ELTIS Everyday English Conversations Practice Test Flashcards

Someone says: 'Let's play it by ear.' What does this expression mean?

Answer: Decide what to do as the situation develops, without a fixed plan.

'Play it by ear' means to handle a situation without a set plan, making decisions as things happen. It suggests flexibility and spontaneity. While it originally comes from music (playing without sheet music), in everyday English it means being open to seeing how things go.

A student says: 'I have butterflies in my stomach.' What does this mean?

Answer: They feel nervous or anxious about something.

'Butterflies in my stomach' is an idiom describing the feeling of nervousness or anxiety, often before something important like a test, performance, or first day at school. The fluttery sensation in the stomach caused by nerves is compared to butterflies flying around. It is not about actual insects.

A friend says: 'I could eat a horse!' What does this mean?

Answer: They are extremely hungry.

'I could eat a horse' is a hyperbolic (exaggerated) expression meaning someone is extremely hungry. They obviously could not eat an entire horse, but the exaggeration emphasizes just how hungry they are. This type of exaggeration is common and humorous in everyday American English.

Your friend says: 'It's no big deal.' What does 'no big deal' mean?

Answer: It is not important or not something to worry about.

'No big deal' means something is not important or not worth worrying about. It is used to reassure someone that a situation is minor. When a friend says this, they are telling you not to stress about something because it is not a significant issue.

Someone says: 'I'm just looking, thanks' in a store. What are they communicating?

Answer: They do not need help and are browsing without buying.

'I'm just looking, thanks' is a polite response to a store employee who asks if you need help. It means you want to browse on your own without assistance. This is a very common phrase used in American stores and shops, and understanding it helps international students navigate everyday shopping situations.

A friend says: 'I need to get the ball rolling on my project.' What does 'get the ball rolling' mean?

Answer: Begin or start making progress on something.

'Get the ball rolling' is an idiom meaning to start something or begin making progress. When your friend says this about their project, they mean they need to start working on it. The image is of setting a ball in motion — once it starts rolling, momentum builds.