Vocabulary
New ways you can express your calm, relaxed feelings.
When it’s cold, your body moves slowly, so we use the phrases chill or chill out to mean relaxed or calm. These phrases can be used as verbs or adjectives.
Chill or chilled out:
• It’s my day off, so I’m going to chill.
• I chilled out at home last night watching TV.
• Jack is a pretty chill guy. Nothing bothers him.
Mellow out is also another verb meaning to relax:
• Jenny was mellowing out on the sofa this afternoon.
• I had a tough day in the office. I need to mellow out.
Take it easy means to relax:
• After his surgery, Tom took it easy for a week.
• I love to take it easy on the weekends.
By the way, take it easy also means goodbye.
Sometimes you may need to tell someone to relax because they are upset. Here is what you can say:
• Cool your jets/pits! ← This is a bit 1980’s or 1990’s sounding. It means “Please calm down, please relax.”
• Give it a rest! ← It means “Calm down” or “Don’t be so aggressive.”
• Hold your horses ← This is more like 1880’s sounding! It also means “Please calm down, please relax.” You may hear this spoken in movies or TV programs.
• Keep your shirt on! ← It also means “Please calm down, please relax.”
• Loosen up! ← It means “Calm down” or “Don’t be so angry.”
• Simmer down! ← It also means “Please calm down, please relax.”
• Take a chill pill! ← It also means “Please calm down, please relax.”
