Explanations + Extra Practice!
12 Real English Expressions
1. It’s not half bad
Meaning: It’s actually pretty good (better than expected).
Example:
- A: “How’s the new pizza place?”
- B: “It’s not half bad! The cheese is really tasty.”
2. I’m just kidding
Meaning: I’m joking or not being serious.
Example:
- A: “You forgot my birthday?!”
- B: “I’m just kidding! I got you a gift.”
3. Step up your game
Meaning: Try harder or improve your performance.
Example:
- “If you want to win the tournament, you need to step up your game.”
4. I owe you one
Meaning: I’m thankful, and I’ll do something nice for you in the future.
Example:
- “Thanks for helping me move. I owe you one!”
5. Start from scratch
Meaning: Begin again from the very beginning.
Example:
- “I made a mistake in my project, so I have to start from scratch.”
6. Don’t get your hopes up
Meaning: Don’t expect too much, so you won’t be disappointed.
Example:
- “We applied for the job, but don’t get your hopes up — it’s very competitive.”
7. I lost it!
Meaning: I became very angry or emotional.
Example:
- “When my brother broke my phone, I lost it and started shouting.”
8. Are you nuts?
Meaning: Are you crazy? (used in a playful or surprised way)
Example:
- “You want to swim in the lake in winter? Are you nuts?”
9. What are you up to?
Meaning: What are you doing?
Example:
- “Hey! I haven’t seen you all day. What are you up to?”
10. It’s not rocket science!
Meaning: It’s not difficult to understand.
Example:
- “Come on, just follow the recipe. It’s not rocket science!”
11. Show up late
Meaning: Arrive late to a place.
Example:
- “We missed the beginning of the movie because we showed up late.”
12. Let’s rock!
Meaning: Let’s go!
Example:
- “The movie is about to begin. There’s no time to buy popcorn—let’s rock!”
Extra Practice
Quiz 1: Choose the Best Expression for Each Situation
1. Your friend tells you they’re applying to a very competitive school. You want to gently remind them that they might not get in. What do you say?
A. Don’t get your hopes up.
B. I owe you one.
C. Step up your game.
2. Your coworker brings you coffee as a surprise. You want to thank them and promise to return the favor. What do you say?
A. I lost it!
B. I owe you one.
C. Let’s rock!
3. Your classmate accidentally broke your pen, and you got really angry. How do you describe what happened?
A. Are you nuts?
B. It’s not half bad.
C. I lost it!
4. Your friend suggests climbing a dangerous mountain without any training. What do you say?
A. It’s not rocket science!
B. Show up late.
C. Are you nuts?
5. You’re excited to start a road trip with your friends. What do you shout before leaving?
A. Start from scratch.
B. Let’s rock!
C. It’s not rocket science!
6. You arrive after the meeting has started, and your boss looks upset. Why?
A. You showed up late.
B. What are you up to?
C. I’m just kidding.
7. Your friend makes a meal that tastes surprisingly good. What do you say?
A. It’s not half bad.
B. Don’t get your hopes up.
C. Start from scratch.
8. Your teammate isn’t trying very hard, and you want them to try harder. What do you say?
A. Step up your game.
B. I lost it!
C. What are you up to?
9. You tell your friend you’re moving to Mars, but you’re obviously joking. What do you say after?
A. I’m just kidding.
B. I owe you one.
C. It’s not half bad.
10. Your friend wants to quit a project and start everything again. What are they doing?
A. Are you nuts?
B. Start from scratch.
C. Show up late.
11. You meet your friend at the park, and you want to know what they’re doing. What do you ask?
A. It’s not rocket science!
B. What are you up to?
C. Let’s rock!
12. Your friend struggles to use a simple app, and you want to tell them it’s easy. What do you say?
A. Step up your game.
B. Don’t get your hopes up.
C. It’s not rocket science!
Answers
- A — Don’t get your hopes up.
- B — I owe you one.
- C — I lost it!
- C — Are you nuts?
- B — Let’s rock!
- A — Show up late.
- A — It’s not half bad.
- C — What are you up to?
- A — I’m just kidding.
- B — Start from scratch.
- B — What are you up to?
- C — It’s not rocket science!
Quiz 2: Choose the Best Expression for Each Situation
1. Your friend is struggling to use a simple app, but it’s really easy. What do you say?
A. It’s not rocket science!
B. Don’t get your hopes up.
C. I lost it!
2. Your classmate brings you lunch as a surprise. You want to thank them and promise to do something nice in return. What do you say?
A. Let’s rock!
B. I owe you one.
C. Are you nuts?
3. You accidentally knocked over a stack of books, and everyone stared at you. You got so embarrassed that you felt really emotional. What happened?
A. Show up late.
B. It’s not half bad.
C. I lost it!
4. Your friend suggests running a marathon without any training. What do you say?
A. Don’t get your hopes up.
B. It’s not rocket science!
C. Are you nuts?
5. Your team is losing a game because your teammates aren’t trying hard enough. What do you shout?
A. Step up your game.
B. I’m just kidding.
C. Show up late.
6. You’re about to start an exciting project with your friends. What do you say to get everyone motivated?
A. It’s not half bad.
B. Let’s rock!
C. Start from scratch.
7. Your friend says they might meet a famous celebrity at the airport, but it’s unlikely. What do you say?
A. Don’t get your hopes up.
B. What are you up to?
C. I’m just kidding.
8. You arrive late to a party, and everyone has already started eating. What happened?
A. I owe you one.
B. Show up late.
C. Start from scratch.
9. You tell your friend you’re moving to the moon, but you’re obviously joking. What do you say after?
A. I’m just kidding.
B. Step up your game.
C. It’s not rocket science!
10. Your friend burns a cake and decides to bake a new one from the beginning. What are they doing?
A. Are you nuts?
B. Start from scratch.
C. It’s not half bad.
11. You run into your friend at the mall and want to know what they’re doing. What do you ask?
A. Step up your game.
B. What are you up to?
C. Let’s rock!
12. Your friend tries a new restaurant and tells you the food is surprisingly tasty. What do they say?
A. It’s not half bad.
B. I owe you one.
C. Don’t get your hopes up.
Answers
- A — It’s not rocket science!
- B — I owe you one.
- C — I lost it!
- C — Are you nuts?
- A — Step up your game.
- B — Let’s rock!
- A — Don’t get your hopes up.
- B — Show up late.
- A — I’m just kidding.
- B — Start from scratch.
- B — What are you up to?
- A — It’s not half bad.