English Vocabulary

  punch out  American English (to record the time you leave work, especially by putting a card into a special machine) Tim punched out a little early yesterday. My boss is angry because I forgot to punch out three times last month. I clock out at six and go home …

  punch in  American English (to record the time you arrive at work, especially by putting a card into a special machine) What time do you have to punch in the morning? We are supposed to punch in by 8:30. Staff should clock in when they arrive. clock in  British …

    you live and learn (you learn from your mistakes or from experience) I told you my secret in the belief that I could trust you, but I couldn’t. Oh well, you live and learn. Jane made her new dress from cheap cloth, and when she washed it, it …

  We’ll cross that bridge when we come to it. (we’ll deal with a future problem when it happens) Don’t worry about how we’re going to deal with a flat tire; we’ll cross that bridge when we come to it. What if it rains? – Let’s cross that bridge when …

  clear up (make a place clean and neat by putting things back where they belong) I have to clear up the house before my parents get back. (the clouds go away; it stops raining) It is raining hard now, but it will clear up in the afternoon. (to deal …