TOEFL® Vocabulary Flashcard

The phrase "ahead of the curve" typically refers to being more advanced than the current standard or trend. It can apply to a wide range of contexts, from technology and business to fashion and education. The idea is that the curve represents the average or expected level of progress or achievement, and being ahead of it means surpassing these expectations.

• The company's new technology put them ahead of the curve

• Staying ahead of the curve requires constant innovation and adaptation.

• She was always ahead of the curve, adopting new trends before they became mainstream. 

"Back to the grind" is a common phrase used to express the return to one's regular routine of work or study after a break. The word "grind" in this context refers metaphorically to the routine, often repetitive and hard work that one resumes. This phrase encapsulates the feeling of transitioning from a relaxed or leisure period back to daily responsibilities and tasks.

• After the long holiday, it's time to get back to the grind.

• I enjoyed the break, but now I have to go back to the grind.

• Everyone's back to the grind after the festive season. 

The expression "behind the eight ball" comes from the game of pool. In this game, if a player's shot is blocked by the eight ball, it generally means they are in a disadvantageous position. This has been metaphorically applied to describe any situation where someone is facing an uphill battle or is at a disadvantage.

• After missing several deadlines, John found himself behind the eight ball at work.

• She has been behind the eight ball ever since she took on too many projects.

• If we don't address these issues now, we'll be behind the eight ball when the audit comes. 

The phrase "by the book" emphasizes adherence to established rules or procedures. It is often used in contexts where precision and compliance are critical, such as in law enforcement, legal settings, or any environment where deviation from established protocol can lead to serious consequences. Using this phrase suggests a methodical, no-shortcuts approach to handling situations.

• He always does things by the book, which sometimes annoys his more creative coworkers.

• The new manager insists on doing everything by the book, so we have to document all our processes now.

• If you want to avoid any legal issues, you better do it by the book.

"Call it a day" is a common English expression used to indicate that one intends to stop working or engaging in an activity for the rest of the day. It is often used in professional contexts or during long tasks to suggest taking a break or ending the day's efforts. The phrase can reflect both a unilateral decision or a mutual agreement among a group.

• After eight hours of intensive work, we decided to call it a day.

• The team was exhausted, so the coach told them to call it a day.

• It's getting late; let's call it a day and continue tomorrow. 

Climbing the corporate ladder refers to the process of moving up through different levels of hierarchy in a company or organization. It often involves increasing one's responsibilities and authority, usually accompanied by a higher salary and more benefits. The phrase emphasizes the idea of gradual progression, much like physically climbing the steps of a ladder, and it is a common metaphor used in discussions about career development and advancement.

• He is determined to climb the corporate ladder as quickly as possible.

• Climbing the corporate ladder often requires long hours and significant dedication.

• She took on extra projects to show her capability and climb the corporate ladder. 

The phrase "cut corners" is often used in contexts where efficiency or cost-saving is prioritized at the expense of quality or safety. It can apply to various scenarios including business practices, manufacturing, personal projects, and more. It typically carries a negative connotation, suggesting that the outcome might not meet the usual standards expected.

• They decided to cut corners on the construction project to finish on time, but it resulted in numerous safety issues.

• To meet the deadline, the software company cut corners on testing, which later led to a lot of customer complaints.

• Cutting corners on your diet might give you short-term weight loss results, but it's not healthy in the long run.

Drag my feet is a phrase used to describe someone who is delaying or hesitating to act, often because they are reluctant or unsure about what they are supposed to do. The phrase paints a vivid picture of someone literally dragging their feet on the ground, moving slowly or with heavy steps, indicating reluctance or resistance to proceed.

• He always drags his feet when it's time to do the dishes.

• The project was delayed because the team leader was dragging his feet.

• She dragged her feet in making the decision, and now it's too late. 

"Get down to business" is used to indicate the transition from preliminary or unrelated activities to the main tasks at hand. It is often used in meetings or discussions where there is a need to focus on specific objectives or tasks. The phrase conveys a sense of urgency and importance regarding the work or topics to be addressed.

• Let's stop chatting and get down to business.

• Once everyone arrived, the manager said it was time to get down to business.

• We have a lot to cover today, so we should get down to business right away. 

The phrase "go the extra mile" originates from the Bible, where it is said, "And whosoever shall compel thee to go a mile, go with him twain." Over time, it has evolved into a common idiomatic expression in English, used to describe doing more than what is required or expected in order to achieve better results or greater satisfaction. It is often used in professional contexts but can apply to personal efforts as well.

• She always goes the extra mile to ensure her clients are satisfied.

• Going the extra mile in customer service can really set your business apart from competitors.

• He went the extra mile to finish the project early and impress his boss. 

The phrase "held up" is used to describe a situation where something is delayed or obstructed. It can refer to a literal physical delay, like traffic being stopped, or a figurative delay, such as being delayed at work. It can also mean to be robbed, especially in the context of a store or bank.

• The traffic was held up due to the accident on the highway.

• He was held up at the office and couldn't make it to the meeting on time.

• The bank was held up by armed robbers last night. 

The phrase "in the loop" is often used in professional and social contexts to indicate that someone is kept informed about certain information or developments. It emphasizes the importance of sharing information to ensure everyone involved has the necessary knowledge to participate effectively in discussions or decisions. This phrase can also be used to express the need to receive updates regularly.

• Please keep me in the loop about any updates on the project.

• I've been out of the loop for a while, so I'll need a briefing on the recent developments.

• It's important that all department heads stay in the loop during the merger process.

The phrase "knock off" can be used in various contexts. In a work environment, "knock off" means to stop working, usually at the end of the workday. It can also refer to the action of creating a cheaper or inferior copy of a popular product, often with the intent to deceive. This versatility makes it a commonly used phrase in both formal and informal settings.

• I'm exhausted, let's knock off and go home.

• They sell knock-off watches that look just like the real ones.

• Can we knock off early today? I have an appointment. 

Logging off is an important security practice that involves exiting from a user account in a software system, website, or digital device to ensure that no unauthorized person can access private information or perform actions under your account. This action is crucial, especially when using public or shared computers.

• Remember to log off the computer when you're done with your work.

• He forgot to log off his email on the public computer, which caused some security issues.

• Please log off your account to protect your personal information. 

English explanation of this word in a short paragraph
The phrase "lost track of time" is used to describe situations where individuals become so involved or absorbed in an activity that they fail to notice how much time has passed. This can happen during various activities such as reading, working, or engaging in a hobby. It reflects a state of deep focus or engrossment where awareness of the passage of time is temporarily suspended.

• I was so engrossed in reading that I lost track of time.

• During our conversation, we completely lost track of time and missed the last train.

• He often loses track of time when he's working on his art projects. 

"Monday blues" refers to the feelings of unhappiness or depression that many people feel when starting the workweek or school week on Monday. This term captures the reluctance or dread that comes from leaving the freedom and enjoyment of the weekend behind and returning to the routine of work or school. It is a common phrase used to describe this mood and is often discussed in the context of workplace culture and well-being.

• I always have the Monday blues after a fun weekend.

• She tries to fight the Monday blues by planning enjoyable activities after work.

• The office seems so quiet today, everyone has the Monday blues. 

"Move the needle" refers to making a noticeable difference or progress in a situation or in achieving certain results. It suggests that an action or event has significantly changed the status or outcome of something, often used in a business context to indicate progress in sales, performance, or public opinion.

• The new marketing strategy really helped to move the needle on our sales figures.

• Despite numerous efforts, the new policy did not move the needle on public opinion.

• We need to find a way to move the needle on this project, or it might be considered a failure

The phrase "no room to swing a cat" is an idiomatic expression used to describe very confined spaces. It emphasizes the lack of space in a humorous and exaggerated way, suggesting that even swinging a small animal like a cat would be impossible. This phrase is commonly used in casual conversation to express dissatisfaction with cramped living or working conditions.

• The new apartment is so tiny, there's no room to swing a cat.

• We decided against the venue for the party because there was no room to swing a cat.

• When I moved into the dorm, I realized there was no room to swing a cat. 

The phrase "on the same page" emphasizes the importance of shared understanding and agreement in collaborative environments. It is often used in business and personal relationships to ensure that all parties involved have a consistent view or approach towards a particular matter.

• Before we start the project, let's make sure we're all on the same page.

• The meeting was held to get everyone on the same page regarding the new policy.

• It's important that all departments are on the same page to streamline the process. 

Oversleeping refers to the act of sleeping beyond the intended time of waking. This can happen when one does not hear the alarm or does not set one at all. While occasionally oversleeping may be harmless, consistently doing so can disrupt one's daily schedule and may be indicative of underlying sleep issues or health problems.

• I overslept this morning and missed my bus.

• She often oversleeps on weekends when she doesn't set an alarm.

• If you oversleep again, you'll be late for your appointment.

The phrase "pull your weight" is commonly used to express the expectation that everyone in a group should contribute equally to a common goal. It implies that failing to do so can result in added burden on others. This phrase can be used in various contexts, from professional work environments to personal relationships and everyday tasks.

• Everyone needs to pull their weight if we want this project to succeed.

• He's not pulling his weight, which is making extra work for the rest of the team.

• As a part of this family, you need to pull your weight and help out around the house. 

"Punch out" is commonly used in two contexts. In a workplace setting, it refers to the act of clocking out at the end of a work shift, which is done using a time clock that records the exact time an employee stops working. In a more general sense, "punch out" can also mean to forcefully hit or knock out, often used in sports or any scenario where a strong, quick strike is needed.

• He forgot to punch out when he left the office yesterday.

• The boxer managed to punch out his opponent in the third round.

• Can you help me punch out these shapes from the sheet of paper? 

"Raise the bar" refers to setting higher standards or expectations in any context. It can be used in various situations including academic achievements, sports performance, and professional goals. The phrase suggests a challenge to surpass current levels of performance or quality, encouraging improvement and growth.

• The company decided to raise the bar on employee performance standards.

• By training harder, he managed to raise the bar for his own athletic achievements.

• The new curriculum aims to raise the bar for students in mathematics. 

The phrase "run behind" is often used in contexts where time management is crucial, such as in work or event planning. It indicates a deviation from a planned schedule or timeline, suggesting that the activities or tasks are not being completed as quickly as intended. This can lead to a need for adjustment in plans or efforts to accelerate progress.

• I'm running behind schedule today, so I might be late to the meeting.

• The project is running behind, and we need to work extra hours to catch up.

• If you run behind now, you'll have to skip your lunch break to make up for lost time. 

The phrase "run the gamut" is used to express the idea of experiencing or including an entire range of something. This could be emotional states, types of music, levels of difficulty, or any other spectrum. The origin of the phrase comes from a medieval musical term, "gamut," which was the lowest note of the medieval musical scale and later came to represent the entire scale.

• Her emotions ran the gamut from joy to despair during the movie.

• The festival's music ran the gamut of styles, from classical to modern pop.

• The course curriculum runs the gamut of topics from basic to advanced levels. 

Thinking outside the box involves approaching problems in new, innovative ways; it implies an ability to think beyond the norm and come up with creative solutions. This phrase is often used in business, art, and technology to encourage breaking away from conventional thoughts and practices.

• To solve this problem, you'll need to think outside the box.

• The best inventors were those who were able to think outside the box.

• She impressed her employers by thinking outside the box and coming up with innovative solutions. 

"Touch base" is often used in a business or professional context to imply a brief contact or check-in with someone, usually to update or confirm details regarding a project or task. It suggests a quick and informal communication, just enough to keep things moving forward without needing a detailed discussion at that moment.

• Let's touch base next week to discuss the project details.  

• I'll touch base with the marketing team and get back to you.  

• It's important to touch base regularly with your team to ensure everyone is on the same page. 

"Wind down" commonly refers to the process of gradually relaxing or concluding activities. It can be used in various contexts, from personal relaxation after a long day to the formal ending of events or projects. The phrase emphasizes a smooth and gradual transition rather than an abrupt stop.

• After a busy week, I like to wind down with a good book and a cup of tea.

• We need to start winding down the meeting as we are almost out of time.

• The festival winds down with a spectacular fireworks display.