English Vocabulary Journal

This post is my personal English vocabulary journal. Whenever I learn a new word, phrase, phrasal verb, or idiom, I’ll add it here. My goal is to review these expressions regularly and expand my vocabulary over time.

1. knock it out of the park (idiom) This idiom means to do something exceptionally well or achieve outstanding success. It is commonly used to praise someone’s performance, presentation, project, or achievement. For example,

• You really knocked it out of the park with your presentation today.
• Our team knocked it out of the park and finished the project ahead of schedule.

2. down to the wire (idiom) This idiom means that a situation continues until the very last moment, often under a tight deadline or with a very close result. For example:

• Since our client changed the requirements at the last minute, our team was working right down to the wire to finish the project on time.
• The competion goes down to the wire and every competitor can still win.

3. kick something off (phrasal verb) This means to begin or start something, particularly an event, meeting, project, or activity. For example, instead of saying “We finished a plan, and now we can start it”, you can say “We finished the plan. Now let’s kick it off.” Other examples,

• Let’s kick off the meeting with a quick introduction.
• The company kicked off the new project last week.
• The football season kicks off in August.

4. keep an eye on something/someone (idiom) This means to watch or take care of something or someone, especially to make sure everything will be okay. For example,

• Please keep an eye on the frying chicken to make sure it doesn’t burn.
• Can you keep an eye on your little brother while I go out?
• Could you keep an eye on my bag while I grab a coffee?

5. take it easy (idiom) This means to relax, avoid stress, or not work too hard. For example,

• Take it easy. You’ve studied very hard. Now we are just waiting for the final assessment.
• We often work hard during the week and take it easy on the weekends.
• You’ve been working all day. Take it easy and get some rest.
• I’m planning to take it easy this weekend and go for a walk in nature.

6. eat like a horse (idiom) This means that you eat a very large amount of food, usually because you are extremely hungry.

• I skipped breakfast because I woke up late. Now I’m starving—I could eat like a horse.
• After hiking all day, we ate like horses.

7. sleep like a log (idiom) This means that you sleep deeply and very well

• I slept like a log last night because I had worked hard all day.
• The kids were so tired after the camping trip that they slept like logs.
• I wish I could sleep like a log, just like my baby.

8. get back to someone (phrasal verb) This means to contact or reply to someone later, usually because you need more time or are busy at the moment.

• Let me check my calendar. I’ll get back to you later.
• I’m not available right now. I’ll get back to you tonight.
• I’ll get back to you once I’ve spoken to my manager.

9. break the ice (idiom) This means to do or say something that helps people feel more relaxed and comfortable, especially when they are meeting for the first time.

• I’m responsible for breaking the ice at the beginning of the event, so let’s kick it off with a fun game.
• She’s great at breaking the ice and helping people feel comfortable, especially when they’re nervous.
• The teacher told a funny story to break the ice on the first day of class.
• We played a simple game to break the ice before the meeting started.

10. don’t put all your eggs in one basket (idiom) This idiom means you should not risk everything on a single plan, option, or opportunity, because if it fails, you may lose everything. It encourages diversification and caution.

• I’m applying to several universities because I don’t want to put all my eggs in one basket.
• Investors are advised not to put all their eggs in one basket.

11. so far, so good (idiom) This means that you are satisfied until the current moment

• My project is going well so far. So far, so good.
• We’ve completed half of the experiment, and so far, so good.
• The journey has been long, but so far, so good.

12. behind someone’s back (idiom)

This idiom means to do something secretly without someone knowing, especially in a way that is unfair, dishonest, or disrespectful.

• You shouldn’t talk about her behind her back.
• It’s not right to make decisions behind your manager’s back.

13. home from home (idiom) This idiom describes a place that is so comfortable and welcoming that it feels like your own home.

• This hotel feels like a home from home.
• After living abroad for several years, the local café became my home from home.
• My grandparents’ house has always been a home from home for me.

14. under the weather (idiom) This idiom means to feel slightly ill, unwell, or not in good health.

• I’m feeling a bit under the weather today, so I’ll stay home and rest.
• She was under the weather last week and missed a few days of work.
• I’ve been feeling under the weather since yesterday.

15. die laughing (idiom) This idiom means to laugh so hard that you can hardly control yourself. It is an exaggeration and does not mean someone actually dies.

• I nearly died laughing when my friends used AI to teach me different languages.
• We were all dying laughing at his jokes.
• The comedy show was so funny that I thought I was going to die laughing.