Everyday problems – B1+ English Vocabulary

Everyday problems

Exercise 3

Complete each gap using a word from the box. You can use each option ONLY ONCE.

banged – chipped – flooded – handle – jammed – leak – stained – torn – tripped over – twisted

Everyday problems

In this Upper-intermediate Vocabulary Lesson about Everyday Problems, you will learn useful words and expressions to describe common issues at home and physical problems. The pictures, descriptions, and examples below will help you understand and remember the terms.

At home

1 Power cut: A temporary loss of electricity in a building or area.

• We had a power cut last night and couldn’t use any appliances.

2 Flooded: Filled with water due to a leak or overflow.

• The tap was left running and now the bathroom is flooded.

3 Come off: When something becomes detached or separated.

• The handle has come off the cupboard door.

4 Run out (of something): To have no more of something.

• We’ve run out of milk. Can you buy some?
• The remote doesn’t work – the batteries have run out.

5 Break down: When a machine or appliance stops working.

• The washing machine has broken down again!

6 To leak / a water leak: When liquid escapes from a hole or crack.

• The kitchen tap is leaking – we need to fix it.
• There’s a water leak under the sink.

7 Chipped: When a small piece breaks off the edge of an object such as a plate, cup, etc.

• I dropped the mug and now it’s chipped.

8 Clogged/Blocked: When something like a sink or a toilet is stuck and water or waste can’t pass through.

• The toilet is blocked again.
• The sink is clogged with food waste.

9 Jammed: When something like a door or window is stuck and difficult or impossible to open or move.

• The window is jammed – it won’t open.

10 Torn: Ripped or with a hole caused by pulling (used for curtains, sheets, etc.).

• There’s a torn patch in the bedsheet.

11 Blown fuse: When a fuse breaks due to an electrical fault, cutting off power.

• The lights went out – I think it’s a blown fuse.

12 Dented: When the surface of something, like a fridge or a car, is bent or damaged by a hit.

• She accidentally dented the fridge door with her elbow.
• The car is dented on the side.

13 Stain: A dirty mark on something like a tablecloth or sheets that is difficult to remove.

• There’s a coffee stain on the tablecloth.

14 Spill: To accidentally drop liquid.

• I spilled milk all over the floor.

15 Lock oneself out: To accidentally lock the door with yourself outside.

• I locked myself out and had to call a locksmith.

16 When your car won’t start, the engine doesn’t turn on.

• It’s freezing this morning and the car won’t start.

Physical problems

1 To bump/bang your head: To hit your head against something. Bang implies that you hit your head harder.

• I bumped my head on the cupboard door.
• He banged his head against the wall when he fell.

2 To twist your ankle: To injure your ankle by turning it awkwardly.

• I twisted my ankle while running and now it’s swollen.

3 To graze your knee: To scrape the skin on your knee.

• She fell off her bike and grazed her knee.

4 Bruise: A dark mark on the skin caused by injury.

• I have a big bruise on my arm from bumping into the table.

5 Back spasm: When the muscles in your back suddenly tighten or contract painfully.

• I bent over too quickly and felt a back spasm that made it hard to stand up straight.

6 To pull a muscle: To strain or overstretch a muscle.

• He pulled a muscle in his back while lifting weights.

7 Splinter: A small piece of wood or material stuck in the skin.

• I got a splinter in my finger from the wooden chair.

8 To trip over: To stumble or fall because of hitting something with your foot.

• I tripped over the rug and almost fell.

After completing the exercises in this lesson on Everyday Problems, you can use the unit’s Vocabulary Flascards to revise and help you memorize the terms.