To blurt out something (or blurt something out) is to say something suddenly and impulsively, especially because you are nervous or excited. Examples of use: 1. She suddenly turned round and blurted out, "I love you!". 2. As she was getting into the taxi he blurted out, "I'm your real father". 3. He couldn't help [...]
Films (or movies) in English are a good source of authentic and varied English language use, and can be a motivating and enjoyable way to practise and develop your English language skills. Peter Song, co-founder of AppsAsia, has written a guest post for me about the iPhone app SpeedUpTV. SpeedUpTV lets you view videos and [...]
To harp on about something is to talk repeatedly or continually about something in a way that other people find boring. Examples of use: 1. I wish you would stop harping on about your promotion! 2. I hope your father doesn't harp on about his collection of WW2 memorabilia this evening. 3. She made a [...]
1. To chip in something is to give an amount of money to help pay for something. Informal English. Examples of use: a. We are buying mum and dad an anniversary present. Would you like to chip in? b. We all chipped in and paid for David and Martina's honeymoon. c. Everyone in the office [...]
To butt in is to interrupt someone who is talking. Examples of use: 1. We tried to talk to Natalie at Sam's party, but Peter kept butting in. 2. Arthur is so annoying. He always butts in when people are talking. 3. Don't butt in while your father is talking to you! 4. He started [...]
The phrase nineteen to the dozen refers to something that is happening very fast, or that is moving very quickly. If someone is talking nineteen to the dozen they are talking very quickly. Colloquial British English expression. Examples of use: 1. She was so excited about passing her exam, she was talking nineteen to the [...]
English is spoken in more than 60 countries in the world and, according to some figures, is used by more than 1 billion people. Many varieties, accents and dialects of English exist worldwide. English accents in the UK The UK is a relatively small country, but we have a surprising variety of English accents and [...]
