B216 words · Upper-intermediate

Everyday Routines vocabulary — B2

Everyday Routines vocabulary for managing household tasks, including stock up, fall behind, pile up and creature of habit — words for how well or badly a routine is being kept up.

16 questions

Words in this set

stock up
To buy a large amount of something so that you have plenty of it for the future.
Example: We always stock up on tinned food before winter.
pile up
To grow into a large amount because nobody has dealt with it.
Example: The washing-up piles up fast when nobody bothers.
catch up on
To do things you should have done earlier, to reach a normal level.
Example: I spent Sunday catching up on the laundry.
fall behind
To fail to keep up with what needs to be done, so it builds up.
Example: It's easy to fall behind with the housework when you're busy.
get on top of
To finally manage and control something that had built up.
Example: I've finally got on top of the washing this week.
chip in
To help by doing a small part of a task together with others.
Example: Everyone chipped in to clean the flat before the guests arrived.
pull your weight
To do your fair share of the work.
Example: It's not fair if you don't pull your weight with the chores.
unwind
/ənˈwaɪnd/
To relax and stop feeling worried after a busy or stressful day.
Example: I need an hour to unwind before bed.
juggle
/ˈdʒʌɡəl/
To try to deal with two or more jobs or duties at the same time.
Example: She juggles a full-time job and three young kids.
predictable
/prɪˈdɪktəbəl/
Always happening in the way you expect, with no surprises.
Example: His morning routine is completely predictable.
repetitive
/rɪˈpɛtɪtɪv/
Involving the same actions done again and again.
Example: The job felt repetitive after the first week.
structured
/ˈstrʌktʃərd/
Organised carefully, following a clear plan.
Example: She keeps a very structured morning routine.
unstructured
/ənˈstrʌkʃərd/
Not organised or planned in a clear way.
Example: Weekends feel refreshingly unstructured compared to work days.
regimented
/ˈrɛdʒəˌmɛntɪd/
Organised in a very strict, controlled way, following fixed rules.
Example: Life in the army is famously regimented.
creature of habit
A person who likes to do the same things in the same way every time.
Example: I'm a creature of habit — same breakfast every day.
autopilot
/ˈɔtoʊˌpaɪlət/
A state in which you do familiar things automatically, without thinking.
Example: I got dressed on autopilot, still half asleep.