Learn English with The Pursuit of Happyness (2006)

Words and phrases (15)

1. make up one's mind

   B1phrase

   To decide something.

   And I made up my mind as a young kid... ... that when I had children... ... my children were gonna know who their father was.

   4:53

   • Example: I made up my mind to study harder.

2. for a living

   B1phrase

   As your job, to get money.

   A medical device I sell for a living.

   5:40

   • Example: She drives a bus for a living.

3. face the truth

   B1phrase

   To accept something bad that is real.

   But we have to face the truth... ... and then go to work to turn things around.

   8:29

   • Example: You have to face the truth: he is not coming back.

4. turn something around

   B2phrasal verb

   To make a bad situation become good.

   But we have to face the truth... ... and then go to work to turn things around.

   8:29

   • Example: The new boss helped turn the shop around.

5. pull a double shift

   B2phrase

   To work two work periods in one day.

   informal

   I've been pulling double shifts for four months now, Chris.

   12:04

   • Example: He pulled a double shift at the shop to earn more money.

6. have a long way to go

   B1phrase

   To need much more work before being done.

   As you can see, I still have a long way to go.

   16:08

   • Example: My English is better, but I have a long way to go.

7. pursuit

   B2noun

   Trying hard to get or reach something.

   and the part about our right to life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness.

   31:20

   • Example: She left home in the pursuit of a better job.

8. pull off

   B2phrasal verb

   To do something hard and win.

   informal

   Chris, I don't know how you did it dressed as a garbage man... ...but you pulled it off.

   45:51

   • Example: Nobody thought she could win, but she pulled it off.

9. piece of work

   B1phrase

   A person who is hard to deal with or unpleasant.

   informal

   You are a piece of work.

   46:42

   • Example: He shouts at everyone all day; he is a piece of work.

10. period

    B1exclamation

    Said to show that what you said is final.

    spoken, American

    Period.

    55:33

    • Example: You are not going out tonight. Period.

11. whatever it takes

    B1phrase

    Anything that is needed to make something happen.

    ...even baby-sit for them, do whatever it takes to familiarize them...

    57:57

    • Example: I will do whatever it takes to pass this test.

12. take something for granted

    B2phrase

    To not say thank you for a good thing you have.

    I want you to know that I do not take that for granted.

    1:11:11

    • Example: He never says thank you; he takes his family for granted.

13. blow someone away

    B2phrasal verb

    To make someone feel very surprised and pleased.

    informal

    Really, I think you're gonna be blown away.

    1:13:47

    • Example: Her singing blew me away.

14. bring someone back to earth

    B2phrase

    To make someone see real life again, not dreams.

    Until one day... ... that day... ... that letter brought me back to earth.

    1:15:24

    • Example: The big bill brought us back to earth after the trip.

15. make all the right moves

    B2phrase

    To do the right things to get what you want.

    You made all the right moves.

    1:47:10

    • Example: She made all the right moves and got the job.