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Street Talk 2 /

A Closer Look: Lesson 8

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Exit
1-
to ace
2-
baby
3-
to bail
4-
ballistic
5-
Betty
6-
bitching
7-
butt-ugly
8-
cake
9-
to cap on
10-
to catch a buzz
11-
flak
12-
to catch some Z's
13-
to bum off
14-
bummed
15-
burned out
16-
to drive the porcelain bus
17-
to dust
18-
dweeb
19-
faced
20-
flake
21-
fly
22-
to freak out
23-
to choke
24-
to chug
25-
clueless
26-
to crash
27-
to cruise
28-
to cut class
29-
to cut up
30-
ditz
31-
dope
32-
to down
33-
goober
34-
hammered
35-
to hang a BA
36-
the munchies
37-
to hit on
38-
honking
39-
in one's face
40-
fresh
41-
fried
42-
funky
43-
get a life
44-
to get down
45-
to moded
46-
to give somebody a melvin
47-
go for it
48-
to go off
49-
to nuke
50-
on hit
51-
out of here
52-
to party on
53-
pond scum
54-
psych
55-
to pull an all-nighter
56-
to jam
57-
to jerk around
58-
major
59-
mondo
60-
no biggie
61-
sixer
62-
skag
63-
sloppy
64-
space cadet
65-
to space out
66-
puppy
67-
to rag on
68-
rip
69-
royal
70-
to scope out
71-
to screw over
72-
scuzzbucket
73-
serious
74-
single
75-
to throw attitude
76-
to toss one's cookies
77-
to veg out
78-
wacked
79-
wasted
80-
to wig out
81-
wussy
82-
to yack
83-
to suck up to
84-
to take it easy
85-
to talk to Ralph on the big white telephone
86-
trashed
87-
take a picture
to ace
to ace
Verb
a
c
s
e
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to perform extremely well in something, especially a test

example
Example
Click on words
Despite the difficult questions, she managed to ace the final exam with a perfect score.
The dedicated student studied diligently and was able to ace the challenging physics test.

Grammatical Information:

transitive
baby
noun
b
b
a
b
b
y
i

an object or thing that is considered precious, small, or important, often used affectionately or possessively

to bail
Verb
b
b
ai
l
l

to leave or exit a situation, typically quickly or unexpectedly

ballistic
Adjective
b
b
a
ə
ll
l
i
ɪ
s
s
t
t
i
ɪ
c
k

related to the flight or motion of objects that are propelled or shot, especially bullets, missiles, or projectiles

Betty
noun
uk flag
/bˈɛɾi/
Informal
Old use

a pretty or attractive girl

bitching
Adjective
b
b
i
ɪ
t
ch
ʧ
i
ɪ
n
n
g
g
Informal

used to describe something that is exceptionally good, impressive, or amazing

butt-ugly
Adjective
uk flag
/bˈʌtˈʌɡli/

having a very unpleasant appearance

cake
Adjective
c
k
a
k
k
e

very easy to do or accomplish

to cap on
Verb
uk flag
/kˈæp ˈɑːn/
Informal

to criticize or make negative comments about something or someone

Grammatical Information:

Phrasal Status
inseparable
to catch a buzz
phrase
uk flag
/kˈætʃ ɐ bˈʌz/
Idiom
Informal

to experience a mild high or altered state of mind from consuming drugs

flak
noun
f
f
l
l
a
æ
k
k

strong criticism or reprimand, often for something perceived as wrong or controversial

to catch some Z's
phrase
uk flag
/kˈætʃ ɡɛt kˈɑːp sˌʌm zˈiːɪz/
Idiom
Informal

to manage to get some sleep

wake
What is the origin of the idiom "catch some Z's" and when to use it?

The idiom "catch some Z's" is derived from the practice of representing sleep with the letter "Z" in comic strips and cartoons, dating back to the early 20th century. The letter "Z" resembles the visual representation of someone asleep, complete with the Z-shapes rising from their slumbering form. It is often employed to express the need for rest or relaxation, whether it's to combat tiredness, recover from a long day, or rejuvenate oneself.

to bum off
Verb
uk flag
/bˈʌm ˈɔf/
Disapproving
Informal

to borrow something without intending to repay or to get something from someone without giving anything in return

Grammatical Information:

Phrasal Status
separable
bummed
Adjective
b
b
u
ə
mm
m
e
d
d
Informal

disappointed, upset, or downhearted about something

burned out
Adjective
uk flag
/bˈɜːnd ˈaʊt/

having no energy or motivation due to excessive work or stress

to drive the porcelain bus
phrase
uk flag
/dɹˈaɪv ðə pˈoːɹsɪlˌɪn bˈʌs/
Humorous
Informal

to vomit, usually after drinking too much alcohol

to dust
Verb
d
d
u
ʌ
s
s
t
t

to be in trouble, especially due to one's own actions or mistakes

dweeb
noun
d
d
w
w
ee
i
b
b

a person, often a student, who is socially awkward, overly studious, or lacks common social skills, and is often ridiculed for these traits

faced
Adjective
f
f
a
c
s
e
d
t
Informal

extremely intoxicated, usually from alcohol or drugs

flake
flake
noun
f
f
l
l
a
k
k
e

a person who behaves in an eccentric or unpredictable manner

fly
Adjective
f
f
l
l
y

used to describe something that is cool or fashionable

to freak out
Verb
uk flag
/fɹˈiːk ˈaʊt/

to become extremely upset, agitated, or overwhelmed by fear, anxiety, or excitement

to choke
Verb
ch
ʧ
o
k
k
e

(particularly in sports) to perform poorly in a critical moment due to being nervous

Grammatical Information:

intransitive
to chug
to chug
Verb
ch
ʧ
u
ə
g
g
Informal

to consume a beverage, usually a carbonated or alcoholic one, quickly and in large gulps

Grammatical Information:

transitive
clueless
clueless
Adjective
c
k
l
l
ue
u
l
l
e
ə
ss
s

lacking knowledge, understanding, or awareness about a particular situation or subject

to crash
Verb
c
k
r
r
a
æ
sh
ʃ

to go to bed or fall asleep quickly

Grammatical Information:

intransitive
to cruise
Verb
c
k
r
r
ui
u
s
z
e

to seek a casual romantic or sexual partner by moving about a specific area

Grammatical Information:

transitive
to cut class
phrase
uk flag
/kˈʌt klˈæs/
Disapproving
Informal

to skip or intentionally miss a class, typically without an acceptable excuse

to cut up
Verb
uk flag
/kˈʌt ˈʌp/

to playfully and energetically behave in a noisy and silly manner, particularly to make someone laugh

Grammatical Information:

intransitive
Phrasal Status
inseparable
phrase's verb
cut
phrase's particle
up
ditz
noun
d
d
i
ɪ
t
t
z
s
Informal

a silly, scatterbrained, or unintelligent person, often used in a lighthearted or teasing manner

dope
Adjective
d
d
o
p
p
e

extremely impressive or exciting

to down
Verb
d
d
o
a
w
ʊ
n
n

to drink completely, often in one go

goober
noun
g
g
oo
u:
b
b
e
ə
r
r

a foolish or silly person, often used in a teasing or affectionate way

hammered
Adjective
h
h
a
æ
mm
m
e
ɜ
r
r
e
d
d
Informal

having consumed excessive alcohol to the point of extreme intoxication

to [hang] a BA
to hang a BA
phrase
uk flag
/hˈæŋ ɐ bˌiːˈeɪ/

to express contempt or disrespect to a person by showing one's naked backside to them

the munchies
noun
uk flag
/ðə mˈʌntʃɪz/
Idiom
Informal

an abrupt and strong desire to eat something

What is the origin of the idiom "the munchies" and when to use it?

The idiom "the munchies" is slang that originated in the 1960s and is primarily associated with the use of cannabis, also known as marijuana. It is used to refer to the sudden and intense craving for food that many people experience after consuming marijuana. The term "munchies" likely comes from the word "munch," which means to eat or consume food, and it highlights the strong desire for snacks and typically high-calorie, often unhealthy, foods that individuals often have during or after using the drug.

to hit on
to hit on
Verb
uk flag
/hˈɪt ˈɑːn/

to flirt with someone, often with romantic or sexual intentions

Grammatical Information:

transitive
Phrasal Status
inseparable
phrase's verb
hit
phrase's particle
on
honking
Adjective
h
h
o
ɔ
n
n
k
k
i
ɪ
n
n
g
g
Informal
Old use

used to describe something that is extremely large or impressive

in one's face
interjection
uk flag
/ɪn wˈʌnz fˈeɪs/

***an aggressive exclamation of triumph said after the speaker has defeated one or proven one wrong. Although rude, the phrase is often used jocularly, without actual hostility

fresh
Adjective
f
f
r
r
e
ɛ
sh
ʃ

used to describe something that is terrific, impressive, or new in a cool or exciting way

fried
Adjective
f
f
r
r
ie
d
d

intoxicated by drugs or alcohol

funky
Adjective
f
f
u
ə
n
n
k
k
y
i

fashionable in a way that is modern, unconventional, and exciting

get a life
get a life
sentence
uk flag
/ɡɛt ɐ lˈaɪf/
Idiom

used to tell someone to change their life style and start doing more exciting or important things

What is the origin of the idiom "get a life" and when to use it?

The idiom "get a life" likely originated in the latter half of the 20th century and is closely associated with informal and colloquial language. It emerged as a way to advise or criticize someone who is overly focused on trivial matters, gossip, or the lives of others, often at the expense of their own personal growth or interests. The expression is used to encourage individuals to pursue more meaningful or productive activities, rather than being preoccupied with unimportant or intrusive aspects of other people's lives.

to get down
Verb
uk flag
/ɡɛt dˈaʊn/

to fully relax and enjoy oneself, often with a sense of carefree and unrestrained enjoyment

Grammatical Information:

intransitive
Phrasal Status
inseparable
phrase's verb
get
phrase's particle
down
to moded
Verb
m
m
o
d
d
e
ɪ
d
d
Disapproving
Informal

to be put in an embarrassing situation, especially due to being manipulated or tricked

to [give] {sb} a melvin
to give somebody a melvin
phrase
uk flag
/ɡˈɪv ˌɛsbˈiː ɐ mˈɛlvɪn/
Humorous
Idiom
Informal

to grab and pull a person's underwear or pants to make it get stuck between their buttocks, often as a prank

What is the origin of the idiom "give someone a melvin" and when to use it?

The origin of the idiom "give someone a melvin" is not well-documented, and its specific origins are unclear. It likely emerged as a playful or mischievous act among friends or peers. The name "melvin" itself is believed to have originated as a humorous name given to the prank. It is often employed during moments of camaraderie, joking around, or playful teasing.

go for it
sentence
uk flag
/ɡˈoʊ fɔːɹ ɪt/

used to encourage someone to try their best in doing or achieving what they want

to go off
Verb
uk flag
/ɡˌoʊ ˈɔf/

to express one's anger or irritation toward the person who caused it

Grammatical Information:

intransitive
Phrasal Status
inseparable
phrase's verb
go
phrase's particle
off
to nuke
to nuke
Verb
n
n
u
u
k
k
e

to heat or cook food rapidly using a microwave oven

on hit
Adjective
uk flag
/ˌɑːn hˈɪt/
Approving
Informal

exceptionally good or impressive

out of here
phrase
uk flag
/ˌaʊɾəv hˈɪɹ/
Everyday expression
Informal

on the verge of leaving or departing from a place

to party on
Verb
uk flag
/pˈɑːɹɾi ˈɑːn/
Everyday expression
Informal

to continue to have fun, often associated with a carefree or celebratory attitude

Grammatical Information:

Phrasal Status
inseparable
pond scum
noun
uk flag
/pˈɑːnd skˈʌm/
Disapproving
Informal
Offensive

someone who is considered to be of very low social status or morally reprehensible

Grammatical Information:

compound noun
psych
interjection
p
s
s
y
ch
k
Humorous
Informal

used to indicate that one has deceived or tricked someone, often in a playful or mocking manner

to pull an all-nighter
phrase
uk flag
/pˈʊl ɐn ˈɔːlnˈaɪɾɚ/
Everyday expression
Informal

to stay awake all night, usually to study, work, or complete a task

to jam
Verb
j
ʤ
a
æ
m
m

to move quickly or with urgency

to jerk around
to jerk around
Verb
uk flag
/dʒˈɜːk ɐɹˈaʊnd/

to treat someone in a cruel or unfair way, often by deceiving them or manipulating them

Grammatical Information:

Phrasal Status
separable
phrase's verb
jerk
phrase's particle
around
major
major
Adjective
m
m
a
j
ʤ
o
ə
r
r

serious and of great importance

minor
mondo
Adverb
m
m
o
ɑ
n
n
d
d
o
Informal
Specialized

used to emphasize something that is extremely large, intense, or significant

no biggie
interjection
uk flag
/nˈoʊ bˈɪɡi/

used to say that something is not important or is not a problem

sixer
noun
s
s
i
ɪ
x
ks
e
ɜ
r
r
Everyday expression
Informal

six-pack of beer

skag
noun
s
s
k
k
a
æ
g
g
Disapproving
Informal
Offensive

an unattractive or undesirable woman

sloppy
Adjective
s
s
l
l
o
ɑ
pp
p
y
i

used to describe someone who is excessively drunk, often resulting in clumsiness or lack of coordination

space cadet
space cadet
noun
uk flag
/spˈeɪs kɐdˈɛt/
Idiom
Informal

a person who is perceived as being absent-minded or out of touch with reality

What is the origin of the idiom "space cadet" and when to use it?

The origin of the idiom "space cadet" can be traced back to the mid-20th century, specifically the 1950s. It emerged during the space race era when interest in space exploration was on the rise. The phrase often carries a playful or lighthearted tone, but it can also carry a slight negative connotation, implying a lack of seriousness or engagement.

Grammatical Information:

compound noun
to space out
to space out
Verb
uk flag
/spˈeɪs ˈaʊt/
Informal

to mentally disconnect and lose awareness of one's surroundings

Grammatical Information:

Phrasal Status
inseparable
phrase's verb
space
phrase's particle
out
puppy
noun
p
p
u
ə
pp
p
y
i

something that is considered cute, small, or endearing

to rag on
Verb
uk flag
/ɹˈæɡ ˈɑːn/
Disapproving
Informal

to criticize or complain about someone or something in a persistent or annoying manner

Grammatical Information:

Phrasal Status
inseparable
rip
noun
r
r
i
ɪ
p
p

the act or practice of stealing

royal
Adjective
r
r
o
ɔ
y
ɪ
a
ə
l
l

very great in degree

to scope out
Verb
uk flag
/skˈoʊp ˈaʊt/
Informal

to observe and examine something or someone carefully in order to gain information or assess a situation

Grammatical Information:

Phrasal Status
separable
to screw over
Verb
uk flag
/skɹˈuː ˈoʊvɚ/
Disapproving
Informal

to cheat, deceive, or treat someone unfairly, often with harmful consequences

Grammatical Information:

Phrasal Status
separable
scuzzbucket
noun
s
s
c
k
u
ʌ
zz
z
b
b
u
ʌ
ck
k
e
ɪ
t
t
Disapproving
Informal

a contemptible or unpleasant person, often used in a playful or mocking manner

serious
Adjective
s
s
e
ɪ
r
r
iou
s
s

impressive or large in size, amount, or quality

single
noun
s
s
i
ɪ
n
n
g
g
ə
l
l
e

a person who is not married or in a committed relationship

to throw attitude
phrase
uk flag
/θɹˈoʊ ˈæɾɪtˌuːd/
Informal

to display an air of defiance, arrogance, or annoyance, often in response to a situation

to [toss] {one's} cookies
to toss one's cookies
phrase
uk flag
/tˈɑːs wˈʌnz kˈʊkɪz/
Humorous
Idiom

to empty what is in one's stomach through one's mouth

What is the origin of the idiom "toss one's cookies" and when to use it?

The phrase "toss one's cookies" is a slang expression that emerged as a casual way to describe the act of vomiting. The exact origin of the phrase is uncertain, but it likely developed as a playful and lighthearted euphemism for vomiting. It is used informally to describe the act of vomiting, particularly when it is sudden or unexpected. It is a light-hearted expression that adds a touch of humor to an otherwise unpleasant topic.

to veg out
to veg out
Verb
uk flag
/vˈɛdʒ ˈaʊt/

to relax without doing much activity

Grammatical Information:

Phrasal Status
inseparable
phrase's verb
veg
phrase's particle
out
wacked
Adjective
w
w
a
æ
ck
k
e
d
t
Informal

used to describe someone who is mentally or physically disoriented, exhausted, or in a state of confusion, often due to the influence of drugs, alcohol, or extreme tiredness

wasted
Adjective
w
w
a
s
s
t
t
e
ɪ
d
d

heavily intoxicated by alcohol, often to the point of being impaired or unconscious

to wig out
Verb
uk flag
/wˈɪɡ ˈaʊt/
Humorous
Informal

to become very upset, anxious, or act irrationally due to stress or overwhelming emotions

Grammatical Information:

Phrasal Status
inseparable
wussy
noun
w
w
u
ʊ
ss
s
y
i
Informal
Offensive

a person who is perceived as weak, cowardly, or overly sensitive

to yack
Verb
y
j
a
æ
ck
k
Informal

to vomit or throw up, often used informally or humorously

to suck up to
to suck up to
Verb
uk flag
/sˈʌk ˈʌp tuː/

to attempt to gain favor or approval from someone in a position of authority by engaging in actions or saying things to please them

Grammatical Information:

Phrasal Status
inseparable
phrase's verb
suck
phrase's particle
up to
to [take] it easy
to take it easy
phrase
uk flag
/tˈeɪk ɪt ˈiːzi/
Collocation

to try to be calm and relaxed and possibly rest

to [talk] to Ralph on the big white (telephone|phone)
to talk to Ralph on the big white telephone
phrase
uk flag
/tˈɔːk tə ɹˈælf ɑːnðə bˈɪɡ wˈaɪt tˈɛlɪfˌoʊn ɔːɹ fˈoʊn/
Humorous
Idiom

to vomit a lot and in length

What is the origin of the idiom "talk to ralph on the big white telephone" and when to use it?

The exact origin of the phrase is uncertain, but it likely developed as a funny and imaginative euphemism for the unpleasant experience of vomiting into a toilet. It is used informally and humorously to refer to the act of vomiting. It implies the imagery of someone metaphorically having a conversation with a person named Ralph while leaning over a toilet, which is often white.

trashed
Adjective
t
t
r
r
a
æ
sh
ʃ
e
d
t
Informal

extremely tired or exhausted, often due to physical exertion or overwork

take a picture
take a picture
sentence
uk flag
/tˈeɪk ɐ pˈɪktʃɚ/
Humorous
Idiom

said to angrily ask a person to stop staring at one

What is the origin of the idiom "take a picture" and when to use it?

The precise origin of the idiom "take a picture" is not documented in detail. This phrase has likely developed informally in everyday language over time as a playful and witty response to situations involving prolonged staring or intense observation. It is used to humorously suggest that capturing a moment in a photograph is more appropriate than continued staring.

Congratulations! !

You learned 87 words from A Closer Look: Lesson 8. To improve learning and review vocabulary, start practicing.

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