English Conversation

5
Most common words in English
(cont’d)
 H
grocery hardly heavily
grade ground hat heavy
gradually group hate heel
graduate grow habit have height
grain growing habitat he helicopter
grand growth hair head hell
grandfather guarantee half headline hello
grandmother guard hall headquarters help
grant guess hand health helpful
grass guest handful healthy her
grave guide handle hear here
gray guideline hang hearing heritage
great guilty happen heart hero
greatest gun happy heat herself
green guy hard heaven hey
hi history hospital hunter ignore
hide hit host hunting ill
high hold hot hurt illegal
highlight hole hotel husband illness
highly holiday hour hypothesis illustrate
highway holy house image
hill
him
home
homeless
household
housing
I imagination
imagine
ice
himself honest how idea immediate
hip honey however ideal immediately
hire honor huge identification immigrant
his hope human identify immigration
historian horizon humor identity impact
historic horror hundred i.e. implement
historical horse hungry if implication
imply income industrial inquiry intelligence
importance incorporate industry inside intend
important increase infant insight intense
impose increased infection insist intensity
impossible increasing inflation inspire intention
impress increasingly influence install interaction
impression incredible inform instance interest
impressive indeed information instead interested
improve independence ingredient institution interesting
improvement independent initial institutional internal
in index initially instruction international
incentive Indian initiative instructor Internet
incident indicate injury instrument interpret
include indication inner insurance interpretation
including individual innocent intellectual intervention
interview Iraqi jail juice killing
into Irish Japanese jump kind
introduce iron jet junior king
introduction Islamic Jew jury kiss
invasion island Jewish just kitchen
invest Israeli job justice knee
investigate issue join justify knife
investigation it joint knock
investigator
investment
Italian
item
joke
journal
K know
knowledge
keep
investor its journalist key
invite
involve
itself journey
joy
kick
kid
L
J
lab
involved judge kill label
involvement jacket judgment killer labor
Phrasal Verbs
What is a phrasal verb?
A phrasal verb combines a normal verb with an adverb or a preposition to create an entirely
new verbal phrase—the phrasal verb.
The meaning of a phrasal verb is usually unrelated to the meanings of the words that comprise
it, so think of a phrasal verb as an entirely new and independent word.
When used in a sentence, phrasal verbs act the same as other verbs for conjugation and
placement, although they do have special grammatical rules about word order.
Phrasal verbs can be conjugated into every type of verb form, so you can use them anywhere
you could use a normal verb.
For example, the phrasal verb get over :
- the verb get alone means to “acquire,” and
- the preposition over alone usually refers to being higher or going above something.
However, put them together and the phrasal verb get over means to “recover” or “overcome,” a
completely new definition that’s separate from the definitions of get and over.
You can use get over just like a normal verb, in any form or tense.
Here are some quick examples:
 Simple past : I had the flu last week but got over it.
 Infinitive: He wrote a song to get over his grandmother’s death.
 Gerund: Getting over prejudice at work is never easy.
 Participle: Having finally gotten over the breakup, they were ready to return their
partner’s things.

How to conjugate phrasal verbs

 When a phrasal verb is used as the main verb of a sentence, you conjugate the verb part and
leave the other words as they are.
 Simply use whatever form of the verb you would use if it were alone.
I get up at noon during the summer.
However, this morning I got up at sunrise.
I have gotten up early too many times this month.
 Notice how only the word get changes, but the word up remains the same.
 Also notice how get, an irregular verb, uses its irregular forms to fit whichever tense it needs.
 In this way, you can use phrasal verbs in all the verb tenses, so you’re able to communicate
anything you want.
 Conjugation is also important for maintaining verb tense consistency if you’re using phrasal
verbs in a list with other verbs.

Types of phrasal verbs

To better understand phrasal verbs, it helps to organize them into two pairs:
- transitive & intransitive;
- separable & inseparable.
A phrasal verb can belong to only one of each pair (although all separable phrasal verbs are
transitive).
 Transitive phrasal verbs
Transitive phrasal verbs use a direct object, just like normal transitive verbs.
Charlie couldn’t put up with the meowing cats any longer.
 Intransitive phrasal verbs
Likewise, intransitive phrasal verbs do not use an object.
The regional director was late, so the sales team went ahead without her.
 Separable phrasal verbs
With transitive phrasal verbs, you can sometimes put the direct object in between the words,
for example, “pick you up.”
There are, however, a few rules to follow with separable phrasal verbs, so pay attention to
our next section about word order.
He forgot to shut the lights off before he left.
 Inseparable phrasal verbs
Inseparable phrasal verbs cannot be split up and must be used together.
The wayward son carried on without his father.
(wayward = capricieux, rebelle)

Word order with phrasal verbs

Most of the time, the words in a phrasal verb stay together.
 For intransitive & inseparable phrasal verbs, the verb and the participle must go next to each
other and should never be split up.
 Separable phrasal verbs follow different rules, however.
For starters, separable phrasal verbs are always transitive, so they always have a direct
object.
You can put the direct object in the middle of separable phrasal verbs, in between the verb
and the participle:
Augustus would never let Hazel down.
This is also true for noun phrases; place all words in a noun phrase in between the verb and
the participle of a phrasal verb:
You would never let any of your friends down.
Some separable verbs require you to put the direct object in the middle every time.
For example, let’s look at the phrasal verb get down.
The beginning of the movie Up gets down everyone.
The beginning of the movie Up gets everyone down.
On the other hand, sometimes it doesn’t matter whether the direct object comes in the
middle or at the end of a phrasal verb.
Both options are acceptable.
Unfortunately, there’s no method for knowing whether or not you have to separate a phrasal
verb; you just have to study and practice until it comes naturally.
Pick the box up and carry it to the kitchen.
Pick up the box and carry it to the kitchen.
 However, pronouns follow a special rule when it comes to separable phrasal verbs:
If the object is a pronoun, it must be placed in the middle of a phrasal verb.
Pronoun direct objects cannot go at the end.
Pick up it and carry it to the kitchen.
Pick it up and carry it to the kitchen.

 Remember that not all transitive phrasal verbs are separable.

 Transitive phrasal verbs can be either separable or inseparable, so be careful of where you
put your object.
 For example, the transitive phrasal verbs get through, come between, and go against are all
inseparable, so the direct object comes after them every time.
Nothing comes us between.
Nothing comes between us.
Practice 5
Conversation Questions & Answers
 Following are 5 topics conversation questions and answers, that you will face very often in
your daily life.

21. A letter
22. Hobbies
23. Music
24. Shopping
25. Holiday
21. A LETTER
 Who wrote the letter to you?
 My dad wrote the letter to me when he was on a business trip.
 Did you keep the letter?
 Yes, I put it in a folder (=dossier/chemise). Whenever I’m down, reading his letter would be a
good way to cheer me up.
 What was the letter about?
 He told me about his new workplace and how things were there.
 How did you feel about the letter?
 I was glad to know that he was fine in another city.
 Do you have a letter collection?
 Yes. I collect all the letters from family and friends. It’s one of my hobbies.
 Do you like writing letters or emails?
 I prefer writing paper letters.
 Do people in your country usually write letters?
 Years ago they did. Now people prefer emails.
 What’s the difference between emails and hand-written letters?
 Emails are much more convenient than letters because they’re free to send and they get
there instantly. However, letters are much more special.
 Why should we write letters to friends or relatives?
 It’s a good way to show love to people you care about.
 TYPES of LETTERS  THINGS to WRITE ABOUT in a LETTER
o Informal Letters, aka Social Letters : 1. A moment of kindness you witnessed while
Friendly Letters & Notes of Invitations people-watching
o Formal Letters, aka Business Letters: 2. A place you’ve always wanted to visit and
Letters of Application, Letters to Higher what you hope to do there
Authorities, Letters to Newspapers 3. One thing on this season’s bucket list
 PARTS of a LETTER 4. A compliment you’ve always wanted to give
Sender’s Address to the recipient
Date, 5. A book or movie you’ve recently
Receiver’s Address, experienced and want to recommend
Salutation, 6. A person who has made a profound impact
Body of the Letter, on your life
Complimentary Close 7. Something small you’ve accomplished
Signature. recently that makes you feel really good
 LETTER WRITING IDEAS 8. A list of questions you’ve always wanted to
Feelings - School/University Life - Work Life ask the recipient
Pets - Memories - Hobbies - Family - Friends 9. How you’d spend your ideal day
Compliments - Favorite Subject - The Weather 10. A holiday you’ve made up and how you’d
Goals - Vacation - Home - Places to visit like to celebrate it
22. HOBBIES
 What is your hobby?
 I like playing sports, especially swimming.
 Is your hobby common in your country?
 Yes, kids, adults, and senior citizens (=personnes âgées) all like swimming in my country.
 Is your hobby the same as when you were a child?
 Yes, I was fond of swimming when I was a little girl.
 When did you start practicing that hobby?
 I started swimming when I was 5 years old.
 Is there anybody in your family who you share your hobby with?
 My dad, he taught me how to swim. (workout = entraînement)
 How much time do you spend on your hobby? (keep fit = rester en forme)
 I usually go to the swimming pool twice a week. (chill out = se détendre)
 What benefits do you get from it?
 Swimming is a really good workout. It helps me keep fit & chill out after a long day working.
 Have you ever heard of someone having a very unusual hobby? What was it?
 Yes, my cousin loves tattooing vehicles. He puts stickers everywhere on his car.
 What do you think about someone having weird (=étrange/bizarre) hobbies?
 I don’t think any hobby is weird. It’s just what you like to do, so I don’t judge others.
 What hobbies are usually expensive in your country?
 Playing golf is a really expensive hobby. Only the rich can afford to buy golf supplies.
Hobbies & Activities Vocabulary
amateur = done for recreation, not as an occupation
snorkel = swim under water with a hollow tube called snorkel through which one can breathe
to wade = to walk in shallow water
ballroom dancing = dance that involves 2 people using movements and fixed steps (waltz/tango)
binge-watching = watching episodes of a TV series one after another without a long break
boating = the activity of traveling in a boat for recreation
bodybuilding = the sport or activity of regularly exercising to develop stronger & larger muscles
brewing = the business or activity of making beer
bungee jumping = jump from a very high place with a rubber cord tied around their ankles
flower arranging = the skill of attractively arranging cut flowers
modeling = the practice of making something on a smaller scale
palm reading = telling s.o. about their character or future by looking at the palm of their hand
parachuting = the activity of jumping down from a flying plane with a parachute
sewing = the skill or practice of using a scissor, needle, thread, etc. to make or repair clothing
wine tasting = an event on which people gather to taste and compare different types of wine
acrobatics = special moves such as walking on a tight rope, swinging in the air using equipment ..
astrology = study of the movements of stars & planets that are thought to affect people/world
aromatherapy = treatment with natural oils rubbed on body or breathed in to improve health
belly dance = woman dance performs with quick movements with her hips & belly, (Middle East)
bullfight = a public entertainment, particularly in Spain, in which someone fights a bull & kills it
calligraphy = art of producing beautiful handwriting using writing instruments (dip/brush pen)
cosplay = activity of wearing a costume similar to that of a character (movie, video game, book)
do it yourself = act of repairing/making/doing things by oneself instead of paying pro to do them
dressage = special moves that a horse is trained to perform by receiving particular commands or
body signals from its rider or a competition in which these moves are done
paintball = a game in which players use special guns that shoot paint
parkour = sport or activity of moving through an area, particularly an urban area, by running,
jumping, and climbing over, under, or around different obstacles
Sudoku = number puzzle of 9 large squares with 9 smaller squares to be filled with the 1 to 9.
tarot = a set of cards with pictures that fortune tellers use in their trade
Zumba = a well-known fitness program in which people dance to Latin American dance music
knit = create clothing/fabric from wool/thread, using a machine or a pair of long & thin needles
COLLECTING Gun & Pistols Paper Airplanes
Action Figures Painting & Drawing
ARTS & CRAFTS
Antiques Quilting
Animation
Autograph Collecting Scrapbooking
Architecture
Car Collecting Woodworking
Calligraphy
Coin Collecting Tattoo
Candle Making
Comic Books
Crochet MODEL & ELECTRONIC
Concert Posters
Film Making Ham Radio
Doll Collecting
Gardening RC Boats
Fine Art Collecting
Jewelry Making RC Cars
Hot Wheel & Matchbox Cars
Origami RC Helicopters
Manga
Photography RC Planes
Movie Memorabilia
Sewing Robotics
Music Memorabilia
Sculpting Scale Models
Spoon Collecting
Ceramics / Pottery Model Cars
Sports Collectibles
Fashion Design Model Airplanes
Sports Trading Cards
Floristry Model Railroading
Stamp Collecting
Graffiti Model Rockets
Vinyl Records
Knitting Model Ship / Boat Kits
Watch Collecting
PERFORMING ARTS French Horn Cooking GAMES
Dancing Guitar Liquor Distillation Arcade Games
Ballet Harmonica Hookah Smoking Ball & Jacks
Break Dancing Oboe Spirits / Liquor Tasting Billiards / Pool
Line Dancing Piano / Keyboard Sushi Making Board Games
Salsa Trumpet Tea Drinking Bridge
Swing Trombone Wine Making Card Games
Tango Violin Wine Tasting Card Tricks
Waltz Viola Sake Tasting Chess
Acting Rapping Grilling Dominoes
Juggling Singing PETS Foosball
Magic Tricks Start A Band Cats Geocaching
Puppetry FOOD & DRINK Dogs Jigsaw Puzzles
Stand Up Comedy Bartending Parrots Kite Flying / Making
MUSIC Beer Brewing Rabbits Mah Jong
Banjo Beer Tasting Reptiles Pinball Machines
Bass Guitar Cigar Smoking Rodents Poker
Cello Cheese Tasting Snakes Table Tennis - Ping Pong
Clarinet Coffee Roasting Turtles Video Games
Drum Set Competitive Eating Fishkeeping VR Games
INDIVIDUAL SPORTS Swimming Judo Fly Fishing
Archery Squash Karate Backpacking
Acrobatics Tai Chi Kung Fu
BOARD SPORTS
Badminton Tennis Taekwondo
Kitesurfing
Bodybuilding Weight Training
OUTDOOR ACTIVITIES Skateboarding
Bowling Yoga
Birdwatching Skiing
Boxing
TEAM SPORTS Camping Snowboarding
Croquet
basketball Fishing Surfing
Cycling
baseball Hiking Windsurfing
Diving
football Hunting
Golf MOTOR SPORTS
cricket Kayak and Canoe
Gymnastics Auto racing
volleyball Mountain Biking
Fencing Go Karts
soccer Mountain climbing
Horseback Riding Motocross
water polo Paintball
Ice Skating Motorcycle - Touring
River Rafting
Inline Skating MARTIAL ARTS Motorcycle Stunts
Rock Climbing
Pilates Aikido Off Road Driving
Sailing
Running Jiu Jitsu Snow moto
Scuba Diving
23. MUSIC
 What kind of music do you like?
 I’m crazy about Pop music.
 Is that the kind of music preferred in your country?
 It varies. Normally the youth enjoy Rock and Pop while middle-aged citizens prefer country
music.
 Who is your favorite singer?
 I’m a big fan of Miley Cyrus, a talented US singer, songwriter, and actress.
 What piece of music do you like? Who sang that song?
 My favorite song is Jolene, sung by Miley Cyrus.
 How much time a day do you spend listening to music?
 I usually listen to music all day with an MP3 player.
 Do you feel relaxed listening to music?
 Sure. I feel like there are no more worries in the world.
 Why is music important to us?
 Music has the power of beautifying (=embellir) our life.
 Do you usually go to bars or clubs?
 Not often. I sometimes go there on weekends.
 What do you think about the teenagers’ music style?
 Teenagers tend to choose loud and fast music like Rock or Rap. Everyone has their own taste
of music though.
 Have you ever thought of forming a music band?
 No, I don’t have any talent for music.
MUSIC PHASES MEANING
adoring fans: people who love a particular band or singer
background music: music that is played while something else is happening
a catchy tune: a song that is easy to remember and makes you want to sing it
classical music: music that is regarded as part of a long, formal tradition
to download tracks: to obtain music from the Internet
to have a great voice: to sing well
to go on tour: to go on a planned series of performances around a region or country
a huge following: a large number of fans
live music: music that is listened to while it is performed (not recorded)
live performance: (see live music)
a massive hit: a record that sells lots of copies
a music festival: music performances at a venue often over several days
musical talent: skilled at music
to be/sing out of tune: to not be in harmony/to sing the wrong notes
a piece of music: an item of music
to play by ear: to play without reading the musical notes
a pop group: a small group of people who play or sing pop music together
to read music: to understand and follow written musical notes 1/2
a rock band: a group of musicians that play rock music
to sing along to: to join in singing
a sing-song: to sing informally, often with other people
a slow number: a song with a slow tempo
to take up a musical instrument: to begin learning a musical instrument
to play by ear: to play without reading the musical notes
taste in music: the music someone likes
to be tone deaf: to be unable to distinguish the different notes in music

MUSIC GENRE

Pop music Funk Music of Latin Christian music

Hip hop music Folk music America Music of Asia
Rock music Middle Eastern music Blues Ska
Rhythm & blues Jazz Music for children Traditional music
Soul music Disco New-age music Independent music
Reggae Classical music Vocal music Music K-pop
Country Electronic music Music of Africa Workout music
2/2
24. SHOPPING
 Do you like shopping?
 Yes, I’m a shopaholic (=accro du shopping).
 What do you usually shop for?
 I usually shop for clothes. I’m a big fashion fan.
 Where do you go shopping?
 At some fashion boutiques in my neighborhood.
 Are there many shops in your neighborhood?
 Yes. My area is the city center, so I have many choices of where to shop.
 Do you spend much money on shopping?
 Yes and I’m usually broke at the end of the month.
 Do you usually shop online (=en ligne)? What items?
 Yes, but not really often. I only buy furniture (=meubles) online.
 What’s the difference between shopping online and offline (=hors ligne)?
 Unlike shopping offline, you cannot try on the pieces of clothes or check the
material when shopping online.
SHOPPING PHRASE
to go shopping – to go to the shops to buy things
to do the shopping – the activity of buying items from shops
goods – things that are sold
window shopping – the activity of looking at goods for sale, especially in shop window displays,
without the intention of buying anything
bargain hunting – looking for products that are good value for money, usually because they are
on sale at a lower price than normal
shop around – compare prices before buying something
browse – looking at things in one or more shops without a firm intention to buy anything
retail therapy – practice of buying things to make yourself feel better when you are unhappy
to go on a shopping spree – a short period of time in which someone buys a lot of things
hit the shops / stores – to go on a shopping spree
impulse buy – unplanned purchase when something is bought suddenly w/o careful thought
a shopaholic – someone who loves shopping and does it often, sometimes to the point of it
being an addiction
try on – to put on an item of clothing to see if it fits or looks good
take something back – return an unwanted item to a shop
to return an item - to take or send something back to the retail outlet it was purchased from
exchange – change an item that has been purchased for a different one
for sale – available to buy
shopping list – a list of the things you want to buy when you go shopping
customer service – any activity designed to increase the level of customer satisfaction, such as
help them find finding the right product and guidance about its use
to give someone the hard sell – try to sell someone something in a forceful way
shoplifting - take goods from a shop without paying for them
shop online / internet shopping – to buy things over the internet
to order – to request a product over the internet or from a shop when the required item is not
in stock
shopper – a person who is shopping
customer – a person who buys goods or services from a shop or business
retailer – a business or person that sells goods to individual customers, as opposed to a
wholesaler or supplier, who normally sell their goods to another business
bargain hunter – someone who is looking for goods that are very good value for money, usually
because they are on sale at a lower price than normal
shop assistant / sales assistant – a person who serves customers in a shop
cashier - the person who takes the money in a shop
market trader / market vendor – a person who runs a stall at a market
store detective – a person employed by a store to detect and prevent theft from the store by
shoplifters.
SHOPPING WORDS
Bargain Marchander Big brand names De grandes marques
Cash Espèces Checkout Caisse
Customer Client High Street Grande rue
Carrier bag Sac/ sachet / poche Lower priced Bas prix ​
Mall Centre commercial Pick up Faire des achats
Sale Vente Purchases Achats
Window shopping Faire du lèche-vitrines Receipt Reçu
Assistant Assistant Trolley Chariot
25. HOLIDAY
 Where did you go for holiday?
 Last year I went to Singapore, a Southeast Asian country.
 Why did you choose that destination?
 I love to travel to Asian countries and Singapore was my best choice because of its beauty
and culture.
 How long did it last?
 I stayed there for 2 weeks.
 Who went with you?
 I traveled to Singapore with my best friends.
 How did you travel?
 We flew there of course. During the time there, we moved mostly by MRT* and taxi.
 What did you pack up? [*MRT=Mass Rapid Transit like subway or metro]
 I only brought some necessary items such as money, clothes, medicine, a map and a digital
camera.
 What did you do during the holiday?
 We visited famous tourist attractions like Marina Bay Sands, Merlion Park, Art-Science
Museum, Singapore Flyers. We also enjoyed local cuisine there.
 What’s the difference between holidays today and 20 years ago?
 Well, it has changed a lot. People now can afford holidays outside their countries while 20
years ago, traveling abroad seemed hard.
 At what time do people in your country usually go on holiday?
 It depends on what job people have. When they have a break from work, they will find
somewhere to travel.
HOLIDAY PHRASE
all-in package /package holiday: holiday where you purchase the travel & accommodation
breathtaking view: an extremely beautiful view
charter-flight: a cheaper form of flying than a scheduled flight
check-in desk: place at the airport where you register for your flight and deposit your luggage
departure lounge: where you wait for your flight to be called
far-off destination: somewhere a long way away
to get away from it all: to take a holiday to escape a busy or stressful lifestyle
guided tour: an organized group shown around a place of interest by an expert
holiday brochure: a glossy publication with details of holiday packages
holiday destination: where you go for a holiday
holiday of a lifetime: a special holiday that you are unlikely to repeat
holiday resort: a place where lots of people go for a holiday
hordes of tourists: crowds of tourists
local crafts: objects produced locally
long weekend: an extended weekend holiday including Friday or Monday
out of season: outside of the main holiday period
picturesque village: very pretty village
passport control: the place where your passport is checked
places of interest: sites of interest to tourists
wildlife safari: a holiday, often in Africa, to observe wild animals
self-catering: a holiday where you supply your own food
short break: a short holiday
to go sightseeing: to look around the tourist sites
stunning landscape: extremely beautiful countryside
travel agent: a shop that specializes in booking holidays
tourist trap: somewhere where too many tourists go

youth hostel: a cheap form of accommodation

HOLIDAY WORDS departure museum sea train station
hotel destination national park seashore tram
motel embark outdoors ship translate
tent expedition pack sights transportation
picnic excursion passage sight-seeing travel
passport ferry photos souvenir travel agent
map flight pictures station trip
airport fly plane stay umbrella
baggage foreign port subway vacation
campsite foreigner postcard suitcase vehicle
caravan guide recreation suntan video
backpack tour guide relax swim video camera
bags hostel reservations swimsuit visa
beach inn resort take off visit
binoculars island rest taxi voyage
bus journey restaurant tent walk
boat lake return ticket wander
cab landing room tip waterfall
camera leave safari tour water park
coast leisure sail tour guide weekend
cruise luggage scenery tourist yacht
customs mountains schedule train zoo
Set (5) - He should crack the whip
DIALOGUE
Mike : Why are you down in the dumps?
Suzan : Carl has foiled all our plans. I was going to take a few days off work but he turned
down my request on the pretext of a due deadline and that they cannot do without me
for the time being .
Mike : You’re kidding! If your husband heard that, he would hit the ceiling.
Suzan : He must step in and put a stop to Carl’s arrogance. He’s the company’s owner after all
and he should crack the whip.

VOCABULARY
Down in the dumps : discouraged, depressed, or sad.
Foil a plan : to spoil a plan; to cause it to fail.
Take time off : to take a break from one's employment or school.
Turn down : to refuse someone's request.
On the pretext of : a false reason used to explain why you are doing something.
A due deadline : the time something should be delivered.
Do without : to manage without.
For the time being : for the present; until some other arrangement is made.
You’re kidding : You cannot be serious; I don't believe it; this can't be true.
Hit the ceiling : to explode in anger; to go crazy.
Step in : to become involved in a difficult situation, especially in order to help.
Put a stop to : to cause to end.
After all : used to add information that shows that what you have just said is true.
Crack the whip : to use your authority to make someone else behave better or work harder.
Comparative Idioms
It’s as light as a feather. (extremely lightweight) " Her suitcase felt as light as a feather."
It’s as dry as a bone. (completely dry) "The stream is usually (as) dry as a bone this time of year."
He’s as strong as an ox. (Very strong & powerful) “He was tall and broad and as strong as an ox."
It’s as flat as a pancake. (completely flat) "The land in that area is as flat as a pancake."
He’s as mad as a hornet.(extremely angry) “He was mad as a hornet when his purse was stolen."
It’s as old as the hills. (very old) “The technology we're using is as old as the hills, but it works."
It’s as quick as lightning. (very quick) “The cheetah ran as quick as lightning to catch its prey."
She’s as sick as a dog. (extremely ill) “You were as sick as a dog when you ate those shrimps."
They’re as different as night and day. (completely different)
“They might be identical twins, but Jim and Greg are different as night and day in personality."
She’s as stubborn as a mule.(extremely obstinate)“He's stubborn as a mule about wearing a tie."
He’s as proud as a peacock.(excessively proud)“He beamed with pride, as proud as a peacock."
She’s as white as a sheet. (very pale) “She was white as a sheet after that near encounter."
It’s as solid as a rock. (very strong) “I always thought their marriage was solid as a rock."
It’s as good as new. (working well) “He painted the bicycle, and now it's as good as new."
It’s as clear as mud. (not clear at all) )“The instructions were incomplete and as clear as mud."
Phrases for Talking about Statistics
The crime rate rose.
The crime rate went up.
There was a sharp increase in crime. (sharp = sudden and large)
There was a gradual rise in crime.
There was a spike in crime. (spike = a sudden increase and then decrease)
The crime rate reached its peak. (peak = the highest point)
The crime rate plateaued. (plateaued = stayed at the same level)
There was a slight decrease in crime.
The crime rate dropped.
The crime rate plummeted. (= decreased a lot, very quickly)

Phrases for Disappointment

What a pity! What a shame.
How disappointing. That’s too bad.
This really wasn't all it's cracked up to be. It was a real let-down.
It didn’t live up to my expectations. What a bummer!
This was such a waste of money. It promised much more than it delivered.