Wow! We are having a hot summer here in Boston!
According to the news, it looks like we are entering another heat wave that should last through the end of this week! How is the weather where you live?
If you are living in the United States and you are wondering how to make small talk with your American colleagues and friends- this article will help you do that this week! Today I will teach you 6 American English phrasal verbs that you can use to talk about the heat!
#1) Cool off
When we "cool off" we try to lower our body temperature.
You can eat an ice cube to cool off or you can go swimming in the ocean or a pool.
What do you like to do to cool off?
More examples: "Swimming in the ocean is a great way to cool off." or "If you need to cool off, jump on the subway and sit in the air conditioning."
#2) Build up
In some humid parts of the US, the humidity "builds up" all day and then it rains later in the day.
Does this happen where you live?
More examples: "The heat has been building up all week." "The humidity built up until about 6pm and then it rained really hard."
#3) Splash around
"Splash around" means to swing your arms and legs in a body of water such as a pool or the ocean.
Kids like to splash around in the water all day during the summer.
More examples: "Look at those kids splashing around in the water."
#4) Burn up
"Burn up" means to feel extremely hot. You can "burn up" if you spend more than 30 minutes in the mid-day sun during the summer.
More examples: "The sun is so hot today. I am burning up."
#5) Pass out
When you "pass out" you faint or lose consciousness.
This can happen if you are sick, but it can also happen when it's very hot outside.
An elderly person might pass out when it gets too hot in his or her apartment.
More examples: "Be sure to drink a lot of water so that you don't pass out during the game."
#6) Nod off
When you "nod off" you get really tired and drop your head and fall asleep.
This can happen on the train or at work.
People nod off a lot when it's hot outside.
More examples: "It was so hot outside that I went to the park to read and I nodded off"
Photo credit: Tony Alter, Ernsti, bredgur, Tommy Wong, alisdair, moyerphotos,
