Words 1–4

Say each word after your teacher

a piece of cake

very easy /ə ˌpiːs əv ˈkeɪk/

The test was a piece of cake — I finished in ten minutes.

break the ice

make people feel relaxed when they first meet /breɪk ði aɪs/

We played a game to break the ice on the first day of camp.

under the weather

a bit ill /ˌʌndə ðə ˈweðə/

I'm feeling under the weather — I think I've got a cold.

once in a blue moon

very rarely /wʌns ɪn ə ˌbluː ˈmuːn/

My uncle lives in Australia, so we only see him once in a blue moon.

Words 5–8

Say each word after your teacher

cost an arm and a leg

be very expensive /kɒst ən ˌɑːm ənd ə ˈleɡ/

Those trainers cost an arm and a leg!

on the tip of my tongue

almost able to remember a word /ɒn ðə ˌtɪp əv maɪ ˈtʌŋ/

What's her name? It's on the tip of my tongue.

keep an eye on

watch something to make sure it is OK /kiːp ən ˈaɪ ɒn/

Can you keep an eye on my bag while I buy a drink?

make up your mind

decide /meɪk ʌp jɔː ˈmaɪnd/

Pizza or pasta? Make up your mind — the waiter is waiting!

Say each word after your teacher

hit the sack

go to bed /hɪt ðə ˈsæk/

I'm exhausted — I'm going to hit the sack.

in the long run

after a long time; in the future /ɪn ðə ˌlɒŋ ˈrʌn/

Practising every day is hard, but in the long run it pays off.

Answer out loud — full sentences

What is a piece of cake for you, and what is really hard?

What do you do once in a blue moon?

How do you break the ice when you meet new people?

What costs an arm and a leg in your country?