Learn English with Forrest Gump (1994)

Words and phrases (15)

1. life is like a box of chocolates

   B1phrase

   You never know what will happen next in life.

   famous line of this film

   My mama always said life was like a box of chocolates.

   3:38

   • Example: You cannot plan everything, because life is like a box of chocolates.

2. show someone a thing or two

   B1phrase

   To teach someone some useful things.

   informal

   I was just showing him a thing or two on the guitar here.

   11:06

   • Example: My brother showed me a thing or two about football.

3. fine and dandy

   C2phrase

   Good, with no problem at all.

   old-fashioned, informal

   My legs are just fine and dandy.

   14:09

   • Example: Everything is fine and dandy at home.

4. stupid is as stupid does

   B1phrase

   What you do shows what kind of person you are.

   famous line of this film

   Mama says, "Stupid is as stupid does."

   14:30

   • Example: He says nice things, but he is rude. Stupid is as stupid does.

5. like peas and carrots

   B2phrase

   Always together, like very close friends.

   informal; famous line of this film

   Jenny and me was like peas and carrots.

   14:41

   • Example: Tom and Sam are like peas and carrots.

6. run Forrest run

   B1phrase

   Words people shout to tell someone to run away fast.

   spoken, famous line of this film

   Run, Forrest, run!

   16:03

   • Example: When the dog came at us, my friend shouted, "Run, Forrest, run!"

7. like the wind

   B1phrase

   Very fast.

   Now, you wouldn't believe it if I told you, but I can run like the wind blows.

   17:00

   • Example: She runs like the wind.

8. fruit of the sea

   B1phrase

   Food that comes from the sea.

   famous line of this film

   Anyway, like I was saying, shrimp is the fruit of the sea.

   34:42

   • Example: Fish and other fruit of the sea are on the menu.

9. live up to something

   B2phrasal verb

   To be as good as people hope.

   I guess you could say he had a lot to live up to.

   43:35

   • Example: The meal did not live up to my hopes.

10. take one's eye off the ball

    B1phrase

    To stop watching or thinking about the important thing.

    Now, the secret to this game is, no matter what happens, never ever take your eye off the ball.

    58:54

    • Example: In football, never take your eye off the ball.

11. like a duck in water

    B2phrase

    Doing something easily the first time you try.

    The hospital's people said it made me look like a duck in water, whatever that means.

    59:35

    • Example: She took to swimming like a duck to water.

12. a promise is a promise

    B1phrase

    You must do what you said you would do.

    A promise is a promise, Lieutenant Dan.

    1:19:21

    • Example: I said I would come, and a promise is a promise.

13. a man of one's word

    B1phrase

    A person who does what they say they will do.

    I am a man of my word.

    1:32:58

    • Example: He is a man of his word; he always comes.

14. get one's act together

    B2phrase

    To start to do things in a good and clear way.

    informal

    I said, "Here's a guy that's got his act together.

    1:55:44

    • Example: You must get your act together before the test.

15. out of the blue

    B1phrase

    At a time when you do not expect it.

    And one day, out of the blue clear sky, I got a letter from Jenny, wondering if I could come down to Savannah and see her, and that's what

    1:59:10

    • Example: He called me out of the blue last week.