work out

Verb 1. Plan or devise something in detail: We need to work out a seating plan. 2. Find the answer to something: I couldn't work out whether it was a band playing or a record. 3. Undersstand someone's character: Tom turned to look him, staring at him, trying to work him out. 4. Solve a sum or determine an amount by calculation: The interest rate is worked out by adding a certain amount to the cu..

2022.05.22

put oneself out there

Putting oneself 'out there' simply means being open and honest about who you are and how you feel: John is always willing to put himself out there for others. A: I will never have a relationship/someone/soulmate etc. B: You just have to put yourself out there! [A short story] Today, I found out the person I've fallen for is seeing someone else. This isn't a problem. What is a problem is the fact..

2022.05.22

self-sabotage

Self-sabotage occurs when people hinder their own success. When people take these destructive steps, their harmful behavior can negatively impact nearly every part of their lives including their relationships and career: [A short story] My lazy, spoiled brat of a boy screwed up his fifth job interview in the past month. He keeps self-sabotaging by asking the employers about the pay and benefits,..

2022.05.22

take (something) with a grain of salt

[A skeptical attitude] to understand that something is likely to be untrue or incorrect: I’ve seen the article, which I take with a grain of salt. Kate tells some great stories, but we take what she says with a grain of salt because she has quite a vivid imagination and tends to exaggerate. I took anything he said with a grain of salt. He had a habit of exaggerating things. Before elections, all..

2022.05.21

too little, too late

not enough and not soon enough to make a difference: Her efforts to improve her grade were too little, too late. We tried to reinvigorate the company's earnings by branching into electronic publishing, but it was too little, too late, and we ended up going out of business a few months later. If you describe a situation as too little too late, you are blaming someone for not doing enough to preve..

2022.05.21

let alone

used to indicate that something is far less likely, possible, or suitable than something else already mentioned: He was incapable of leading a soccer team, let alone a country. I can hardly run let alone lift a weapon. He left, barely able to see straight let alone think straight. I've never begged anyone for anything, let alone money. used especially to emphasize the improbability of a contrast..

2022.05.20

Keep something on the DL (down-low)

To keep something in a state of secrecy or minimal public knowledge; to not share something with anyone else: Her parents wouldn't approve of our relationship so we keep it on the down-low. Keep this on the down-low, but Sujin is planning to break up with David next week.

2022.05.16

Would have pp

1. used to express the past consequence of an unrealistic action or situation in the past. If I had had enough money, I would have bought a car. (but I didn't have enough money, so I didn't buy a car.) 2. used to talk about something you wanted to do but didn't. This is very similar to the third conditional, but we don't need an 'if clause' I would have gone to the party, but I was really busy. ..

2022.05.10

Made from, made of, made out of, made with

Made from 사물의 제조 방식을 표현할 때 흔히 'made from'를 사용한다: Butter is made from milk. The tombs were made from bricks of dried mud. Made of 사물의 재료 혹은 품질을 표현할 때 'made of'를 사용한다. 'composed of'와 비슷한 의미를 갖는다: The tower made of steels cased in granite is a famous London landmark. A: What's this chair made of? B: It's oak, American white oak. A: It's stunning. Made out of 사물이 놀랍거나 흔하지 않은 방식으로 만들어진 경우 'made out o..

2022.04.24