to put (one’s) foot in it

Leather shoes

(*Image from Fotolia)

to put (one’s) foot in it (to say or do the wrong thing)

Eg 1:

A: I really put my foot in it when I asked Zoe how her husband was. I forgot they had got divorced.

B: Yes, you did. It was really embarrassing.

Eg 2:

A: Greg put his foot in it again this year.

B: Why? What did he do?

A: He forgot our wedding anniversary again!

—–

Tell us about a time when you put your foot in it. What happened?

to be out of touch

to be out of touch (with someone) (to not have contact [with someone])

Eg 1:

A: Are you still in touch with Pierre?

B: No. We’ve been out of touch for years. We lost touch after he went back to France.

Eg 2:

A: I heard that Liliana has been out of touch with her parents for years.

B: Yes, I heard that too.  I wonder why she doesn’t try to get in touch with them.

—–

Can you make a sentence using “to be out of touch”?

to be in touch

to be in touch (with someone) (to be in contact [with someone])

Eg 1:

A: Do you talk to Ramez much these days?

B: Yes, I’m still in touch with him. We talk about once a month.

Eg 2:

A: When will you tell me the test results?

B: I’ll be in touch next week.

——-

Can you make a sentence using “to be in touch”?

to have second thoughts

to have second thoughts about (something) (to start having doubts about [something] which you originally thought was good)

Eg 1:

A: I thought studying science at university was a good idea, but now I’m having second thoughts about it. I can’t understand the lectures at all.

B: You should talk to your professor about it. He will be able to help you.

Eg 2:

A: Helen had second thoughts about climbing Mt. Fuji when it started to rain heavily.

B: Had she started climbing?

A: No, she was just about to start.

——

Can you make a sentence using “have second thoughts”?

to let (one’s) hair down

to let (one’s) hair down (to relax and enjoy oneself)

Eg 1:

A: Are you going to the party tonight?

B: Of course. I’m going to let my hair down and have fun!

Eg 2:

A: You work too hard. You should come out with us tonight and let your hair down.

B: I wish I could, but I’ve got to finish this report before tomorrow.

—–

How about you? Have you let your hair down recently? Where did you go?

to go/come up to

to go/come up to (to approach)

Eg 1:

A: A stranger came up to me and asked me to go for a drink with him.

B: What did you say?

A: I said ‘No!’ of course!

Eg 2:

A: When the prime minister visited our town, many people went up to him and told him he should quit.

B: What did he do?

A: Nothing. He just walked away.

——

Can you make a sentence using “to go/come up with”?

to break the bank

to break the bank (to be too expensive)

Eg 1:

A: I like your new car!

B: Thanks. I bought it second-hand so it didn’t break the bank.

Eg 2:

A: We haven’t been out for ages. Let’s try that new restaurant in town tonight.

B: Oh I don’t know, we don’t have much money.

A: One night out isn’t going to break the bank! Come on, we never go out!

——

Have you bought anything that “broke the bank” recently? What did you buy?

to be in charge of

to be in charge of (to manage / to be responsible for)

Eg 1:

A: I wasn’t paid my full salary last month. Who should I talk to?

B: You should see Paula. She’s in charge of payroll.

Eg 2:

A: What does your wife do?

B: She works at a bank. She’s in charge of small business loans.

——

Can you make a sentence using “to be in charge of”?

to get along/on with (someone)

to get along/on with (someone) (to have a good relationship with [someone])

Eg 1:

A: How’s your new boss?

B: She’s nice. I get along with her. I prefer her to my old boss.

A: Didn’t you get on with him?

B: No-one in the office got on with him!

—–

How about you? Do you get along with your boss or colleagues?