Daily Routines · Lesson 3 of 3
Evening at home
Maya and Leo return home after a busy day. They make dinner, clean the flat, relax, and go to bed.
Follow the scene
Learn the phrases in the order they happen.
Read the situation first. Then connect each phrase to the action Maya and Leo take in the story.
Story beat 1
Come home
Maya and Leo return, remove their outdoor clothes, and put everything in its place.
“Maya got back home from work before dinner.”
In plain English: Maya returned home from work before dinner.
+Why “back”?
A person, thing, message, or idea returns to an earlier place, person, or time.
“Leo took off his work shoes at the flat door that evening.”
In plain English: Leo removed his work shoes at the flat door.
+Why “off”?
A piece detaches from the whole. Contact with the body is broken.
“Maya put her work bag away when she got home that evening.”
In plain English: Maya returned her work bag to its proper place at home.
+Why “away”?
A person or thing is placed somewhere and kept there, often hidden or saved for later.
Story beat 2
Make dinner
They prepare a quick meal, warm it, and clean the dishes afterwards.
“Leo threw together a quick dinner with food from the fridge after work.”
In plain English: Leo quickly made dinner with the food that was available.
+Why “together”?
Separate pieces join to form one organised whole.
“Maya heated up some soup for dinner after work.”
In plain English: Maya made some soup hotter for dinner.
+Why “up”?
More of something is higher. Quantity, intensity and speed all rise.
“Leo washed up while Maya cleared the dinner table.”
In plain English: Leo washed the dishes while Maya cleared the table.
+Why “up”?
Filling to the top. Reaching the upper limit means finishing.
Story beat 3
Slow the day down
They talk, relax after the busy day, and finally go to bed.
“Leo caught up with a friend by phone after dinner.”
In plain English: Leo spent time talking and sharing news with a friend.
+Why “up”?
Separate people or pieces form one line, pair, group, or connection.
“Leo wound down with quiet music after the evening chores.”
In plain English: Leo relaxed with quiet music after the evening tasks.
+Why “down”?
Strong feelings or energy become lower and calmer.
“Maya turned in after reading for an hour that night.”
In plain English: Maya went to bed after reading for an hour.
+Why “in”?
A person remains in a place or activity instead of leaving it. This can mean home, work, sleep, or a difficult effort.
Check what stuck
Can you read the situation without a translation?
Choose the meaning that fits each sentence. You will get an explanation immediately, so mistakes become part of the lesson.
What does the phrasal verb mean?
“Maya got back home from work before dinner.”
Optional phrase bank
15 more phrases from this scene
The core lesson is complete. Open this bank when you want a broader vocabulary challenge.
+
Optional phrase bank
15 more phrases from this scene
The core lesson is complete. Open this bank when you want a broader vocabulary challenge.
call up
Telephone someone
“Maya called up her brother after dinner.”
clear away
Remove items to tidy a space
“Leo cleared away the dinner plates while Maya filled the sink.”
come over
Visit someone's house or place
“Maya's friend came over for dinner that evening.”
dish out
Give food, advice, or criticism to several people
“Maya dished out the pasta, then Leo carried the bowls to the dinner table.”
eat up
Consume entirely
“Leo ate up the last of the soup at dinner.”
hand around
Give out by hand from one to another
“Leo handed the bread around while Maya served dinner.”
hang up
End a phone call
“Maya hung up after her evening call with her sister.”
lie down
Place yourself in a horizontal position
“Maya lay down on the sofa for a short rest after dinner.”
nod off
Fall asleep briefly, especially while sitting
“Leo nodded off on the sofa during the evening news.”
sit down
Move to a seated position
“Leo sat down on the sofa after the evening dishes were done.”
sleep through
Continue sleeping despite a noise or event
“Maya slept through the noise from the street that night.”
switch on
Activate by flipping a switch
“Maya switched on the living-room lamp after dinner.”
take out
Remove something from inside
“Leo took the rubbish out after the evening meal.”
tidy up
Make a place neat by putting things in order
“Maya tidied up the living room before bed.”
wipe up
Clean a liquid spill with a cloth
“Maya wiped up some spilled juice after dinner.”
Your route through Daily Routines
Continue the story when you are ready.
Lesson 1
Morning routine
Describe waking up, getting ready, and leaving home on a normal morning.
9 min · 9 core phrasesLesson 2
During the day
Talk about commuting, concentrating at work, and handling everyday errands.
9 min · 9 core phrases- 3
Lesson 3 · You are here
Evening at home
Describe coming home, making dinner, cleaning up, and getting ready for bed.
9 min · 9 core phrases
Sink In — iOS & Android
Make the phrases stay with you
Sink In connects the particle patterns behind these phrases, then brings each meaning back before you forget it.
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- Check meaning, particle choice, and similar phrases.