General English A2 · Lesson 5B
Every word and expression from this lesson — with definitions, synonyms and examples.
contrast old habits with today
closing comment full of nostalgia
set up an interrupted past moment
honestly admit a past mistake
introduce a warm, repeated past habit
with no particular reason or plan
informal — 'in the past, in an older period' — 'back in the day, we used to…'
very quickly, without noticing time pass
memories (= make you remember)
draw a line through it to remove it
a habit (= start one over time)
treat it as important, worthy of attention
during your childhood/adolescence — 'growing up, I used to…'
a habit / a memory / a routine
wistful comment on differences past vs. now
introduce a specific memory
the past felt totally unlike the present
the memory is still vivid
answer immediately, without waiting
a bad habit (= stop it)
let it keep ringing until it stops, without answering
it's difficult to stop doing something you've done for years
time / years / hours doing something
time (= use it badly)
a common way to introduce a 'used to' contrast
the classic 'older person' story opener