Brief Summary
This lesson from English for Everyone focuses on the word "snap" and the phrasal verb "pay off". It covers various uses of "snap," including its meaning as a quick action, as well as the phrasal verbs "snap at," "snap out of," and "snap back." The lesson also explains "pay off," which means to finish paying for something, and demonstrates its usage with pronouns.
- Snap: A quick action or the sound of fingers clicking together.
- Snap at: To speak to someone in a sharp or angry way.
- Snap out of: To quickly change from a negative mood to a positive one.
- Snap back: To return to an original shape or position.
- Pay off: To finish paying for something, like a loan or credit card.
Introduction to "Snap"
The lesson begins by introducing the word "snap," both as a noun and a verb. The instructor demonstrates snapping fingers and encourages viewers to share in the comments whether they can snap their fingers. The past tense of "snap" is "snapped," with a distinct "t" sound.
"In a Snap" Expression
The expression "in a snap" means doing something quickly. For example, someone cooking dinner might say they'll have it ready "in a snap," indicating it will be ready very soon.
"Snap At" Phrasal Verb
"Snap at" means to try to bite (as with a dog) or to speak to someone angrily. If a dog tries to bite someone, it "snapped at" them. Similarly, if a boss is angry and says something mean, they "snapped at" the employee. Several examples from different speakers are provided to illustrate the usage of "snap at" in various contexts.
"Snap Out Of" Phrasal Verb
"Snap out of" refers to quickly changing from a negative mood (like sadness or depression) to a better one. If someone is sad and listening to sad music, they might need to "snap out of it" by changing their mood. The pronunciation of "out of it" is discussed, noting the "t" in "out" can change to a fast "d" sound.
"Snap Back" Phrasal Verb
"Snap back" describes something returning to its original shape after being bent or changed. For instance, bending an object and watching it "snap back" into place. Additionally, the lesson introduces "snap closed," as demonstrated with a clothes peg that "snaps closed" when released.
Introduction to "Pay Off"
The lesson transitions to the phrasal verb "pay off," which means to finish paying for something, such as a loan or credit card. Having a loan means you have debt. The "b" in "debt" is silent. To "pay off" debt means to complete all the payments.
"Pay It Off" Separable Phrasal Verb
"Pay off" is a separable phrasal verb, meaning that if a pronoun is used, it must go between "pay" and "off." For example, "pay it off" is correct, while "pay off it" is incorrect. The "t" in "it" changes to a fast "d" sound when spoken. The lesson provides examples of using "pay it off" in present and past tenses, such as "He needs to pay it off as soon as possible" and "He finally paid it off."
