Cohesive Devices - Exercise

If you usually use the following list of idioms/phrases in your conversations, please skip this article.

If you're already familiar with them but don't typically incorporate them into your conversations, please continue reading. If you aren't familiar with them, definitely don't skip this article.

The goal is not just to understand the meanings of these phrases and idioms but to integrate them into your everyday vocabulary and naturally use them in your conversations. This will only take a maximum of 10 minutes. 

Easy come, easy go

Meaning: This idiom suggests that when something is acquired or gained easily, it can also be lost or given up just as easily. It reflects the idea that things obtained without much effort or sacrifice are often less valued and more likely to be lost casually.

Example from the movie:

Hmm. Grand theft auto?
Yes. It was a 1967 Ferrari Spider.
What color?
Silver. Walnut dash, cream leather interior.
And you crashed it into a canal?
Okay, I did. You know, easy come, easy go.

Some more examples:

He won the lottery and spent all the money within a year. Well, you know what they say, easy come, easy go.

She borrowed my expensive camera, but she dropped it and broke it the next day. Easy come, easy go.

I found a $20 bill on the street, but I accidentally left it in my pocket, and it got washed in the laundry. Easy come, easy go.

They got a job offer with a high salary, but they quit after just a week because they didn't like the work. Easy come, easy go.

She received a scholarship without much effort, but due to poor academic performance, she lost it in the following semester. Easy come, easy go.

He inherited a vintage car from his uncle but sold it impulsively without realizing its true value. Easy come, easy go.

My friend got a promotion but lost the job soon after due to negligence in his responsibilities. Easy come, easy go.

Now it is your turn.
Think about some similar situations and say at least 5 different sentences out loud. After reviewing the examples above, repeat those sentences or create new ones.

 

Mess up

Meaning: To make a mistake or error; to mishandle or ruin something.

Example from the movie:

(Here mess-up is used as a noun, but usually it is used as a phrasal verb)

Can I talk to Oliver?
No.
Okay, then. Let’s talk about RICO.
Thanks to your mess-up with the cane, we’ve got you placing a bid you didn’t have the funds to cover, which is fraud. And because it was over $10 million, you’re eligible for extradition to the US, where you’re facing 20 years to life.
Twenty years is life.
And your friends are looking at kidnapping, wire fraud, identity fraud, and transportation of stolen property. Did I leave anything out?
A little joy, maybe.

Some more examples:

I really messed up the recipe by adding too much salt.

He apologized for messing up the important presentation at work.

Don't let a small disagreement mess up your friendship.

The singer messed up the lyrics during the live performance.

I hope I don't mess up the interview by being too nervous.

Now it is your turn.
Think about some similar situations and say at least 5 different sentences out loud. After reviewing the examples above, repeat those sentences or create new ones.

Pain in the ass

Meaning: Someone or something that is very annoying or troublesome.

Example from the movie:

Is Denton still in holding?
You mean Oliver? [scoffs] For real?
This Oliver, he is a real pain in the ass.
Gladwell. Come with me, please.
I’m in the middle of something.
Right. Wasn’t a request.

Some more examples:

Dealing with the constant computer glitches has become a real pain in the ass at work.

Moving all the heavy furniture by myself turned out to be a complete pain in the ass.

The never-ending paperwork required for this project is a major pain in the ass.

Trying to assemble this complicated piece of furniture is proving to be a real pain in the ass.

Having to commute for two hours every day is such a pain in the ass.

Now it is your turn.
Think about some similar situations and say at least 5 different sentences out loud. After reviewing the examples above, repeat those sentences or create new ones.

 

Piece of shit

Meaning: A highly derogatory term used to describe someone who is considered contemptible, unpleasant, or morally reprehensible.

Example from the movie:

Do we know someone in Brussels?
[mouthing silently]
I know someone. [sighs]
He’s a piece of shit, but I know someone.

Using the phrase "piece of shit" is highly offensive, and we advise against using it in conversations. Please note that using such strong language can be disrespectful.

Some more examples:

The old computer I bought turned out to be a real piece of shit; it stopped working after a week.

The car I purchased last month broke down again. It's such a piece of shit.

This phone is such a piece of shit; I regret spending money on it.

The cheap headphones I got online are already falling apart. What a piece of shit.

That tool I bought is such piece of shit; it's practically useless.

 

Thanks, but no thanks

Meaning: This is an idiomatic expression used to politely decline an offer or express the rejection of something. It implies gratitude for the offer but makes it clear that the person is not interested or doesn't want to accept. It is a way of refusing something without being outright rude.

Example from the movie:

Sounds nefarious. Is this official?
Yes and no.
[sighs] Then I could lose my job. I could go to jail.
They could pin a terrorism charge on me, so thanks, but no thanks.

Some more examples:

Person 1: I thought you might want this extra ticket to the concert.
Person 2: Thanks, but no thanks. I already have plans for the evening.

I appreciate the invitation to join the committee, but at this time, thanks, but no thanks.

Thanks for offering to help with the move, but we've already hired professional movers, so thanks, but no thanks.

I'm grateful for the job opportunity, but after careful consideration, thanks, but no thanks.

The salesperson insisted on an extended warranty for the product, but I politely said, 'thanks, but no thanks.'

They suggested a weekend getaway, but I have prior commitments, so thanks, but no thanks.

Now it is your turn.
Think about some similar situations and say at least 5 different sentences out loud. After reviewing the examples above, repeat those sentences or create new ones.

Why do we choose to learn these phrases in the context of a movie? Wouldn't it be sufficient to learn them directly? The answer is, if you watch the movie first and then learn these phrases, there's a higher likelihood that the words will stay in your memory. It's a two-fold advantage. You get to enjoy the movie, and simultaneously, you pick up language skills. Don't you think so? {alertInfo}

 

Read the full transcript of the movie here

Learn more conversational idioms and phrases from the movie Lift (2024)