YouTube Channel Source: The Bucket List Family

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

WORDS / EXPRESSIONS + [Timestamp]

1. Road trip [00:30]

2. Hold on tight [01:15]

3. Squeeze in [02:07]

4. Sinus infection [04:30]

5. Troopers [04:43]

6. Onward [05:13]

7. Band together [05:50]

8. Committer [06:00]

9. Congestion [07:36]

10. Eustachian tubes [07:47]

11. Disaster [07:56]

12. To stand between [08:03]

13. Beaming [08:38]

14. Audition [08:44]

15. Allergic [10:02]

16. Overlooked [11:44]

17. Tournament [11:52]

18. Invested [13:58]

19. Out of my league [14:27]

20. Ballers [15:07]

21. Shoot him in the foot [17:40]

22. Bracket [18:53]

23. Islandwide [19:26]

24. Cherry on the top [20:35]

25. Hold still [26:26]

DEFINITIONS & SENTENCES

1. Road trip

Definition: A journey taken by car, usually occurring over a long distance and involving various stops along the way.

• Example Sentences:
  1. We’re planning a road trip across the country this summer, hoping to see as many national parks as we can.
  2. Their road trip playlist was full of classic hits, making the long hours on the highway much more enjoyable.
  3. The family took a road trip to visit the Grand Canyon, stopping at quaint diners and attractions along the way.

2. Hold on tight

Definition: An expression used to advise someone to grasp something firmly and securely.

• Example Sentences:
  1. “Hold on tight,” the father said to his son as they started the roller coaster ride.
  2. She told her friend to hold on tight to the handlebars when learning to ride a bike for the first time.
  3. The boat captain urged everyone to hold on tight as they approached the rapid currents.

3. Squeeze in

Definition: To manage to fit something or someone into a small or crowded space.

• Example Sentences:
  1. Despite the meeting room being almost full, they managed to squeeze in a couple more chairs for the latecomers.
  2. Can you squeeze in a quick coffee with me during your lunch break?
  3. They squeezed in one last game of cards before they had to pack up and leave.

4. Sinus infection

Definition: An inflammation of the sinuses, typically causing congestion, pain, and discomfort around the nose, forehead, and cheek area, often resulting from a bacterial or viral infection.

• Example Sentences:
  1. He’s been suffering from a sinus infection for days, finding it hard to breathe and sleep.
  2. Sinus infections are common in the winter months and can make you feel quite miserable.
  3. Consulting a doctor is advisable if symptoms of a sinus infection persist for over a week.

5. Troopers

Definition: Members of a state police force; can also refer to individuals displaying significant endurance or resilience.

• Example Sentences:
  1. The state troopers were called in to manage the traffic jam caused by the accident on the highway.
  2. Despite the heavy rain, the troopers at the marathon kept the spirits high and ensured everyone’s safety.
  3. His kids were real troopers, hiking through the forest without a single complaint.

6. Onward

Definition: Moving forward or continuing a journey or activity.

• Example Sentences:
  1. From here, we journey onward towards the mountain peak.
  2. The historical documentary explored the civilizations from ancient times onward.
  3. The team decided to push onward with the project, despite the challenges they faced.

7. Band together

Definition: To unite or come together in order to achieve a common goal.

• Example Sentences:
  1. The community banded together to help rebuild the local school that was damaged by the storm.
  2. In difficult times, it’s crucial for family members to band together and support each other.
  3. Wildlife conservationists have banded together to protect endangered species around the world.

8. Committer

Definition: A person who commits or pledges to do something; often used in the context of contributing to a project, especially in software development.

• Example Sentences:
  1. As a committer to the open-source project, he submitted several patches that improved its performance.
  2. The project leader recognized her as a valuable committer who had contributed many innovative ideas.
  3. Every committer to the repository is required to review code changes before they are merged.

9. Congestion

Definition: The state of being crowded and full of traffic or an accumulation leading to blockage, often referring to nasal blockage or heavy traffic.

• Example Sentences:
  1. Traffic congestion in the city center is much worse during rush hour.
  2. Seasonal allergies often lead to nasal congestion, making it difficult to breathe.
  3. They implemented new policies to address the congestion issues in public transport during peak times.

10. Eustachian tubes

Definition: Narrow tubes connecting the middle ear to the back of the throat, responsible for regulating air pressure and draining fluid from the middle ear.

• Example Sentences:
  1. An infection of the Eustachian tubes can lead to a painful condition known as an ear infection.
  2. Yawning or swallowing can help open the Eustachian tubes and equalize ear pressure during a flight.
  3. Blockage of the Eustachian tubes is common with colds and allergies, contributing to ear pain and hearing problems.

11. Disaster

Definition: A sudden event, such as an accident or a natural catastrophe, that causes great damage or loss of life.

• Example Sentences:
  1. The earthquake was a major disaster, leaving thousands of people homeless.
  2. After the dinner burned, she joked that her attempt at cooking was a complete disaster.
  3. They organized a charity event to raise funds for the victims of the recent natural disaster.

12. To stand between

Definition: To be in a position that physically blocks someone from reaching or seeing something; can also mean to prevent or hinder something.

• Example Sentences:
  1. He wouldn’t let anything stand between him and his goals.
  2. A large crowd stood between me and the stage, so I couldn’t see the concert very well.
  3. Misunderstandings stood between the two friends, making reconciliation difficult.

13. Beaming

Definition: Smiling broadly and radiantly.

• Example Sentences:
  1. She was beaming with pride after her child’s performance at the school play.
  2. His beaming face as he accepted the award lit up the room.
  3. They took a photo together, beaming and clearly enjoying the reunion.

14. Audition

Definition: A trial performance, as by an actor, dancer, or musician, to demonstrate suitability or skill.

• Example Sentences:
  1. She was nervous before her audition for the lead role in the play.
  2. Hundreds of talented singers showed up to the audition for the new television singing competition.
  3. He practiced daily, hoping his audition for the music school would be successful.

15. Allergic

Definition: Having an allergy or increased sensitivity to a substance, causing an unwanted reaction when exposed to it.

• Example Sentences:
  1. She is allergic to peanuts and has to be very careful about what she eats.
  2. Since I’m allergic to cat dander, visiting friends with cats can be a challenge.
  3. They found out he was allergic to bee stings when he had a reaction during a camping trip.

16. Overlooked

Definition: Failed to notice or considered; ignored or neglected.

• Example Sentences:
  1. The small but crucial detail was overlooked in the final report.
  2. He felt overlooked at work, despite his many contributions to the project.
  3. The importance of regular maintenance is often overlooked by car owners.

17. Tournament

Definition: A series of contests between a number of competitors, who compete for an overall prize.

• Example Sentences:
  1. The tennis tournament attracted players from all around the world.
  2. They entered a chess tournament and were excited for the competition.
  3. The annual golf tournament was a major event in the town, raising money for charity.

18. Invested

Definition: Expended money with the expectation of achieving a profit or material result by putting it into financial schemes, shares, or property.

• Example Sentences:
  1. She invested wisely in the stock market and saw substantial returns over the years.
  2. They’ve invested a lot of time and energy into renovating their home.
  3. Being emotionally invested in the outcome, he was disappointed with the final decision.

19. Out of my league

Definition: Significantly better or more advanced than one is; not within one’s level of ability or attractiveness.

• Example Sentences:
  1. I didn’t apply for the job because it seemed out of my league.
  2. He thought she was out of his league, but decided to ask her out anyway.
  3. The course was out of my league, so I switched to a class that was more my speed.

20. Ballers

Definition: Slang term typically referring to skilled basketball players; can also broadly refer to someone who is proficient in their field, especially in sports or music.

• Example Sentences:
  1. The park was filled with ballers showing off their skills on the court.
  2. He aspired to be one of the top ballers in the league, dedicating hours to training each day.
  3. The concert was a showcase of local ballers in the rap scene, bringing fierce performances to the stage.

21. Shoot him in the foot

Definition: To do something that is self-sabotaging, causing problems for oneself. (It’s worth noting that this phrase is usually used figuratively rather than literally.)

• Example Sentences:
  1. By submitting his application late, he really shot himself in the foot.
  2. Spreading those rumors only served to shoot him in the foot, reducing his chances of promotion.
  3. She knew arguing with the boss was like shooting herself in the foot, but she couldn’t hold back her frustrations.

22. Bracket

Definition: A category of people or things that are similar or classified together, often used in sports and competitions to group competitors, or in mathematics and literature as a punctuation mark (e.g., [ ] ).

• Example Sentences:
  1. The teams were divided into brackets based on their season records for the tournament.
  2. Please ensure you use the correct bracket in your math problem to avoid a mistake.
  3. The higher income bracket is expected to contribute more in taxes.

23. Islandwide

Definition: Occurring or extending throughout the entire island.

• Example Sentences:
  1. After the hurricane, the islandwide power outage took weeks to repair.
  2. The festival is celebrated islandwide, with festivities in every town and village.
  3. An islandwide search was launched for the missing treasure believed to be buried centuries ago.

24. Cherry on the top

Definition: An extra enhancement or good thing that makes something better or more desirable. Often spelled “cherry on top”.

• Example Sentences:
  1. The trip was fantastic, and the unexpected upgrade to first class was the cherry on the top.
  2. He finished his presentation, and the cherry on the top was his flawless answering of the questions.
  3. The Gourmet kitchen was impressive, but the walk-in pantry was the cherry on the top for her.

25. Hold still

Definition: To remain motionless or stable, without moving.

• Example Sentences:
  1. “Hold still while I take your photograph,” the artist told the child.
  2. It was hard for him to hold still during the long ceremony.
  3. The doctor asked her to hold still while he stitched up the wound.