For 'play up' I was a little taken aback - from a British perspective 'play up' is when something is not working properly or an old injury is annoying you. 'My laptop is playing up again', or, after doing too much gardening, 'My back is playing up again'.
I agree. I found it odd, too. I guess this video is directed towards American English language learners. Some of the answers were given in past tense while the question was in present tense, as well. May be confusing for some.
I agree with you. You could also use it in the sense of a child being naughty. “My child was playing up and wouldn’t do his homework”. I would never use it in the sense of playing up achievements although I realised this was the expected answer.
Appreciate this channel! I’m a non native person. Not only that I learned some new words but I also learned how to describe the meaning from your definitions. Thanks! For the people that don’t find your content helpful, they don’t need to be here. They can go save the world or go learn something else.
Closing in on 69; got all of them. Because of the people I once worked with who either were uneducated or simply did not care about proper grammar, my vocabulary has been on the decline. Instead of trying to learn and make something better of themselves, they always accused me of being uppity. Thanks for the test. Good to know I haven't completely lost it.
I got 14/15 and English is my native language. Surprisingly “take after” got me. When I think of that phrase I think of it in the means of taking care of someone or something.
@samuraiwolf0513 “Take after” is more of a behavioral thing to me. Used in a sentence, “With his hot temper and love of spicy food, Tom takes after his father.” If Tom looks like his father, then he looks like his father.
Very easy, but I'm a native and was fortunate enough to have attended school before the rapid decline of the American education system, as well as university. But these are all very common phrases. Absolutely a good video for learning phrases you will hear all the time from English speakers. The video is very well put together though. Well timed and not too long, I've watched a few of his videos.
I'm not a native speaker, but both this and the previous video on specific words are things I'd consider just a little over basic comprehension. Of the words in the previous video the only ones I'd consider even moderately unusual were blithe and eschew, and that only because they've fallen slightly out of common usage since the 20th century. Edit: Honestly, the number of native English speakers in the comments of the previous video who did not get 15/15 scares me.
As a native speaker, it has never occurred to me that these phrases are as strange as they are. And for those wondering, these are all common enough phrases that you are certain to encounter them (even the difficult ones!) if you move to an English-speaking country. Thanks to Brian for teaching them!
You know, I had the same thought when I first started learning how challenging these kinds of phrases are for non-native learners... And thanks for watching!
I didn’t realize that until I started to learn French. Words I find strange in French aren’t weird to native French speakers just like these American phrases aren’t weird to us natives
As a native speaker I got all 15 right, I was sure I'd get one wrong, I was able to come up with a correct definition on all of them before the three options appeared
Yes, they are a deep and complicated area of English all on their own. You can have some that have multiple meanings (like play up), multiple that have the same meaning (give in and give up) or some using multiple propositions (zero in on)... I could go on, or off, or away.
Your use of phrasal verbs is both careful and impressive! I've learned a few new ones by the end as well. As always, thank you! ❤ - Islam from Egypt 🇪🇬
"learnt" is British English... "learned" is the correct usage for American English. This mistake is, sadly, very common. I mean no offence and only posted this because you appear eager to learn. If you don't mind me asking, are you British, American or some other type of English speaker?
To a native English speaker, these are all easy, but it is interesting how many idioms that we unthinkingly use, that we don't even realize are idioms, that deviate from the literal word meanings, and that would be confusing to a foreign language speaker who is trying to learn English.
I have always been impressed with folks trying to learn American English. Good for all of you and keep up the good work. But, don't abandon your original culture.
Having travelled much and lived in other countries, i try speak clearly to be understood. Often i need to simplify my English to be understood. Over time i lose my "proper" and more descriptive English, so these exercises really help regain it. Thanks.
Got them all correct. Didn’t find them difficult. Wouldn’t have rated myself as being exceptionally good at English. It was my favorite subject though. 😊 0:15
That's 12/15 I'm happy with the result Just wanted to tell you that I really from the beginning found all of your videos useful especially the last English series you're making amazing And I actually really respect you from many reasons just want you to know that😊😊❤
I once heard those phrases: "Water under the bridge", "one brick in a long wall," "split hair with you" and a few more. I knew 14 out of your phrases, not all 15. But I am still glad, since I am an elderly German girl of 65.😂
Good job on the quiz but I did notice something in your comment that was not correct. "Elderly" and "65" do not belong in the same sentence together. You are a 'mature" lady with a heart that is as young as you think.
7:03 Reading through these comments, the “oldies" seem to have consistently high scores. I think we all got a better education, even if we went to small-town more rural schools. (And read!!!)😊
❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤I was thinking that I knew a lot of things in this lesson, but I didn't know anything. You helped me a lot. I love you, Brian, the best content maker in the world.
Omg I got all 15/15 in so excited, English is not my native language and hearing this means that my English skills are very advanced. I will try this with my son.
I believe the term “pan out” came from prospectors panning for gold. They would collect soil in a grid pattern in an area they believed had a gold vein. They would pan the soil in the river or stream looking for traces of gold. So when they started at a new location, they didn’t know if there was gold there, so they would have to see how things would “pan out”.
Gracias por las actualizaciones constantes. Prefiero operar en el mercado de valores porque es más rentable. Gano un promedio de $34,500 cada 2 semanas, aunque yo mismo apenas opero.
¡¡¡SI!!! Ese es exactamente su nombre (Teresa Aguilar, más conocida como la Sra. Teresa). Muchas personas la han recomendado mucho y recién estoy comenzando a trabajar con ella 😊 de Brisbane, Australia🇦🇺
If you wanna watch content about the war between Sudan and Ghaza, why won't you go and find content about this? This channel has nothing to do with politics...
To give in made me think of something I've said since I was 20, 45 years ago - people always say "twist my rubber arm" to induce them to change their minds whereas I always retorted with "you mean twist my glass arm". Rubber arms can be twisted with no pain while glass arms will always result in "I give!!".
brain i'd like to tell that i'm really valuing your tiredness on making all this fantastic useful vedios if i have the the best word to encourage u i swear i won't be stingy bro❤ u're the best one. keep going on! ... ur follower from yemen..🇾🇪
We often forget how many idioms and odd ohrases we use day to day. When you grow up in a culture its intuitive but if you are an outsider not so much. Its more than learning sentence structure and dictionary meanings. Its learning all the ways the rules are broken🤣. Mad respect for folks who are fluent in multiple languages. I have troubles at times with my one english language.
I got 14 out of 15 just ran out of time with last one "pan out" . Thanks for the lessons because Deaf people ( I became Deaf at 5) take longer to learn English and depend on reading rather than hearing conversation or English sentences. Thinking about joining the club you got.
Just a quick side note for those who are still learning the langage, the definitions given here are not the only definitions, some of the examples used can also have very different explanations/meanings..
I got 13/15 right. Thank you for the video. It's insightful. Found your channel on my recommended, as I've recently been trying to learn French as my 4th langauge. English is my 2nd language and the phrasal verb, "play up" was foreign and new to me. I also got "pan out" wrong😭.
9/15 as a 6th grader who is nearly eleven and he has heard of the thing phrasal verb one month ago the first time andlearnt it im impressed.Four correct one wrong three right one wrong one right two wrong one right two wrong
I'm a native speaker of American English and I dropped in just to see what was up with phrasal verbs. I lived with a non-native speaker when I was in university, if not a C2 level, then damn close, and on rare occasions I'd lend him a hand with his English. He could even make jokes in English and get people to laugh. "Play up" is an interesting one. I do agree that it means emphasize, but I agree with the Brit who commented, " 'play up' is when something is not working properly or an old injury is annoying you." An American would probably say "acting up" instead of "play up". I've heard "play up" used in a way to connote flirting. A line from a Cheryl Crow song "And he's playin' up to me like he hasn't had a day of fun in his whole life." (They're drinking beer together in a bar.) Aren't phrasal verbs just too much fun?
ESL, 15/15. This was WAY too easy. Anyone halfway fluent (or at least used to reading a lot/watching TV or movies) in English should've managed to suss out the meaning of these phrasal verbs, even if they aren't part of their active vocabulary. 🤔 In my opinion, having to discern the different meanings of one verb with varying prepositions (to take on/down/off, say) and give definitions of each might have been a better challenge. But that's me. 🤷♀ However, I do like your style. Very clear, friendly and engaging, so well done!
72 here and I knew them all. I suspect that this quiz is more for those people new to the English language or "Americanized" English language. It's a breeze for those of us who have heard these phrases all of our lives, but for those who are new to our country or the English language, they're probably more confusing.
Please Sir reply. (Please don't mind sir, it's too long comment) Is this information correct? (from Chat GPT) When you see a present participle (an -ing form) at the beginning of a sentence, ask yourself this simple question: 1. Is there an immediate reaction? If the second action (main verb) happens because of the first action (participle), it often means "as soon as." Example: "Hearing a loud noise, she looked outside." Here, the noise causes her to look outside right away. So, it means "as soon as she heard the noise." 2. Are the actions happening together without one causing the other? If both actions happen at the same time, but neither one causes the other, it usually means "while." Example: "Reading a book, he sipped his coffee." Here, reading doesn’t cause him to drink coffee; he’s just doing both at the same time. So, it means "while." Quick Check: Does one action make the other happen? Yes → It means "as soon as" No, just happening together → It means "while" I hope this way makes it even clearer!
14 right. Missed 'Pan out'. I know the word from detective movies where in say combing the woods for evidence the police expands the area being searched from a point. 'Pan out in different directions'. I am familiar with 'Pan out' meaning develop over time, but more of an adjective expressing the result, not the process. I believe its origin would come from gold prospecting. How this phrase is interpreted might be regional. I WIN!
I am a German.The first ten phrases I still know because I lived in the US for 6 years, more than 30 years ago. Considering the last 5 phrases, I interpreted 3 correctly, for the last 2 the time was not long enough.
I had two options wrong, play up & bank on. If we had more time, I would probably get the bank on right. I did not know take after and zero in on, but was able to get it from the context.
As a non-English, i don't really use phrases often, but i did know all 15 shown here. I learned most of my English from being exposed to the internet since i was around 15-16. I understand a lot, but i am not very good at writing or speaking it, especially gramar since i never learned proper grammar
Well done. I'm a native speaker and a Scot. You did very well! You should be proud! Here's a wee Scottish phrase for you - Weel done, Laddie! Ye're a wee stoater! (Well done, lad. You're a wee champion!)
![Expression: Run [something] by [someone]](http://i.ytimg.com/vi/8qVV5k3YpUI/mqdefault.jpg)
I'm 15, non-native speaker but I aced them all, surprisingly. It was fun😊
That's fantastic.... so glad you found it fun... that what learning should be and you aced it.... < another kooky English expression.
I am 60 and got them all correct. Here’s to smart women of all ages!
you got play up wrong then
I got 15/15, and I am 12 years old. I am so proud of myself. If this sounds rude at all, I do not mean it that way.
Good job
Amazing work, RockyRay!
Wow so good🎉😉😜
Not rude at all bud! Great job!
Well done you!
For 'play up' I was a little taken aback - from a British perspective 'play up' is when something is not working properly or an old injury is annoying you. 'My laptop is playing up again', or, after doing too much gardening, 'My back is playing up again'.
I agree. I found it odd, too. I guess this video is directed towards American English language learners. Some of the answers were given in past tense while the question was in present tense, as well. May be confusing for some.
I agree with you. You could also use it in the sense of a child being naughty.
“My child was playing up and wouldn’t do his homework”.
I would never use it in the sense of playing up achievements although I realised this was the expected answer.
@@bevturner2258that was my assumption. I got the correct answer, but it was slightly confusing. I thank the multiple choice question
Also true. Didn't realize that was specifically British, though. Yayhh - finally learned something new!
I got stuck on this one. In my neck of the woods play up means something getting worse like my arthritis is playing up today.
I’ve known 13 of those phrasal verbs. And now I know 2 more and I’m very grateful. Thank you so much! 😊😍
You're very welcome, and thanks for watching!
Nothing difficult here for a “Senior Brit”. Now give us a real challenge!
Brian, I’m 77 and before my stroke I knew I’d lost words. It’s refreshing to hear them again!
I'm the video was helpful, and thanks for your comment!
@@BrianWilesLanguages please tell me that's just a typo
@@WilliamCook-ce5kbim pretty sure he meant to say glad after im
Appreciate this channel! I’m a non native person. Not only that I learned some new words but I also learned how to describe the meaning from your definitions. Thanks!
For the people that don’t find your content helpful, they don’t need to be here. They can go save the world or go learn something else.
I’m 78 and I
Aced all of them.
That was Fun!
Thank You 👍
Yup, I'm 81 and did the same! Congrats!
@@karenkiokemeister171874 and got 15/15...Old School 😂
Closing in on 69; got all of them. Because of the people I once worked with who either were uneducated or simply did not care about proper grammar, my vocabulary has been on the decline. Instead of trying to learn and make something better of themselves, they always accused me of being uppity. Thanks for the test. Good to know I haven't completely lost it.
I'm 78 and got all 15 right. Always read a lot and got a good education.
you didn't you got play up wrong
I'm from Norway. I got all the 15 phrases correct. That's because we have the same type of expressions in Norwegian. Such fun.
Kudos for Norway...😅
I got 14/15 and English is my native language. Surprisingly “take after” got me. When I think of that phrase I think of it in the means of taking care of someone or something.
You mean look after
@samuraiwolf0513 “Take after” is more of a behavioral thing to me. Used in a sentence, “With his hot temper and love of spicy food, Tom takes after his father.” If Tom looks like his father, then he looks like his father.
interesting! Didn't realize native English speakers need to learn English like us foreign-born people..
Very easy, but I'm a native and was fortunate enough to have attended school before the rapid decline of the American education system, as well as university. But these are all very common phrases. Absolutely a good video for learning phrases you will hear all the time from English speakers. The video is very well put together though. Well timed and not too long, I've watched a few of his videos.
Thanks Kevin, I appreciate the feedback!
I'm not a native speaker, but both this and the previous video on specific words are things I'd consider just a little over basic comprehension. Of the words in the previous video the only ones I'd consider even moderately unusual were blithe and eschew, and that only because they've fallen slightly out of common usage since the 20th century.
Edit: Honestly, the number of native English speakers in the comments of the previous video who did not get 15/15 scares me.
As a native speaker, it has never occurred to me that these phrases are as strange as they are. And for those wondering, these are all common enough phrases that you are certain to encounter them (even the difficult ones!) if you move to an English-speaking country. Thanks to Brian for teaching them!
You know, I had the same thought when I first started learning how challenging these kinds of phrases are for non-native learners... And thanks for watching!
I didn’t realize that until I started to learn French. Words I find strange in French aren’t weird to native French speakers just like these American phrases aren’t weird to us natives
As a native speaker I got all 15 right, I was sure I'd get one wrong, I was able to come up with a correct definition on all of them before the three options appeared
❤
Yes, they are a deep and complicated area of English all on their own.
You can have some that have multiple meanings (like play up), multiple that have the same meaning (give in and give up) or some using multiple propositions (zero in on)... I could go on, or off, or away.
15/15 correct. Helps to read religiously over the years.
Your use of phrasal verbs is both careful and impressive! I've learned a few new ones by the end as well. As always, thank you! ❤
- Islam from Egypt 🇪🇬
Thanks so much, Islam!
2nd test today got 15 out of 15.
French by birth.
I enjoyed doing it.
Thanks
12/15.I've learnt: to pan out, to zero in on, to play up.
"learnt" is British English... "learned" is the correct usage for American English. This mistake is, sadly, very common. I mean no offence and only posted this because you appear eager to learn. If you don't mind me asking, are you British, American or some other type of English speaker?
@@MontieMiles3 both are correct depending on how you want to speak
Sadly a 10
@@MontieMiles3 writing a paragraph about the word "learnt" is such an American thing to do, lmao
I am 68 and got all 15/15. Thank you they are very easy phrases.
To a native English speaker, these are all easy, but it is interesting how many idioms that we unthinkingly use, that we don't even realize are idioms, that deviate from the literal word meanings, and that would be confusing to a foreign language speaker who is trying to learn English.
Chinese is even more fun.
I have always been impressed with folks trying to learn American English. Good for all of you and keep up the good work. But, don't abandon your original culture.
English is my second language 15/15. I have done a few tests now and these tests are ridiculously easy.
Cap
Either that or you put tons of effort into learning English
Having travelled much and lived in other countries, i try speak clearly to be understood. Often i need to simplify my English to be understood. Over time i lose my "proper" and more descriptive English, so these exercises really help regain it. Thanks.
Having been a voracious reader since 1st grade...All that reading has paid dividends in my vocabulary.
Glad to hear it- being an avid reader is wonderful for reasons!
i ve known 13 those phrasal verbs and now i know 2 more and i m very fretful thank you so much!
Got them all correct. Didn’t find them difficult. Wouldn’t have rated myself as being exceptionally good at English. It was my favorite subject though. 😊 0:15
I got 13/15 correct. Native English speaker.
Just stumbled across your channel.... how fabulous..... absolutely love it, thank you for your hard work..superbly brilliant 👏
Thank you so much and welcome!
15 out of 15. As an English speaker from the U.S., I found these very easy.
I found 10 out of 15 phrasel verbs, and thank your special attention on us.
Great job, and thanks for watching, Muzaffar!
You didn’t find out, you got 10 out of 15 right. You’re welcome
Thanks so much love your channel so helpful, and so kind of you to share this great information for free ❤❤❤❤
That's 12/15 I'm happy with the result
Just wanted to tell you that I really from the beginning found all of your videos useful especially the last English series you're making amazing
And I actually really respect you from many reasons just want you to know that😊😊❤
Thank you very much and I appreciate that 👍
I once heard those phrases: "Water under the bridge", "one brick in a long wall," "split hair with you" and a few more. I knew 14 out of your phrases, not all 15. But I am still glad, since I am an elderly German girl of 65.😂
Good job on the quiz but I did notice something in your comment that was not correct. "Elderly" and "65" do not belong in the same sentence together. You are a 'mature" lady with a heart that is as young as you think.
Had another look at your presentation. This layout and colouring was spot-on. Txs
I got 13/15.. I think some of these are used widely in the US English! Good session!
got all 15 correct!!
Great work, Marina!
I got 12/15 yahhhhh it's quite good 💤. thank you so much Brain you help me alot to improve my English 💜..
I am happy to say I got all 15 correct. I am 79 years old.
7:03 Reading through these comments, the “oldies" seem to have consistently high scores. I think we all got a better education, even if we went to small-town more rural schools. (And read!!!)😊
@@bethanypheneger5796
I think it may be that we’ve had many more years of reading 😊
❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤I was thinking that I knew a lot of things in this lesson, but I didn't know anything. You helped me a lot. I love you, Brian, the best content maker in the world.
Wow that's so nice of you to say, thanks!
I am English and would use the phrase "play up"to mean misbehave.
I agree. The first thing that came to mind was naughty kids😊 My kids always play up when I’m trying to get them ready and into the car!
@rcflyer158 That’s good to know. The American English equivalent to your “play up” is “act up,” at least in my neck of the woods.
Omg I got all 15/15 in so excited, English is not my native language and hearing this means that my English skills are very advanced. I will try this with my son.
Great job!
How about;
Happy go lucky
Ran out of steam
Neither here nor there
He's toast
I'm in a pickle
lickety-split
These were easy! So was a previous test I completed. 15 on both. Mind you I am not American, and do not live in the US..
The new English videos you make are amazing, keep going, It's beneficial and exciting❤️❤️😍🥰😘
Thanks so much, Yousof!
Wow! After speaking English for 62 years, it is goodly!
Brian: if you know these phrasal verbs, your English is great!
Me, a native English speaker: thank you :)
Haha well done, Jem!
English is my 3rd language and i got 14/15. i didn't know what pan out was, but now i do, thank you.
Could’ve got 14/15 but couldn’t remember what pan out and zero in on meant and never heard of gloss over
100% again thanks to my English teacher Mon! 🎉
Great work, Rita!
Got ALL of them!
i just say you...GRACIAS TOTALES ...for your effort and time
I couldn't figure out any of the C2 phrasal verbs 😢
Great content ❤ keep it up!
Thanks a lot- I'll make some more videos like this so you can keep practicing 👍
I love watching these as my learn and read something daily.
I got 14 out of 15. I’ve never heard of gloss over and I’m a native speaker
I'm English and of average intelligence and I would have been able to answer these when I was 11 or less. I'm 78 now
14/15 Pan out was tough for me .
Pan out is a tough one- great job!
I believe the term “pan out” came from prospectors panning for gold. They would collect soil in a grid pattern in an area they believed had a gold vein. They would pan the soil in the river or stream looking for traces of gold. So when they started at a new location, they didn’t know if there was gold there, so they would have to see how things would “pan out”.
Sure, I knew all of it. Thanks It was gr8 to brush up my English.
BEST CHANNEL EVER❤💯
Thank you so much, I really appreciate that!
I am from egypt and i am sure you are the best one i have ever seen in english 🤩🤗
Gracias por las actualizaciones constantes. Prefiero operar en el mercado de valores porque es más rentable. Gano un promedio de $34,500 cada 2 semanas, aunque yo mismo apenas opero.
Estoy favorecido financieramente, gracias Jesús $10,200 de ganancia semanal sin importar lo mal que esté la economía.
¿Cómo? Soy nuevo en la inversión en criptomonedas. ¿Podrías explicarme cómo obtuviste ganancias?
Gracias a la señora Teresa
Ella es una corredora de bolsa con licencia aquí en los Estados Unidos.
¡¡¡SI!!! Ese es exactamente su nombre (Teresa Aguilar, más conocida como la Sra. Teresa). Muchas personas la han recomendado mucho y recién estoy comenzando a trabajar con ella 😊 de Brisbane, Australia🇦🇺
got 12 correct but now i got another new phrasal verbs! so happy learning from your video!
Brain please talk about the war in sudan and ghaza
Bro, this is a language channel...
@@twellveahadri12 but I saw video he suprot Palestine
who cares about those barbarians?
If you wanna watch content about the war between Sudan and Ghaza, why won't you go and find content about this? This channel has nothing to do with politics...
Also his name is Brian not brain
I got 12/15 correct. That’s great stuff!!!
C1 & C2 phrases are so difficult for me. I've never encountered them 😢 thank you for teaching them
I Found 13 Out OF 15 Phrasel Verbs Honestly You're Legand You Give Us Something Challenge Special Yor Question Thx Man
Thank you so much- and great job!
Absolute "bestseller"
For me as a foreigner it is a "must" video.
To give in made me think of something I've said since I was 20, 45 years ago - people always say "twist my rubber arm" to induce them to change their minds whereas I always retorted with "you mean twist my glass arm". Rubber arms can be twisted with no pain while glass arms will always result in "I give!!".
13/15 in primary school with english my 2nd langauge and i prefr it over my own and much better at it then my own language.
brain
i'd like to tell that i'm really valuing your tiredness on making all this fantastic useful vedios
if i have the the best word to encourage u i swear i won't be stingy
bro❤
u're the best one. keep going on!
... ur follower from yemen..🇾🇪
by the the way
i got... 12 out of 15
We often forget how many idioms and odd ohrases we use day to day. When you grow up in a culture its intuitive but if you are an outsider not so much. Its more than learning sentence structure and dictionary meanings. Its learning all the ways the rules are broken🤣. Mad respect for folks who are fluent in multiple languages. I have troubles at times with my one english language.
I am 16 and from sri lanka. i got 14/15 thats good in my books were we manly speak the sinhala language
I worked for a european company for many years. I did not realize it but I sometimes had to reword what I was saying to my colegues.
I got 14 out of 15 just ran out of time with last one "pan out" . Thanks for the lessons because Deaf people ( I became Deaf at 5) take longer to learn English and depend on reading rather than hearing conversation or English sentences. Thinking about joining the club you got.
12 out of 15. As I am born in Belgium and Dutch is my native language, I'm proud of myself. 🤓😎👍🇧🇪
Great work!
This one was way easier than the English words video. The hard level was vocabulary that was either advanced or obscure.
Excellent selection and explanation of some very common phrases/idioms.
Just a quick side note for those who are still learning the langage, the definitions given here are not the only definitions, some of the examples used can also have very different explanations/meanings..
I got 13/15 right. Thank you for the video. It's insightful.
Found your channel on my recommended, as I've recently been trying to learn French as my 4th langauge.
English is my 2nd language and the phrasal verb, "play up" was foreign and new to me.
I also got "pan out" wrong😭.
Very strong score 💪
13 year old, got somewhere 13 or 12 words right, knew 3 more phrases, thanks for making me learning those new phrases!
9/15 as a 6th grader who is nearly eleven and he has heard of the thing phrasal verb one month ago the first time andlearnt it im impressed.Four correct one wrong three right one wrong one right two wrong one right two wrong
Immersive translate is also a great app for language learning. It helped me get better in English
I'm a native speaker of American English and I dropped in just to see what was up with phrasal verbs. I lived with a non-native speaker when I was in university, if not a C2 level, then damn close, and on rare occasions I'd lend him a hand with his English. He could even make jokes in English and get people to laugh.
"Play up" is an interesting one. I do agree that it means emphasize, but I agree with the Brit who commented, " 'play up' is when something is not working properly or an old injury is annoying you." An American would probably say "acting up" instead of "play up". I've heard "play up" used in a way to connote flirting. A line from a Cheryl Crow song "And he's playin' up to me like he hasn't had a day of fun in his whole life." (They're drinking beer together in a bar.)
Aren't phrasal verbs just too much fun?
14 out of 15 yet again, thank you for the great work keep it up :).
I am 75 & I got all 15. Think this is a good exercise for someone whose first language is not English.
ESL, 15/15. This was WAY too easy. Anyone halfway fluent (or at least used to reading a lot/watching TV or movies) in English should've managed to suss out the meaning of these phrasal verbs, even if they aren't part of their active vocabulary. 🤔
In my opinion, having to discern the different meanings of one verb with varying prepositions (to take on/down/off, say) and give definitions of each might have been a better challenge. But that's me. 🤷♀ However, I do like your style. Very clear, friendly and engaging, so well done!
72 here and I knew them all. I suspect that this quiz is more for those people new to the English language or "Americanized" English language. It's a breeze for those of us who have heard these phrases all of our lives, but for those who are new to our country or the English language, they're probably more confusing.
I am 11 years old learn 2 new words from you today and the rest I know thank you❤
Well done!
I got 15/15 😊 I'm glad I understand these test phrases
Pan out means end, conclude according to the dictionary, which means it's closer to A than to B. What am I missing?
Got all of them even though I' m not a native speaker. Helpful anyway! Thanks a lot!
Please Sir reply. (Please don't mind sir, it's too long comment)
Is this information correct? (from Chat GPT)
When you see a present participle (an -ing form) at the beginning of a sentence, ask yourself this simple question:
1. Is there an immediate reaction?
If the second action (main verb) happens because of the first action (participle), it often means "as soon as."
Example: "Hearing a loud noise, she looked outside."
Here, the noise causes her to look outside right away. So, it means "as soon as she heard the noise."
2. Are the actions happening together without one causing the other?
If both actions happen at the same time, but neither one causes the other, it usually means "while."
Example: "Reading a book, he sipped his coffee."
Here, reading doesn’t cause him to drink coffee; he’s just doing both at the same time. So, it means "while."
Quick Check:
Does one action make the other happen?
Yes → It means "as soon as"
No, just happening together → It means "while"
I hope this way makes it even clearer!
14 right. Missed 'Pan out'. I know the word from detective movies where in say combing the woods for evidence the police expands the area being searched from a point. 'Pan out in different directions'.
I am familiar with 'Pan out' meaning develop over time, but more of an adjective expressing the result, not the process.
I believe its origin would come from gold prospecting.
How this phrase is interpreted might be regional.
I WIN!
Thank you, dearest teacher, Mr Brian!
I have 14/15 and English is my 2nd language. To zero on it got me. I've never heard that phrase before. Not bad, I think 😊
I am a German.The first ten phrases I still know because I lived in the US for 6 years, more than 30 years ago. Considering the last 5 phrases, I interpreted 3 correctly, for the last 2 the time was not long enough.
I had two options wrong, play up & bank on. If we had more time, I would probably get the bank on right. I did not know take after and zero in on, but was able to get it from the context.
As a non-English, i don't really use phrases often, but i did know all 15 shown here. I learned most of my English from being exposed to the internet since i was around 15-16. I understand a lot, but i am not very good at writing or speaking it, especially gramar since i never learned proper grammar
I know 13 of them.. Thank you
All of these sound natural and easy enough to me but I guess quite a few of them won't sit easily with many ESL students.
I’m 10, and got 15/15. Please don’t take this away from me, I’m extremely proud of this.
Well done. I'm a native speaker and a Scot. You did very well! You should be proud! Here's a wee Scottish phrase for you - Weel done, Laddie! Ye're a wee stoater! (Well done, lad. You're a wee champion!)
12/15 Did Pretty Good