Username:
Password:
Remember me
Advertise Here
Advertise Here
 

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”

Translate

Learn English Phrases | Australian Expressions | Business English Phrases