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What does “decompress” mean?
Meaning, example sentence and a quick practice question.
C1
To relax and let go of tension after a stressful period
“It takes me a while to decompress after a big presentation.”
From the C1 lesson Switching Off (downtime and balance).
Quick check
What does “decompress” mean?
Teaching this phrase?“decompress” is part of a ready-to-teach lesson, with a reading, three exercises, speaking tasks and an answer key, in Everyday English Chunks C1 Pack 1 (Life, People and Places).
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Related phrases
- unplugto stop engaging with work, screens or responsibilities, even briefly
- run yourself into the groundto exhaust yourself completely through overwork
- know when to call it quits (for the day)to recognize the right moment to stop working
- burn the candle at both endsto overwork and under-rest, risking burnout
- take stockto pause and honestly assess your situation
- come up for airto take a brief break during an intense period
- live to work rather than work to liveto prioritize your job over the rest of your life
- be in dire need of (something)to urgently and obviously need something
- hit a wallto reach a sudden point of exhaustion or inability to continue