If you know these 75 words and phrases, your English is EXCELLENT.

English Upgrade: Mastering 75 Words and Phrases

Introduction to the Lesson

• The lesson aims to enhance English proficiency by teaching 75 essential words and phrases, promising a comprehensive learning experience.

• A free PDF ebook accompanies the lesson, containing examples, explanations, and exercises for better retention. It can be downloaded via a link or QR code in the description.

Key Phrases and Their Usage

Phrase 1: In Hindsight

• "In hindsight" is introduced as a phrase used to reflect on past situations with greater understanding.

• Example: "In hindsight, I realize I should have studied harder for that exam."

Phrase 2: Will Do

• "Will do" is an informal way of agreeing to complete a task.

• Example: "Can you send me the files before 5:00 p.m.? Will do!"

Phrase 3: What's What

• The phrase "knows what's what" indicates someone’s deep understanding of important facts about a subject.

• Example: "You can trust her; she knows what's what when it comes to organizing events."

Phrase 4: More or Less

• "More or less" means almost or approximately, often used to soften responses.

• Example usage includes saying one is “more or less finished” instead of outright stating they are not done.

Phrase 5: Here and There

• The expression "here and there" describes something happening randomly without consistency.

• It can also refer literally to various locations, e.g., “the dog's toys were scattered here and there.”

Additional Useful Phrases

Phrase 6: Give or Take

• "Give or take" is used for estimating time or amounts with slight variations.

• Example context includes estimating travel time like “an hour give or take.”

Phrase 7: Out of the Question

• This phrase expresses a firm refusal, indicating no possibility for negotiation.

• Example response could be “That’s absolutely out of the question,” emphasizing strong disapproval.

Phrase 8: Speaking Of Which

• The transition phrase "speaking of which" helps smoothly change topics related to previous discussions.

-Example context includes asking about another topic after mentioning something relevant.

Phrase 9: Don’t Get Me Wrong

• This phrase softens statements that might be misunderstood or seem negative.

-Example usage would be prefacing criticism with “Don’t get me wrong; I love chocolate.”

Conclusion & Engagement

• Viewers are encouraged to keep track of their scores throughout the lesson for self-assessment at its conclusion.

How to Use Common English Phrases?

Understanding Optimism in Language

• The phrase "so far so good" expresses cautious optimism, indicating that things are going well at the moment but acknowledging potential challenges ahead.

Expressing Opinions Softly

• The expression "for what it's worth" is a humble way to share opinions without being pushy, often used when one is unsure of the relevance or usefulness of their input.

Describing Reactions

• The term "a bit much" is a polite way to describe something as over-the-top or unreasonable, serving as a softer alternative to calling something ridiculous.

Quantifying Workload

• The phrase "a fair bit" indicates having quite a lot of work, reflecting British politeness by understating one's workload rather than stating it directly.

Reassuring Others

• Saying "no harm done" reassures someone that their minor mistake hasn't caused serious damage, helping to ease embarrassment quickly and effectively.

Casual Inquiry About Reasons

• The question "how come?" serves as a friendly and casual way of asking why something happened, sounding more relaxed compared to the accusatory tone of simply asking "why?"

Exploring New Vocabulary Words

Describing Textures and States

• The word "frothy" describes liquids with air bubbles, commonly used for beverages like cappuccinos topped with frothy milk.

Noticing Behavior

• As a verb, "clock" means to notice or realize something. For example, noticing suspicious behavior can be described as clocking it.

Making Small Adjustments

• To "tinker" means making small changes in an attempt to improve or fix something, often implying low expectations for success compared to outright fixing it.

Pretending Emotions

• To "feign" means pretending to have feelings one does not actually possess. For instance, feigning surprise involves acting surprised even when one already knows the outcome.

Describing Minor Illnesses

• Having “the sniffles” refers to experiencing mild cold symptoms characterized by frequent sniffling due to nasal congestion.

Vocabulary Insights and Usage

Understanding Humorous Language

• The word "peruse" is humorously used to mean reading something carefully or thoroughly, often in a light-hearted context.

• It's important not to confuse "peruse" with "pursue," which means to try and achieve something.

Emotional Expressions: Going Berserk

• The term "berserk" describes someone who becomes uncontrollably angry, as illustrated by the example of a mother reacting strongly when her car is taken without permission.

• It can also convey extreme excitement, such as a crowd going berserk for a performer like Taylor Swift.

Formal Vocabulary: Antithetical Concepts

• "Antithetical" refers to something that is directly opposite to another concept, exemplified by the phrase about violence contradicting national values.

• This term is more formal and likely encountered in written contexts rather than spoken language.

Describing Thirst: Parched State

• The word "parched" indicates being very thirsty or describing something extremely dry, such as parched land or lips after sleeping in air conditioning.

Instilling Values: Inculcate Meaning

• To "inculcate" means gradually instilling an idea or habit into someone's mind through persistent instruction, as shown in the example of teaching responsibility from a young age.

Modern Terminology: Doomscrolling Explained

• "Doomscrolling" combines the concepts of consuming negative news on social media and scrolling through content on devices.

• It highlights how this behavior can negatively affect one's mood, especially before bed.

Initialisms and Their Popularity

• An initialism is formed by taking the first letters of words; for instance, ASMR stands for Autonomous Sensory Meridian Response.

• ASMR videos are popular for their calming effects and are associated with pleasant sensations triggered by gentle sounds.

Cringe Culture: Cringeworthy Moments

• The adjective "cringeworthy" describes situations that evoke embarrassment, such as awkward attempts at humor during meetings.

Local Opposition: NIMBY Concept

• A NIMBY (Not In My Backyard) refers to individuals opposing local developments while accepting them elsewhere. For example, residents may resist new wind farms near their homes but support them in other areas.

Resilience in Adversity: Bounceback Ability

• The term "bounceback ability" signifies the capacity to recover quickly from setbacks, illustrated by a sports team winning despite losing key players early in a game.

Understanding New Vocabulary

Introduction to Vocabulary

• The term "bounce back" is introduced, meaning to recover. The speaker encourages engagement by asking how many words were new and which ones were favorites.

Word Breakdown

1. Reckon

• "Reckon" is defined as an informal verb meaning "think" or "believe," commonly used in British English. Example: “I reckon it’s going to rain soon.”

2. Core

• The pronunciation of "core" is highlighted, emphasizing the long vowel sound without the 'R'. It refers to the central part of something, such as an apple core or core memories from childhood.

3. Deliberate

• "Deliberate" means intentional; for example, a teacher making a deliberate mistake checks student attention. It's contrasted with its opposite, unintentional.

4. Elsewhere

• Defined as “somewhere else,” this word emphasizes its usage after verbs, illustrated by the sentence about needing to go elsewhere due to a fully booked restaurant.

5. Grab

• "Grab" means to take hold quickly and can also refer casually to getting food or drink quickly, e.g., “Should we go and grab a coffee?”

Advanced Vocabulary Insights

6. Urge

• This word has a strong connotation of recommending action; for instance, “The government urged the public.” It shares roots with similar words like urgent.

7. Gig

• A casual term for concert often associated with popular music genres; it can also mean a job in slang contexts (e.g., children’s party entertainer).

8. Cling

• To cling means holding tightly out of fear; it's also used negatively when describing someone overly dependent on another person (e.g., “a clingy child”).

Conclusion on Vocabulary Learning

The session progresses into more advanced vocabulary while maintaining clarity through examples and contextual usage, enhancing understanding and retention of new terms.

Vocabulary Insights and Usage

Gabble

• The term "gabble" refers to speaking quickly, making it hard for others to understand. It is often used with prepositions like "on" and "away." The speaker admits to gabbling on about Spain.

Gaslight

• "Gaslight" is a verb meaning to manipulate someone's perception of reality, causing them to doubt their memory or sanity. This term originates from the 1930s British play Gas Light, where a husband convinces his wife she is mentally ill.

Ghost

• To "ghost" someone means to abruptly cut off all communication without explanation, commonly in online relationships but applicable in real life as well. The speaker shares a personal experience of being ghosted after chatting online for over a year.

Finicky

• The word "finicky" has two meanings: being overly fussy about details (e.g., coffee preferences) and requiring careful attention (e.g., assembling furniture). It conveys disapproval towards excessive worry over minor issues.

Situationship

• A "situationship" describes a relationship that is more than friendship but not officially dating. It's a blend of the words situation and relationship, reflecting modern dating complexities.

Abbleism

• "Abbleism" denotes discrimination against disabled individuals. It highlights unacceptable attitudes towards people with disabilities, drawing parallels with terms like racism and sexism.

Nomophobia

• "Nomophobia," derived from 'no mobile phone phobia,' refers to an extreme fear of being without one's mobile device. The speaker relates personally, acknowledging the challenge of reducing phone dependency.

Quiz Section Overview

Multiple Choice Questions

• Question 1: Understanding the phrase “fed up” which means bored or annoyed due to something lasting too long.

• Question 2: Identifying that “consume” means using fuel or energy efficiently.

• Question 3: Recognizing “throughout” as meaning during the entire period or in every part.

• Question 4: Learning that “point out” means to inform someone about something important they may have forgotten.

Vocabulary Quiz and Learning Insights

Round One: Vocabulary Completion

• The quiz begins with a question about completing the sentence regarding medicine. The correct answer is A effective, as it indicates that the medicine produces the desired result.

• The instructor emphasizes that while treatments can be successful, medicines are typically described as effective, which means they work well.

Round Two: Word Meanings and Examples

Duty

• The word "duty" is introduced with an example: "It is my duty to help my younger brother with his homework." A duty refers to something one must do due to job responsibilities or moral obligations.

Cruel

• The term "cruel" is explained through an example of leaving a cat outside in cold weather. It describes actions that cause pain or sadness to others.

Keen

• "Keen" means being very interested or enthusiastic about something, illustrated by the example of someone eager to travel. Pronunciation variations are noted for clarity.

To Fool

• The verb "to fool" means making someone believe something false, akin to tricking them. An example provided highlights this concept effectively.

To Expand

• "To expand" signifies increasing size, number, or amount. An illustrative sentence discusses a company expanding its online shop.

Final Round: Gap-Filling Exercise

Seaside

• Participants fill in gaps with appropriate words; for instance, “seaside” refers to areas near the sea where people vacation.

Fur

• Another gap involves “fur,” which describes soft hair covering mammals' bodies, such as dogs and cats.

Amazed

• “Amazed” conveys surprise and is pronounced with a schwa sound in the first syllable.

Flood

• A flood represents excessive water covering usually dry land, often resulting from overflowing rivers.

Favor

• Being “in favor” of something indicates agreement or support for it; this term was used in relation to community decisions about adding playground facilities.

Level Up Quiz: Advanced Vocabulary Replacement

Anecdotes

• Participants replace simple terms with more advanced vocabulary; for instance, replacing “stories” with anecdotes enhances precision in language use.

Convinced

• In another exercise, participants substitute “sure” with convinced, indicating complete certainty about a decision made.

This structured approach provides clear insights into vocabulary learning strategies while engaging participants through interactive quizzes and exercises.

Vocabulary Enhancement and Language Skills Practice

Understanding Word Usage and Synonyms

• The term "chop" is specifically associated with cutting wood or vegetables, while "cut" is more general. For example, we often say we chop carrots or onions.

• The word "vivid" is used to describe memories that create clear mental images. An example includes a vivid portrayal of life in rural France.

• The verb "construct" serves as a formal synonym for "build," often appearing in passive structures like “The building was constructed in the 19th century.”

Stress Patterns and Pronunciation

• The word "alarmed" emphasizes the second syllable, indicating worry or fear due to unexpected events. Example: “They were alarmed when smoke started coming under the door.”

• To "restore" means to repair something to its original condition, with stress on the second syllable. Example: “The old paintings have been lovingly restored.”

Exploring Definitions and Contextual Use

• The term "appeal" refers to an attractive quality rather than the skin of a fruit or vegetable. Example: “Part of the appeal of this cafe is that it's never crowded.”

• The word "prospect" signifies the possibility of positive future outcomes, as in “The prospect of moving to a new country excites me.”

Completing Sentences with Appropriate Vocabulary

• An era represents a significant period marked by specific events; thus, “the end of an era” indicates closure on such characteristics.

• An attempt denotes trying something challenging; both noun and verb forms are stressed similarly. Example: “I attempted to avoid work by organizing my sock drawer.”

Phrasal Verbs and Compound Adjectives

• To show off means behaving in ways intended to attract attention; it can be annoying when overdone.

• A feel-good film is one that leaves viewers happy; it combines two words into an adjective that conveys positivity.

This structured approach provides clarity on vocabulary usage, pronunciation nuances, definitions, contextual applications, and sentence completion strategies essential for language learners aiming for B2 proficiency.