So what?
Meaning 1
(expression of defiance) It doesn’t matter / I don’t care / it’s not important
Context 1
“I can’t do it, I don’t know what to expect”
“So what? Just call him and say you’re interested!”
Meaning 2
”
Context 2
“Let’s drive to Melbourne”
“That’s way too far for just the weekend”
“So what? It’ll be fun!”
Translate
In a tick / In two ticks
Meaning 1
In a second / In two seconds - very soon, very quick
Context 1
“She’ll be with you in a tick”
Meaning 2
”
Context 2
“Can I call you back in two ticks?”
Translate
Feral
Meaning 1
(derogatory term) a person or place that looks wild - degraded, messy, disgusting, untidy,
Context 1
“I would hate to live in this area, look at all the rubbish and empty buildings, it’s feral”
Meaning 2
”
Context 2
“We’ve been camping and I haven’t showered in days, I feel feral”
Meaning 3
”
Context 3
“They look feral”
Translate
It's to do with... / it's nothing to do with . . .
Meaning 1
it’s about . . . / it’s regarding . . , / it’s in reference to . . .
Context 1
“Can you tell Sarah I want to see her? Tell her it’s to do with the meeting yesterday.”
Meaning 2
”
Context 2
“Sam, why are you making so many phone calls here? I hope it’s to do with work?”
Meaning 3
‘nothing to do with’ - it’s NOT about . . .
Context 3
“I’m sure you’re wondering why I’ve called you all together? Well don’t worry, it’s got nothing to do with changing the timetable again, it’s about our booking for our Christmas party!”
Translate
Chuck
Meaning 1
Throw
Context 1
“Here! Chuck me the ball, i’m here, i’m here, chuck it here!”
Meaning 2
Throw something away
Context 2
“That’s old, chuck it, oh hang on, let me check . . . nah chuck it in the bin”
Meaning 3
Vomit, throw up
Context 3
“Oh I drank too much, I think I’m going to chuck”
Translate
nailed it
Meaning 1
did something exactly right, did something correctly or perfectly
Context 1
“I saw your report, well done, you completely nailed it!”
Meaning 2
”
Context 2
“How did your interview go?”
“I nailed it!”
“Yay! Well done!”
Translate
on the nose
Meaning 1
smelly, smells bad, has a bad smell, stinks
Context 1
“This meat’s a bit on the nose, better chuck it”
Meaning 2
”
Context 2
“What smells? Something’s on the nose in here, check the rubbish bin”
Meaning 3
bad, something or someone failing
Context 3
“He’s not playing well this year is he?”
“He’s a bit on the nose, I agree”
Translate
Go over it
Meaning 1
Check it
Context 1
“I know you said it’s finished, but just go over it again before you hand it in”
Meaning 2
Explain it
Context 2
“Harry still doesn’t understand the routine, Sarah go over it again with him please”
Meaning 3
Do it
Context 3
“No not clean enough, go over it again with the vacuum now”
Translate
She / He goes . . .
Meaning 1
To report what someone said - She says / said, he says / said
Context 1
“He goes to her ‘I do not like your attitude young lady’ and she goes ‘well I don’t care’, it was so funny”
Meaning 2
To report what you said - I go
Context 2
” . . .and I go ‘I know, I’ve lived here 10 years’ and he goes ‘well how come you don’t know where it is?’ and I go ‘well I can’t know everything”
Translate
Going through the motions
Meaning 1
doing the necessary work without thinking about it
Context 1
“First day back after the holiday, I think everyone’s just going through the motions”
Meaning 2
”
Context 2
“I think we need to discuss new ways of delivering our service, I don’t want to see people just going through the motions with our clients, I need to see you problem solving for them on an individual needs basis”
Meaning 3
going through daily routine without thinking - sometimes a sign of grief
Context 3
“She’s not herself, you can see she’s just going through the motions, everyday”
Translate
Make the most of it
Meaning 1
appreciate it / do as much as you can / enjoy it
Context 1
“Are you still on holidays? Oh make the most of it, I’m back at work already”
Meaning 2
”
Context 2
“Why is Josh being so nice today?
“I don’t know but may as well make the most of it, Josh, can you go across the street for us?”
Translate
Time off
Meaning 1
Time away from work / holiday time / leave
Context 1
“Hi Sue, I’d like to ask you about taking some time off in May?”
Meaning 2
”
Context 2
“I’ve taken some time off while the kids are on school holidays so we thought we might go up north”
Translate
Big deal
Meaning 1
(reversed meaning - it’s not a big deal) it’s not important / I don’t care / it doesn’t matter
Context 1
“Prince William is getting married!”
“Big deal, people get married all the time, just another wedding”
Meaning 2
”
Context 2
“I bought some clothes on the internet and they came yesterday, I was so nervous about doing it but it was fine!”
“yeah big deal, I do all my shopping on the internet, it’s no big deal anymore”
Meaning 3
(true meaning) It is very important
Context 3
“Sam’s getting an award! It’s a really big deal, it’s going to be presented by the Governor at Government House”
Translate
Be / get in touch
Meaning 1
contact someone / call / email
Context 1
“Thanks Sam, I’ll be in touch later in the week”
Meaning 2
”
Context 2
“I’ll be out of the office tomorrow but you can get in touch with me on my mobile”
Translate
what not
Meaning 1
used when talking about a group of non-specific items / everything else
Context 1
“I just have to tidy up this shelving and what not and I’ll come over”
Translate
Cut corners
Meaning 1
doing something quickly and not properly - not being thorough
Context 1
“This accident happened because you are not doing your jobs carefully enough. Now I don’t want to hear about anyone cutting any corners again.”
Meaning 2
economise, find ways to save money
Context 2
“The new budget has been released, so I need your ideas of how we can cut corners to fit within it.”
Translate
That's / It's just not cricket
Meaning 1
Something is not acceptable / not being done right / not fair
Context 1
“He put the clean stuff in with the dirty stuff! He can’t do that, it’s just not cricket!”
Meaning 2
”
Context 2
“What? We have to redo our training? That’s just not cricket”
Translate
Btw / By the way
Meaning 1
And also (speaker adding new information - usually a new topic)
Context 1
“Can you call Mr Brown and change his appointment? Thanks, oh by the way, you didn’t sign out yesterday, make sure you remember to do that”
Meaning 2
(Acronym) > btw (by the way) - in mobile phone texting and Facebook, Twitter etc
Context 2
(email - no audio)
Hi Sam,
Thanks for the quote, I’ll discuss it with my partner and get back to you.
Btw did you see your mention in the paper? We got your company name and website in there.
Regards
Natalie
Translate
Laughed my ass off / lmao
Meaning 1
laughed a lot, laughed very hard, couldn’t stop laughing
Context 1
“. . . and then, he fell again! It was so funny, I laughed my ass off!”
Meaning 2
(Acronym) > LMAO - Laughing My Ass Off (used when something is very funny - in mobile phone texting and Facebook, Twitter etc)
Context 2
(mobile phone texting - no audio)
John: “Justin asked me why birds fly in a V”
Kate: “What did you say?”
John “I told him it’s so they don’t poo in each other’s face”
Kate: “lmao”
