Three useful words for the ESL student (2)

to ramp something up – to increase something, like ‘ramping up an effort’ to finish something. A ramp is a road that goes upward, it is not level. i.e. This trade war is ridiculous. Negotiators need to ramp up their efforts to reach an agreement to end all of this. i.e. I have not been writing many articles these days. I need to ramp up my efforts to keep writing articles, I can’t get lazy.

tops –  this is the very highest offer a person will make…no higher offer will be made i.e. I will give you 500 rmb for that painting, tops! Or: I will pay you 60 rmb for those shoes, tops! Or: We will pay you 14,000 rmb per month, tops!

paydirt – if you “hit” paydirt, you become incredibly successful. i.e. I invested 1,000 rmb in a new company and I hit paydirt! My investment is now worth 100,000 rmb! Or: I went to an art gallery opening and met an amazing woman who is now my girlfriend. I hit paydirt!