Slang List

Slang (noun). is defined as, “a type of language that consists of words and phrases that are regarded as very informal, are more common in speech than writing, and are typically restricted to a particular context or group of people.”

Each week, I will add a slang expression to the list below. In class, we will discuss the slang word. Think of similarities in your own language, and practice using the slang.

Week	Word/Expression	Definition	Example Usage	Youtube
1	1) “What’s up?” (greeting) 2) What's up? (What's wrong/why?)	Usually, it is used as a casual (informal) greeting or conversation starter. You can say it to good friends.  An answer is NOT ALWAYS required/answered like “how are you?).	Person #1: Hey There! What's up? Person #2: Oh not much. What's up with you? Person #1: You look sad, what’s up? Person #2: Oh, my cat died.	Click here for link
2	"wrap it up"	to stop doing something, to bring something to a close.	Okay class, our hour is over, let's wrap it up. Let's wrap up this conversation, I gotta go.
3	"How are you getting by?"	a phrase to ask someone how they are doing in a new place, new job, new position. It means, how is ______ going? How are you doing in _____? This phrase can be used with anyone, formal and informal.	How are you getting by in your new job? Are you getting by okay in Champaign? You getting by okay in school?
4	"on the flip side"	a very informal way to say "on the other hand". Only used in very informal speech with friends.	I really want to get pizza, but on the flip side I could go for some ice cream. I hate this one class in school, but on the flip side I am getting all A's.
5	" to have a nose for something"	to be very good at something, the ability to find or sense something	He has a nose for the news; He is a very good reporter. She does math everyday, she really has a nose for it.
6	"wishy-washy"	not having or showing strong beliefs about something, lacking character, strength or determination; not clear about intentions	I don't think John is coming to the party even though he told me he would. He is so wishy-washy. My supervisor never can decide on what to do; she is so wishy-washy.
7	"on thin ice"	to be in a precarious or risky situation; living dangerously; in a bad situation with another person	When I started to yell at my mom, I was really skating on thin ice; she was going to ground me for sure. When I was younger, I was dating two men. One night I went to dinner with one f my boyfriends, and saw the other one out at the same time. Man, I was on thin ice.	Video
8	"hit the nail on the head"	to do something perfectly; to get something exactly correct	A: I think I know what's wrong with you... B: Ya? A: You're upset because your favorite tv show was cancelled. B: Yup, you hit the nail on the head.	Video
9	"best of both worlds"	all of the advantages, a situation in which you can enjoy both advantages of two different things--two things that do not normally go together	She works in the city and lives in the country so she gets the best of both worlds. I got the best of both worlds during my trip to the USA, as I got to relax on the beach in California, and party in Las Vegas!
10	"snowball's chance in hell"	to be very unlikely so succeed at something	I have a snowball's chance in hell to win that running race. A: Can I finish that last cookie? B: Not a snowball's chance in hell	Winter Idioms
11	to face someone/something	to deal with someone/something	I need to face my mom about my test grade. A: I didn't study for the test. B: Face it, you're going to fail. How am I going to face my friends with my new haircut.
12	"to be beat"	To be tired	" I'm beat from staying up all night" A: What' wrong? B: I'm beat A: From what? B: From studying for my exam tomorrow "I'd like to go with you to the movies, but I'm beat."
13	"to break it down"/ "the breakdown"	to explain something in general terms/ the general understanding of an idea/ concept	I don't understand the meaning of the word, can you break it down for me? What's the breakdown of Unit 2? I need you to break it down for me.

14	"to get the ball rolling"	to start something/ to begin a process/activity	Okay, we need to finish this project quickly. Let's get the ball rolling. Our homework is due in two weeks, but we need to get the ball rolling now.
15	" to be torn between"-- two things come after "to be torn on"--one word comes after, usually "subject, topic, issue, matter"	to be deciding between two options, and you cannot choose. Usually this is because you like both options.	I'm torn between going to Florida and San Francisco for Spring Break--I cannot decide which is better. A: Have you decided if it is better to teach our children two languages at once. B: No, I am torn on the issue. ** Or you can just reply "I'm torn"
16	(two phrases): 1) neither here nor there/ 2) beside the point	something that is off topic or irrelevant (not important)	Your comment is interesting, but it is neither here nor there. I really want ice cream, but it's beside the point because we need to find a place for dinner. **If someone is talking to you about something that is off topic from your conversation you can say: "That's beside the point"--or-- "That's neither here nor there"
17	you had me at... (this is a funny phrase)	you had (my interest) at...  When something is trying to persuade you to do something, or explain why they should go somewhere, and they begin listing things about the place, or what to you.. when you hear one you really like, you can say.. "you had me at_______"	A: I really want to go to the new mall. At the mall they have a puppy store, a delicious candy store, a .... B: You had me at puppy store! Let's go!