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Today, we are learning 3 expressions that are very useful in daily conversations.
First one is cramp my style.
What does cramp my style mean? Can you understand it after you read the examples I gave you.
- I had to move out of the house share. I didn’t feel free there, and my old housemates were cramping my style.
- I don’t want to cramp your style, but could you wear a shirt and tie to work rather than a T-shirt?
- I don’t want to go to the party. I’m worried she thinks I’m uncool and that I’ll cramp her style.
So, do you have the answer now?
Ok, “cramp my style” means when someone or something is stopping your from doing what you want to do, or behaving in a way you feel free.
Second one is “scrub well”.
Still, can you understand it after you read the examples below.
- He wears jeans most of the time, but he scrubbed up well for the party.
- Sharon scrubs up well – did you see what she was wearing last night?
- That’s an impressive suit - you can scrub up well when you want to!
Can you have a guess now? When you ‘scrub up well’, it means you have made a lot of effort to look very smart or well presented.
Ok, the last one is “eke out”.
Let’s look at some examples first.
- Because of the storm, we had to eke out food supplies before we could get to the shops again.
- Our crops have failed this year so we can hardly eke out a living.
- I’ve lost my job, so I need to eke out what savings I have to survive.
You probably have had an answer in you head already. Ok, so let’s find out!
To ‘eke out’ means to make the supply of something last a bit longer, by using it carefully. It’s what you do when you only have a small quantity of something, and you want it to last as long as possible.
Ok, do you remember them? If you want to learn more useful expressions, pharsals and chunks of language, please have a try at my lesson.
Bye for now!
英语 
