YouTube Channel Source: Marques Brownlee

Learn the words and expressions used in this Real-Life English video.

WORDS / EXPRESSIONS + [Timestamp]

1. Mischievous [00:01]

2. Salesman [00:08]

3. Out of style [00:17]

4. Refurb [00:55]

5. Action button [01:12]

6. MagSafe [01:28]

7. Nickel and diming [04:00]

8. Hard to swallow [04:21]

9. Footnote [04:49]

10. Maxes out [06:22]

11. Hierarchy [07:47]

12. Inferior [08:02]

13. Stabilization [08:03]

14. Depth of field [08:19]

15. Bokeh [08:21]

16. Saturation [08:26]

17. Spatial [08:43]

18. Precision [09:19]

19. Sneaky [09:28]

20. On par [11:26]

21. Debut [11:39]

22. Low-stakes [11:41]

23. Kinks [11:45]

24. Enticed [12:31]

25. Tariffs [12:53]

DEFINITIONS & SENTENCES

1. Mischievous

Definition: Playfully naughty or troublesome.

Example sentences:

• The mischievous cat knocked over the vase while eyeing its owner.
• His mischievous grin told us he had played a prank.
• They planned a mischievous surprise for their teacher’s birthday.

2. Salesman

Definition: A person who sells goods or services.

Example sentences:

• The salesman offered us a great deal on the car.
• He worked as a door-to-door salesman during the summer.
• The experienced salesman knew exactly what to say to close the deal.

3. Out of style

Definition: No longer fashionable or considered trendy.

Example sentences:

• Bell-bottom jeans are out of style now, but they were huge in the seventies.
• He realized that his favorite jacket was out of style when no one wore anything like it.
• Decorating homes in avocado green is completely out of style these days.

4. Refurb

Definition: Short for refurbish; to renovate and redecorate something, especially a building.

Example sentences:

• They decided to refurb the old library to restore its original charm.
• Buying refurb electronics can save a lot of money.
• The company specializes in refurb laptops to make them as good as new.

5. Action button

Definition: A button in a user interface that initiates a specific action or process.

Example sentences:

• Click the action button to start the installation process.
• The action button on the website leads you directly to the checkout.
• She customized the action button to make it more visible to users.

6. MagSafe

Definition: A technology developed by Apple, featuring a magnetic attachment system for power connectors and accessories on certain Apple devices.

Example sentences:

• The MagSafe charger easily snaps onto the back of the iPhone.
• He bought a MagSafe wallet that attaches perfectly to his phone.
• The new laptop uses MagSafe technology for a more secure power connection.

7. Nickel and diming

Definition: A term used to describe a situation where small amounts of money are frequently charged, adding up to a significant expense.

Example sentences:

• They felt like the airline was nickel and diming them with all the extra charges.
• The contract was full of small clauses that ended up nickel and diming us over time.
• Don’t let the company nickel and dime your budget with unnecessary fees.

8. Hard to swallow

Definition: Difficult to accept or believe.

Example sentences:

• The news of his sudden departure was hard to swallow.
• The conspiracy theory he mentioned was a bit hard to swallow.
• Losing the game in the last second was a hard pill to swallow for the team.

9. Footnote

Definition: A note or a piece of information printed at the bottom of a page in a book or document.

Example sentences:

• The critical details were mentioned in a footnote at the end of the page.
• She used footnotes extensively to cite sources in her research paper.
• The footnote contained useful additional information about the study.

10. Maxes out

Definition: To reach the upper limit or maximum capacity.

Example sentences:

• His credit card maxes out after a few big purchases.
• The weightlifter maxes out at a 250-pound deadlift.
• The arena maxes out at 20,000 spectators for a concert.

11. Hierarchy

Definition: A system in which members of an organization or society are ranked according to relative status or authority.

Example sentences:

• The military operates under a strict hierarchy that dictates every member’s role and responsibilities.
• In the company’s hierarchy, department heads report directly to the CEO.
• Social hierarchies have played a crucial role in the structure of ancient civilizations.

12. Inferior

Definition: Lower in rank, status, or quality.

Example sentences:

• No one should be made to feel inferior because of their background.
• The generic product seemed inferior to the branded one in terms of durability.
• Her constant criticism made him feel inferior and unappreciated.

13. Stabilization

Definition: The act of making something more stable or steady.

Example sentences:

• The government introduced a new policy for the stabilization of the economy.
• Stabilization of the injured patient was the first priority for the medical team.
• The software offers image stabilization features to improve video quality.

14. Depth of Field

Definition: In photography and cinematography, the distance between the nearest and the furthest objects that give an image judged to be in focus in a camera.

Example sentences:

• By adjusting the aperture, the photographer could alter the depth of field to make the background blurry while keeping the subject in sharp focus.
• A shallow depth of field is often used in portraits to draw attention to the subject.
• Understanding depth of field is crucial for capturing stunning landscape photographs.

15. Bokeh

Definition: The visual quality of the out-of-focus areas of a photographic image, especially as rendered by a particular lens.

Example sentences:

• The bokeh effect in her photos adds a magical touch to the lights in the background.
• He chose a lens specifically for its ability to create beautiful bokeh.
• The photograph captured the city lights at night, showcasing a stunning bokeh effect.

16. Saturation

Definition: In color theory, saturation refers to the intensity of color in an image or photograph; being fully saturated means colors are at their most intense.

Example sentences:

• Increasing the saturation made the blues and greens in the picture pop.
• The saturation level was dialed down for a more muted, vintage look.
• High saturation can make images look more vibrant, but too much can appear unnatural.

17. Spatial

Definition: Relating to, occupying, or having the character of space.

Example sentences:

• The architect’s spatial awareness was evident in the clever layout of the small apartment.
• Virtual reality technology can simulate spatial environments for training and education purposes.
• She had a keen spatial sense, allowing her to excel in sculpture and design.

18. Precision

Definition: The quality, condition, or fact of being exact and accurate.

Example sentences:

• The job requires precision and attention to detail.
• The machinery was calibrated with high precision to ensure flawless production.
• His precision in timing was crucial to the success of the musical performance.

19. Sneaky

Definition: Acting in a secret and underhanded way; not open or direct.

Example sentences:

• He took a sneaky route to avoid being seen by his classmates.
• The cat was sneaky, silently stalking its prey in the garden.
• She gave a sneaky smile, hiding the surprise she had planned for her friend’s birthday.

20. On par

Definition: Equal in importance or quality; on the same level.

Example sentences:

• Her performance was on par with the leading professionals in the field.
• The generic brand proved on par with the expensive name brand in taste and quality.
• For energy efficiency, the new model is on par with its leading competitor.

21. Debut

Definition: A person’s first appearance or performance in a particular capacity or role.

Example sentences:

• She will make her professional stage debut in the new Broadway production next month.
• The company’s debut product was a hit, setting the stage for future success.
• His film debut received critical acclaim, marking the beginning of a promising career in cinema.

22. Low-stakes

Definition: Involving minimal risk or consequences; not having a significant or detrimental impact.

Example sentences:

• The quiz was low-stakes, meant to encourage learning without the pressure of grades.
• They played a low-stakes game of poker, just for fun and not for any large sums of money.
• For a new employee, starting with low-stakes tasks can help build confidence and experience.

23. Kinks

Definition: A flaw or problem in a plan, operation, or machine; often also used to refer to a twist or curve in something that is generally straight.

Example sentences:

• They’re still working out the kinks in the new software before its official launch.
• My garden hose has a kink in it that’s stopping the water flow.
• Planning the event was complicated, but they managed to iron out all the kinks at the last minute.

24. Enticed

Definition: To attract or tempt by offering pleasure or advantage.

Example sentences:

• The aroma of freshly baked cookies enticed him into the kitchen.
• Advertisers always look for new ways to entice customers into buying their products.
• The idea of living abroad enticed her with promises of adventure and new experiences.

25. Tariffs

Definition: Taxes on imported or, less commonly, exported goods.

Example sentences:

• The government raised tariffs on luxury goods to boost domestic sales.
• One of the hot topics in international trade discussions is the reduction of tariffs to facilitate easier market access.
• The imposition of new tariffs led to an increase in the cost of electronics, affecting both retailers and consumers.