20 Advanced English Vocabulary Words and Phrasal Verbs

Vanessa revisits vocabulary and phrasal verbs that appeared while she and Dan played a word-guessing game. The lesson shows why a phrasal verb cannot always be understood by translating each small word separately: the surrounding sentence and situation help determine the meaning. Examples include keeping a surprise secret, trying to identify an answer from clues, and postponing an idea until another time.

“Give it away” can mean reveal information that was meant to remain secret. “Jump out at me” means something is especially noticeable or easy to identify. “On the back burner” describes an idea or task that is postponed or given lower priority for now. “Pick up” can mean learn or acquire something, as in picking up new expressions. “Fly by the seat of your pants” means act without a detailed plan, relying on instinct or improvisation. A “Hail Mary” guess is a desperate attempt when other options seem unlikely; this expression comes from American sports and is informal.

These expressions are useful in different situations, but some have limits. A person can say, “Don’t give away the surprise,” or “One answer jumped out at me.” A project may stay on the back burner while an urgent task comes first. Someone who improvises may be flying by the seat of their pants, which can sound adventurous or unprepared depending on context. A Hail Mary attempt is a last resort, not a reliable strategy.

The lesson’s larger learning point is to notice full expressions in context and then test their meaning with a new example. When you meet a phrasal verb, read the surrounding sentence and ask what is happening. For practice, describe a project you are postponing and explain why it is not the priority now. Then describe an answer that was obvious—or a moment when you had to improvise. These concrete contexts help the phrase stick better than memorizing a list of definitions alone.