Get your notebooks at the ready because today you are expanding your Advanced vocabulary.
Hello everyone, Anna here from englishlikeanative.co.uk.
In today’s lesson, I will first introduce you to 15 C1 level English phrases,
with their meanings and an example sentence. And then I going to tell you a short story.
A true story.
So that you can hear all those phrases in context.
So, let’s get started.
Number 1. At a loss.
This means feeling confused or uncertain. Not knowing what to do.
“My baby has been crying for hours, I’ve tried everything to settle him but nothing seems to be
working, I'm completely at a loss.” Number 2. Be aware of something.
This means having knowledge or consciousness about something, so you know about it.
“There is an inspector in school this morning. I don’t want you to panic or do anything special,
I just want you to be aware of the fact that she may pop
into your classroom to see what you are doing.” Number 3. Easier said than done. This means that
something sounds simple but is actually difficult to accomplish. So, it’s easier said than done.
“You are planning to climb Mount Everest this year, wow…and without any prior
climbing experience. Well, I mean, climbing any mountain is easier said than done.”
Number 4 is to encounter problems or encounter difficulties. This means
facing or coming across challenges or obstacles. “Wow! Now I have to climb over this huge wall.”
“When attempting to summit Mount Everest, Roger encountered various problems, from high winds to
altitude sickness, but he got there in the end.” Number 5. Engage in conversation. This means to
actively get involved in a conversation with someone.
“I know a lot of vocabulary but I find that when I engage in conversation,
particularly with a native speaker, I can’t think of the words I want to use.”
And if you need to engage in more English conversations to increase your speaking confidence
and active vocabulary then consider joining my conversation club, link in the description.
Number 6. Get your head around something. This means to understand
something that’s complicated or unexpected.
“I'm trying to get my head around mixed conditional, but it's easier said than done.”
Number 7. Get your hands on something. This means to get, obtain or acquire something.
“I finally managed to get my hands on a paperback version of my IPA Workbook.”
Number 8. Have the highest regard for. This means to have great respect or
admiration for someone or something. “I have the highest regard for every
member of my team - they have gone above and beyond for this company.”
Number 9. Be in two minds. This means to be unsure, to feel uncertain or hesitant
about a decision. “Oh, what do I do?”
“I'm in two minds about going to the party tonight; part of me wants to go and boogie all
night, but another part wants to be sensible, stay home and rest before my Football match on Sunday.”
Number 10. To be on the breadline. This means to live in poverty or to
be experiencing financial hardship. “After I had my first child and my
husband lost his job, we found ourselves on the breadline and for a while we really
struggled to make ends meet.” 11. Out of the question. This
means it is not possible it is not allowed it will not be happening.
“Jacob asked me if he could borrow my car so he could drive, with all of his mates,
to a 3-day music festival. I told him it was out of the question
and that he should take the train instead.” Number 12. Pain in the neck. You might also
here other versions of this like pain in the butt, pain in the bum or more rudely pain in the a**.
This means someone or something that is annoying that’s causing you trouble.
“My little sister can be a real pain in the neck sometimes. She keeps
asking endless questions. Why this and why that, why is the sky blue, blah blah blah.”
Number 13. A sense of belonging. This means when you feel connected
or accepted within a group or community. “Joining the hiking club gave me a sense
of belonging and finally made me feel like part of the community.”
14. Sit on the fence. This means to be neutral or undecided in a situation.
You are not on one side or the other. “Every time Dad and I have an argument
about politics mum goes quiet. I know secretly she agrees with everything I say
but she pretends to sit on the fence to avoid any conflict. She’s a pain in the backside.”
15 is to take great pleasure in something. This means to enjoy something immensely, greatly.
“Teaching is very rewarding. I take great pleasure in seeing my students succeed.”
Ok, so that was our list, now before we move on,
be sure to click the LIKE button so I know that you are enjoying my content - now settle
down and have a listen to my monologue, see if you can spot the advanced phrases.
You know, when I first moved to London, I was the victim of a crime. My purse was stolen;
it contained money, my ID, and my bank cards which I desperately needed due to having just
moved house. The money they had stolen was meant to pay for my taxi home that night and without
any access to money I was completely at a loss as to what to do. My supervisor was aware of
what had happened and decided to pay me in cash for my shift. Problem solved, however replacing
my bank card was easier said than done, the bank wanted ID which I no longer had,
the whole thing was a real pain in the neck. I encountered many problems and difficulties
trying to settle in London, I was well and truly living on the breadline. But giving up and moving
back up north was out of the question. I was in London to be a student at the Royal Academy of
Music. The hardest part was trying to find the extra money to pay for my Master’s course. When
I had been offered my place on the course, I was in two minds about whether to accept,
because I couldn’t afford the fees. The answer came during a welcome event at the university,
while engaged in conversation with a recent graduate. He told me of a number of Trusts that
offer grants to help students. I didn’t think I’d be able to get my hands on one of those grants but
it was worth a shot. The next day, I wrote to them all asking for help, and guess what? One of them
offered to partially fund my course. At first, I couldn’t get my head around it, I had never been
given this kind of support before, why would they choose to help me, I wasn’t anything special. But
I was extremely grateful, as without them I would not have been able to do my Master’s. I
have the highest regard for people who work hard to support the growth and education of others.
By the time I had completed my course, I had developed a real sense of belonging in London and
couldn’t imagine going back up north. Though when the opportunity arose to work onboard a cruise
liner for a few years I didn’t sit on the fence, I jumped at the chance. I took great pleasure
in entertaining passengers whilst sailing around the world and discovering your people and places.
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each other for another English lesson. Until next time, take care and goodbye.