Describing Around a Gap

When to use: when a word isn't coming — keep speaking anyway

Chunks in this category (18)

• It's kind of like…▾

  • Cricket? It's kind of like baseball, but the games take longer.
  • What's a smoothie? It's kind of like a milkshake, but with fruit.
  • My new job? It's kind of like teaching, but with adults.
• You know that feeling when…▾

  • You know that feeling when you walk into a room and forget why?
  • I was so relieved. You know that feeling when you finally get home after travelling?
  • You know that feeling when your phone buzzes but there's no message?
• It's the opposite of…▾

  • My new boss? It's the opposite of my old one. Very relaxed.
  • The weather this week? It's the opposite of last week. So cold!
  • My sister is very tidy. Me? It's the opposite of tidy.
• Sort of similar to…▾

  • Kale? Sort of similar to spinach, but tougher.
  • My new job? Sort of similar to my old one, just bigger.
  • Have you played padel? Sort of similar to tennis, but with walls.
• I can't remember the exact word but it's like…▾

  • That tool for opening wine? I can't remember the exact word but it's like a twisted metal hook.
  • I can't remember the exact word but it's like a small shop that sells newspapers and snacks.
  • She felt, um, I can't remember the exact word but it's like nervous and excited at once.
• It's that thing where…▾

  • Jet lag? It's that thing where you're awake all night after a long flight.
  • It's that thing where you hear a song and can't stop humming it.
  • My son has this habit. It's that thing where he talks in his sleep.
• You know what I mean?▾

  • I love my family, but I need some space. You know what I mean?
  • The new phone works, but it feels slow. You know what I mean?
  • You know what I mean? Some days you just don't want to cook.
• It's like when you…▾

  • Burnout? It's like when you keep working but feel nothing.
  • This medicine feels strange. It's like when you stand up too fast.
  • It's like when you buy shoes online and they don't fit.
• There's a word for it but basically…▾

  • When you can't sleep? There's a word for it but basically your mind won't switch off.
  • My aunt hates spending money. There's a word for it but basically she's very careful.
  • There's a word for it but basically it's missing home after you move away.
• It's somewhere between… and…▾

  • My new job? It's somewhere between… and office work and sales.
  • This soup? It's somewhere between… and spicy and sweet.
  • How's the weather today? It's somewhere between… and warm and chilly.
• Think of it as a kind of…▾

  • A food truck? Think of it as a kind of restaurant on wheels.
  • Think of it as a kind of diary, but you record your voice.
  • This app? Think of it as a kind of map for your money.
• Not exactly… but something like it▾

  • Was it a wedding? Not exactly… but something like it. More of a big family party.
  • So you're a teacher? Not exactly… but something like it. I train new staff.
  • Is this soup a curry? Not exactly… but something like it. It's thick and spicy.
• It's a type of…▾

  • It's a type of bread, round and flat, with a hole in the middle.
  • What's a kiwi? It's a type of fruit, green inside.
  • I'm making a stew. It's a type of soup, but thicker.
• It's what you use to…▾

  • I need the thing for the garden. It's what you use to cut grass.
  • It's what you use to open a bottle of wine.
  • Where's the... you know, It's what you use to hang wet clothes?
• It looks a bit like…▾

  • It looks a bit like a pear, but it tastes sweeter.
  • Have you seen my new hat? It looks a bit like a bowl.
  • The building downtown? It looks a bit like a giant glass box.
• I don't know what it's called, but…▾

  • I don't know what it's called, but it's the tool that fixes bike tyres.
  • I had this dish in the market. I don't know what it's called, but it was spicy.
  • My knee has a problem. I don't know what it's called, but the doctor said it's common.
• The place where you…▾

  • We need to go to... The place where you pay your phone bill.
  • The place where you get your car washed is closed today.
  • Meet me at, um, The place where you buy train tickets.
• It's the person who…▾

  • What's a landlord? It's the person who owns your flat.
  • I need to call, um... It's the person who fixes the pipes.
  • It's the person who checks your eyes, not the regular doctor.