17 Home styles, lifestyles

A Home styles
A squat /skwt/ is an empty building where people start living without the owners
permission.
A hovel /hvl/ is a very small, dirty house or flat in a bad (or run down) condition.
Rented accommodation can be either furnished or unfurnished. [with or without furniture]
A penthouse is a luxury flat at the top of a building.
Council or social housing is rented accommodation provided by the state for people who
cannot afford to buy their own homes. A council estate is a large group of such housing.
High-rise (flats) or tower blocks are flats in a tall, modern building with a lot of floors.
A granny flat is a set of rooms for an elderly person, connected to a relatives house.
B Idioms and expressions relating to house and home
expression meaning example
get on like a get on very well with someone Happily, my mother-in-law and I have
house on fire always got on like a house on fire.
a household something/someone everyone Nike has become a household name.
word/name knows
on the house free of charge The restaurant owner offered us
coffees on the house.
home truths information that is true but Its time he was told some home truths
not pleasant or welcome about the way hes been behaving!
nothing to write nothing special The town is OK but nothing to write
home about home about.
hit home become fully understood or The difficulty of managing without a
fully felt regular salary is hitting home now.
make yourself make yourself feel comfortable Please just make yourself at home
at home in someone elses home while I get dinner ready.

C Idioms and metaphors relating to life

expression meaning example
life in the fast a way of life that is full of As a rock star, Joe lived life in the
lane activity and excitement fast lane.
have the time of have a wonderful time Paulas having the time of her life in
your life Canada.
get a new lease become more energetic and When Sue moved jobs, she seemed
of life active than before to get a new lease of life.
a dogs life a very unhappy and difficult life Roger had a dogs life in the army.
lead a sheltered have a life that is protected from Kyoko has led a very sheltered life
life unpleasantness (also lead a busy/ and may find it hard to adapt to
quiet/normal, etc. life) the big city.
(not) be a matter (not) be very serious If we miss the last train, its not a
of life and death matter of life and death.
take your life in do something very dangerous Youre taking your life in your
your hands hands if you cross the road here
go to the zebra crossing!
breathe new life bring new ideas and energy to When Orla joined the staff, she
into something breathed new life into the school.

40 English Vocabulary in Use Advanced