Useful English

painfully shy - extremely shy, or so shy that other people find it disturbing Examples: 🔹Paula was painfully shy when she was in high school. 🔹The fact that she was so painfully shy embarrassed her parents and annoyed the other kids. Video: On one hand, you're painfully shy and on the other hand, you say these things that I don't think I could ever say. Almost Friends (2016) #collocations

Don't put all your eggs in one basket -  a piece of advice which means that one should not concentrate all efforts and resources in one area as one could lose everything Examples: 🔹Mr Tan’s financial adviser urged him to be careful and not put all his eggs in one basket by investing all his money on stocks. 🔹Investors should diversify their investments instead of putting all their eggs in one basket. Video: Don't put all your eggs in one basket so early in life like I did, Sadie. Sadie's Last Days on Earth (2016) #idioms

painful reminder - something that reminds you of something you find upsetting or disturbing Examples: 🔹The match must have been a painful reminder of her loss in last year's final. 🔹Harry said the movie was a painful reminder of how little he's achieved in his life. Video: I think it's just another painful reminder. Love Finds a Home (2009) #collocations

a dime a dozen - existing in large numbers and therefore not especially valuable or interesting Examples: 🔹Bad teachers are a dime a dozen in most high schools in Los Angeles. 🔹Books like this are a dime a dozen. Video: A dime a dozen, but you know, it's not. Love Lives Here (2018) #idioms

Compilation of collocations make trouble - to cause problems or issues nervous wreck - a person who's very stressed or nervous  familiar face - someone you know personally ultimate goal - final objective or goal occupational hazard - a danger that people doing a particular job face #compilation

up for grabs – available for anyone  Examples:  🔹There are hundreds of prizes up for grabs.  🔹The famous hotel is up for grabs for £100m.  🔹The election is up for grabs. Everything is still very chancy.  #idioms

get by (on) - to manage something with difficulty, to make ends meet Examples: 🔹Some poor families manage to get by on just £10 a day. 🔹I couldn’t possibly get by on £500 a month. Video: If I sold them all, maybe we might get by. The Pursuit of Happyness (2006) #phrasalverbs

get away with - to manage to do something bad without being punished or criticized for it Examples: 🔹I got away with sitting in the reserved seats at the cinema! 🔹They have repeatedly broken the law and got away with it. Video: I wanted to catch the guys who thought they could get away with it. L.A.Confidential (1997) #phrasalverbs

keynote speaker - the main speaker at a conference, seminar, meeting, etc. Examples: 🔹The keynote speaker at the conference will be the CEO of Apple Corporation. 🔹After the keynote speaker finished his address, the panel discussion began. Video: Ladies and gentlemen... Tonight's keynote speaker needs no introduction from me. Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them (2016) #collocations

drink like a fish - a person who habitually drinks a lot of alcohol Examples: 🔹I don’t know what to do. For the past six months, he’s been drinking like a fish. 🔹I'm not surprised to hear that Karl got drunk again last night - that guy drinks like a fish! Video: You're gonna drink like a fish, there's some cheap stuff in the kitchen.   Blue Chips (1994) #idioms