In my art post, Sad Old Me, I shared a set of ink studies inspired by Duncan Laurence’s album Small Town Boy, and wrote about how the songs have helped me through a really hard time.
In this lesson we’ll learn phrasal verbs for hard times, practise idioms for talking about feelings, and upgrade simple sentences to sound more natural.
Level: B1+, with a B2 challenge at the end.
This lesson comes from my art blog post.
Read: Sad Old Me – Ink StudiesActivity
Is there a song that got you through a difficult time? What was it about the song that helped?
In my post Sad Old Me, I wrote about an album that has helped me through a really hard time. When we talk about feelings in English, we often use phrasal verbs and idioms rather than simple words. They make your English sound more natural, and more like you. Let’s look at some from the story.
Phrasal verb
💡 What is a phrasal verb?
A phrasal verb is a verb plus a small word like on, through or apart. Together, they often have a new meaning.
Get through isn't about walking through a door. It means to survive a difficult time.
Phrasal verbs for hard times
| Phrasal verb | Meaning | From the story |
|---|---|---|
| fall for | start to love someone | falling for someone so completely |
| pull apart | separate people who were close | part of what pulled us apart |
| get through | survive a difficult time | helps you get through some of them |
| hold on to | keep a hope or an idea | what I'm holding on to right now |
| creep in | arrive slowly, without you noticing | the anxious thoughts creep in |
| put on a show | pretend everything is fine | so I put on a show |
| let go (of) | stop holding on to something emotionally | letting go a little might help |
| move on | accept the end and start something new | moved on with someone new |
Practice
A. Complete the sentences with a phrasal verb in the correct form
- It took me months to the breakup.
- She smiles all day at work, but she's just .
- They each other at university and married a year later.
- At night, when it's quiet, the worries start to .
- It's time to and start a new chapter.
- Years of long working hours slowly them .
- I'm still the hope that things will get better.
- You can't change the past, so try to of it.
Show answers (A)
- get through
- putting on a show
- fell for
- creep in
- move on
- pulled … apart
- holding on to
- let go
Idioms
💡 What is an idiom?
An idiom is a phrase whose meaning is different from the meaning of its individual words.
The light at the end of the tunnel has nothing to do with tunnels. It means a sign that a hard time will soon be over.
Idioms
| Idiom | Meaning |
|---|---|
| the light at the end of the tunnel | a sign that a hard time will soon be over |
| it takes two to tango | both people are responsible for what happened |
| a game you can't win | a situation where you lose, whatever you do |
| it's a bit Marmite | people either love it or hate it |
Practice
B. Which idiom fits each situation?
- Tom blames his ex for everything, but they both made mistakes.
- Half the class loved the film. The other half walked out.
- Anna has been unwell for months, but her doctor says she'll be better by spring.
- Every time Sam tried to fix the friendship, it only made things worse.
Show answers (B)
- It takes two to tango.
- It's a bit Marmite.
- She can see the light at the end of the tunnel.
- It was a game he couldn't win.
B2
C. B2 Upgrade
These sentences are correct, but quite simple. Upgrade each one with a phrasal verb or idiom from this lesson.
- I still feel sad, but it's getting better.
- Music helped me in a difficult time.
- I act happy at work, but I'm not.
- The breakup was both of our faults.
- Some people love this album, and some people hate it.
- I'm trying to forget him and start again.
Show model answers (C)
- I'm not over it yet, but I can see the light at the end of the tunnel.
- Music got me through a really tough time.
- I put on a show at work, but inside I'm struggling.
- It takes two to tango.
- This album is a bit Marmite.
- I'm trying to let go and move on.
Simon says: When I wrote my ink studies post, I didn’t plan to use any of these phrases. They just came out, because that’s how we really talk about feelings in English. If you only learn a few, start with “get through” and “move on”. You’ll hear them everywhere, in songs, films and everyday conversations.
Language learning can be really challenging. I know, because I’m a language learner myself. I hope the information and activities were helpful. Try the following:
Think of a song that got you through a hard time. Write a short paragraph about it. What is it about, and how did it help you? Try to use at least three phrasal verbs and one idiom from this lesson.
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This lesson comes from my art blog post.
Read: Sad Old Me – Ink StudiesImage credit: Photo by Chris Robert on Unsplash
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