English Phrases Starting with Z
In this lesson, we cover essential American phrases and expressions that start with letter Z with examples. You can use them in your daily conversations. Just follow examples and write them down a few times to learn them very well.
Expression Recap
In our previous lesson, we covered American Phrases Beginning with Y.
Short English Phrases Starting with Z
x marks the spot: this is the place where you can find something.
A: Where are we supposed to dig?
B: Over there. X marks the spot.
you bet / you betcha: 1. yes; you’re right; absolutely. 2. you’re welcome (this expression has two different meanings depending on the situation).
A: Thanks for helping me.
B: You bet. (2)
A: Is Sarah really going to do what she said she would do?
B: You betcha she is. (1)
you bet your life: you’re correct (this expression is very similar to “you bet.”)
A: Wow, she’s hot.*
B: You bet your life she is.
* hot: attractive; good-looking
you can lead a horse to water, but you can’t make him drink: you can’t force a person (or an animal) to do something.
you can say that again: I agree with you; that’s correct.
A: That jet is moving really fast.
B: You can say that again.
you can’t make an omelet without breaking a few eggs: some things are going to go wrong, or mistakes will be made when you want to accomplish a goal.
you can’t take it with you: when you die, you can’t take your worldly possessions: money, jewelry, electronic stuff, etc.
Some people try to spend every last dime before they die because you can’t take it with you.
you can’t win them all: you can’t win every single time there’s a competition; you can’t always expect success.
Jennifer was disappointed that she lost her tennis match, but you can’t win them all.
you get what you pay for: the amount of money that you pay for something often matches the thing or service that you receive.
A: This vacuum cleaner doesn’t work.
B: Well, you only paid about $30 for it. You get what you pay for.
you never can tell: it’s hard to predict the future; identifying something isn’t easy.
When you go to a casino, you never can tell if you’re going to be lucky and win a lot of money or be unlucky and lose a lot of money.
you’re telling me: I agree with you.
A: That’s a big fish!
B: You’re telling me!
your guess is as good as mine: I’m not sure; I don’t know.
A: What kind of a duck is that?
B: I don’t know. You’re guess is as good as mine.
you said it: you’re right; I agree.
A: He has a great hand!
B: You said it!
hand: cards (This is a word commonly used when playing poker. If you have a good hand, your cards are good.)
you scratch my back and I’ll scratch yours: if you help me, I’ll help you.
zero in on: to identify; to mark a point in the distance.
Once he zeroed in on the enemy, he fired his weapon.
zoom in on someone or something: get closer, usually with a camera; look over there and try to get closer.
Hey, zoom in on that girl in the blue shirt. She’s hot.
Related Expression Lessons
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English Expression Outline
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