FLASH CARD 18
(20 cards)
be on vacation /bi ɑn vəˈkeɪʃən/
- Are you on vacation, or just working remotely from a different city?
- I’m not on vacation, I just finished work early today.
- We were on vacation when the storm hit our hometown.
- She has been on vacation for two weeks now.
Meaning:
Taking a break from work or school to rest, travel, or relax.
Daily contexts:
- “Sorry, she’s not at the office—she’s on vacation until next Monday.”
- “We usually go to the beach when we’re on vacation.”
- “I love being on vacation because I can sleep in and explore new places.”
go to … for /ɡoʊ tu… fɔr/
- Do you usually go to her for advice, or do you ask someone else?
- I didn’t go to him for help, and now I regret it.
- We went to the store for snacks, but they were out of everything.
- I’ve always gone to her for support, and she’s never let me down.
Meaning:
To visit or turn to someone or somewhere to get something you need.
Daily useful phrases/contexts:
- I go to the gym for a quick workout.
- She goes to her mom for comfort.
- They go to that café for good coffee.
happy ending /ˈhæpi ˈɛndɪŋ/
- Did the movie have a happy ending, or was it sad at the end?
- It wasn’t a happy ending, and the main character lost everything.
- They worked hard for years, and they finally got their happy ending.
- We’ve seen many stories with a happy ending, and they still make us smile.
Meaning:
A good or positive finish to a story or situation.
Daily useful phrases/contexts:
- I love books with a happy ending.
- We all hope for a happy ending.
- That trip turned out to be a happy ending to a tough year.
misunderstanding /ˌmɪsʌndərˈstændɪŋ/
- Was it really a misunderstanding, or did he ignore you on purpose?
- It wasn’t just a misunderstanding, and they were both upset.
- We had a misunderstanding yesterday, but we cleared it up.
- There’s been a misunderstanding, and I’ve already explained everything.
Meaning:
A situation where people do not understand each other correctly.
Daily useful phrases/contexts:
- I think there was a misunderstanding about the time.
- Sorry, it was just a misunderstanding.
- Let’s fix this misunderstanding before it gets worse.
flight attendant /flaɪt əˈtɛndənt/
- Has the flight attendant offered drinks yet, or are they still preparing?
- The flight attendant didn’t hear me, and I couldn’t call again.
- I spoke to the flight attendant, and she helped me change seats.
- We’ve talked to the flight attendant, but the issue hasn’t been fixed.
Meaning:
A person who works on an airplane, helping passengers and ensuring safety.
Daily useful phrases/contexts:
- I asked the flight attendant for some water.
- The flight attendant showed us how to use the seatbelt.
- A flight attendant walked by with snacks and drinks.
This role is like a mix of customer service and safety officer—up in the air. They’re often the first to respond to anything from spilled coffee to emergency landings.
walked to…my… /wɑkt tu…maɪ…/
- Did you walk to my house, or did someone drive you?
- I didn’t walk to my job today, and I missed the bus too.
- I walked to my friend’s place, but she wasn’t home.
- I’ve walked to my appointment already, and I’m waiting now.
Meaning:
Went somewhere by foot, toward something that belongs to me.
Daily useful phrases/contexts:
- I walked to my class this morning.
- She walked to my office with lunch.
- They walked to my car without saying anything.
I was too embarrassed to /aɪ wəz tu ɛmˈbærəst tu/
- I was too embarrassed to ask, but did you understand the instructions?
- He wasn’t too embarrassed to speak, but he forgot what to say.
- I was too embarrassed to dance at the party, and I left early.
- I’ve been too embarrassed to tell her, and it’s bothering me.
Meaning:
I felt shy or ashamed, so I didn’t do something.
Daily useful phrases/contexts:
- I was too embarrassed to say I didn’t know.
- I was too embarrassed to go up on stage.
- I was too embarrassed to return the item.
(quá bối rối)
meal is ready /miːl ɪz ˈrɛdi/
- Has the meal been ready long, or did you just finish cooking?
- The meal wasn’t ready, so we had to wait another 20 minutes.
- I told them the meal was ready, but they didn’t come.
- The meal has been ready, and it’s getting cold now.
Meaning:
The food is cooked and it’s time to eat.
Daily useful phrases/contexts:
- The meal is ready, come and eat.
- Just let me know when the meal is ready.
- Call the kids, the meal is ready.
spot /spɑt/ vs place /pleɪs/
- Did you find a good spot, or was there no place to sit?
- I couldn’t find a parking spot, so I left the place.
- We’ve already chosen a quiet spot, and the place has great views.
- That wasn’t the right spot, and this place doesn’t feel safe.
Meaning:
Spot = a specific point or location, often small.
Place = a general area or location, often larger or more defined.
Daily useful phrases/contexts:
- Let’s meet at our usual spot.
- This is a great place for lunch.
- Save me a spot near the front.
exercise vs do exercise
(workout vs do workout)
- ✅ I exercise three times a week.
- ✅ I do a bit of exercise before bed.
- ❌ I do exercise every morning. → Sounds odd; better: I exercise every morning.
- “Exercise” = more direct, natural as a verb.
- “Do exercise” = more general, sometimes used for emphasis or with other words (like some, a bit of, etc.).
- Use “exercise” (verb) when you’re talking about the action itself:
👉 I exercise every morning. - Use “do exercise” (verb phrase) when you’re referring to physical activity in general (often in casual or less specific ways):
👉 I need to do some exercise to stay healthy.
workout: bài tập thể dục
to do workout
I’m available /aɪm əˈveɪləbəl/
- I’m available now, but are you free later?
- He wasn’t available yesterday, so we had to reschedule.
- Have you been available to help them this week?
- I’m available on Monday, but not on Friday.
Meaning:
I have time and can do something or meet someone.
Daily useful phrases/contexts:
- I’m available after 5 PM.
- Let me know when I’m available for a call.
- I’m available to help with the project.
r@ả@n@h
find out /ˌfaɪnd ˈaʊt/
- Have you found out who took your charger yet?
- She didn’t find out the truth until it was too late.
- I found out he was lying when I saw the messages.
- We’ve found out a better way to fix the problem.
Meaning:
To discover or learn something that was not known before.
Daily useful phrases/contexts:
- I need to find out what time the meeting starts.
- Can you find out if the store is still open?
- He’ll be angry when he finds out the truth.
From now on (phrase)
/frʌm naʊ ɑn/
- Are you going to cook at home from now on, or still eat out?
- She does not want to be late from now on, so she set an alarm.
- He promised to save money from now on after losing his job.
- I’ve worked harder from now on to meet my personal goals.
Meaning:
Starting at this moment and continuing into the future.
Synonym:
starting now
Daily Useful Phrases / Contexts:
- From now on, I’ll wake up early.
- We will speak English from now on.
- From now on, no more junk food.
(từ giờ trở đi)
From early in the morning to late at night (phrase)
/frʌm ˈɝːli ɪn ðə ˈmɔrnɪŋ tu leɪt æt naɪt/
- Have you been working from early in the morning to late at night all week?
- He does not rest because he works from early in the morning to late at night.
- They worked from early in the morning to late at night yesterday to finish the job.
- She has studied from early in the morning to late at night for her exam.
Meaning:
All day, starting very early and ending very late.
Synonym:
all day long
Daily Useful Phrases / Contexts:
- I was on my feet from early in the morning to late at night.
- We had customers from early in the morning to late at night.
- He’s busy from early in the morning to late at night.
go wash up (phrasal verb)
/ɡoʊ wɑʃ ʌp/
Can you go wash up before dinner, or are your hands already clean?
He did not go wash up after painting, so he stained the table.
They went to go wash up before the guests arrived.
She has gone to wash up several times today because of the mess.
Meaning: clean your hands, face, or body, usually before eating or after getting dirty
Synonym: clean up
Antonym: stay dirty
Daily phrases/contexts:
- Go wash up before dinner.
- Kids, go wash up after playing outside.
- I’ll go wash up before we leave.
to be bleeding (verb phrase)
/tu bi ˈbliːdɪŋ/
Is she bleeding, or was it just a small cut?
He is not bleeding anymore, but we still need a bandage.
She was bleeding heavily before the nurse arrived.
They have been bleeding since the accident happened.
Meaning: blood is coming out from a wound or injury
Synonym: lose blood
Antonym: stop bleeding
Daily phrases/contexts:
- I think you’re bleeding—let me check.
- He’s bleeding from his hand after using the knife.
- If you are bleeding, press on the wound immediately.
guy/guys (noun)
/ɡaɪ/ /ɡaɪz/
Do you know that guy, or is he a stranger?
They are not the guys who helped us last week.
I met those guys at the party and talked with them all night.
We’ve known these guys for years, and they have always been kind.
Meaning: a man (singular), or a group of people (plural, informal, often mixed gender)
Synonym: man / people
Antonym: girl / women (in gender-specific use)
Daily phrases/contexts:
- That guy helped me fix my car.
- Hey guys, are you ready to go?
- These guys are my classmates from college.
hang around / hang out (phrasal verb)
/hæŋ əˈraʊnd/ /hæŋ aʊt/
Will you hang out with us after class, or do you have plans?
He didn’t hang around the store; he just bought what he needed and left.
We hung out at the park yesterday, and it was relaxing.
They have not hung around the office since last week.
Meaning:
hang around – stay in a place doing nothing important
hang out – spend time relaxing or enjoying with others
Synonym: chill
Antonym: rush
Daily phrases/contexts:
- Let’s hang out at my place this weekend.
- Stop hanging around the hallway and go to class.
- We used to hang out at the coffee shop after work.
what are you making? / what are you doing? (question phrase)
/wʌt ɑr ju ˈmeɪkɪŋ/ /wʌt ɑr ju ˈduɪŋ/
What are you making for dinner, and will it take long?
What are you doing over there, and why are you so quiet?
They were not making anything complicated, but it looked delicious.
He has been doing the same thing every morning, and he hasn’t changed his routine.
Meaning:
What are you making? – asks about something being created (like food, art, objects)
What are you doing? – asks about current actions or activity in general
Synonym: working on
Antonym: ignoring
Daily phrases/contexts:
- What are you making for the party tonight?
- What are you doing this weekend?
- What are you making with those tools?
damn it (interjection)
/ˈdæm ɪt/
Have you lost the keys again, and damn it, didn’t I tell you to be careful?
I didn’t break the glass on purpose, and damn it, it was an accident.
We have waited long enough, and damn it, they still haven’t called back.
She had planned everything perfectly, but damn it, the power went out.
Meaning:
Used to show anger, frustration, or disappointment.
Synonym: shoot
Antonym: hooray
Daily phrases/contexts:
- Damn it, I forgot my wallet.
- Damn it, this phone keeps freezing.
- Damn it, I missed the bus again.
