Vocabulary Cards

Dive into
Definition: To start exploring or engaging deeply with a subject or activity.

Example Sentences:

*The documentary encouraged viewers to dive into the history of ancient civilizations.*

*Before you buy a house, it’s good to dive into the real estate market and learn the basics.*

Fascinating
Definition: Extremely interesting or charming.

Example Sentences:

*The scientist gave a fascinating lecture about black holes.*

*She has a fascinating story about traveling around the world alone.*

End up broke
Definition: To become financially ruined or without money after a certain situation.

Example Sentences:

*He invested all his savings in that business and ended up broke.*

*Many people end up broke because they don’t plan for emergencies.*

Hit the jackpot
Definition: Literally, to win a large amount of money; Figuratively, to have a sudden and lucky success.

Example Sentences:

*She hit the jackpot when she won the lottery last year.*

*They really hit the jackpot with that business idea; it became a huge success.*

*He really hit the jackpot when he married Martha.*

Smooth sailing
Definition: An easy or trouble-free experience.

Example Sentences:

*After fixing the initial problems, the project has been smooth sailing.*

*Once I learned the basics, studying became smooth sailing.*

Stood out
Definition: To be noticeable or prominent; to attract attention in a positive way.

Example Sentences:

*Her bright red dress really stood out at the party.*

*Among all the candidates, his skills stood out the most.*

Paycheck
Definition: The salary or wages received regularly for work.

Example Sentences:

*I use my paycheck to pay rent and buy groceries.*

*Many students work part-time jobs to earn their paycheck.*

Financial master
Definition: A top tier expert who has excellent control and knowledge about managing money.

Example Sentences:

*After years of saving and investing, she became a financial master.*

*He’s a financial master, always knowing the best stocks to buy.*

Splurge
Definition: To spend money freely or extravagantly.

Example Sentences:

*They splurged on a luxury vacation last summer.*

*Whenever I get a bonus, I tend to splurge on useless gadgets.*

Designer clothes
Definition: Clothing made by well-known fashion brands, often expensive.

Example Sentences:

*He always wears designer clothes to impress people.*

*She loves shopping for designer clothes at high-end stores.*

Have nothing to show for it
Definition: To have no results, benefits, or success from one’s efforts or money.

Example Sentences:

*He worked all year but had nothing to show for it.*

*After all that education, ten years later, he has nothing to show for it.*

Impulse buying
Definition: Purchasing something spontaneously without planning ahead, or emotionally without thinking it through.

Example Sentences:

*I can't stop my impulse buying; I'm always grabbing display items at the checkout counters.*

*Shopping online can lead to impulse buying because it’s so easy.*

Generosity
Definition: The willingness to give more than is necessary or expected.

Example Sentences:

*Her generosity with her time and resources is inspiring.*

*The charity was praised for its generosity in helping those in need.*

Sustainable
Definition: Capable of being maintained or continued over the long term.

Example Sentences:

*We need to find sustainable ways to produce energy.*

*Their business plan isn’t sustainable without consistent growth.*

Eat up
Definition: To consume or use something quickly or completely.

Example Sentences:

*My utilities and car gas bills eat up most of my income.*

*The long drive to work eats up two hours of my day.*

Their own worst enemy
Definition: Someone who causes problems for themselves through their actions.

Example Sentences:

*He’s his own worst enemy because he can't control his buying impulses.*

*I'm my own worst enemy when it comes to dating--always saying the wrong things.*

See dollar signs
Definition: To become obsessed with the idea of making money or to see profit everywhere.

Example Sentences:

*He sees dollar signs every time he hears about a new business opportunity.*

*The scammer saw dollar signs when he met the naive investor.*

Come knocking
Definition: To arrive or appear, often unexpectedly or seeking something.

Example Sentences:

*The debt collectors came knocking at his door.*

*Old friends came knocking when they heard I was back in town.*

Mess with your head
Definition: To cause confusion, stress, or mental disturbance.

Example Sentences:

*When John ghosted me, it really messed with my head.*

*All the pressure from work was really messing with my head.*

Isolated
Definition: Feeling alone or separated from others.

Example Sentences:

*After moving to a new city, she felt isolated at first.*

*During the pandemic, many people felt isolated from their friends.*

Handle it
Definition: To manage or deal with a situation.

Example Sentences:

*When faced with criticism, she knows how to handle it gracefully.*

*Can you handle it if I leave early today?*

Rags to riches
Definition: A phrase describing someone who goes from poverty to wealth. [In our example, it's "riches to rags"--uncommon, it's a play on words of this common expression]

Example Sentences:

*His story is a classic rags to riches tale--from poverty to riches.*

*Many entrepreneurs start with nothing and achieve rags to riches success.*

Greed
Definition: An intense desire to have more of something, especially wealth, than is needed or deserved.

Example Sentences:

*His greed for money led him to make reckless investments.*

*The company's greed caused it to ignore environmental regulations.*

Emotional stress
Definition: Mental or emotional strain caused by difficult circumstances or feelings.

Example Sentences:

*Losing a loved one can cause intense emotional stress.*

*The pressure to succeed at work often results in emotional stress.*