You've got this; I've got your back
My son got this motivational pack from the University of Essex yesterday - it's designed to support A-Level students through the last few weeks of revision before they take their exams in June.
Notice the idioms they use:
"We've got your back" (idiom)
Use this to tell someone that you're ready to protect or defend or support them.
"You've got this" (idiom)
Used this to tell someone that you believe they can or will succeed in dealing with something.
It's often used to encourage people to continue - see the video below, where you'll see it used with expressions like "Don't panic!" "Keep going!" "Almost there!" and "Don't stop!".
Interestingly, according to the Cambridge dictionary, these phrases are mainly used in the US (but they're becoming more and more common in the UK).
Why is this interesting?
Well, the use of "I've got" instead of "I have" for possession is more common in the UK.
It's also less formal-sounding, so it's good to use it in your Speaking Test and informal letters (GT IELTS).
Notice the differences in questions and negative forms:
- Have you got? = Do you have?
- I haven't got? = I don't have.
Also notice the stress pattern:
"You've GOT this"
